Click to download the audio version of “Dynamic Spirituality: Part 1”

Let’s look at two areas today: Passionate worship and Reliance on the Spirit for ministry.

What is worship? Worship is our response, both personal and together, to God for who He is, and what He has done; expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live.

As the leaders of ILF, it is the responsibility of each of us to demonstrate our love for Jesus, our response to His love for us, to those around us. We are visual demonstrations of God’s love! And this cannot be demonstrated through us unless Jesus is active in us. This is a continuous process of daily repentance, seeking Jesus through his word and prayer and acting in love regardless of our circumstances. That is worship!

Paul makes it clear in Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship” John 4:23

The action of worship, despite our circumstances, is impossible in our own strength. It requires us to rely on the Spirit every minute of the day. Friends, my heart is sinful. The Spirit, the equal part of the Trinity, draws us to humility. Humility both before God and each other. Confession that we are all sinners saved by the grace of God. The Spirit calls us to intimacy, Read Psalms 63:1-11! Because the Spirit resides in each of you, as you seek Jesus, your intimacy with each other will naturally grow.

Much like each of us cannot grow in Christ and fulfill our purpose in life without Jesus, ILF cannot lead communities in faith, love and grace without active worship and reliance on the Spirit. Nothing any leader of ILF says or teaches is as important of their demonstration of love for Jesus, each other and those they serve.

John 15:4-6: 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

What is your personal understanding of this verse?

What does it mean for you as a fellow worshipper of Jesus?

What does it mean for all of us in ILF?

Click to download the audio version of “Dynamic Spirituality: Part 2”

When ILF was formed, it was built on the truth that ALL of scripture is of God and that God’s word has authority over every aspect in this ministry. What I mean is this: everything we aim to do, is based on and in line with the Bible’s teachings.

As ministers of the gospel, as each of you are, we have this in common, the Bible is our foundational document. The Bible is the living Word of God because it is the message given to us from the living God. Hebrews states, “for the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit… and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (4:12). The God who is alive works in this world through His living Word in partnership with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus spoke of the life-giving property of His words: “The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).

The Bible is God’s special revelation to man and contains all we need to know to live a life that pleases God in obedience and righteousness as well as to lead in a godly manner (2 Tim 3:14-16). This is directly related to ILF. Every obstacle that we face, every challenge ahead of us, every joy and every suffering should be tested by the word of God. Psalms 119:105 says “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

And the world is watching! We are all are reflections of God and the proof of what is written. How we respond to conflict, unjust actions, discipline, pain, sorrow, will guide the world’s understanding of Jesus himself. Following God’s plan outlined in His word, making sure we are in line with God’s teachings, this is how the world will see Jesus through all circumstance, good or bad and give glory to God.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous” Joshua 1:8

How has the Bible guided you personally in your role in ILF?

How can you apply the word to your everyday life?

Click to download the audio version of “Dynamic Spirituality: Part 3”

Holistic Leadership Nurtures the community in a deepening spiritual life of worship, prayer, study, and mutual discipleship.

To nurture is the process of build and encourage the believer’s spiritual development in Christ.

Consider a vegetable garden. When you sow the seeds carefully and water it diligently, with patience the fruits of your labor bloom. By contrast, if you plant the seeds carelessly and do not give them your diligent attention, the sun and animals will rip out the seeds and dry the leaves, leaving you with a shell of a plant that bears no fruit.

The same applies to your spirituality and that of those you are serving through your lives. If you care for it and tend it well, it will grow in ways that honor God and bless others. As brothers and sisters in Christ, our aim is to nurture not only our INDIVIDUAL walks with Christ, but also those of our neighbors, community members, and all of Sierra Leone.

Acts 2:42-47 says “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts”

My friends, God desires to do power things in and through you and into the communities you serve. As the believes joined together, DEVOTED themselves to fellowship and prayer, God did miracles and was present with them in a mighty way. We must encourage and demonstrate gathering together in the community to seek and worship Him. God desires for Mankneh, Mamaso and surrounding villages to a light on a hill for all to see. Let us consider how to nurture in our individual roles and together for the glory of God.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Reflection:
Please respond by writing a prayer to God including two parts:

1. Personal prayer to Jesus
2. Prayer for the area you serve in

In Mark 12: 28-31, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders of the day.  One of the teachers of the law entered the conversation and asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  In verses 30 through 31 Jesus answers by saying “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.”

The perfect expression of God’s love for others is found in the person of Jesus.  Jesus does not require anything from us that he did not already live out in his own person and life.  Jesus modeled this expression of love to others and He has called us to do the same.  We can see this self-sacrificial love modeled through the life of Christ through His compassion, respect for all, his willingness to listen and how He encouraged those in need of encouragement.

