The Great Commission

Did you see Friday's YouVersion Bible app "Verse of the Day" & full Daily Refresh post backing my Thursday LinkedIn post with "The Great Commission" verse from Matthew 28:19? (Bold and underlining added by me for emphasis in the below scriptures).

Matthew 28:19 AMP
[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

I'll let you in on a little secret...YouVersion and I have a partnership. In fact, ALL Christians have this partnership. 

2 Timothy 4:2-5 NASB1995
[2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, [4] and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. [5] But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1 Peter 3:15 NASB1995
[15] but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 

Sharing the Gospel is ALWAYS a timely message!

*THIS* was your "sign" to GO do missions. Note, you don't have to cross the sea in order for others to see the Cross? Dr. Tony Evans said something akin to "ministry" is what we do with other believers; "missions" is what we do to reach those who are not yet believers. In the "go" of "The Great Commission", God *may* be calling you to change your vocation and/or location, but that's certainly NOT required. As everyone's journey & contribution is different, every Christian is STILL called to be a full-time missionary MAKING disciples as we GO throughout our daily lives. 

With that clarification, answer honestly. What are you doing to 
• extend your personal relationship with God?
• extend the relationship of God in others?
• participate in "The Great Commission"?

My church (currently in an AMAZING series about the Mission of God) had a sermon years ago called Pray, Pay, or Pack summarizing 3 ways that our identification in Christ calls for us to participate in the extension of the Kingdom of God. 

1) You can FREELY PRAY and/or encourage already established missionaries or soon-to-be missionaries.

How?
--> Praying God's promises over them.
--> Connect with/write to them.
--> Express your appreciation for the courage & boldness they exhibited to dedicate their time, life, and sometimes, yes, even death to the cause. 
--> Share what God has done for you with others (you don't need training to share your testimony)!
--> Share the Gospel anywhere you go.

2) PACK to GO! Connect with reputable churches executing mission ministries both home and abroad.***Especially, if you/your group/your family are serious about overseas missions & need help starting the process, please, feel free to contact me.***

3) PAY for someone who wants to go or is already missioned-focused. It's a beautiful thing to align your time, donations, & funds to support local initiatives (i.e., school supplies drive, adopting-a-family, supporting people fallen on hard times, & countless other opportunities). In addition to supporting locally, consider faithfully supporting overseas missionaries called to share Christ both in and out of season. 

This is not to encourage comparison or bring about braggadocious behavior to highlight what's been done.

Matthew 6:3-4 AMP
[3] But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], [4] so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

It's Biblical...

Galatians 6:10 AMP
[10] So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

Even Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 disciples who literally was in the presence of the 200% God-man and STILL betrayed Him. He played his role.

Whatever role you choose to play, Jesus lets us know that He will be with us every step of the way, saying: 

[20] teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

So, that begs the question -- #WhereAreYouInTheStory 

#missshanspreads 
#missions
#shareyourtestimony
#praypaypack
#makedisciples