“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
Jonah 1:2 (NIV) When God first gave Jonah his mission, it required a huge step of faith. In fact, the step was so big that Jonah initially ran from it. At the time, Nineveh was the biggest and most important city in the world. It was the capital of Assyria, the strongest empire of the day. Nineveh was a beautiful city with wide boulevards, parks, canals, great architecture, palaces, and temples. But it was also a very cruel and wicked city. The Assyrians destroyed everything in their path and treated everyone else with racial prejudice. For Jonah to preach to them, it would take a step of faith. Why? First, Jonah had grown up in a small village. Yet God was calling him to reach the biggest city in the world. Plus, it was more than 550 miles away. It wouldn’t be easy to get there. Most importantly, Assyria had captured, dominated, and enslaved the Jews multiple times. The Assyrians hated Israel, and Israel hated the Assyrians. They were mortal enemies. They were political enemies. They were religious enemies. They were racial enemies. But God wanted to save these people too, so he sent Jonah on a mission to them. However, instead of obeying, Jonah ran from God’s plan. He wouldn’t take the step of faith necessary to start his mission, let alone complete it. Like Jonah’s mission, your God-given mission will test your faith. It may challenge your comfort zones. It may challenge your prejudices. It may challenge your politics. But you can’t accomplish God’s mission for your life without faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). What Jonah eventually learned is that God will be with us every step along our mission, guiding and providing for us. Jesus promised this when he gave the Great Commission: “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” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).
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“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.”
Ephesians 2:10 (NCV) You weren’t put on earth to live for yourself. You were made for a greater purpose than simply to make money, retire, and die. You were made for a mission, and that mission gives your life meaning. The Bible says, “God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing” (Ephesians 2:10 NCV) In other words, you’re unique. No one else in the whole world—past, present, or future—is like you. God has made you so unique that there are certain things only you can contribute to the world. Those things make up your life mission. Until you know your life mission, you’re just existing. Life may seem good, but you won’t experience the fulfillment you would if you were living out God’s intentions for you. Jesus says in Mark 8:35, “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” (TLB). God is giving you the opportunity to build your life around his mission for you. The only way to do that is by starting with a firm foundation: Jesus Christ. “And no one can ever lay any other real foundation than that one we already have—Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 TLB). You can choose to build your life on Jesus, the only foundation that will last. Or you can choose to spend your life chasing things that ultimately will fail you. What’s certain is that one day you will stand before God and he’ll ask you: “Did you fulfill the mission that I gave you on this earth?” On that day, it will be clear whether you spent your life fulfilling God’s mission for you—or you chose to chase lesser things. It’s never too late to start living the life God has planned for you. Start building your foundation on Jesus and pursuing God’s mission for your life today. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much . . . If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”
Luke 16:10-12 (NIV) The book of Genesis tells the story of a man named Joseph. God gave Joseph a vision of becoming a great leader, but for 40 years he lived and worked as a slave, and for much of that time he was imprisoned. Those decades were the testing ground of Joseph’s character. When the day came and the time was just right, God pulled Joseph out of that setting and placed him in a position of power in Egypt—where he had always planned for Joseph to be. During all the difficult years of toil, God had been growing Joseph’s character and preparing him for his leadership role. Whatever your work is—whether you’re working hard in obscurity or enjoying a position of power—God is developing your character too. In fact, God is far more concerned about who you are than what you do; he is much more interested in your character than he is in your career. Your workplace is a life course in character development. Do you have a boss who drives you nuts? Think about this: God can use a boss who tests your patience—or a workplace that you’re unhappy in—to develop and grow your character. He plants seeds of love, joy, peace, and patience in your heart, and then he fertilizes those seeds while you work. You may be at work and wonder, “How come this is going on? Why is this such a tough place? Why are these people picking on me? Why can’t I be happier at my workplace?” You’re basically asking the same question that Solomon asked in Ecclesiastes 1:3: “You spend your life working, laboring, and what do you have to show for it?” (GNT). The answer is this: character. Life is preparation for eternity. You’re not going to take your career with you to heaven, but you are going to take your character. And while you are here on earth, God is developing your character and testing your faithfulness. Will you be faithful to do the right thing, even when you don’t feel like it? He’s watching to determine what kind of job he is going to give you in eternity. Jesus said in Luke 16:10-12, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much . . . If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (NIV). Whatever work God has given you, be faithful to do it will. Remember, it’s more about your character than it is about your career! “Someone's thoughts may be as deep as the ocean, but if you are smart, you will discover them.”
