The Scripture for today is Matthew 3:1-6 3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
This weekend, Gary and I had the opportunity and privilege to be a part of World Mandate 2014. The theme for the weekend was “That All May Know”. That ALL would know about the love and salvation found in Jesus Christ. We enjoyed incredible worship and a variety of godly speakers. One of the speakers was Jimmy Seibert, the founder and senior pastor of Antioch Community Church, the church that started World Mandate 26 years ago. During his message, Jimmy taught that each generation has had the opportunity to be the LAST GENERATION. Each generation has had the opportunity to spread the good news of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each generation? My generation? My children’s generation?
There were barely 120 people left with Jesus at the end (Acts 1:16). Today, there are 2.1 billion people in the world that identify with Jesus in some way. 1 billion people believe that Jesus Christ is “The Way, The Truth and The Life”. From 120 brothers and sisters to 1 billion – what an INCREDIBLE MOVEMENT of the Gospel. 1 billion brothers and sisters saved – the Kingdom of heaven has come near. Yet, God’s kingdom is not fully realized – there are another 6 billion brothers and sisters living in darkness. 6 billion brothers and sisters who do not know the love of their Father in Heaven, who do not live under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ. 6 billion brothers and sisters who need us, Jesus’ Kingdom people, to reach out to them and share the good news of what the love of Christ has done in their lives.
These numbers – 120 to 1 billion believers; 6 billion more that are lost in darkness; - these numbers are pretty overwhelming to me. How do I, an ordinary woman in a suburban town, make a difference in God’s kingdom? How do I help bring others under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ? Honestly – I don’t know. But I know where to start. I will BEGIN WITH PRAYER and I will CONTINUE WITH PRAYER. I will pray for the rule and reign of Jesus in my life; I will pray for wisdom and discernment in determining how I can be the hands and feet in God’s kingdom; I will pray that I heed Christ’s call to join him in his reign coming.
Dear Jesus, I thank you for your rule and reign in my life. Thank you for allowing me to join you in your work throughout your kingdom. Give me a soft heart for your lost ones and help me to love and serve “the least of these”. I love you, Jesus! I worship you Father! I adore you Spirit!
Kelly