Forgiveness, Healing, and Hope

Posted on January 20, 2024 by Mark Cole

In the amazing journey of of life, we all encounter moments of pain, betrayal, and hurt. As followers of Jesus, we are called to navigate these challenges with the transformative power of forgiveness, letting go of past hurts, and embracing the future with hope. Let’s explore the profound teachings from the Bible that guide us on journey of healing.

1. All Things Work Together for Good:

   One comforting assurance as we navigate the path of forgiveness and healing is found in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” This verse is a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the midst of our pain and struggles, God is at work, weaving every circumstance together for our ultimate good.

2. Forgetting What is Behind:

   In Philippians 3:13-14, the apostle Paul encourages believers to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds us that dwelling on past hurts can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from reaching the goals God has set before us.

3. Forgiving Others:

   Jesus Himself emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Jesus highlights the reciprocal nature of forgiveness – as we forgive, we open ourselves to receive God’s forgiveness and experience His grace.

4. Be Kind and Compassionate:

   Ephesians 4:31-32 offers guidance on the attitude we should cultivate as we seek to forgive and let go of past hurts: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This verse reminds us that forgiveness is rooted in the kindness and compassion God has shown us.

5. Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing:

   When it comes to embracing the future with hope, Isaiah 43:18-19 provides a beautiful promise: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” This passage encourages us to trust in God’s plan for our lives, allowing Him to lead us into a new season filled with hope and possibilities.

As believers, forgiveness, letting go of past hurts, and embracing the future with hope are integral to our spiritual journey. Through the guidance of God’s Word, we can find strength, healing, and renewal. Let us heed the call to forgive as we have been forgiven, releasing the burdens of the past and stepping into the future with hearts full of hope, guided by the unwavering love of our Heavenly Father.

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Worship Leaders: The Power of A Smile

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Mark Cole

As worship leaders, our role extends beyond playing notes and leading melodies; we are called to create an atmosphere that fosters a deep connection with God. One often overlooked, yet incredibly powerful, aspect of this is the simple act of smiling. Let’s explore the profound impact a genuine smile can have on your congregation and the worship experience.

1. The Universal Language of Joy: Smiles are the universal language of joy. When you, as a worship musician, smile genuinely, you communicate a message of warmth, positivity, and approachability. This creates an inviting atmosphere where worshippers feel a sense of comfort and ease.

2. Connecting with Your Congregation: A smile is a powerful tool for building connections. As a worship leader, your goal is to connect with your congregation on a spiritual and emotional level. A smile bridges the gap between the stage and the pews, making the worship experience more intimate and relatable.

3. Reflecting God’s Love: Your smile is a reflection of the joy that comes from a deep relationship with God. When you smile during worship, you convey the love and peace that only God can provide. This authentic expression becomes a visual representation of the joy found in His presence.

4. Creating a Positive Environment: Worship environments should be uplifting and positive. Your smile sets the tone for the entire congregation, encouraging a spirit of celebration and thanksgiving. A positive atmosphere enhances the worship experience and makes it more memorable for everyone involved.

5. Encouraging Participation: Smiles are contagious. When worshippers see you genuinely enjoying the music and the worship experience, they are more likely to engage actively. Your positive energy becomes an encouragement for others to participate wholeheartedly in the worship service.

6. Expressing Gratitude: A smile is a powerful way to express gratitude to God and the congregation. It communicates appreciation for the opportunity to lead worship and gratitude for the worshippers who have gathered. Your joyful countenance becomes an offering of thanks to the One you are worshipping.

In worship leading, your smile is a vibrant thread that weaves together the music, the congregation, and our love for the Lord. Embrace the radiant power of a genuine smile as you lead God’s people, and watch how it transforms the atmosphere, creating a space where hearts are open, spirits are lifted, and God’s presence is truly celebrated.