Proverbs 20:5 (CEV) Today’s confidence builder is this: You can help lead anyone to Jesus if you’ll just listen for the key to their heart. What is the key to someone’s heart? It’s their hidden hurt or unmet need. We all have secrets in our lives, things we don’t want other people to know about. “Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal” (Romans 3:23 TLB). But when you’re able to discern a person’s struggles by listening to their heart, you’ve just discovered how to lead them to Jesus. The Bible says, “Someone’s thoughts may be as deep as the ocean, but if you are smart, you will discover them” (Proverbs 20:5 CEV). Keep in mind, there’s only one way to God the Father, and that is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NIV). But there are many reasons people come to Jesus. Some people come to Jesus for a miracle or to get a question answered. Some come to Jesus out of loneliness, guilt, or fear. Others are looking for purpose in life. Still others are in the middle of a relational or financial crisis. There are a thousand different reasons people are drawn to God. Stress, pain, and suffering always have a way of getting your attention. Whatever the reason, don’t waste any opportunity to show people that all their answers and longings are found and fulfilled in Jesus. If you want to reach a particular person for the Lord, find the key to their heart by opening up a life-changing conversation with them. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”
Matthew 28:18-19 (NIV) One thing is made very clear in Scripture: God wants you to tell people the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. In fact, some of the first and last recorded words of Jesus were about sharing the hope you have in him. In Matthew 4:19, at the beginning of his ministry, Jesus gathered a small group of fishermen and carpenters—just ordinary people—and said, “Follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (NLT) These were some of the very first words Jesus spoke to his followers. Do you see Jesus’ logic in that verse? If you’re not fishing for people, then you’re not really following him. The proof that you are truly in God’s family is that you’re bringing other people into the family. Later in the book of Matthew, Jesus talked again about sharing your hope. This passage is called the Great Commission. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19 NIV). These were some of the very last words of Jesus before he went back to heaven. Why does Jesus have “all authority in heaven and on earth”? Because he created the universe, so he’s been given all authority over it. Jesus authorizes you to go make disciples. This means you are God’s agent! Is anyone going to be in heaven because of you? Have you ever led anybody to faith in Christ? Follow the first and last words of Jesus, and people will one day say to you in heaven, “Thank you! I’m in heaven today because of you.” “Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 40:3 (NLT) Because of Jesus, you can have your past forgiven, have a purpose for living, and have a home in heaven. Telling others about this hope you have in Jesus is the most loving thing you can do. Jesus said, “Wherever you go in the world, tell everyone the Good News” (Mark 16:15 GW). Have you ever led someone to faith in Christ? Whether it’s someone in your neighborhood, at the office, or in your own family, bringing someone into the family of God is the greatest thing you can do. If you’re not sure how to share the hope you have in Jesus, here are six practical steps to get you started. Live it. Long before you talk about your faith, you should live it. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:12, “Live properly among your unbelieving neighbors . . . They will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God” (NLT). If people like what they see in you, they are more likely to listen to what you say. Learn it. You could know about the hope that is in you and still have a hard time expressing it. But 1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect” (GNT). As people see something different about your life, you need to be ready when they ask, “Why do you live the way you do?” And then you share “with gentleness and respect.” Apologize for not sharing sooner. There may be people in your life you’ve known for 10, 20, or even 30 years. How do you break the ice and talk about Jesus with people you’ve known for a long time? You apologize and say, “You’ve been a good friend for a long time, but for some reason, I haven’t told you about the most important thing in my life. I’m sorry. I wish I had told you sooner.” You’ve known them long enough to know you don’t want to spend eternity without them. Listen first. Every person on this planet has a deep hunger to be heard, to be understood, and to have their feelings validated. Proverbs 18:13 says, “Listen before you answer” (GNT). Your ear is a great tool for showing love to someone. When you listen to another person, you can find the