Courtnaye Richard

www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

I’m going to jump right into this one. Over 2,000 year ago, Jesus Christ came into the world and then ascended to heaven. Yet, before He left, He gave His disciples a Great Commission. He told them in Matthew 28:18-20, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This passage of Scripture is so loaded with instruction! It’s so loaded with a clear calling. It’s so loaded with action! It’s so loaded with encouragement, reassuring them and us today (as those new disciples) that we are not alone in the process of life or in making disciples. However, in our modern-day world, what does it really look like for us to go and make disciples? With that being said, I’d like to offer a few suggestions.

Going and making disciples can look like…

One-on-One Evangelism– When I think about this, I think of Philip, the Evangelist in the Bible (read more about him in Acts 8:26-40). Under the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, Philip was instructed, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” He listened and obeyed. As he walked alongside the carriage, there was an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah 53, but he didn’t understand what he was reading. And Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.” (Acts 8:29-31)

First thing that you and I need to do is go, as the Spirit leads us. The Holy Spirit knows who is searching for answers in life and through Scripture. And He wants to direct us and give us what we need to disciple others, just as He did with Philip. Not only did Philip explain the passage of Scripture, he told him about Jesus. He shared the Gospel with him. But he took an extra step and baptized him.

Acts 8:36-39 says, “As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.”

One on one evangelism is a way of going and making disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them! This is the Great Commission. In our modern-day culture, you and I can do this, sis! We can help people understand the Word of God. We can share the Good News with those who either never heard of the name Jesus Christ (which you would be surprised there are still people who haven’t heard His name) or who want to accept Him as their Lord and Savior.We have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s direction. Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to the Ethiopian eunuch. And after that, he was led somewhere else. That’s how it works.

Preaching at a Church or a Conference– People who don’t know Christ, but who feel lost, broken, sick, mentally ill, or hungry for something different than their everyday lives, will walk through the church doors or a conference where they can come, sit down, and listen to the Word of God. They are what many call today, “seekers.” That’s why many times after the word is preached in either setting, there is a call to salvation. There is a sharing of the Good News, so that people who come and hear the truth can have an opportunity to be set free forever!

Bible Study or Small Group– Making disciples can definitely take place in a Bible Study that’s held at church, home, or in a communal location (i.e. coffee shop, community center, office space after work hours, etc.). Disciples are followers, learners, or students. It’s those who are wanting to learn more and go deeper in the Word to understand what it means, who God is, how to live the life of Christianity, and how to share it with others.

In a nutshell, discipleship is all about the Gospel and walking with Jesus daily. It’s about growing in our relationship with the Lord and being led by the Holy Spirit to continue learning, maturing, and sharing the Good News with others (in whatever situation given to us) until Jesus returns.

Going and making disciples is an act of obedience. It’s an act of true love for mankind. It’s an act of faith and boldness to take part in what I believe is the greatest call on all of our lives as believers. Jesus has called us to help fulfill this Great Commission.

And whether that’s sharing your testimony, the Gospel, helping someone understand Scripture, teaching a Bible Study, a conference message, or through writing, podcasting, radio, social media posts, Sunday school, or even baptizing or encouraging someone to do so, that is how we go and make disciples, sis. So, let’s do this…in our day and time!

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION: How are you making disciples today? Do you find it difficult to make disciples in this season, if so, why? Also, do you need prayer today? If so, write it out here or you can email me directly to join you in prayer on it @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you.

*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2020, Click here!

Order your copy of IDENTIFIED TODAY!

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!

 

www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

Are you tired, sis? Do you need a break? If you do, then guess what? You are not alone. These days, with the rat race, daily demands at home and work, ministry assignments, endless entrepreneurial ideas, and social media craze, I would think we all could use some much needed rest.

If you’re tired, then let me remind you of this familiar, yet timely comforting verse from Jesus’ own lips, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Let me just say this, Jesus is the best muscle relaxer and stress reducer we will ever find!

So whatever burden you’re carrying or stress that you’re feeling right now, go to Jesus and release it to Him. Just let your shoulders down, breathe, relax, put your feet up, and let Jesus take the wheel. He’s got this and you!

Personally, at the time of this post, I need rest. I just spoke at a women's conference this past weekend (which I LOVE doing), and while we had such a great time in worship, the Word, and amazing fellowship with one another, I am in need of rest. I would actually love to be laying on somebody’s massage table this week (I probably need to schedule one). ;-)

But getting back to the purpose of this post, no doubt, there is so much happening with all of the demands of the day and this new overcrowded fast lane of life these days with endless social media campaigns, ministry responsibilities, work, and you name it! I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but everyone’s trying to get somewhere. Just about everyone is crazy busy! I mean, just look around at your circle of friends, fellow colleagues, and sisters in Christ. Everyone’s trying to do something.

