Awakening The Church
You and I must step in and do our part in the awakening sweeping the earth.
Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV—[18] And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
God is waking the church up right now. We are witnessing it happen before our very eyes, and I could not be more excited and hopeful about what is coming. Revival and awakening are returning to the earth. The last days harvest is taking place, and the Lord beckons us to take our places in it.
What occurs in an awakening? Along with culture coming under the influence of the Lord, the most noticeable marks of an awakening are an increased hunger and thirst for the Lord Himself and a harvest of souls. During an awakening, people are born again at a rate much higher than what we normally experience.
The catalyst for this harvest of souls is our witness to the world. When awakening happens, the church comes alive to her faith and her mission. In the opening scriptures, Jesus spoke about authority. This authority is something He passed down to you and me for the purpose of proclaiming truth boldly and courageously. The Lord empowers us with His Holy Spirit so that we have the tools to become missionary evangelists—truth proclaimers to a lost, dying world.
Friend, you may not consider yourself a powerful witness for the Lord, but I am suggesting your perspective needs to change! You have a circle of influence that no one else has. Your friends, family, and neighbors are unique to you, and because Jesus placed you among them, you have a responsibility to speak life and truth. The message of Jesus IS life and truth.
Jesus did not say, “when you feel like it,” or “if you feel like it, go and make disciples.” He simply commanded each of us, “GO.” This is a command to the church, not a suggestion. We are containers of life. Jesus walks with us everywhere we go. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us, and therefore, we have a charge, a responsibility to help others know the love and transformation that Jesus has given to us.
A disciple is defined as a “learner.” Someone who is learning about truth is a disciple of truth. You do not have to be a Bible expert to make disciples. You simply have to help other people learn about the God you have come to know. This means you can share your testimony of how the Lord has changed you. You can express how Jesus gives you peace, strength, or encouragement through His Word. There is no one method for making disciples; it just involves us being faithful to open our mouths and speak about God’s goodness in every context we find ourselves in.
Maybe you will write a devotional and post it (like this one)! Or perhaps you will see a friend in the store and encourage them through prayer. God may send someone along who is ready to receive Jesus, and if you allow yourself to be used by the Holy Spirit, you may have the great privilege of praying with someone to receive Christ!
Let’s agree in prayer:
Father, help me to be ready to speak the truth of Your love, goodness, and saving grace everywhere I go. May I not be silent. Strengthen me with fresh power from the Holy Spirit to give a good word to anyone You place in my path today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thank you Pastor, I love the daily devotionals. I find that when you truly have a relationship with Jesus he is with me constantly and He is my first thought when I wake up and my last before bed. Staying in God's word makes Its easy to speak about Jesus. I am eagerly awaiting for my Savior.
Terri, I’m so glad these are helping you. We appreciate you so much!