To Serve Messiah’s Kingdom Mission
What if every Messiah follower had a heart that wants to serve, to be useful to the Master in these days?
What if everyone had a heart impacted by the needs of others?
Because these are not days to think only about what interests you.
Unfortunately, self-interest is a common malady with us all! We each came into this world self-absorbed – concerned only about our little world around us, and how everything in that little bubble affected me and mine. As we grew, our world expanded to include more people and broader experiences, possibilities and perspectives. But all of them revolved around me and mine – how they affected my life and well-being.
That kind of self-centered living, unfortunately was passed down to us from our first parents, Adam and Eve, after their willful disobedience in Eden’s perfect garden. So that it now springs from the sinful nature within us that we were all born with. Thus, we all find ourselves needing God’s grace to transform our self-centered hearts that cause us to live “curved in upon ourselves” (Martin Luther).
Because God calls us to a life that is others-oriented, rather than self-oriented.
He calls us first and foremost to love HIM with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And then He calls us to love others as we love ourselves (Deut. 6:4-5; Mark 12:29-31). Yeshua/Jesus said all God’s commandments revolve around these two, the greatest commandments.
It’s a given – we’re going to be concerned about our own well-being. That is an inbred capacity within us. It’s only as we allow God to work in our hearts and out through our everyday lives that we are empowered to truly grow beyond ourselves.
The question is, in what ways is God calling us now to grow and expand our horizons beyond ourselves? In order that God can make us useable instruments for His Kingdom mission in our broken world, especially now, in our times.
I’m guessing that God has been putting something on your heart in recent days. A new thing. Something that He wants you to reach out beyond yourself, in ministry to others.
I believe God is looking for a multitude of people to do a multitude of different kinds of things, in order to build up His people for the days just ahead.
I believe God is looking for people through whom He can facilitate a movement to restore and preserve decency, truth, and righteousness in our land, and in every nation of His world.
I believe God will use different people in various ways to accomplish His Kingdom mission in these days.
So what is it that God is putting on your heart to do?
Is He impressing you to go across the street to speak to your neighbors? Is He asking you to give to a worthy cause? Is He saying you need to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply? Is He urging you to get involved in a new ministry?
Perhaps you feel too small or too inadequate, or ill-equipped for whatever God is asking you to do. Or perhaps what He’s putting on your heart seems really small and insignificant, not a big enough deal to take very seriously.
On the other hand, maybe you don’t know yet what God is calling you to do, but you have sensed a growing deep inner longing to be used by Him for some kind of special purpose. I understand that kind of yearning, because several years ago it became the deep soul cry of my heart. I had no idea that He would call Paul and I to pioneer our church denomination into Sierra Leone, West Africa. But as we obeyed His calling, it led to our most fulfilling years of ministry, where we formed deep bonds of friendship that still continue to meaningfully enrich our lives.
If you long to be useful to the Master, continue to ask Him to show you what He wants you to do. Just beware! When you ask Him, be prepared for a God-sized calling – one that you can accomplish only with His help. But also know that whatever God is calling you to do, He has a reason for doing so. He has a purpose behind it that may only be revealed after you obey. Actually, the fullness of His purpose may not be evident until you get to heaven.
God is calling His people in these days to be sensitive to His voice, and to be obedient to His leading. To be strong in faith, serving the Lord. Even in the darkest of days, God always has a remnant who He uses to preserve decency, truth, righteousness, faith, hope, and authentic love. I believe God is raising up a remnant – actually, I’m praying for a movement – of authentic Messiah followers who He wants to use in powerful and amazing ways for His honor and glory, especially in our times. I find it interesting that throughout Church History, God has done just that! May He do it again in these days!
Will you be a part of that movement?
Will you be obedient to do your part in His Kingdom mission, in your little corner of His big broken world?
When you respond in obedience, He will be faithful to help you accomplish His good purposes. And He will provide the means to do so. “When God calls us to minister for Him, He commits Himself to resource us in His ministry” (Dr. J. K. Warrick). A plaque we have had all our marriage reads, “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you” (unknown).
Be assured, God is still faithful to keep His promises to His people! “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light” (unknown). Choose to put your unwavering trust in our BIG GOD!
Because He is still a God of miracles!
Bon voyage!
Onto the adventure with our BIG faithful God!
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom. 12:11-12, NIV)
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