September 13- Matthew 28:18-20

THE VERSE

Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
~Matthew 28:18-20

THE THOUGHT

"Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you." This command drove Paul, who wrote in Romans 1 that "we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name among all the nations." Missions is bringing people from all nations to the obedience of faith for the sake of His name.

So what is the obedience of faith? It is the overflow of a heart that trusts in the promise and power of God. When a sinful heart is transformed by the grace of God and His living water is poured into it, it becomes, as Jesus said, "a spring of water welling up to eternal life." This overflow of abundance manifests itself in a life of joyful, sacrificial service, love, and worship.

This obedience of faith, then, is not the end result of missions; it is the means to that end. The reason for the obedience of faith is “for the sake of His name among the nations.” God is looking for people who have been transformed by His Spirit who will yield themselves to become fountains of living water, bringing life to the hardest places on earth. Will you yield?

THE PRAYER

Holy Spirit, Fill me up and send me out. Satisfy my heart with Your abundance and make me to overflow with Your life-giving water to the thirsty around me and around the world.

EXTENDED READING

John 4:13-14
Romans 1:1-6
Romans 16:25-27

THE QUOTE

"You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You." ~ St. Augustine

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

Isaiah 34-36
Proverbs 24:23-34
Luke 22:63-71
Hebrews 8:1-6