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The Power Of Change

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Mark Cole

One of the great challenges in life is change. This can vary from learning the new features on your smart phone, to adapting to new styles of music and to seeing your children as adults and parents, not just your kids.

change wordle

Music in church has changed significantly since I started doing it full-time in the 70’s. When I started there was no ‘Praise and Worship’ movement. For me, it has been fun to change my musical styles as music has changed. I started out as a sax player who played in the band, to a choir and orchestra conductor, to a piano player who led worship and now I mostly lead worship on guitar.

Some people don’t like change. Personally, I like to grow and change. It keeps life fresh and interesting. I love to learn new music. I love to learn new skills and instruments. I love to travel to new places. I love to meet new people.

I don’t want to change just for change sake. There are certain things in my life that will never change. Things like, my trust and love for God, my respect and devotion for the Bible, my vow of marriage to my wife. But in other areas, change can be good.

I loved it when I stopped scoring music by hand and changed to writing music on the computer. I love the change from leading worship on piano to leading on acoustic guitar. One instrument is not better than the other, but leading on acoustic just works better for today’s music.

I love that God changes us and we become new creations. I also appreciate that God changes us through the trials and tests that we go through. I love that we change as we grow in the Lord and become more and more like Him. I am glad that God loves us too much to let us stay the same.

Question: Are you adaptable and changeable? Are you growing in the Lord? Are you better this year then you were last year? Musicians, are you growing and adapting?

My favorite Bible verses on change:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ~ II Corinthians 5:17

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ I John 1:9

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. ~ Ecclesiastes  3:1

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ~ James 1:17

And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” ~ Revelations 21:5

Great is God’s faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. ~ Lamentations 3:23

Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’ available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions.  This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

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Walking in Love: Understanding What God Loves

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Mark Cole

The teachings of Jesus provide profound insights into the heart of God and reveal the things that are dear to Him. As followers of Christ, understanding what God loves becomes a guiding light in our journey of faith. Let’s explore some key teachings of Jesus that illuminate the aspects of life and character that God holds dear.

1. Love for God and Others: Jesus, in Matthew 22:37-39, summarizes the greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” God deeply loves when His children wholeheartedly love Him and extend that love to others.

2. Mercy and Forgiveness: In Matthew 5:7, Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” God’s love is evident in acts of mercy and forgiveness. As His followers, we are called to extend the same grace we have received to others.

3. Humility and Servanthood: Jesus, in Mark 10:45, emphasizes a key principle of God’s love: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” God delights in humility and a servant’s heart, as demonstrated by Christ’s example.

4. Repentance and Seeking God: In Luke 15:7, Jesus shares the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. God’s love is manifested when His children turn to Him in genuine repentance, seeking a relationship with their Heavenly Father.

5. Faith and Trust: Jesus often commended faith and trust in God. In Matthew 8:10, He marveled at the centurion’s faith, saying, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” God loves when His children trust Him with childlike faith, believing in His goodness and sovereignty.

As we open our hearts to the teachings of Jesus, may we strive to embody the qualities that God loves. Loving Him with all our hearts, showing mercy, embracing humility, repenting when needed, and trusting in His divine plan are pathways to experiencing the depth of God’s love. Let us continually seek to align our lives with these principles, living and walking in love as Jesus taught us.

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12 Bible Verses That Encourage, Inspire and Motivate

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Mark Cole

Let’s embark on an exploration into the heart of faith by delving into twelve inspiring Bible passages that have provided enduring solace, unwavering guidance, and immense strength to generations of Christians. May these ancient texts deepen your connection with God and serve as a continual source of inspiration in your daily walk with the Lord.

1. Embrace Your Source of Strength

   I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

   As Christians, we draw our strength from Christ, acknowledging that through Him, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.

2. Find Comfort in Life’s Journey

   The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. – Psalm 23:1 (ESV)

   This Psalm reassures us that the Lord is our ever-present guide, providing comfort and abundance on life’s journey.

3. Hope for a Bright Future

   “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

   God’s promise of a future filled with hope resonates deeply, reminding us of His loving and purposeful plans for our lives.

4. Discover Meaning in Challenges

   And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NIV)

   This passage assures us that even in the midst of challenges, God is working for our ultimate good, fulfilling His purpose in our lives.

