Mentor(def) - an experienced and trusted adviser: Too many times we let what God is doing in our life stay in our life and not pass it on. It is a mistake to keep it all to ourselves and the power that God generates in our walk of faith is a power that must be passed on. When someone receives Jesus they should always be mentored by a believer who has experience in God's Word and in walking with God. Joshua in the Bible, was such a man. In the Book of Joshua, we learn that Moses chose Joshua to lead the fight against the Amalekites who had attacked them Exodus 17:8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. In this battle as long as Moses held up his hands with his staff in his hand, the Israelites gained the advantage, but when His hand dropped the Amalekites would gain the advantage. They positioned Moses so his hands would remain up and Joshua overwhelmed the arm of Amalek in battle. Moses recorded the events and passed them all down to Joshua as God had commanded.
You can easily see how passing the torch was a significant part of God's plan. See what happens when we share the message of Jesus with a lost and dying world. The enemy hopes to defeat us at every turn, but if we lift up Jesus, the battle is over. Jesus said this in John 12:31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die. We share this message of hope through the resurrected power of Jesus and if we lift Him up, the lost will be saved. And if we mentor those who receive Jesus to also lift Him up we begin to see the gospel move across our world in a powerful and ever-growing way. Mentoring new believers is the lynchpin to the gospel being preached in a massive groundswell from those who have been redeemed!
We should never become complacent in mentoring new converts and sending them out with the testimony of God's grace in their hearts. The power of the gospel is real and powerful, but we can never hold it back by inactivity. To receive and respond to the instructions that Jesus has shown us through His Word parallels the words Moses passed on to his servant Joshua. Moses knew that his time was ending and that Joshua needed to pick up the mantle and continue to lead the people. Jesus also knew His time on the earth was ending and He left us a great mentor who fills us with strength and power to share the message as never before. John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
Keep the flame burning by passing it on to those new converts who are eager to be a part of God's plan for winning the world to Jesus. May we never stop the plan God has put into place.
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren
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