“Lord, let me make a difference for you

that is utterly disproportionate to who I am.” –David Brainer

Let me make a difference for you Lord that is beyond my human potential was the desire of David Brainerd. He wanted the Lord to use his life to make a difference that would exceed who he was as a human being, with limited resources, skills, and abilities.

David Brainerd (April 20, 1718 – October 9, 1747) did make a difference that was utterly disproportionate to his short life of 29 years. In fact, through his biography, he would inspire such missionaries as William Carey, Jim Elliot, and countless Christians alike, by his single-minded devotion and zeal for the Lord.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader, and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

I want to make a difference for the Lord, so I began volunteering with Discipleship Journeys with Jesus with the online help desk. I have received and responded to hundreds of messages, questions, and requests. And through DJJ, I have been able to offer them a process for discipleship that is Biblical, free, and available to them via the internet.

My work with Global Media Outreach prepared me to help people grow spiritually. But what GMO didn’t prepare me for was the spiritual and financial poverty of developing nations. It is one thing to hear and know about it, but it’s entirely different to put a name with a story and to receive photos and videos that show the depth of poverty. It is heartbreaking. People are hungry for the Gospel and Christian teaching, but the need for shelter, food, clothing, clean water, Bibles, etc. is overwhelming.

Some days, I have felt so guilty. But I cope by praying with people that God would meet their spiritual and physical needs. Also, I make financial donations to Discipleship Journeys with Jesus and Reaching the Hungry. RTH is providing water wells and using the DJJ lessons, which have been translated into the Chichewa language to disciple people in Malawi. I know the founders of both DJJ and Reaching the Hungry, and they are well-run organizations that are genuinely committed to sharing the Gospel and providing discipleship.

To make a difference with our lives is a desire that individuals in every generation have embraced. The idea that we can use our lives to be an agent for change in our world is idealistic and noble. There are all kinds of causes and movements that people support, and while many are great, there are also those based on secular motives that cause more harm than good.

Christians can make a difference with our lives for the Lord that is entirely unequal to our talents and resources; because we can rely on God and His unlimited resources. What is impossible for us is possible for God.

Job 42:2 says, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (ESV)

O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! (Jeremiah 32:17 NLT)

That is why Discipleship Journeys with Jesus is such a great ministry, because they want to make a difference for the Lord, and in fact, they are in 87 countries and growing.

They have a substantial God-sized vision to take 100 million people on discipleship journeys with Jesus, to help fulfill Jesus’ “Great Commission,” and that is the greatest cause of all. To make a difference in the lives of others resulting in the salvation and discipleship of souls is to make a difference that will have a lasting impact beyond our lifetime and for all eternity.

DJJ is undoubtedly a ministry that is seeking to make a difference that is utterly disproportionate to what is humanly possible.

• Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (WEB)
  

• 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (NIV)

To make a difference for the Lord is to leave a legacy that will outlast our lives, and this should be the goal of every Christian who follows Jesus Christ.

We might wonder how we can make a difference for the Lord. The answer is that we can become missionaries in our communities because many people call themselves Christians, but they are not really following Jesus Christ. They may have made a decision for Him, but they have not been taught to follow Him as a disciple.

We need a plan for spiritual growth and to become disciple-makers for the Lord. We can do this by taking one or more people on a discipleship journey using the free discipleship lessons at DJJ. Then we can encourage them to take others through the lessons. These lessons are life-changing because they are based on the teachings of the Bible, which is life changing. DJJ’s tagline is “Making Discipleship Doable,” and they are succeeding in doing so.

• Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)
  

• Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NLT)

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. (2 Timothy 2:2 NLT)

You can join the discipleship making movement, and through the multiplication effect of disciple-making, you can make a difference for the Lord that is utterly disproportionate to who you are and your resources.

Would you sign up to receive the FREE DJJ discipleship materials today and let the Lord use you to make a difference for Him that is greater than anything you can imagine?

Please click here if you would like to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior now.

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“Lord, let me make a difference for you that is utterly disproportionate to who I am.” -David Brainerd

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