What is our mission? What has God asked us to do before all else? Is it to feed the bodies of hungry people, or to feed their souls? Is it to clothe the naked with soft wool, or to clothe them in the white robes of Salvation? Is it to quench the thirst of dehydrated mouths, or to give them living water to satisfy the spirit? Jesus sent His disciples into the world to deliver the gospel, and so He sends us today... His desire is that we deliver the message!
When God calls or speaks to us we more often than not hear the message, and then receive a confirmation. Sometimes we aren’t quick in listening or answering and God repeats himself, but when we finally say “Here am I” to Him, we still get confirmation. Does God sign the letters He sends you? Are you the signature on someone else’s note or invitation?
How do we pursue righteousness, and live lives of true faith? Do we seek excitement, advancement, or greatness, and prayerfully ask God for these things in the same breath in which we are asking Him for a deeper belief and faith? If a preacher is serving in a small church filled with God fearing families, does he plead in prayer to become the pastor of a megachurch and have a television show that bears his name? Well, these things can be devastating distractions to his faith and the downfall of salvation for many. Instead, he should desire that Jesus lead him and his congregation towards sainthood, not towards fame, notoriety, or wealth. All of the world’s treasure and glory is of little consequence to God, and should likewise be to us as well.
We all have touchstones in our lives by which we measure ourselves and the quality of our lives; those people, places, and events that we consider to represent our ideal. Is Jesus the touchstone of all touchstones in your life? Do you measure all else, even your other touchstones based on Him?
Are we quietly preparing ourselves for those things that the Lord would have us do? How about for His return? We can be so busy doing things for God in these days and times that we can often forget to plan and prepare ourselves for the Lord’s return. We can find ourselves treating this world as if it were our destination, but this is only a shipyard in which we are being faired, and prepared to sail.
How intimate are we with Jesus? Is our relationship close enough, and deep enough, that we don’t keep secrets, and that we can do the grossest of natural things in front of Him without embarrassment? Can we sit under a tree for hours and tell Him our wildest dreams or confide in Him our darkest thoughts? I encourage each of us to not have a lukewarm relationship with Jesus, and to become more than simple acquaintances in our faith by allowing Him to abide in us, as we abide in Him.
What are the works and miracles that we do in the name of Jesus? Are they greater than those done by Jesus Himself, or are we a disappointment to ourselves, and God? To get at the root of this feeling we must explore our belief, understanding, and ability to pray effectively. When Jesus asked for the cup to be taken from Him in the Garden of Gethsemane do we think He was disappointed when it wasn’t?
Are we praying for God to call us to perform some great task for His kingdom? Do we have a desire to do wonderful things for our Holy Father? Sometimes we take it upon ourselves to determine what that task might be. Brothers and Sisters, let’s stop trying to determine for ourselves how God can best use us, and pray instead that He shows us what He already has prepared for us to do, and that is to spread the gospel.
When we first speak to someone about Jesus Christ what do we say? Do we talk to them about how He heals, or casts out demons? No, I dare say that we talk first and foremost about how Jesus died to redeem the sins of the world and the hope that this provides each of us. We speak of the gospel of Christ, and the love of God His Father who sent Him to redeem us.
10/14/2023
Do we approach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ because we feel they need it, or because Jesus told us to go? Do we spread the word of The Lord because we wish to find Him in the process, or because we are living out His presence in our lives? These are subtle differences that make a difference.
Are you in a situation that calls for more prayer than you can muster? Do you need the prayers of many, or at least a few righteous believers to intercede for you? Is your heart broken, your health waning, or your spirit down? Well maybe it is time to call out for help from the saints in your church, or seek the prayers of some faithful intercessors you trust.
Do we walk with God, or are we still yearning to walk with Him? How close is our relationship, or in its absence, how desperately do we seek His presence? In our desire for salvation and eternal life do we place these goals above simply loving God? If so, do we realize that without that love there will never be a quiet stroll through the garden, or a conversation spent speaking without having to utter a word?
How long will we wait for God’s answer to a prayer before we give up and try to do what we have asked of Him ourselves, or abandon that thing altogether? His silence defines our faith; in the quiet stillness we wait, until at last we begin to feel around in the darkness for the edges of our belief.
Are we studying and memorizing scripture, and reading Biblically based literature, with the thought that this will make us wise and righteous or give us some increased standing with God? Well my friends, only one thing will work to perfect us in the eyes of God, and that is having the faith and obedience of a child. I would rather do this one small thing perfectly than to pursue a thousand wise and scholarly things while missing the mark of holiness entirely.
Where do we hide, and why? Are we afraid of failure, of displeasing God, sin, or the pain of living? Why do we feel inclined to seek out a hiding place or shelter ourselves from life? Many of us hide ourselves from the world around us; while others hide from God Himself.