-----------------------------------------------------------------------DAY 36
Point to Ponder: I was made for a mission.
Verse to Remember: " 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." Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Question to Consider: What fears have kept me from fulfilling the mission God made me to accomplish? What keeps me from telling other the Good News?
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"Mission's Flame" - Matt Redman
Jess, Thank you for sharing this song with us!
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I've always liked Matthew 28:19-20, so it was good to re-read that passage. I love the action word, "GO". The way God created us is to be proactive- serving Him and serving others.
ReplyDeletePg. 288, “If you want to be used by God, you must care about what God cares about; what He cares about most is the redemption of the people He made.” I have always enjoyed sharing the Good News to others. Maybe it's because I have made so many BAD decisions in my life and He continues to love me and wants me to be part of His family-eternally. I figure, if He hasn't given up on this screw-up, then I want to let other screw-ups know there is hope for them too =)
I think fear sets in sometimes, the fear of rejection doesn't bother me- it's the fear of not having the right answers when I am talking to someone about the Bible, Jesus, and eternal life. Also, my issues on DAY 35 can hold me back as well.
When we first started reading this chapter, the first thing that came into my head was a song by Matt Redman called "Mission's Flame". It's an awesome song if you haven't heard it below are the lyrics and a link to it on youtube (not the greatest video, but a good song). Enjoy!
ReplyDelete"Mission's Flame" By: Matt Redman
Let worship be the fuel for mission's flame
We're going with a passion for Your name
We're going for we care about Your praise
Send us out
Let worship be the heart of mission's aim
To see the nations recognize Your fame
'Til every tribe and tongue voices Your praise
Send us out
You should be the praise of every tongue, Jesus
You should be the joy of every heart
But until the fullness of Your kingdom comes
Until the final revelation dawns
Send us out
Every tribe, every tongue
Every creature in the heavens and the earth
Every heart, every soul
Will sing Your praise, will sing Your praise
Every note, every strain
Every melody will be for You alone
Every harmony that flows from every tongue
We'll sing Your praise, we'll sing Your praise
We'll sing Your praise, we'll sing Your praise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qENs_lJFmXU
There are many worldly strains placed on us in this society that makes it more difficult to reach out and share the Good News with the world. For example, in a recent news report, a nurse was fired from her job from offering a patient to pray for them. She stated in her defense that she saw that as part of her overall care to that patient.
ReplyDeleteOn a more personal level, it's very difficult to reach out to strangers. You have to have a relationship with someone before asking them about personal spiritual matters, and then there is the fear of rejection.
I have had conversations with good friends as of the last 6 mos about God that I never thought would have taken place. I have fears and reservations. I'm afraid sometimes of rejections too. I have been afraid in my past of losing a friend (although if they can't repect my beliefs I guess they weren't real friends). I'll never know if some small talk or gesture has impacted someone- but I hope so. I now am at the point in my life where I'm not scared to talk about my faith with people but like Jeff I can be afraid of saying the wrong thing. I hope to be able to go into the rest of my life with the ability to let others know what I have faced and come through- and the very real miracles God has performed in my own life and the lives of my husband and kids. I need to start praying for the ability to share with others. I feel awkward with strangers about being so direct about God- I guess it's society's viewpoint ingrained in me. But I do try and be friendly to others and even talk to people who look like they can use a kind word and I hope to be able to build off of that in the future.
ReplyDelete