5. Trust God’s Unseen Path

   Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge to Him, and He will direct your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJ)

   Proverbs teaches us to trust in the Lord’s guidance, acknowledging that His ways are higher than our own and that submitting to Him leads to His purposeful path.

6. Renew Your Strength through Waiting

   But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

   The promise of renewed strength through patient waiting on the Lord echoes the importance of steadfast faith in our journey with God.

7. Discover Rest for the Weary Soul

   Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

   Jesus extends a loving invitation to find rest in Him, offering solace for the weary hearts of His followers.

8. Unveil the Power of Enduring Love

   Love is patient, love is kind… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

   The enduring nature of love, beautifully articulated by the Apostle Paul, reflects God’s boundless and unwavering love for His children.

9. Cultivate Virtues for a Fulfilling Life

   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

   Paul’s letter to the Galatians guides us in cultivating virtues that align with the God’s Spirit, fostering a life that reflects the character of Christ.

10. Seek God’s Path to Truth

    Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. – John 14:6 (NIV)

    In John’s Gospel, Jesus declares His centrality, emphasizing that our journey to the Father is only through Him, the way, the truth, and the life.

11. Embrace God’s Unchanging Nature

    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

    The immutable constancy of Jesus provides assurance in a changing world, grounding us in the unchanging love and faithfulness of our Savior.

12. Hold Fast to the Armor of God

    Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

    Paul’s letter to the Ephesians encourages us to equip ourselves with God’s armor, standing firm against spiritual challenges and embracing the strength found in His protection.

May these verses further enrich and encourage your spiritual journey, serving as pillars of strength, hope, and guidance in our Christian walk. May you find deep inspiration and comfort in the enduring wisdom of God’s Word.

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10 Things Every Worship Leader Needs To Work On

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Mark Cole

No matter how long I have been leading worship, there are always areas that I need to improve on. When you are doing well, it is too easy to get comfortable. But the truth is, none of us ever arrives. My prayer is that this list challenges you, like it challenges me, to move ahead with what God has called us to do! (There are also links to further teaching and support.)

1. Never stop growing

2. Develop your organizational and admin skills

3. Keep working on a good relationship with your pastor

4. Take time to mentor new leaders

  • Are you looking for and developing the potential leaders on your team?
  • Are you giving room for new leaders to lead a song or worship time?
  • Jesus spent over 3 years developing His team, are you following His example?

5. Develop a great team

  • Do you have a system for bringing along new musicians?
  • Are you developing multiple musicians for each position?
  • How are you helping your team grow spiritually?

6. Learn to pick great worship songs

7. Increase your passion for worshiping God  

  • Are you keeping it real? Be authentic, are you the same on and off the stage?
  • Are there areas in your life that are holding you back from God’s richest blessings?
  • Do you love the Lord with all your heart and are you a passionate worshipper?

8. Love the church like Jesus loves the church

  • Are you building God’s kingdom or yours?
  • Do you love the people you are leading?
  • Jesus laid down His life for us, are you willing to lay down your life?

9. Love your spouse and family

  • Are you carving out regular time in your schedule for your spouse and family?
  • Are you taking one day off per week?
  • When is the last time you had a date with your spouse?

10. Love and spend time with God daily

  • Are you reading your Bible daily?
  • When is the last time you memorized a Bible passage?
  • How is your prayer life? Are you praying and obeying?

Here are some related posts:

Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’ available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions.  This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

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Worship Teams: The Role of A Music Director

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Mark Cole

For most of my years working with worship teams, I have been both the Worship Leader (WL) and the Music Director (MD) or Band Leader. But, many worship leaders prefer having someone else to direct the musicians so they can concentrate on leading the congregation in worship.

A few years back, I worked for a 7,000 member church that had four worship teams that rotate. I lead worship on one of the teams and with the other three I served as the MD.

In my role as a Music Director, here is what I have found gets the best overall results from our teams. Special note: we use an MD mic that is programmed by the sound-man so that only the worship team can hear the MD in their ‘in-ear’ monitors.

