Mon.2.16.15...Being a Godly MENTOR...Noble in Battle part 1

In our ongoing scriptural study on Being a Godly MENTOR, we’ve looked at the vital importance of being a godly Model, and a good Encourager. There were 10 lessons on each of these. Wow! Today we are going to take only a few days to look at the next topic, which starts with the letter N and that reminds us that we need to be Noble in battle for our 1.ourselves, 2.our protégés and 3.lost men. This all involves warfare prayer. These three key areas we need to W.A.R. for. Today we will take the first letter of W.A.R. to focus on.

W= We need to pray for ourselves to live Worthy lives.

There is a blessed balance presented in Scripture regarding us living worthy lives. On the one hand we are hopelessly unworthy, yet on the other, we can live worthy lives. Consider John the Baptist. Jesus said of him, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Mt.11:11. Yet John declared that he was not worthy to even untie Jesus’ sandals (Luke 3:16). Jacob put it well-“I am unworthy of all the faithfulness and kindness you have shown me.” Gen.32:10. As I like to say when people ask, “How ya’doin’?” "I’m doin' better than I deserve.” Because of my wicked sins (all sin is), I am only worthy of death and hell. Thus, even when we have done our best as believers, we are unworthy of eternal life. That’s why Jesus told us to say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” Luke 17:10.

But when we own up to our tragically fallen, unworthy condition, Jesus amazes us with his amazing grace. He will greet his devoted “unworthy” servants, saying, “Well done good and faithful servant!” Mt.25:21. He gives us a new nature and then calls us to live according to it. Paul declared, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Eph.4:1. We are called to “be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph.5:1-2.

The fastest and best way to change a person’s unworthy behavior is to change their very identity. Imagine that the 4^th grade class trouble maker is singled out by his new 5^th grade teacher. She says, “I’ve heard all about you, but I don’t believe a word of it. I believe in you. And I’m going to give you the title of ‘Class Example’ for others to follow whenever I have to step out of the classroom.” What a change in behavior would be wrought in his motivation to live up to this new role or identity she gave him. Of course it’s even better for us believers. God has actually adopted us, giving us a royal identity- child of the King. We are his dearly loved children. And the Spirit of Christ has taken up permanent residence within us, prompting us to will and to do of his good pleasure (Phil.2:13). Plus, we now are part of His forever family with others encouraging us to live worthy lives. Paul said, “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Th.2:11-12.

But Paul knew that such words urging people to live lives worthy of God were not enough. Prayer was and is vitally needed to help shape the spiritual life into a worthy life. There are spiritual forces greatly opposing our progress to a worthy, commendable life (Eph.6:10-12). Thus, we need to pray for ourselves and others as Paul did, “We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling…so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you…” 2 Th.1:11,12.

What does a life worthy of his calling look like? I believe there are key ingredients that make up such a worthy life. We could illustrate all these with Scripture, but for the sake of time, let’s just mention them. See if you agree.

1.A worthy life is one where we are devoted to God and His word and growing in godly character.

2.A worthy life is one where we are actively engaged in the top priority of the great commission- making and multiplying disciples.

3.A worthy life is one where we are fighting in prayer and in our choices to live nobly as models for others and to see others freed and joining in the fight.

4.A worthy life is one where we are striving to live lives of love. We will admit it when we blow it and we will keep striving to show and grow in love. Without love we are nothing.

5.A worthy life is one where we are not self reliant, but closely connected to Christ and other committed believers.

If you agree that these above 5 points largely make up a worthy life, then you shouldn’t have a hard time remembering how to pray them into your life and the lives of others. Why? Because you already know them. As you compare the top 5 with the following 5 summary points, I think you will see they are the same and summarize those worthy ingredients:

1.Mature in character (for example being a Power HOUSE man and a good example)

2.Active in mentoring (the very thing you are in coaches training for)

3.Noble in battle (the very thing we are now starting to study over the next few days)

4.Loving in relationships (the very thing we R for and will be working on together until the day we die)

5.Yoked to Christ and others (the very thing you are a part of)

“All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God” 2 Th.1:5.

G.a- Share some of your thoughts from what we’ve covered today.

G.b- Write on your MP3 card the following verse “We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling” 2 Th.1:11 Then do the Did it. Please pray often today and in the future that you and we would be MANLY. Pray over the meaning of each letter into our lives. “O Lord, help me and us be Mature in character- Power HOUSE men and godly examples” etc.

G.c? How many individuals or groups did you get to share and enrich from your MP3 card?

R?

E? How many team members did you contact apart from the blog to encourage or potential proteges did you reach out to? 

A? Thanks for being so faithful in your attacking the gates of hell. O Lord, activate believers to join us in the fight.

Announcements
Hope you had a good weekend. On Sunday's blog, we put up a simple GDP to help you be more effective in recruiting 2 proteges each by the end of the month. So please look it over. You have all week to complete it. So just go back and complete it before this coming Sunday. These are necessary to complete Coaches Training. And you're almost done! Plus, you score points for your team in doing so.

Congrats to Alpha Force for your strong sharing of God's word and Encouragement. I also believe in the men of Delta Force. I know they are being spurred on to more love and good deeds. Heb.10:24. Each day is a new game!

	1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	Right Wrongs	Encouragement	A= Attack Prayers	T	(Men Recruited)
		For Th.2.12.15
	Alpha Force
	Fire Team 1
1	Jack Rogers U.2	Y 2	R (Our Respect)	4	A		Daniel & Roger
2	Roger Vinlasaca U.2	Y 2		4	A
	Fire Team 2
	Mike Pagan U.2	Y 1		1	A		George
	George Rabiela	Y 2			A
	Fire Team 3
	Sam Vargas U.2	Y 3		3	A		Robert
	Gary Remson U.2	Y	R (Our Respect)	2	A
	Fire Team 4
	Robert Roman U.1	Y 1		4	A
	Vince Diaz U.1	Y 1		2	A	T=Totals :)
		8 + 12= 20	2	20	8	50
	Delta Force
	Fire Team 1
	Alvin James U.2	Y		2	A
	Kentrayle Adams U.1	Y		2	A
	Fire Team 2
	Dave Heidekruger U.2	Y 1		2	A
	Israel Fuentes U.2	Y 1		2	A
	Fire Team 3
	Daniel Contreras U.1	Y 2	R (Our Respect)	2	A		Vince & Antonio
	Antonio Palomar	Y	R		A
	Fire Team 4
	Eddie Morales U.2	Y		4	A		Gary, Ismael, Kentrayle
	Ismael Andrade U.2	Y 1			A	Total
		8 + 5= 13	1	14	8	36