Mon Inspiration

Morning Inspiration with Pastor Merritt

Followers of Jesus make followers of Jesus. Jesus showed us while on earth what a real relationship with God looks like, and invites us to have one ourselves.

We cannot take people where they need to go (to Jesus) until we connect with them where they are. Connecting to others is following Jesus' example in Scripture.

1. We need to proactively connect with people.

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." Matthew 9:35

Jesus took the initiative to go where people were. He did not want people to have to find Him. He found them. In your life, do you go out of your way to build relationships with others? Do you look at each interaction with someone new as an opportunity to build a friendship? Do you value friendships and your relationships with others above other possessions in life?

2. We need to passionately care for people.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36

Do we see people the way Jesus saw people? When we see people we don't know, are we often moved to avoid them, or like Jesus, are we moved to have compassion on them. Do you look at people simple for what they can do for you, or for how you can serve them? Do you see their hearts, their hurts and their needs?

3. We need to personally commit to people.

"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" Matthew 9:37-38

Jesus asked His disciples to pray for more disciples to connect with people. Why prayer? Because when the disciples prayed, God opened their hearts to know more people, to have compassion for them and to look into their spiritual needs. When we begin to pray for workers, God begins with us, making us more effective, and brings others into our lives that we can teach and train to impact the lives of people as well.

This week, think about your own commitment to see to the spiritual needs of people you know. When you meet someone, always be looking for a way to connect with them. Ask God to make you sensitive to the spiritual needs of people, and to give you compassion for others. When you pray, ask God to build up more disciples through you, so that you can not only influence others toward Christ, but communicate the importance of a compassionate life as well.