Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
Matthew 28: 18-20 (NLT)“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?’”
Luke 9: 23-25 (ESV)“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3: 16-17 (NIV)“Jesus called them together and said…‘whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
Matthew 20: 26b-28 (NIV)
Over three hundred and thirty million people in our Country.
Yet we see city after city with streets and sidewalks flooded with the homeless, the mentally ill, the lost with no direction for the day, and those who end up last in every opportunity which may have come their way.
Citizens from every walk of life.
Children, veterans, families suddenly without income, ill, struggling to find their way, the poor from day one through today, those long-ago who gave up, and others.
All struggling to find a ray of hope, beyond a handout.
And then there are those who society marks as successful. At least by the world’s yardsticks. But when the clock runs out on their short stay here on planet earth—where, of the options before them. will they reside for eternity.
A month ago we celebrated Christmas with all the joyful noise and celebration it brings. The birth of the Baby Jesus. God’s Son. For you and for me, and for everyone everywhere, including those we just mentioned.
And the Baby grew, shared His ministry among us, served everyone He met, and went to the cross—for you, for me, and for all of those. For everyone.
He came, not to condemn the world, but to save the world—you and me, but not just you and me, but all seven billion of us around the world, including you and me. (John 3: 16-17)
And when He commands us to go and make disciples, lifting lives everywhere, I believe, as I suspect you do, that He is referring to all those lives around the world. (Matthew 28: 18-20)
Our responsibility, one-life-at-a-time. Seven billion.
To follow His example, and share His message of love, hope, and salvation with all those near and around the world, assuring them that their final step from this brief life on earth will be into the arms of God in Heaven.
Also following His example, while here on earth, to take up our cross, and sacrificially serve and lift them off the streets, help them heal, and help them to find meaning, purpose, and hope for their lives and their loved ones. (Matthew 20: 26b-28; Luke 9: 23-25)
So, one day, perhaps here, and certainly when we step into Heaven, we just may hear some of these words shared with us, which are sung by Ray Boltz in his song— “Thank You for Giving to the Lord”—
“…Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave…”
What do you think?
He left us as His hands, feet, heart to touch the world around us. To be Him, light in the world everywhere. To join Him, and His heart, desiring to save the world.
To lift lives to be all they were created to be, and to share the opportunity with everyone to accept the Son of God, and assure themselves of a place in Heaven, when their brief journey on earth is done.
Seven billion. Ours.
With Him, and for Him.
In His Name–Scott
You will be blessed, reminded, encouraged, and inspired by this video and song sung by Ray Boltz, “Thank You for Giving to the Lord.”
