Willing.
God's will. We always say it, we like to think that we are living it...but are we? If you are like me then you've probably prayed about what college you will go to, what job you will have...I think you get the point. We pray that Jesus provides a step by step for us.
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail"
{Proverbs 19:21}
But really, what is God's will for us? It's the Great Commission. [insert a dance party with a little N'Sync because the great commission is my favorite] And for those of you who don't know what in the world is this whole Great Commission? Well, here it is.
Turn your Bible to Matthew 28:16-20. Or click on the link and right there in words is God's will for YOU and me.
The verses that grasp my heart are 19 + 20.
"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 28:19-20}
Jesus says GO & MAKE DISCIPLES of Jesus Christ!
What does it look like to be a disciple of Jesus?
1. Disciples follow Jesus, literally and figuratively.
Go and build relationships with others. We are called to love the unlovable. So, we are called to be with the hungry, the poor, and the sick. It says so in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Build the relationships. Grab coffee. Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
We, as followers of Jesus, should stick out. We should not conform to the ways of society. Instead of thinking about what is different in everyone else...how about you think about what is different in you? We don't follow things (iPhones, Instagram, Clothes...), we follow Jesus. We put our faith in Him.
How do we stick out? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
2. Disciples left EVERYTHING to follow Jesus.
"Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life."[Mark 10:28-30]
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."[Hebrews 12:1-2]
3. Disciples made mistakes and lacked faith.
But...wait go back to being willing here. Are you willing to follow where Jesus leads you? Are you willing to pick up everything and go? This brings us back to the Christmas story and since Christmas is only a few short days away...I will share it with you.
Put yourself in Mary's shoes. A young lady...a virgin might I add, was told she pregnant and that she was going to have a baby and he would be given the name Jesus because he would save us from our sins. Do you think Mary said well here I will grow up, an angel will appear to me, and then you know I will just give birth to the son of God. Doubt it. In fact, I bet Mary had plans...as any girl her age does. I bet she planned on getting married to a godly man, having babies, raising them...blah, blah, blah. You get it. [Sounds like me ;)] But she trusted God. She had faith in him. Mary was willing to put everything aside even though she would be judged because she knew that she was following what the Lord had planned for her.
And Joseph, lets not forget about this man. He was willing to be ridiculed because he knew that what he was doing was of God. He was willing. He trusted.
[God's] Perfect plan for you is when you are allowing him to change you.
Scripture doesn't change. But the way the Lord reveals it to us does.
Are you willing to proclaim the name of Jesus? Share His story this Christmas? Share the Gospel...and a great way to spread Jesus is to share your testimony. Your story, from death to life.
Read Isaiah 55. Click on the link :)
As the wise men saw a bright and shining star in the sky and walked toward it to find baby Jesus, look for a star of guidance in your own life, and be willing to follow wherever I [Jesus] leads you.
~Jesus Calling : Sarah Young
I leave you with my all time favorite verse...yes, I do say that about most verses but just hear me out. {Romans 1:16}
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes."
