DOW ~ No Bankruptcy Here!

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Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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 28:18-20 

This passage of scripture is often used when discussing missions.  It’s a familiar passage to many.  There is one thing that I want to make a little more familiar to you.  Let’s discuss two words in this passage and what they mean in our lives.

“Therefore go!”

What did Jesus mean when He said go?  Was He talking to all of us?  Where are we supposed to go?

First of all, yes, Jesus was talking to all of us.  Each one of us has the ability to go and make disciples when we go in His name.

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Your Table is Ready

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, “Come as you are. No jacket required,” and found the location.

Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy.

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Tightrope Tricks

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Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)

This Psalm written by David during his times of war is clear that we cannot depend on weapons of war above God.  The weapons of his day included chariots and horses in battle.  David knew that he could not put his trust in how the chariots ran or how the horses battled.  He knew the only way to truly win a battle was through God.  David was constantly communicating with God to see when he should go forward in battle with his enemy.  Here is one of those times: Read more

Break Free from the Sin Prison

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Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6)

This week has kind of had the same theme going.  The Lord has really been speaking to my heart about sin.  How do we get rid of it and run a better race?  How do we draw close to God by seeking forgiveness for our sins?  And now I’m challenged to write about the commission on our lives to share with others the peace that passes all understanding when they too partake of casting their sins away and asking for forgiveness.  Where do we go from here?  How will we let people know that they do not have to live according to the sinful nature that will lead to death?  It all begins with the Truth!

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U-Turn When Necessary

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If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This verse is so refreshing to me.  It is in this place that Solomon has finished building the Temple, he has dedicated it to God, and feels like what he set out to do is now finished.  During the night the Lord appears to him.  In this time the words above that I have shared are spoken clearly to Solomon.  Let me take the time to break them down and find out what they mean for us, right now, today!

If my people, who are called by my name…

This is a huge beginning to the verse.  God’s people.  You’re not just anyone when you make Jesus Lord of your life.  Yes, in the Old Testament God is talking to the Israelites and right now I am applying this verse to our time.  We are all part of God’s chosen people through the blood of Jesus.  I can’t imagine belonging to anyone else or having any better title than “God’s people.”  What a great start to the day!  It makes me get excited and ask, “What’s next?”  What is God going to ask us to do?  And how will He follow through on His side of the bargain?  Let’s see!

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