As we entered a new year I felt moved by Holy Spirit to stir and encourage the local church members to rise to the challenge to ’Make Jesus known’.
It’s so easy to enjoy the comfort of our local church and forget the tremendous challenge to touch the hearts and lives of people who have no knowledge or understanding that they need a Saviour.
Andrew Shearman really put out the issue clearly in a recent video broadcast that ’Jesus cost you nothing, He loves you just as you are’, however for you to follow Christ will cost you everything’.
Matthew 8: 34-37 The Passion Bible; What It Means to Be a Follower of Jesus;
Jesus summoned the crowd, along with his disciples, and had them gather around. And he said to them: “If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely disown your own life. And you must be willing to share my cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to my ways. For if you let your life go for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, you will continually experience true life. But if you choose to keep your life for yourself, you will forfeit what you try to keep. For what use is it to gain all the wealth and power of this world, with everything it could offer you, at the cost of your own life? And what could be more valuable to you than your own soul?
The Lord Jesus Christ knows what is best for your life than you and I do. Sadly so many people today are not unwilling to be committed to the call of God.
Often the Lord Jesus said ’Follow Me’ however in Matthew 11: 28-30 (The Passion Bible) The Lord Jesus invites us to ’Come to Him’
”Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”
I personally know so many who are carrying heavy burdens who do not know that God loves them and that His desire is to become their friend and Saviour. What a privilege it is to cast all your cares upon Him for he cares for you.
The Passion Bible 1 Peter 5: 6 Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.
It’s time for each one of us to allow our hearts to be examined and follow the Blessed Master who promised to make you and I fishers of men!
Blessings
John Marsden