GO. . .

Jesus said, "Go!"

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19)

"Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'"
(John 20:21)

Isn't it unfortunate that we are not called to be comfortable, fat and happy?? In fact if it falls under the classification of the "American Way", you can bank that Jesus would probably question it.

As the Father sent me, I am sending you

Not only has Jesus sent Us out, but he has sent us out in the same manner that the Father sent him.
We can and should devote some time studying how it is that he (Jesus) went out. So that we can go out likewise.
So what did Jesus look like at the time? What were some of the key thoughts of his mission?
Matthew 22: 37-39 - The first and second most important commandments = LOVE (God first and then our neighbors)
John 15:1-17 - A passage that can be summed up in two profound thoughts = Obey Jesus Commands and Bear Fruit.

If we love God, we will Obey Jesus Commands. If we Obey Jesus Commands, we will naturally Bear Fruit. When we Bear Fruit we will by course of nature Love our Neighbor.

Matthew Chapter 10 (yes the whole thing) - Jesus sends out the 12. In sending them out, he gives them instructions and warnings about the way things will be. Those admonishments are just as applicable today as they were the day that Jesus first gave them.
As some of us go out in following with God's leading and as the rest of us stay in our communities, we can use the following passage as a tool to help us remember how to love in obedience to Christ:
Matthew 25:31-46 - The parable of the sheep and the goats. There are six basic things that we can do or provide to love our fellow man.
1. Provide drink to the thirsty
2. Give food to those who are hungry
3. Give shelter and love to STRANGERS (and friends)
4. Offer clothing to the naked (needy)
5. Give care, love, help and hospice to the sick and infirmed.
6. Visit, love and show compassion to prisoners. (love can do amazing things were other therapy fails).
Luke 6:27-36
Love your enemies. Easy to say difficult to actually do. When you are wronged don't seek vengeance. When you are stolen from offer more. Love can do amazing things were other reactions fail).

Some thoughts on Jesus:

• Jesus was nomadic - not tied down to one place.
• Jesus met people where they were.
• Jesus went out to the people. When word of him got out then more people came to him.
• Jesus knew the needs of the people and he spoke to those needs directly. He did not use random teachings or lessons designed to be vague enough to meet a broader demographic.
• Jesus made relationships with people.

As the Father sent him, so has He sent us!!! Let's go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the way of Jesus

When Jesus walked the earth he didn't set up seminars, or establish programs. He didn't treat people differently by targeting only certain demographics, nor did he ever tell us that the way to Heaven is through converting people. He was semi-nomadic. He never acquired property or concerned himself with building renovations or sound and lighting equipment.
Jesus came to love, save and teach us how we should live. He set the example for us. Toward the end of his physical work on this planet he said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, i am sending you." (John 20:21)
The Father sent him to set an example, to lay a pattern for us to follow. Perhaps a suitable paraphrase could read, "In the same manner that the Father sent me, now i am sending you to work in the same manner."
Perhaps that is reading too much into it!?!?

Worry not about how you are going to convert people. In fact, don't convert people. Love people. Your salvation is not dependent upon the number of people that you bring to church, or that are saved because of you. Those are not the good fruits that we have been commanded to bear.
The Bible tell us what the fruits that we are to bear are:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." (Galatians 5:22)
Are we exhibiting these? Are we growing stronger in these? Do we check ourselves periodically against this verse?

• "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." (Matthew 3:8)
• "The axe is already at the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (Matthew 3:10)
• "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:20)

If we live and strive for good fruits we will not need to sell God or try to convert people. They will notice and come to us (or God as it were).

Your servant,

michial

A moment in honesty

Just the other day i read an inspirational thought, one of many that i receive on a daily basis from the Bruderhof. It spoke to me and the many others out there that wonder about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Here is the Post:

A Prerequisite for Belief
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Are you worried because you find it so hard to believe? Don't be surprised at the difficulty of faith, if there is some part of your life where you are consciously resisting or disobeying the commandment of Jesus. Is there some part of your life which you are refusing to surrender at His behest, some sinful passion, maybe, or some animosity, some hope, perhaps your ambition or your reason? If so, you must not be surprised that you have not received the Holy Spirit, that prayer is difficult, or that your request for faith remains unanswered Â… The person who disobeys cannot believe. Only if you obey can you believe.
Source: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "The Cost of Discipleship"

This hit especially close to home tonight. I have been struggling with my relationship with God in recent weeks, and the events of tonight, in view of the Bruderhof post, really put things into perspective.
Earlier in the day, during a time of prayer, i asked God to intentionally bring someone into my path tonight that i would have the opportunity to talk with about God and freedom in him. Three minutes before i startedwrithingg this post my supervisor asked me about my Bible (Heeeeres my sign).
So what did i do? i let my jaw hit the floor, and i sat there in horror that i didn't know how to answer or where to take the conversation. i ended up finding the quickest fire door out of that conversation, and for i minute i believe i know how Peter felt while Jesus stood trial.
Before i finished this post i went back and tried to reopen the door and speak on the matter, but it was not as neat or easy as that first opportunity presented.
What a fool.

Father, i pray open our minds to hear your voice. Loose our tongues to speak of the volumes of love that you hold for us all. Let us be your servants, ready and capable right now. God bring someone into our path that is ready to listen and open to talking about you. - Amen.

Our love, His love

Imperfect love delights in isolation
Imperfect love builds walls in company
Imperfect love is aware of self
Imperfect love fears conflict

Perfect love relishes community
Perfect love sees others as an extension of itself
Perfect love sees others in front of itself
Perfect love is honest and compassionate

It's just not fair

The beauty of grace is that it makes life unfair.