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A few weeks ago, I asked God, “Okay, seriously, what’s the deal about Pastor not getting hundreds of people piling up in the congregation? We have extraordinary prayer warriors, we see healings, we love to worship and praise. What's up?"
Though God didn’t exactly answer me as planned, He summed it up with, “Are you doing what I’ve asked you to do or are you comfortable where you’re at?”
Kindly shrugging with a cute smile, I answered, “What do you mean?”
He had me turn to a little book called, Mathew. So let’s start there so I can drag you down with me …..
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20 (NKJV)
I don’t know about you, but I have not been living according to those words Jesus spoke on the mountain that day.
Yes, I go to church on most Wednesdays and Sundays. I go to Intercessory Prayer when time allows. I pray on Tuesdays specifically about the Fast for Wednesdays and I write up weekly syllabuses for the Ladies Bible Study.
I fast. I pray. I worship, and I praise.
But during that boastful little heart check, I asked myself two questions.
“Am I going out to all the nations, teaching and baptizing in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?” and two,
“Am I not doing those things because I enjoy my cute, little church and comfortable with where I'm at?”
And the answer I came up with was, “Oh geez.”
Not only did I feel like my fire was dwindling but more as though my embers were turning into ash. I don’t know about you but I refuse to have my fire turn into ash.
And it’s MY responsibility to keep it lit, not God’s.
So let’s see what we can do about fulfilling what God has asked us to do and help me become more obedient to have a better chance of people to join the Kingdom.
Mark 16:15 says, "And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
The Strong’s definition of “every” is: “each, every, any, all the whole, everyone, all things, everything.”
Guys, God is talking about EVERYONE we come in contact with.
God doesn’t want us to miss ANYONE!
Don’t get me wrong, if I get a Word for a random individual in HEB, rest assured I’ll be embarrassing my husband. If someone needs prayer, even in my work place, I don’t even second guess it. I’m sure you all are the same way, we USUALLY take advantage of the opportunities God gives us.
But for me to go out and PREACH the gospel to EVERY CREATURE as noted in the New Testament ... Guys, I’m coming up a little short.
Now, I didn’t go beating myself up about it, but it certainly stirred up my Spirit which tells me something needs to change.
I noticed while digging --- my embers began to get a little warmer. So I assumed I was on the right track.
Come join me tomorrow for the reminder of what God has put on my heart! I encourage you to pray about where you stand (or sit) in the church. Ask if He would like you do be doing something else as well.
Photography by: Annie Spratt
Burning embers,
