Conclusion

YOU HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH the knowledge you need to continue to “work out your own salvation” (Philippians 2:12). The extent of your Christ-formation and the degree of the abundant life you experience is now in your hands. The road ahead of us is to become more like Jesus Christ in character and quality of life. And you now have a resource to guide you along the way.

The contents in this book are the result of a lifetime of study and personal experience. They continue to be implemented and refined in my own life as well as in the lives of those I minister to through coaching in discipleship and spiritual direction. I pray that you will act on this material in community with others, because if you do, you will experience greater spiritual/emotional transformation than you ever thought possible and gain a greater experience of the abundant life that Jesus has made available to you. You need companions, a community of friends to journey with; you cannot thrive alone.

I look forward to being part of your journey in the future. Go to the Institute for Discipleship Training (http://idtministries.com/) for information on my online seminars, YouTube videos, retreats, and podcast.

Let me leave you with the clearest illustration I know of the abundant life that Jesus wants for you to experience both now and into eternity:

The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.

I always have more than enough.

He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.

His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.

That’s where he restores and revives my life.

He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure

and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness

so that I can bring honor to his name.

Lord, even when your path takes me through

the valley of deepest darkness,

fear will never conquer me, for you already have!

You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.

Your authority is my strength and my peace.

The comfort of your love takes away my fear.

I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.

You become my delicious feast

even when my enemies dare to fight.

You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit;

you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.

So why would I fear the future?

For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life.

Then afterward, when my life is through,

I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!

PSALM 23:1-6, TPT