Pre-rehearsal

  1. Contact the worship band and set up the rehearsal. This is usually done 4-6 weeks in advance. (We use Planning Center Online). 
  2. About a week before the rehearsal, I double-check and follow-up on any team members who haven’t responded yet. (texting usually gets the best response)
  3. Recruit (and/or audition) any subs that might be needed.
  4. Pray for the team and the church.
  5. After receiving the worship list from the worship leader (usually 5-10 days before the rehearsal), I may make suggestions on keys, songs and flow.
  6. Write any new charts that might be needed for that week. This can include any choir, string, brass or orchestra parts if they are involved that week.
  7. Update all the charts and Mp3’s online for the band to rehearse with. (note: Planning Center has the ability to transpose MP3’s. I’ve also done this using Garageband. Currently Multitracks Rehearsal Mix does the transposing for you)
  8. Email out notes to the band & singers (on the Monday before) with reminders of areas to pay special attention to and practice before the mid-week rehearsal.
  9. Program the click for each song and any back-ground tracks for the service. (Currently I use Multitracks.com and Playback for the clicks and tracks.)
  10. Serve as IT help for any members having trouble with Planning Center.
  11. Do my own personal rehearsal (vocal, keys, acoustic guitar and/or woodwinds). This usually includes practicing with the original recordings (often in a new key) and reviewing the arrangements, instrumental groove and vocal parts. 
  12. If I need to sing and also talk to the band, I use an A/B switcher on my mic.
  13. Work with the sound-man on the band set-up for that week.
  14. Lately I have been using ‘Multitracks.com‘ Playback app on most of the songs. This usually involves loading the songs on my iPad, editing the arrangements, ending and transitions between songs.

Mid-week Rehearsal (Thursday PM)

  1. Show up early and do my personal set-up.
  2. Greet all the team members as they arrive.
  3. Introduce any subs for that week.
  4. Work on getting the rehearsal started as soon as possible.
  5. Run the in-ear or monitor soundcheck.
  6. Have the worship leader open in prayer.
  7. Work with the worship leader on a song order for the rehearsal.
  8. Set-up my iPad or iPhone with Multitracks.com Playback app.
  9. Run an optional in-ear click off my 2nd iPad.
  10. Count-in the songs (via MD mic) and give musical cues.
  11. If the band plays without music. Give in-ear ‘Nashville Numbers’ cues.
  12. Address any problem areas that arise.
  13. Keep the rehearsal moving and productive.
  14. Give vocal and instrumental suggestions.
  15. Make musical suggestions to team members on areas to work on before Sunday.
  16. Close in prayer.

Production meeting (Thursday)

  1. Review last weeks services with the pastors, usher co-ordinator, sound and media.
  2. We work on this week’s service order.
  3. Close in prayer

Pre-Service Rehearsal

  1. Show up early and do my personal set-up.
  2. Work on getting the rehearsal started as soon as possible.
  3. Pray.
  4. Review the service order, lyrics and video shots with the worship team, pastors, sound, media, camera operators and floor director.
  5. Work with the team and sound on any last-minute adjustments.
  6. Work on musical transitions from one song to the next.
  7. Encourage the worship team to get past the music and worship God.
  8. Pray.

Services (9 AM & 11 AM)

  1. The band goes on early to tune.
  2. Cue and count-in all the clicks. 
  3. Give all the live musical cues (via MD mic). This usually includes cueing the team for the introduction, verses, chorus, bridge, any solos, a cappella sections, transitions and endings. (lately I have been using the app ‘Playback’ from Multitracks.com to do that). If the band doesn’t use music, then cueing the band via ‘The Nashville Numbering System’ is also helpful.
  4. Play and worship God.
  5. Remind the worship team to smile and worship.
  6. Socialize, eat and build community with the team between services.
  7. Play keyboard for the pastor at the end of the service.

What is your experience with the Worship Leader – Music Director dynamic? What is working in your situation?

Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’ available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions.  This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

If you have learned from this or any of my 300+ blogs may I suggest giving a small donation. You may do so via credit card  on this PayPal account.

