Multiply Yourself: Faith for the Reservations, Devo 12 - Monday Morning Devotion
This series focuses on praying for our Native American brothers and sisters, particularly those living on reservations.
[These devotions come from Jesus Culture's "Faith for Your City" Devotion Series with some alterations]
Need to start at the beginning? Read Week 1 here.
Multiply Yourself
Read: Luke 10
After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go. (Luke 10:1)
Some times it is easier to do things by yourself. When the task is easy, or if you have done it thousands of times, it's quicker to do it yourself than to have to explain it to someone else or correct mistakes. For a bigger project, it can be a headache to line up schedules and assign tasks evenly.
But Jesus called his followers to work in teams of two. We should not overlook Jesus' wisdom.
There are many reasons to work in teams when it comes to ministry. First, it is for our own protection. As Scripture tells us, "Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone." (Ecclesiastes 4:12) When it comes to reservations, this is especially important. In fact, the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming was named one of the most dangerous places in the country with crime rates five to seven times that of the national average. (Read the article here.) And while Wind River was pinpointed in this story, these situations occur on reservations across the country.
Beyond physical attacks, when we begin to grow God's Kingdom, Satan will show his face. Disappointments, setbacks, and hardships are better weathered with a friend.
FInally, we are called to train up others and pass on our ministry, multiplying ourselves. In describing Jesus' example, Paul points out: "It was he who 'gave gifts to people'; he appointed some to be disciples, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12)
As believers, we are called to raise up and multiply ourselves in the lives of others in a way that would have a powerful impact on our local reservations. It is for this reason that the second piece of the Lutheran Indian Ministries mission statement is to "create disciples." Beyond proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, we are called to help new believers as they grow in their faith so that they may, in turn, proclaim to their brothers and sisters.
It's not as hard as it might seem. Get involved on local reservations or in your city (does your city have a Native community center?). Share your journey together and watch God transform Native hearts and reservations.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to discover the importance of working in teams to better accomplish your will and your plans for [my reservation/city]. I want to go farward in the most effective way to reach my Native brothers and sisters with your goodness and love.