Go! This is the Great Commission of Jesus Christ! Go and tell all nations!
Matthew 28:19-20:
"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."
As Christians we hear this a lot. The Great Commission from Jesus commanding us to spread the good news! Today, I ask you to join me in prayer for some friends of mine, brothers and sisters in Christ that are leaving on a journey Thursday. Their destination, Damascus, Syria. The journey is so much more than a dot on the map.
There they will face spiritual warfare as they try to shine God's light to children that have never known or seen love. Some of these children have been sold as sex slaves by their own parents for money. Please ask God to open their hearts and ears to be receptive to the arms of our brothers and sisters who serve as the arms of Christ on this earth.
"The team will be bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to Iraqi refugees, many of which have lost their homes, lost family members, and have been victims of unspeakable torture at the hands of Islamic terrorists," Kristina Baum, Syria team member, said. Our team hopes to sow seeds and also water existing seeds with God's love, grace, and powerful Word."
Here are some things we can pray for them:
1.SAFETY: They are traveling far and into a war zone. Please pray for safe travel there and back, and safety during their stay. We know God's hand goes before them, but I need them back in one piece :)
2. GOD'S WORDS: On these journeys, we are disciples of Christ. Pray that the spirit fills them so they use God's words and actions.
3.OPEN HEARTS: Please pray to open the hearts of these refugees. I pray God open their spirits to welcome the arms of my friends.
4. GROWTH: We serve to spread the word and to be a blessing, but it is irrefutable that at the same time, we are blessed. Pray for growth in the team as they bond and growth as individuals in Christ.
I feel so blessed to have people in my life with this mission written on their hearts. I am so blessed to pray for them.
But what about the rest of us? The Great Commission is for us all. You can read the entire Bible and I guarantee you that NO WHERE does it say, "Oh remember that Great Commission, you only have to do that if you feel like it and it's convenient." Or "That only applies to ___" No, it applies to all of us.
Does that mean everyone is called into overseas missions? That is not for my judgment, only His. I am planning on joining SBC in India in November because I feel called to, but God calls us to all sorts of things. Overseas missions is something I believe everyone should pray about. I think it will 100% change my life. However, God may call you to California or Wyoming. Some may be called to the inner city of Houston.
The whole world, including America, is a mission field. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations. Let's never forget that America is one of them. We are on a mission field every day of our lives. Let's live as we are on the mission.
Isn't it scary? Isn't it intimidating? Yes! It's scary to talk to friends and strangers in homeless shelters that don't know the Lord. And yes, it's scary to go to a third-world-country with violence and evil we have never imagined. But that is the beauty of verse 20.
God knew this is scary. He knew we would be pulled out of our comfort zones. Immediately following His command to us, he reassures us that He is always there. He is there in Syria, he is there when I go to India, and he is there in the mission fields of Houston, too.
A couple weeks ago some friends of ours came back from Cali, Columbia. They did door-to-door evangelism. Talk about getting out of your comfort zone! But I'll tell you two things:
1. Not one of them regretted it.
2. They felt the presence of God more than ever.
So do not fear! He is with you always!
A few challenges:
1. Pray for our Syria team as they prepare to leave.
2. Pray for our Cali team that they never forget what God did there.
3. Pray for God to show you what mission field He calls you to.
4. Live life everyday as though you are on a mission field. (Guess what...you are!)
Thanks friends! Love you all.
1 comment:
Aw, Debs! You have such a beautiful spirit! Thank you so much for your prayers, truly. And even more thanks for promoting prayer. I know God has huge things planned for you in India, He is going to use you in ways you never knew possible. He is that kind of God! :-) You are a blessing dear! Keep writing!!
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