Comments from Facebook:

Tamarah ~ Great article – very helpful, thanks! I am the worship leader and music director, but as my team is growing, I have been looking at how to move to having the two roles separate.? In your article, you list out the job of the music director, and I would love to see a list of the job responsibilities for the worship leader working with a music director.

Mark Cole ~ That’s a good thought.. I’ll work on that..

Andrew ~ We use an MD each week, and it’s amazing how much flexibility that has created in what we do. His role looks super similar to what you’ve laid out. One of the most important things we’ve learned is to really develop the chemistry between the WL and the MD. When that is done, I (WL) know that we’re on the same page. He has full authority to make calls for repeated sections, structure changes, etc, because he can sense where I might want to lead the congregation. It’s awesome!

Mark Cole ~ Cool.. thanks for that feedback.. I totally agree about the WL-MD relationship.. it can make the whole team & worship stronger.

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Seeking God In A Fast

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Mark Cole

Engaging in a time of prayer and fasting can be a meaningful spiritual practice to draw closer to God. My personal times of fasting have marked significant milestones in my walk with the Lord. Whether it is for 1 day, 3 days or longer, here are some suggestions to enhance your experience:

1. Prayer and Meditation: Dedicate specific times each day to pray and meditate. Reflect on scriptures, seek guidance from the Lord, and express gratitude to God

2. Bible Reading: Set aside extended periods for focused Bible reading. Choose passages that resonate with you or explore new ones to gain insights and inspiration. 

Here are some Bible passages that you might find meaningful during a fasting time:

A. Matthew 6:16-18: Jesus’ teaching on fasting and the importance of doing it with the right heart.

B. Psalm 51: A heartfelt prayer of repentance and seeking God’s mercy, written by David.

C. Isaiah 58: Explains the kind of fasting that God desires, emphasizing justice, compassion, and humility.

D. Joel 2:12-13: Calls for repentance with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

E. Matthew 4:1-11: The account of Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness, facing temptation from the devil.

F. Daniel 9:3-5: Daniel’s prayer and fasting for the restoration of Jerusalem.

G. Luke 18:9-14: The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, emphasizing humility in prayer.

H. James 4:7-10: Encourages believers to submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near to God with a humble heart.

I. Ezra 8:21-23: Ezra’s call for fasting and seeking God’s protection during a journey.

J. Acts 13:2-3: The church at Antioch fasting and praying before sending Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey.

K. 2 Chronicles 7:14: God’s promise to hear and heal when His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.

L. Philippians 4:6-7: Encouragement to bring all concerns to God in prayer and experience His peace.

M. Matthew 5-7: The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus teaching are a great way to spend time and grow in your relationship with God.

You can meditate on these passages, reflect on their meanings, and use them as a foundation for your prayers during this time of fasting.

3. Worship and Music: Incorporate worship into your fast. Listen to Christian music, hymns, or sing and play an instrument to create a worshipful atmosphere.

4. Journaling: Document your thoughts, prayers, and experiences during the fast. This can help you track your spiritual journey and gain deeper insights.

5. Community Support: If possible, join a community or connect with fellow believers who may be fasting. Share experiences, encourage one another, and pray together.

6. Walking Breaks: While fasting, engage in light physical activities like walking to maintain energy levels and clear your mind for spiritual focus. Walking and praying is a wonderful way to talk to God

7. Silence and Solitude: Allocate time for solitude and silence. This allows for deeper introspection and a heightened sense of God’s presence.

8. Fasting with Purpose: Clearly define the purpose of your fast. Whether it’s seeking guidance, repentance, or spiritual renewal, having a specific focus can enhance the meaning of your fast. Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.

9. Stay Hydrated: Ensure you drink plenty of water during the fast to stay physically healthy. Dehydration can affect your ability to concentrate on spiritual practices.

10. Rest: Allow yourself sufficient rest. Sleep is crucial for physical and spiritual well-being, especially during a fast.

Remember, fasting is a personal and spiritual journey, so adapt these suggestions based on your comfort and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Always consult with a healthcare professional before undertaking any extended fast, especially if you have health concerns.

