"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13
A3 firmly believes that ministry flows from "who you are" and that as we are rooted in Christ, we will bear much fruit (see John 15). I would call this Keeping First Things First! It was in this context that we heard such powerful testimonies at the recent Bangladesh graduation last week:
This has been powerful in my family life and ministry. You helped me discover myself and set me on a course to finish well. - Ben
A3 opened my eyes and I found my true purpose in life. The last few months I have faced many trials and A3 helped me overcome these. - Ruth
I learned that "being is more important than doing" and that I should lead according to the vision God put in my heart. I have the tools to finish well and look at life from the bigger picture, on top of the balcony and approach ministry as a marathon rather than a sprint. - Al
Even A3/Bangladesh co-director, Leor Sarkar stated: "My wife constantly asks me about meetings I attend: 'Do you really have business there?'. She never asks me this question when she knows I'm going to A3!"
This week brought particular joy as I shared the week with my former ministry partner, Pastor Byron MacDonald from Rolling Hills Covenant Church. He was the one who first taught me the principles I shared for devotions that day:
- Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint
- And, that only by being solely connected to Jesus can we bear much fruit
You see this flowing out of the lives of these graduates as they shared their testimonies. By keeping Jesus at the center of who we are and all of what we do, we are Keeping First Things First.
This is what is so powerful in Acts chapter 4. It's a little noticed word: the word "WITH". The leaders took notice that Peter and John had been with Jesus. It is by being with Him that we draw strength and power for life and ministry. He is the only source of living the abundant life. I hope you will find Him and start to walk with Him. When you do, you'll experience what these leaders were sharing last week about their experience with A3 the past two years!
How do you stay rooted WITH Christ?
Joe
