December 27, 2011
God loves you more than anybody does. No one else comes close. And He has intentionally, specifically, and uniquely designed each and every one of us. Wanting us to be fulfilled, knowing what will fulfill us, and designing us specifically to do what will fulfill us, God “calls” us for several missions in life. And guess what? These missions will indeed fulfill us to the max.
One of the missions or calls each of us receives is to spread the message of God’s love, forgiveness, and many promises. In today’s scripture, Paul actually states the call of God is to preach the gospel. It is often called The Great Commission.
I don’t take this literally to mean we all need to become verbal preachers and teachers of the Holy Bible. What I believe Paul means by "preach," is connecting with people and living out the reality of salvation we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. To "preach" it through our actions, to speak our personal testimony, and then walk in easily and eagerly when an opening is presented to teach more of who God is.
We all get a bit nervous about "acting like a Christian" when everyone is doing something else, but we are especially nervous about speaking about Jesus. Just tell them about how your faith helps you. You don’t have to convert them. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. If you aren’t sure how the Gospel helps you, you have some work to do on yourself first!
The one passion of Paul's life was to proclaim the Gospel of God…the miraculous and awe-inspiring message of salvation. He welcomed heartbreak, disillusionment, and tribulation to show his need for the Gospel…because these adversities kept him in unshakeable devotion to the Gospel of God. They also provided ripe times for others to be exposed to the peace and freedom the Gospel brought to Paul enabling him not just to endure, but to live triumphantly. Paul keenly watched for these Gospel-revealing moments.
Today, think about one person whom you could tell about God’s promise of salvation and eternity. So many people desperately need of this life-changing, life-saving news. Act like the person has cancer and you have THE cure for them. Write their name down someplace. Pray for them and then tell a brother/sister to pray for them and you. Call that person and let them know they are important to you and you care about them. Behold what God can and will do in you, through you, and in them. God has designed, prepared, and called you to this very specific task. The peace and fulfillment you will experience when you step into His calling is UNBELIEVABLE! Don’t let Satan cheat you out of it.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You for the life I now live by faith in Your Son who loved me so much, He gave Himself up for me. Thank You, Lord. I pray Father that You fill me with the Holy Spirit who will give me the courage, strength, and wisdom to “preach the Gospel.” Thank You for leading me to those who need to hear the good news. I pray for discernment, wisdom, courage, and excitement to proclaim the great gift You have given me, the same gift You have for them. I pray this in the name of the One whom You sent to save me, Jesus Christ; And all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel
1 Corinthians 1:17
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
John 12:32
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