Jesus showed Compassion: Jesus was incredibly compassionate and was continually responding to the needs of the suffering.  He healed the sick, broke demonic strongholds over those that needed to be set free and He loved deeply.

Jesus showed Respect:  Jesus demonstrated his love and respect for all people, regardless of their status at the time.  He showed tremendous respect and value for women and children, when culture did not at that time. (Luke 13: 10-17, Mark 10:13-16)

Jesus Listened:  Throughout the New Testament, we see how Jesus spent time listening to the questions of his disciples and listening to the questions and responses of his enemies.  The example we see from Jesus is that, He valued people by listening to them and provided responses that were given thoughtfully and patiently.

Jesus Encouraged:   Jesus spent a significant portion of his ministry encouraging people towards love.  Take some time this week to read Luke 6:17-49.  Jesus always spent time to lift and encourage members of society that were looked down upon (the poor, outcasts, lepers, children, prostitutes and tax collectors).  Aren’t we supposed to do the same?

God showed us the perfect expression of His love through the life of Jesus.  We are called to share that same sacrificial love.  It’s when we share that love that we are expressing the heart of the Father to those who are lost, lonely, vulnerable and broken.

What are some of the ways we can show sacrificial love to our community and the communities around us?

Has God placed a certain person, or community of people, on your heart to reach out to and show sacrificial love?

Click to download the audio version of “Dynamic Spirituality: Part 5”

Dear Friends,

Welcome to another Holistic Leadership training focused on centering our vision and minds on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith. In centering on Jesus, He becomes the perfecter of our work in ILF, God’s ministry.  We miss you! I would encourage you, brothers and sisters, to re-listen to last week’s message when brother Cyrus focused our attention God’s promise, “I am with you!” I know God spoke to my heart through that message during a time of uncertainty.

If you have your Holistic Training Manual with you, we will be looking today at the second page under Dynamic Spirituality, the 5^th point listed, which states: “holistic Leadership….serves one another in tangible and purposeful ways with Christ as the ultimate example.

We have seen so many examples within ILF staff, among all of you, of servant hearts, of going above and beyond to serve one another well outside of your job descriptions. But truly our ultimate example is Jesus himself.

In the book of Philippines, Paul says in 1:27, “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and stand firm.” How do we do this? In one spirit, like-minded, united, serving one another. In this book, Jesus is given as the perfect example of a servant and Jesus’ example should encourage us to have servants’ hearts. Not just to serve one another, but the focus should be serving Jesus through serving one another. This is stated clearly in 2 Corinthians 4:5.

“For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

He is our perfect example because He illustrates in Himself characteristics of a true servant.

Here are a few examples:

1. Jesus thought of others before Himself

This is an incredible thought: Although God, Jesus emptied Himself, or made Himself nothing. He poured Himself out and gave Himself away. Having the attitude of Jesus begins with a choice. He purposefully laid aside all the glories of heaven to come to earth as a human baby. Still God, He chose to grow and live as a man who would suffer a cruel death for us.

Jesus demonstrates that servant leaders do not get caught up in a sense of entitlement but rather give of themselves sacrificially for other

2. Jesus served

Philippians 2:7 describes Jesus as a servant, or more specifically, a bondservant—someone in bondage or servitude to someone else.  Jesus did not pretend to be a servant. He was not an actor playing a role. Throughout the Gospels, we see Him willingly serving others in practical ways. He spent time with people which other leaders would not, he got his hands dirty in the mud to give sight to a blind man, he helped this poor, sick, diseased. Is this not the vision we have for ILF? That we would serve our communities in practical ways?

And remember, Jesus serves you still! He is our high Priest interceding for us in prayer.

3. Jesus Sacrificed

Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice. He did that for us, with the joy of our redemption in mind. Having the attitude of Jesus might lead us to doing things we don’t want to do for the sake of others. Jesus prayed “not my will but Thy will be done” as He faced the cross.

Servants are not self-serving but rather submissive to God’s will for the sake of the big picture, God’s glory.

4. Jesus served with joy

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that with the joy of our redemption set before Him, He endured the cross. He tells us in Joh 15:11 “these things I have spoken to you that my joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full.” The joy we have in loving one another is the joy of Jesus!

Romans 12:1 tells us to take our everyday, ordinary lives, from sleeping, eating, to our roles within ILF, and place it before God as an offering. This is our spiritual act of worship. In fact, serving one another in love, as Jesus did, is as important an act of worship as singing him songs at church!

So, my friends, as we look to Jesus as our role model, may we serve one another, those God has placed in our paths, sacrificially, putting others before our comfort, and with Joy in our hearts.

Would you respond with whatever God places on your heart after hearing/reading this?