February 11th

February 11th

Have you really thought about the fact that Jesus has called you just as He called His original disciples? Or do you think of yourself as somehow “less” than they were? Or do you think that times are different now so everything about Jesus calling us is different?

We have to get over the modern-day western tradition of Christianity consisting of going to church on Sunday (or Saturday) and maybe reading a verse or two the other 6 days of the week (if we have time) with most of our life consisting of our own lives, jobs, family, friends etc.

We have been called to be disciples making disciples. He called us to make disciples of ALL nations. That doesn’t mean that we all move over seas to be foreign missionaries. Now of course if He is calling you to go overseas, do it. But He is calling us to make disciples right here too. Right where you are.

We have to quit thinking of going to church as the way we follow Jesus. Making disciples is how we follow Jesus. Yes, going to church is important. We should not forsake gathering together:

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

It is important, but if you read the gospels, you will see that Jesus called them to make disciples. He told Peter, Andrew, James and John when He called them that He would make them fishers of men (disciple-makers!)

Matthew 4:18-19 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Jesus didn’t just call them to meet together in a building somewhere to sing some songs, pray a little and talk about scripture a little. Yes, the disciples did that, often, because they LIKED it! That nurtured them. But they didn’t stop there, they still obeyed the main objective of their calling: to go make disciples. Jesus commissioned them (and us) to do that! We get the extra bonus of meeting together and building each other up/encouraging each other, but the ultimate goal is to go make disciples.

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”

So maybe it is time for you to start seeing yourself as one of Jesus’ disciples rather than just a “Christian” in the traditional sense. Maybe you need to realize that He called you with a purpose. Maybe you need to realize that there is whole field of souls ready for harvest and you my friend, have the sickle to harvest them. Maybe you just need to remember that time is short and the Day is approaching quickly. Maybe you need to be reminded that when Jesus returns you don’t want to be found waiting, you want to be found working. Maybe you need to be reminded that it is not a matter of being worthy, it is a matter of being willing. Maybe you need to be reminded that it is not by your power but by His Spirit, so you have nothing to worry about, the pressure is on Him, not you. Just be obedient.

He has called you.

He has called you to be His disciple.

He has called you to be His disciple making disciples.

Jesus, first forgive me for getting caught up in my own life and forgetting or neglecting to think about making disciples. Help me remember that you created me to love you and to make disciples. Help me to be willing and obedient. Show me how and show me who. Thank you for your patience with me but help me to get in gear and get moving on it. Lead me in the right direction, put the opportunities in front of me and help me to prepare for and recognize those opportunities. Help me to be willing to make the sacrifices that making disciples involves. Thank you for your perfect love and perfect plan for me, help me to live in it.

Zechariah 4:6 “… ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.