Who do we truly serve? Our job? Our children, if you are blessed with them? A nation that will perish and be forever forgotten? Or the Lord?
Simple questions need honest answers. Not what is said to someone else — but what is in the heart that God knows. There is no guile, no deceit, no pretending, no acting that casts illusions towards God who sees all, knows all. Unlike casting deception and illusions towards our fellow men and women. God not only knows the truth of every heart, but also every hair on every head, every fallen bird, fish, and tree in His Creation.
America has become a land where children rule their parents. No discipline. No solid foundations taught. Discipleship is a word and action rarely spoken or implemented. Truly. Compared to the time, focus and energy expended elsewhere. And lying is the standard mode of speech and operation. Where God is given the short straw and everything else is placed above Him. Let’s be honest, shall we?
The universal cry, lie, going up to heaven — “I don’t have time! I’m so busy! I must rush, rush, rush!”
Got to get those kids to their next game. Get that round of golf in. Worry about getting that promotion or saving one’s hide on the job, this, that, and always the other thing to fill the time leading to the collapse into bed only to lie awake in a tossing sea of worry — about the matters of this fleeting, vaporous life giving God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, discipleship, the Word once more — the short straw.
“I don’t have time! I’m so busy! I must rush, rush, rush!”
To the grave and the eternity chosen by what was in the heart now gone cold…
Ken Pullen, A CROOKED PATH, Wednesday, August 17th, 2022
If I Don’t Go, Who Will?
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
By Jonathan Stagg
Reprinted from American Family Association
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8 NKJV).
In this world, life can be busy. People work, spend time with family, go to church, hang out with friends, and have time for themselves. Not to mention all the traveling between these things. We feel like we must be in the fast lane of life to ensure all these needs and tasks are met. We work hard to have successful careers while having time for family and friends.
Being busy is not a bad thing, but it can be a distraction from the task God has given us. What about the great task universal for all Christians to complete, the very reason Christians are still left on earth in the first place? What about the Great Commission? (Matthew 28:18-20)
Christians should stop focusing on worldly concerns at the expense of the mission from God. After all, Jesus said that if we “seek God first, all these things will be given unto us” (Matthew 6:33). To be clear, He is not referring to wealth and fame, but He will provide everything we need to complete this task.
So, what are some practical ways for us to refocus? How can we get involved with missions? According to the Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB), three steps can be taken.
Pray
Our first step is to simply pray. Pray for God’s will to be done (Matthew 6:10). Pray for the missionaries. Pray for the people being witnessed to. Pray for protection. The needs are endless. The Bible tells us that God hears our prayers (Matthew 21:22). He takes everything we ask into consideration.
Prayer does not have to be only in church or at the dinner table. You can take a moment to pray wherever you are. I like to pray when I am commuting to and from work, or when I am mowing the lawn. Prayer is our communication to God. It builds our relationship with Him. Just like talking to our parents, God listens. We are without excuse when it comes to prayer.
Give
Many churches and denominations host a love offering specifically for missions. Pray that God reveals to you how much to give. God’s Word tells us, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NKJV). And you may be able to give more than just money. Maybe there is a missionary in your area who needs a ride or a place to stay. You never know what God is asking you to give.
Looking at a biblical example, Jesus tells the rich young ruler, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21 NKJV). If we value our worldly possessions over God’s mission, by holding it back, we are not worthy to be His disciples.
Go
Wherever you are, mission work needs to be done. People all over the world need to hear the gospel. Acts 1:8 clarifies exactly where we need to go, “Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In modern terms, Jerusalem is your hometown or community. Judea is your home state, Samaria your country, and the ends of the earth are international.
Fulfilling the Great Commission does not have to be long-term, over-the-sea missions. The Great Commission is disaster relief (e.g., Eight Days of Hope), evangelism, and being a good Samaritan. Every time we glorify God, we are doing His mission. We must, however, not quench the Spirit. If He is calling you to go and do something, do it. He will give you the guidance and discernment of what He has called you to do.
Missions are not an easy task. Jesus says, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). Hate means to “love less than.” Yes, these things are important, but if we value our families, friends, or careers more than God, we quench the Spirit and are not living the best life God has in store for us.
If you still believe you don’t have time for any of these three things, reflect on your own life. Ecclesiastes 3 shares with us that there is a time and place for everything. How often are you on your phone? How often do you discuss sports, games, or politics? How often do you sit in church arguing doctrinal differences? These things are all secondary concerns. We are on a mission. If God did not want us to share the gospel, He would have called us to heaven after we were saved. Reflect on your life and get rid of any secondary thing if it is taking your time away from God. God’s mission is a thousand times better.
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