So these last couple of weeks our
senior pastor has being preaching on Mark chapter 13. This is an
awesome passage of scripture that happens to be mistaught often. So,
it has been a real pleasure to listen to Pastor Bob, simply proclaim
the truth of what this passage is saying. During these same few
weeks, the Lord has been working on my heart in many areas. One of
those areas happens to be in regards to being Torah observant. You
see our family isn't 100% Torah Observant, but we are definitely what
I call Torah Aware. After studying the Torah in depth as a family
we came to realize that what is written in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (All
Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the
man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.)is true for us today. So, we decided to start seeking truth
from all of God's Word. As we began our journey, we became involved
in a new community of believers. The Messianic group of believers,
Torah Followers. This new group of people came on strong. They had
a desire to find righteousness and live it. It was inspiring,
encouraging, and overwhelming to learn and grow with these people.
Blessings in Christ Jesus!
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Soon we found ourselves confused and
even unsure of how our lives should be lived in light of this new
discovery of applying all scripture to our lives. Every time, I
became confused or overwhelmed the Lord would show me in His word
that He was with me and would guide us every step of the way. Often
he would take me back to the book of Romans and remind me that
obedient living was only found in abiding in Christ alone. That it
would not be my works, but the work of Christ in me that would bring
forth true righteousness.
So, I journey on in obedience as best
I can. I find myself noticing everything around me in a new way.
Everyone seems to be on a mission, have a cause. Often they are good
and maybe even righteous causes, but I wonder is this or that
something I should be concerned with. (Causes like abortion,
homosexuality, living according to Old testament law, awareness of
body identity, etc, etc. ) But as everyone is shouting and calling
for their cause to be heard, all I can hear is the LORD saying , “Go
and make disciples of all nation.” What do all these causes have
to do with making disciples? I wonder to myself have I forgot what
is most important? Have I got caught up in worrying about all the
wrong things?
Then yesterday Pastor Bob, preached on
this verse in Mark 13:10, “The gospel must first be preached to all
the nations.” Jesus is speaking to his disciples and telling them
that He will not return until all the people groups of the world have
heard of Him. Pastor Bob used this one verse to remind me that our
first calling as believers, disciples, is to make more disciples.
Jesus final words to his followers wasn't to be separate from the
world, but it was the exact opposite. It was, “Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all
that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
As we left church, I said to Jeremy
that I was starting to realize what God was trying to tell me. It
is good to want to live a right life, but more than that I need to be
about spreading truth to others. As I was thinking on that yesterday
afternoon, I happened to read two wonderful articles in a magazine I
get call Messiah Magazine. The first was about how the Messianic
Gentile movement has forgotten about evangelism, and how to truly
follow Christ we must not forget to evangelize. The second was about
how to evangelize without using fear or shame, but through building
relationships. I loved that right when I was wondering how God
wanted me to apply what He was showing me through his word, he gave
me some clear answers.
You see making disciples is more than
just sharing the Gospel message. Making disciples is a life
investment. Jesus didn't just touch the people and move on, no he
invested in his disciples lives. He taught them how to live truly
righteous lives through His power. So whom should I be investing in?
Of course, the first and most obvious answer is those whom I share
daily life with. As I live day to day with my husband and children,
it is my job not only to live the gospel, but to help them grow as
disciples of Christ. Next of course, is those in my church body. I
am to grow together with them in faith and mature together as
disciples of Christ. But what about the lost, those nations that
haven't heard? IS it my job to reach them? The answer is yes. Does
that mean I should get my bags packed and get on a plane? No. That
is not the calling God has for me, but I can get on my knees daily
for those people. I can have less, to give more to those who are
called to go make disciples in remote areas of the world. I can raise
children whom God may call to preach and teach His word far and
abroad.
So, I can't say I have it all figured
out, but I have realized something these past weeks. I have come to
realize that yes God wants me to read, study, and live His Word, all
of it. He wants me to be obedient to His commands, all of them. He
wants to use me to make disciples of Him. How awesome is that? I am
so glad that God wants me, wants to use me, and wants to transform me
into the woman He intends for me to be. I am grateful that if I seek
Him he will discipline me, guide me, correct me, and mold me into
just that woman. Though my flesh is weak, He is strong and will do
just as He set out to do. My prayer is that you to will know that
you can do all things through Christ as well.