key to their heart. Share your stories. Notice “stories,” not “story.” Why? Because you have many stories, or testimonies. A lot of people think they only have one testimony—the testimony of how they came to Christ. But has God ever helped you with a financial, relational, or health problem? You have hundreds of powerful testimonies that can point people to Jesus. Bring people to worship. One of the best ways you can share the Good News is to bring people to church. As they walk into a service, they will see many believers coming together, worshiping God, and believing the same thing. Acts 2:47 says, “At the same time, they praised God and had the good will of all the people. Every day the Lord saved people, and they were added to the group” (GW). Most people don’t know about the hope that Jesus Christ gives, and so they are spiritually empty. What step can you take today to bring someone into the family of God? “We are . . . Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) Your job in God’s family is to invite others to join the family. In fact, you are an ambassador of Christ. That means that, everywhere you go, you represent Jesus. The Bible says, “We are . . . Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV). Now, you may be thinking, “I’m just not qualified to be an ambassador for Christ.” You think it requires a special personality or being good at persuading people. Or perhaps you struggle to find the confidence you need to tell people about the hope you have in Jesus. Here are five truths that will give you confidence to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ: Everybody has the same longings you have. You didn’t stop being a human when you were born again into the family of God. You still have the same basic human drives and desires everyone else does. That means what you’re offering to people—how to live a life of purpose—is what everybody longs for. Everybody has the same questions you have. All those questions you have in your mind—like “Who am I?” and “Does my life have purpose?”—are from God. They’re not small questions, but they’re the questions everyone asks. And the answers, of course, are found in God’s Word. Most people don’t really know what they believe, and they often contradict themselves. For example, some people say there are no absolutes in life. Well, that statement alone is an absolute statement. But when you share the hope of Jesus, it brings clarity to people’s lives. Listen for the key that will open their heart to Jesus. That key is their unmet need or hidden hurt. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. But people come to Jesus for many reasons—many times through their painful experiences. People have excuses, but you have the Holy Spirit and the truth. You’re not alone when you tell people about God’s plan of salvation through Jesus. God is with you, but he is also working in the other person’s heart while you’re talking through the Holy Spirit. So many times, people lack confidence in sharing their faith. The good news is, God will always tell you what to say when you need to say it—and he’ll do it in such an amazing way! “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.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) The whole world needs Jesus. Jesus said this very clearly over and over, and in Matthew 28:18-20 he gave his followers the Great Commission: “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” (NIV). What is your assignment? “Go.” This is not a suggestion! It’s not optional. If you are a child of God, God expects you to go. What’s the task? Go and make disciples. A disciple is someone who does the five things we were put on Earth to do: know and love God, grow to spiritual maturity, serve God through ministry, share the Good News, and worship God with all your heart. What’s your authority? It’s not some government or political movement. It’s Jesus. What is your responsibility? Are you supposed to go and make disciples of some nations? No. All nations. Does that include nations that are outright hostile to believers? Yes. Countries where there is political turmoil? Yes. There is no nation that is off-limits. What does it mean for you? If the whole world needs Jesus, then you must share the Good News. If you knew the cure for Alzheimer’s, AIDS, or cancer, it would be inexcusable to not share it. But you have something even better than a cure for disease. You know the cure for the human heart and the deepest needs of mankind. They need a Savior. They need forgiveness. They need their past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in heaven. You can’t hold it back. You have to share it! John 3:17 says, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (NIV). I want to be like Jesus. I want you to be like Jesus. Stop worrying about what political party you belong to or how you can get ahead in life. Just get busy sharing the Good News. |
AuthorTaken from Daily Hope by Rick Warren. Categories
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