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Heart Health

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Mark Cole

I was recently reminded of the importance of keeping my heart spiritually healthy. I was reminded to keep my love for the Lord as a top priority in my life. What does that look like in your daily life? It is such an important practice. Solomon said it this way, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” ~ Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Guard Your Heart

Here are some things that I do to help keep my heart and attitudes on track.

1. Read the Bible daily

One of the best habits that I’ve developed is to get up early every morning and read a couple of chapters from the Old Testament, a chapter from the New Testament, one Psalm and one Proverb. This takes me through the whole Bible every year and helps me to constantly learn from the greatest book that was ever written. – Joshua 1:8

God loves to speak to us through His Word.

2. Turn off media that damages my psyche.

I’m daily exposed to movies, TV, books, the internet and ads. I simply try to turn off the bad stuff and only watch the good stuff. That is highly subjective, but you have to start somewhere. I try to listen to the still small voice that warns me when I’m viewing something that is harmful. – Psalm 119:37

3. Keep my heart pure by repenting of sin.

I wish I was perfect, but unfortunately none of us is. So repentance (telling God I’m sorry and turning away from sin) is very important. When we ask for forgiveness, God is faithful to cleanse us from every sin and to forgive us from all the things that we have done wrong. – Matthew 4:17

4. Surround myself with family, friends and children.

I can be very happy just writing or playing music or being involved with sports on my own. So it is very important for me to constantly make a point of being with my family, friends and my grandchildren. They are a good balance in my life. I need to have the feedback of family, the interaction of friendship and the joy and innocence of my children & grandchildren to keep my attitudes and heart fresh before God and man.

5. Get outdoors and enjoy God’s creation.

I love to go for hikes, bike rides, and cross-country ski trips. It is so enjoyable to go for walks and bike rides in the great parks in our city. I also live close to the Rocky Mountains and I love to get into the mountains. Being outdoors reminds me of the greatness and grandeur of my Creator. It is also a great way to clear my mind and I often pray as I walk. – Psalm 19:1

6. Go to church weekly.

It is good to be with other Christians on a weekly basis: to sing songs of worship together, to hear God’s word taught and to fellowship with other believers. That interaction is so healthy. There is power in community. People need to connected with people. Christians need the influence of other strong Christians. – Hebrews 10:25

7. Pray daily.

My wife and I pray together daily. We try to make our prayers honest and direct. I’m not one to talk a long time and I believe Jesus model prayer (The ‘Lord’s Prayer’ has only 66 words) teaches us about the value of not being long-winded. We all need to find time daily to pray, to talk to God about our concerns, needs, frustrations and desires… P.S. It’s good to just listen also! 🙂 – Luke 5:16

8. Love the Lord with my whole heart, mind, soul and strength.

In life, love can slowly dissipate if we don’t make a consistent effort to fan the flame. My goal is to be passionately in love with God my whole life. I don’t want to lose my first love. I don’t want my love for God to become lukewarm. I want to love the Lord more with every passing year. – Matthew 22:37

9. Learn to love my neighbour as myself.

It is too easy to become self-absorbed. It is too easy to ignore people who are going through a bad time. In Jesus’ example, the Good Samaritan went out of his way to help someone he personally came across and spent the time and money to help that person. That challenges me. – Matthew 22:39

10. Worship God.

I needed to be constantly reminded of the greatness and faithfulness of God in my life.  Worshipping God sets our focus and affections on the One who loves us, the One who created us, the One who has the best plan for our lives. There is something about singing our praises and worshipping God that is so powerful. I love to worship corporately but my time worshipping with God alone is often more powerful. – John 4:23

11. Forgive quickly and often.

Offences do happen. But, I am determined not to allow bitterness to stay in my heart. It is too easy to get bitter and jaded. But that is not how I want to live my life. I want to live my life with an open heart and hands. – Matthew 18:21-22

12. Learn to control my tongue.

What you speak has consequences. They can be good consequences or bad consequences. The older I get, the more I want to be careful about what I speak. It is too easy to get angry and say the wrong thing. I want positive, encouraging thoughts to flow from my heart and mouth. – Psalm 141:3-4

