He Is With You

“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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20)

Meditation

I have blown more chances to obey the Lord’s “Great Commission” than I have fulfilled it. I can make no excuse. When the opportunity presents itself, I seem to freeze and fumble over what I’m supposed to say. After I was saved, I used the excuse that I did not know enough about the scriptures to confidently share. Even though, at the beginning, I didn’t know very much, that is never a valid excuse. I didn’t commit my life to Jesus because I had memorized a few passages of scripture. I did it because I finally realized I needed a Savior. I can only ask the Lord to pardon me and give me the courage to share with others what I have in Christ Jesus.
Why do I find it so intimidating? Why do words fail me when I have the opportunity to share the gospel? Perhaps because in the past, I never prayed for the Lord to give me an eye for the lost and then the words to say that lead them to him. I’m not making that mistake anymore. I’ve asked the Lord many times to keep giving me chances to share with someone needed salvation, and he has obliged me on several occasions. The last time, he gave me gave me the name of a person who lived very close to me. I just had to wait for the opportunity to share. Now I have to keep reminding myself that I’m not the one who saves them, Jesus is. I can only plant the seeds of salvation, Jesus is the one who waters those seeds and make them grow.
I’ve seen some people who will yell at unsaved people that they’re going to hell unless they repent. That may be true, but that turns more people off to the gospel than attracting them. Others will stand at busy traffic intersections holding signs. They disrupt the traffic flow and distract drivers. The people in these two examples may feel better about themselves for their works, but they’re bringing very few, if any, into the kingdom. I want people to know the peace I know deep in my heart. I want people to feel the love of Jesus the way I do. When Jesus saved me, he lifted me out of despair and hopelessness. He gave me a new heart. He gave me a new purpose. He loved me when I didn’t even like myself. Why wouldn’t I want to share that with everyone?




Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are most gracious and kind, beyond anything we deserve. Your love is what draws us to you. You never fail to come through in our times of distress. We have turned our will to yours. We give you our hearts, our minds, and our souls. Before Jesus departed to be with you, he gave us, his followers, our marching orders. Thank you, Lord, for being patient with us when we’re not always in lockstep with his command. We want so badly to take the gospel to our friends and family, but we shrink from that responsibility all too often. Give us courage to share the best news the world will ever hear. Remind us that you will always be with us when we’re about your business. We have nothing to fear from the possible ridicule from the unbelievers. The breath in our lungs was given to us by you. Help us to use that breath to proclaim your love and truth to this evil world. It’s in his name, we pray. Amen!

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