2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  NASB

Making disciples as seen in verse two ‘commit to…’ is essentially ‘making a deposit’ in their lives.  It is like putting money in the bank.  You drive alongside or go inside and deposit the money and the money is there when you need it.  But, what about the times when you do that with people and they quit on you, betray you, hurt you, leave you, abandon, you in the time of heated battle?  You say, ‘that deposit didn’t work am I supposed to do it again?’  YES! 

Everyone’s been hurt or will be hurt.  Even if fear grips your heart you dare not go back into isolation and refuse to risk being hurt again.  If you do then the devil’s plan is succeeding.  The temptation is always present to protect your own heart from hurt. When we realize that we cannot if we continue in ministry and fulfill the commission the Lord gave we will persevere and risk. It is important to remember you cannot function in battle alone and be effective.  This is a Body Ministry!  This is an Army!  This is a Family!  This is not a bunch of isolated individuals or body parts trying to be the whole for that is certain defeat!

In the process of making disciples we quickly learn the power and importance of Forgiveness. We must make the determination that we will forgive, forgive, and forgive.  That will prevent a root of Bitterness from springing up in your heart and defiling you and others.  It is necessary to maintain order and keep the battle moving forward.  If we have been abandoned in the war zone we need to be ‘healed’ and ‘restored.’  Refuse to allow wounds to fester and become infected.  Healing comes by allowing the wound to be opened, the blood to flow to it and life to be ministered. 

A word of wisdom and warning – “Pick the right friends this time!”  Do not be too quick to lay hands on people.  How do you pick the right ones?  Discernment and testing!  I’ve had people want to be friends and comrades in arms in the battle only to find that they quickly became disillusioned and disappointed.  They had expectations of me that I could not fulfill and therefore they turned on me.  Some have been offended that I would joke, laugh, enjoy recreational sports, etc.  They expected me to be, as they stated different which really meant abnormal or weird.  They had not learned that we are all human and even Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows. 

It would be easy to say, “Never again! I won’t risk being hurt!”  That will seal the deal, and make failure a certainty limiting any effectiveness we might have in the kingdom.  Too many lead pastors have allowed the wrong people to be made elders and deacons.  We do that in our churches and our lives too frequently. That is why it is vital that we exercise the discerning of the Spirit. 

Always remember that the qualifications for leadership are not community influence, financial status, charisma, or perceived leadership potential.  It is Commitment! We all have the capacity for a great number of friends but only room for a few close intimate relationships.  You are to deposit a portion of your life into that person or persons and that deposit is precious so guard it with your all.  You are going to war with this individual so you must Know Them! In war, you must Know that your fellow soldiers will stand and do their jobs.  Your life may and probably will depend on it.  I am not talking about preferences I am talking about War!  Once you have committed your life to Jesus you are a candidate for Front Line Duty!

There is nothing more destructive to a local fellowship than misplaced leadership.  Likewise, there is nothing more destructive to an individual life than misplaced friendships or relationships.  1 Corinthians 15:23 tells us that “bad company corrupts good morals.”  Proverbs 25:19 teaches that “confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.”  It is painful and can be quite harmful.

In your enlistment in the Army of God, I pray that God not only equips you for battle but enables you to equip others and to have the spiritual insight and discernment to recognize the right people to stand with.

Blessings as you go through your day!

2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  NASB

I know what it is like to be in a War Zone in the natural and in the spiritual.  I’ve had some people say to me, “You don’t sound like a preacher you sound like a soldier.”  Well, in truth, you cannot remove the training and experience in the War Zone from my life.  God has used and is using it to shape me into what I am and what He desires. 

There are things I learned and experience in the natural war zone that has proven to be beneficial in the spiritual war zone.  I acknowledge that virtually all believers get a taste of the ‘Spiritual War Zone’ but all do not Function there or at least not effectively.  It takes fierce determination, an understanding of the strategies of the enemy and an understanding of our weapons and equipping.  It takes that but there is one thing more that is absolutely essential and that is Faithfulness!

Consider what Paul says to his spiritual son Timothy in verse 2 – “The things which you have heard from me…”  In the KJV it is rendered ‘of me’ the Greek word is [pa-ra] = alongside, partnership, side-by-side relationship.  It is the same word used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit in [John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7] The Holy Spirit reveals the heart of the Father as He walks with us and resides in us.  It is a Covenant relationship!  He is the ‘Paraklete’ and there is no one closer to you than Him!

Timothy had been there with Paul in good times and bad.  He had worked alongside the apostle.  Paul reminds him “the things you have learned by virtue of our close, long-standing, side-by-side relationship.  You have been mentored.”  This was not a teacher-student classroom experience with one lecturing and the other taking notes for a test.  This was an actual ministry.  It was the ministry of covenant. It was walking together in good times and bad.  In 2 Timothy 3:10 Paul declares, “But you (Timothy) have Fully Known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.”  Paul says in verse two above – “what you have learned, commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Simply, “Timothy, you know what I’ve done for you.  Now go and do the same for others.  You have been disciple now it is time for you to disciple.”  This is the principle of reproduction.  God always expects reproduction.  What we receive we are to give.  What we learn we are to demonstrate and teach.  Remember Jesus said in Matthew 10:8 – “…Freely you have received, freely give…”

I was teaching on this once and had someone interrupt me saying, “But Timothy had been hurt!”  I paused and asked, “Was Paul ever hurt?  Was Jesus ever hurt?  How is being hurt a justification for drawing back?”  We are supposed to be pulling down strongholds and taking ground for the kingdom not going into hiding or isolation. 

If we faint in the time of adversity our strength is small.  In verse one Paul charges Timothy to be “strong in the grace that is Jesus Christ.”  If we do not have a good connection to the flow of ‘supernatural enablement’ we must ask why?  Is it because of our relationship, trust, revelation?  What?  It is imperative that we truly See Jesus to truly Trust Him!

Making disciples is a commission that each of us has been given and that works at all levels of leadership and responsibility in the kingdom and life.  In Matthew 28 our Lord said, “Go therefore and make disciples…”  That is not a suggestion but a commandment.  That commission cannot be fulfilled outside the context of faithfulness through committed covenant relationships.  It is time-consuming to make disciples.  It involves commitment and sacrifice.  It can be and usually is incredibly painful but equally joyous.  It is risk-filled. 

My question is not if you are in the War Zone but are you a committed warrior?  If you are then do not shy away from the task at hand of making disciples.  Jesus instructed us to pray to the Lord of Harvest that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.  The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.  Be a committed warrior making disciples who are or will be committed warriors. 

God bless you as you go through your day!