the great commission – The (Not-So) Newlywed Lefebvres

When my wife approached me, asking if I were willing to write a blog entry for the day, my first initial thought, as always, is more along the lines of ‘ARGH!’, instead of what it should be – which is,”YAY!” I am not a writer at all! It takes a lot of time and effort to write out what I feel others could write out better in a mere 5 minutes. In situations like this, I turn to God and really try to see what He places on my heart to share – After all, it is Him who I want everyone to see through our blog.

What I could clearly hear Him telling me to write about was something that has been on my heart the past 3-4 weeks, in a stronger than usual way – the yearning to share Him and His word with others. This is not an exactly easy thing for me, though, as I am someone who does not always like to go against the crowd or cause feathers to be ruffled. But God has said, reassuringly, that not only are you going to share My Word, but you are going to do it in writing. Well, then, let’s take a look at what the Bible has to offer on the subject of sharing God’s word!

When reading through the different passages relating to this, one thing I found very interesting was the timing of when Jesus gave ‘The Great Commission’ to His Apostles. In Matthew 28:19 He states:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

At the time He was saying this, He was just about to be taken up into Heaven to be seated at God’s right hand. Do you recall a time a loved one spoke their last words to you before they went to be with our Lord? Chances are, you can remember very clearly how these words were said, the emotion that they were said with, how you felt at the time… These words quoted from the book of Matthew are Jesus’ last words to us before He leaves this earth to be with our Father in Heaven.When someone we love leaves a last word of instruction, it seems to really strike a chord with us! We want to carry out their last desire with a different kind of motivation.

How many times has someone given an instruction and you really found no motivation in doing it? I am sure many times. In the movie ‘Risen‘, it plays out this last moment before Jesus leaves and in the end, we see the apostles filled with motivation to carry out Jesus’ last instruction on earth!

Nowadays, people have wills to see that their instructions are carried out. They divide up their earthly belongings, which are useless in heaven, to whom they desire. Some might say that Jesus was talking to only the 11 that were there or think to themselves, “He is not talking to me because I don’t know how to speak in public.” But I don’t think that’s the case at all. In Luke 10:1-2, it says:

The Lord now chose seventy- two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them – “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:1-2

Jesus instructed many more than just the 11! Here, He instructs 72 and is still asking them to pray for more! When He says the harvest is great He means that everyone has the ability to believe but He needs the workers (us) to share Him with the world so that the harvest can be taken in before it withers.

You have many skills that can help to share Jesus. It does not have to be only speaking or writing. Maybe it is that you enjoy cooking. You could simply cook for someone and when you share the meal with them you simply thank God for the food before sharing it with them. Maybe you’re more of the ‘work with your hands’ type. You can build something for someone and upon completion, ask the Lord for a blessing on the contents or thank Him for the material to construct it.

Just with these simple act it places God at the center and acknowledges the fact He provided the food or the materials being used or given. Thanking Him recognizes the fact that without Him, it would not be possible. You would be amazed at how this simple act could open people’s searching hearts to Jesus! He tells us plainly that we are to plant His seed…The Holy Spirit does the rest!! No one has to wrestle another to follow Jesus. They only need to set a spark…

Jesus says in Luke 12:8-9:

“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, The Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.” Luke 12:8-9

That is such a reaffirming statement from the mouth of Jesus Christ himself! Just as a living will is in effect until it is carried out in full, Jesus’ living will is in effect until it is carried out in full by His followers! He instructs us to use our God-Given skills to make disciples of all nations everywhere in any way that we can. As believers, saved by His sacrificial death on the cross, we must remember that we are the ones to bring Jesus to others who are searching. Just seeking is not enough. People must find Him. If no believer is to show an unbeliever, how will they find Him?

“…but how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” Romans 10:14-15

I challenge you today to share the Good News with someone is some way – no matter how small. It could be a simple act of kindness to a complete stranger in passing. The Scriptures say ‘how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of messengers who bring good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the good news that the God of Israel reigns.’ (Isaiah 52:7)

Think about that for a moment… The Lord of all creation, who gave the meaning to the word “beautiful”, says Himself that beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring His good news! Let’s share God’s word with a different kind of motivation – The kind a Man’s last words on earth bring – through our thoughts, actions and words!

“Pass It On (It Only Takes A Spark)” – that was a favorite song of mine growing up. My mother used to hum it while she played it on the piano for me, and then I learned it and would sing it for her while she played. All I pictured back then was a campfire, but today there is a lot more truth & meaning.

Matthew 7:12

12 “Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is the meaning of Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets.

Today, on the way to work after my work-out, I was in my hurry mode. I cannot STAND to be late, not even a little bit, and to me, “late” is “on time” and “on time” is “early”. If you’re Type A, maybe you understand this concept! 😉 I was on the verge of “late”, but I had not had enough caffeine and so I pulled into the LOOOONG line at Starbucks for my Venti Chai Soy Latte Extra Hot (Thanks, Jenna!) No Water With Whip. I waited and waited…I was anxious because I could see the minutes ticking away on the dashboard clock…But when I approached the window to pay for my drink, the barista said, “The person in front of you paid for your order. Would you like to pay for the person behind you?”

Wow.

Of course, I said, “Yes!”, and paid for the order behind me – which was actually a dollar less expensive (See good things come to those who do the right thing!;-)), but that little incident changed my perspective for the entire day. It only takes a spark…

Maybe a “little thing” like that doesn’t strike you in your heart, but man, this morning, that simple act changed my whole demeanor for the day. What are we doing each day – things that seem insignificant to us – that make a huge difference in the life of another? And is that difference positive or negative? It only takes a spark…

My favorite radio station (proudly posted on the sidebar of our blog), Victory 91.5, has a segment each morning called, “Scripture & Spurgeon” – referring to the late, great Charles Spurgeon and a dose of correlating scripture. I was really affected by today’s and thought I would share it:

“Short prayers are long enough.”-C.H. Spurgeon

Matthew 6:7

7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

We’ve been discussing prayer a lot recently, it seems. We ask and ask and ask. We thank and thank and thank. But it’s such an awesome reminder – for US, especially – we ought to LISTEN more than anything else. Maybe if our ears and our heart and our minds are simply open to His Word, we will truly hear his answers.

1 Kings 19:11-13

11 And he said to him: Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord: and behold the Lord passeth, and a great and strong wind before the Lord over throwing the mountains, and breaking the rocks in pieces: the Lord is not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake: the Lord is not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire: the Lord is not in the fire, and after the fire a whistling of a gentle air. 13 And when Elias heard it, he covered his face with his mantle, and coming forth stood in the entering in of the cave, and behold a voice unto him, saying: What dost thou here, Elias?

It isn’t hard at all to notice an earthquake or a fire, and surely God can be there, as well, but we cannot hear a whisper unless we are listening intently.

Tomorrow, Craig & I are heading to Jefferson, Georgia to witness an amazing woman of God, Joan Hunter, lead a healing & miracle service.

Ms. Hunter is quite an author. After being told she would never even be able to read or write, she has now written more than ten books. She has such an inspiring story! We cannot wait to meet her in person and experience God through her ministry!

After a friend of mine loved and raved about this book by Joan Hunter, I just had to read it.

And I shared it with Craig, and with members of our family, and our friends…and now I’m sharing it with you, because remember, IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK…

Remember as you go through this day, this weekend, the next week…it does only take a spark. Is your spark filled with Jesus and His love, or is it filled with anger, selfishness and this world? We can change the world, as Jesus called each of us to do in His Great Commission – and it only takes one spark at a time!

Matthew 28:16-20

18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

All Our Love,