13. Remind myself of God’s faithfulness in my life.

A few years ago, I started to blog and write stories of what God has done in my life. That has been so healthy. To remember the countless times that God has moved on my behalf and to remember His faithfulness and love has been such a valuable practise. God is faithful – Lamentations 3:22-26

14. Be thankful

When and if discouragement comes, I make a point of remembering all the things to be grateful for. I thank God for my health, family, country and His faithful supply and grace. God loves a heart of gratitude. – Psalm 57:9-10

15. Get exercise.

There have been times in my life that have been very stressful. One of the values of sports for me is that it clears my mind. When I play an intense game of squash, tennis or pickleball, I find it empties my mind of clutter. It helps keep my mind and heart healthy, literally.

16. Laugh more.

Proverbs 17:22 puts it like this, “A happy heart is like a good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing.” When we’re cheerful and full of joy, taking time to laugh, taking time to play, it’s like taking a good medicine. It helps us to stay healthy. In fact, medical science tells us that when people laugh, it boosts their immune system. Laughter reduces blood pressure. Laughter is one of God’s natural medicines.

17. Give

It is too easy to become self-centered and inward focused. There is something about giving that releases good in our lives. The writer of the Proverbs puts it this way:

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Proverbs 11: 24-25

Becoming a giver gives us a healthy perspective on life and is one of the keys to living an abundant life. Giving is a powerful key to guarding our heart against avarice and selfishness. Becoming a giver has a way of bringing blessings into our lives.

18. Rejoice with other’s victories

Paul said ‘Rejoice with those rejoice and weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12:15). It is so important to be an encourager to those around us. It is important to be outward focused, to encourage others and not be jealous of their victories. Our human tendency is be inward focused. God’s focus is to love the world: our focus should be to love and encourage the people God has brought into our world.

Question: Which of these points resonate with you? What else do you do to guard your heart?

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions.  This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

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What Does It Mean To Be Disciple of Jesus?

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Mark Cole

The Bible provides several signs that someone is a follower and disciple of Jesus. It’s important to note that these signs may show up differently in each individual’s life. Just as all Jesus’ disciples were different with different gifts, so we are all different. Following Jesus is a journey, some are just starting and others have been following Jesus for decades. 

Here are some key biblical directives from the words and teaching of Jesus and Paul:

  1. Love for Others:

Jesus emphasized the importance of love, stating that all people will know His disciples by their love for one another. 

Jesus said “I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” – John 13:34-35.

2. Obedience to God’s Word:

 A true disciple follows and obeys the teachings of Jesus as found in the Bible. 

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commands” – John 14:15.

Jesus – “Not everyone who calls out to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter.” – Matthew 7:21

3. Fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 outlines the fruits of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities should be evident in the life of a disciple.

Paul – But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

4. Making Disciples: 

Jesus commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations. Actively participating in sharing the message of Christ and helping others grow in their faith is a sign of discipleship.

Jesus came and told His disciples, “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.” – Matthew 28: 19-20

5. Prayerful Life: 

A disciple is committed to a life of prayer, seeking communion with God and relying on Him for guidance and strength.

Paul – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done.Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

6. Sacrificial Living: 

Jesus taught about self-sacrifice and putting others before oneself. A disciple is willing to deny self and take up their cross 

Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” – Mark 8:34

7. Humility:  

Humility is a key characteristic of a disciple. Jesus exemplified humility, and He called His followers to do the same (Matthew 23:12).

Jesus – “The greatest among you must be a servant.But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12

8. Forgiveness:

Disciples are called to forgive others just as God has forgiven them.

Paul – Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. – Colossians 3:13

9. Fellowship with Believers:

 Actively participating in the fellowship of believers, worshiping together, and supporting one another in the faith is a sign of discipleship.

Paul – “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

Remember, these signs are not exhaustive, and each person’s journey of discipleship may look unique. It’s a continual process of growth and transformation guided by the teachings of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

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