Transformational Thought
Let me give you some basic facts: God loves you more than anybody does. No one else comes close. In fact, He loves you more than you actually could and do love yourself. Because He loves us, He has intentionally, specifically, and uniquely designed each and every one of us. Taking this love one step further, 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 actually fulfill your needs and desires beyond your wildest imagination.
Each of us has a mission or call to spread the message of God’s promises, forgiveness, and love. In today’s scripture, Paul actually states that God’s call to all of us is to preach the gospel. We often hear it called The Great Commission.
I don’t take this literally to mean we all need to become actual church preachers and teachers of the Holy Bible. What I believe Paul means by “preaching,” is connecting with people and living out the reality of salvation we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to “preach” it through our actions, to speak our personal testimony, and then eagerly teach more of who God is when an opening is presented.
We all become a bit anxious about “acting like a Christian” when everyone is doing the opposite. But we are especially nervous when speaking about Jesus. Don’t be. Just talk about how your faith helps you. You don’t have to convert someone. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. If you aren’t sure how the Gospel helps you and how it makes a difference in your day, 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 transformation and ultimate salvation. He welcomed heartbreak, disillusionment, and tribulation to show his need for the Gospel. These adversities kept him in unshakeable devotion to the Gospel of Jesus. They also provided ripe times to share 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 so he could spread God’s light to skeptical people around him.
Today, think about one person to whom you could reveal God’s promise of eternal salvation, peace, and joy. So many people desperately need this life-changing, life-saving news. Act like that person has cancer and you have THE cure. Write down his/her name. Pray for this person and then ask a brother/sister to pray for both of you. Call that person. Let him know he is important to you and that you care about him. Behold what God can and will do in you, through you, and in him. 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. Whether you preach the Gospel of Jesus or you choose to be mute, like when Peter denied Christ, is your decision, so choose well.
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 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