Matthew 28:18-20 MSG — Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

The Great Commission is a decree for you and I. Jesus directs each of us to “train” everyone we meet. We are mandated to take this commission seriously and spread the Good News in all that we say and do. Have you thought about the weight and seriousness of Jesus’ instructions? Are you intentional about ways to make disciples? How are you responding to the call on your life? What impact are you making to those around you?

My prayer is that others will see Christ in me in all that I say and do. Of course I fall short and must be sure to refocus when I stray from God’s calling on my life. Listen to Let Them See You by Colton Dixon to help you refocus on God’s call on your life.

Let’s pray. Dear God, forgive me for times I fail to realize the seriousness of the Great Commission. Help me stay focused and show me ways to make an impact for You. May others see You in me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Matthew 28:18-20 NIV — Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Place yourself in the shoes of the disciples at the time of today’s featured scripture. A whirlwind of events has just taken place. Jesus was arrested, tortured, crucified and died. Today’s scripture takes place just after the discovery that Jesus’ body was not in the tomb and the claims that He has risen from the dead. I imagine at this point the disciples are in such shock from the rollercoaster of emotions and events that they are just going through the motions trying to put one foot in front of the other. They recalled that Jesus had told them to go to Galilee and so they did. There, Jesus appeared. Imagine their surprise and awe in the moment. Jesus doesn’t make small talk. He cuts to the chase. 

This scripture is called “The Great Commission.” In this passage Jesus gives a directive and a mission for the disciples and for us. You and I are called to make disciples. How have you responded to your commission? How do you make disciples?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus’ resurrection. Speak to me today about ways You are using me to carry out the Great Commission. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Spend some time reading and meditating on the scriptures below. Compare the two versions. Write down some notes to guide your thoughts this week. Notice similarities and differences in the passages. What do you wonder? What connections do you make and what is your reaction?

Matthew 28 NIV

Matthew 28 MSG

Additional scripture:

1 Peter 2:9 NIV — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

@biblegateway

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This week we will examine our impact on others. Listen to Different by Micah Tyler and ask yourself —  How am I making disciples for Christ? How am I being different?

Spend some time working through the below links as we follow-up on our week about faith.

Quote from Billy Graham

Life Beautiful Magazine article

Letting His Light Shine blog post

Click the link below to watch today’s Funny Friday YouTube video.

Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV — As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Today’s featured scripture assures us of such a beautiful promise. We have been saved, not by our own works, but by grace and through faith. What a beautiful gift and as a result we should be so thankful. Out of our thankfulness, let’s respond by doing the good works God has prepared for each of us. Let’s spend time asking Him for guidance and direction about areas He can use us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. May we each respond to the gift of grace by showing grace to others and sharing our faith without waver.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your grace. Show me ways I can serve You, show grace, and share my faith with others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Hebrews 11:1-2 MSG — The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

What a powerful scripture! “Faith is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living.” Is faith your foundation? Is your foundation firm? Are there places where your foundation of faith has cracks in it? For example, are there areas where you are doubting God? Are there circumstances in which you are not following God’s lead? Are you fully obeying God?

Spend some time examining your faith by answering the above questions. Allow God to guide your thoughts and convict your heart of areas your faith can be improved. Let go and let God lead you out of your boat and onto the water to walk by faith.

Let’s pray. Dear God, forgive me for not completely trusting You and for being disobedient. Give me strength and courage to let go, trust, and obey. Help me to walk on water. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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