And while there's nothing wrong with doing amazing things, I just want us to find time for rest. To rest in the Lord. To take a break when you know that you need to take one. To simply breathe and allow God to pour into you to refresh you through His Word. Amen!

Now, before I close this post, I want to give you a few practical ideas that you can use to relax. I would like to encourage you to put on a pot of coffee or tea, light a candle, sit down on the sofa or a big arm chair and just lay your head back, while listening to some ocean music or instrumental worship (you can pull it up from YouTube if you don’t have any already)...and relax. Or how about this? Try taking a long drive or watching a good movie (or go to the movie theater alone).

Some other things that you can do are to just sit back and read a good book that you’ve been wanting to read, take a long and uninterrupted nap (get some good earplugs and an eye mask), schedule a pedicure, book a mini personal retreat and order room service and relax by the pool. Another thing you can do is schedule a massage. Sis, I've definitely gotta do this! It's already come up twice in this post. ;-)

But I think you get my point. Just rest. And don’t feel guilty about it. Remember, God rested on the 7th day after all of His labors. This biblical truth is found in Genesis 2:2 stating, “On the seventh day God finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.” There you have it! What a great example!

Whether you are a single, married, working, stay-at-home mom, business woman, ministry leader, student, or volunteer, you can take a break from your labor. We all need a moment to cease from our work at times. Otherwise, if we don’t slow down, burnout is lurking around the corner. It’s either that or a meltdown (or blowout)!

So don’t do it to yourself, sis. Instead, find rest for your weary soul and body. Again, it’s perfectly normal to take a break in this season. Just rest, my sister. You'll be glad that you did.

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION:Are you tired today, sis? Are you heavy-burdened or exhausted and need to find rest? Do you need prayer today? If so, write it out here or you can email me directly to join you in prayer on it @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you.

*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2020, Click here!

Order your copy of IDENTIFIED TODAY!

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!

 

 

 

www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

As you read this post, I want you to look forward, not backwards. I don’t want you to look at what you did already and failed. I don’t want you to look at what you didn’t do in your marriage or past relationships, or how you think you may have failed your children in some way in the past. No doubt, grow from any mistakes that you’ve made, but don’t park in condemnation. Instead, repent, ask for God's forgiveness and begin moving forward by living with no regrets from here on out.

Think about it this way. Do you want to be a better wife or mother? Do you want to be a better employee, boss, or business owner who shines the light of Christ in your conversations and actions on the job? Do you want to be a stronger ministry leader or flow in your gifts better to edify the body of Christ and glorify God? Do you want to be a more fruitful Christian, and go deeper in your walk with Christ personally, so that you’ll not only mature, but be ready to have an answer for anyone wanting to know more about the hope that lives within you (see 1 Peter 3:15)?

Wherever you are, do it, sis! And begin now. Remember, this is all about living with no regrets. I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to help you live a life that is worthy of your calling here on this earth as Ephesians 4:1 states (in the home and outside of the home, and from the heart). But I also want to encourage you to live the abundant life that He promised you, as well.

With that being said, what are some fun things that you’d like to do in this season or forthcoming? What are some things that make you happy and light up? Where are some places that you’d like to go? What are some dreams and goals that you’d like to accomplish personally, professionally, or ministerially? As the Lord wills, go for it! His word says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:4-5)

Personally, I want to do better in some areas of my life personally and spiritually. I want to help my husband be more successful in his endeavors and continue to enjoy my children, while encouraging and equipping them in the Lord and for life. I want to accomplish some more goals in advancing the kingdom of heaven (desires of my heart). And I also want to visit a few places that I haven't gone before (like up north or on a cruise, and take a long road trip to Colorado Springs). I don't want to live a life full of regrets when it's all said and done. I want to live a life poured out. Don't you?

Actually, we should live our lives in such a way that we can someday echo the words of the Apostle Paul who said, “I’ve fought the good fight of faith. I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me -the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return." (2 Timothy 4:7-8) 

Paul lived a life with a heart of gratefulness and love for fellow believers. He lived a life of faith and stood firm for it at all costs, while encouraging others, as well. He believed, preached, and lived what he taught. And I'm sure he lived life to the fullest (in spite of his many persecutions, imprisonment, and trials)! Paul lived with no regrets. And we should strive for the same.

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION: Are you currently living a life with no regrets, sis? Or is your past holding you back from living this way or moving forward? If you need prayer, you can email me directly and I will pray for you @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you. 

 

*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2020, Click here!

Order your copy of IDENTIFIED TODAY!

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!