Go and make disciples

     And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen" ( Matthew 27:18-20, NKJV)

  In 1979, both my wife Miriam, and I, became born again believers and surrendered our lives to be disciples of the only One who can redeem us, Jesus Christ. Since that time,we have tried to share with others what it means to become disciples of Jesus Christ, starting with our children and family members, and continuing with friends, acquaintances, and strangers.

      Miriam is from Venezuela and her mother, Paula, and sister, Angela, both widows, still live there. Ever since becoming a believer, when Miriam was able to visit them or when they visited us in the U.S., she has talked to them about Jesus and the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She and I also spent much time in prayer over the years for them without seeing any results, in fact, her mother was quick to ridicule any conversations of a spiritual nature that Miriam might try to initiate and she called her "Sister Miriam" or "the nun"!

    In the year 2000, our daughter, Vanessa, was married to Ben Rough in our home church in Evans, GA. Miriam's mother and sister were unable to attend but Miriam was able to travel to Venezuela  a few months later and carried with her a video of the wedding ceremony. As Miriam was showing the video, Paula, was quick to make a comment about our pastor, Larry Harmon. She said: "Hey you have a good looking pastor!" To which Miriam jokingly replied: "You don't think I would go to a church without a handsome pastor do you?"

      As they continued to watch the service with Miriam pausing it from time to time to translate the pastor's words into Spanish for Paula and Angela, who don't speak any English,  something happened. Paula stopped Miriam about a third of the way through the wedding ceremony and said: "I can tell that your pastor is a man of God and he knows Jesus! Tell me how I can know Jesus too! " Miriam was overwhelmed with joy to see the Holy Spirit working in her mothers heart and drawing her to Him. She lead both Paula and Angela through the gospel presentation that we are all sinners who must repent  of our sins and believe on the name of Jesus to be saved. (something she had tried on numerous occasions to do, with no results.)

    Both Paula and Angela gave their hearts and lives over to Jesus that day and were gloriously saved! What a joyous day Miriam had as she witnessed God answering her prayers prayed for 20 years, and rejoicing in the knowledge that Paula and Angela now have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life and will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven when they leave this world!!!

    Who has God put on your heart to pray for? Who is He leading you to present the Gospel to today? All of us who are born again believers have a duty and a privilege to tell others about the One who has saved us and adopted us as His son or daughter. We need to give them the opportunity to know and have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe through His Son, Jesus Christ.

   He has told us to go, to go next door, across the street, down the road, and around the entire globe. And while we are going we are to make disciples! Start with your family, then your neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances, and then strangers. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are the Ones who will draw them and convict them of their need to be saved and it is only The Holy Spirit that saves so don't think it is your job! Your job is just to go and tell. Isn't it great to know that all we have to do is obey and God does the hard part?

    Go, tell, disciple, then rejoice when you see God do what only He can do!

  "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, NKJV)

Pray:

1. Lord, put on my heart those who you need me to be praying for today and help me to be faithful to pray every day until you answer that prayer.

2. Help me to go today to that person you want me to tell about You and to be bold in telling them how You have transformed my life since I accepted You as my Lord and Savior.

3. Keep me in Your Word every day so that You can speak to Me through the words of Jesus, The Apostles, and The Prophets and help me to share those words of wisdom and love to others.