“Engage!”

Questions for you:
1. Is the world confused?
2. Is the world lost?
3. Is the world in pain?
4. Is the world dying?
5. What are you doing about it?

Engage!

Recently, throughout my area of influence, I have been posing these questions. The first four questions draw quick “yeses,” however, the responses to question number five are generally fragile poker-faces. (LOL!)

To generate more thought and open Believers up to greater possibilities, I’ll ask, “If God called you to stand up a ministry, how would you proceed? What will you need? What would your primary teachings be? What’s the top three things Christians need to be taught today?” (It warms my heart greatly to see their faces wrestle with ignited potential and newfound concepts. Hmmm… it just occurred to me. It’s “liberation” I see on their faces.)

Read the Words of God:
a. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (vs.18) And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task  (ministry)  of reconciling people to Him. (You have a ministry.)

b. Romans 10:13-15 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (vs.14) But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? (vs.15) And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say,  “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”  (Your feet are beautiful because you carry the message of salvation.)

c. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when He appears to set up His Kingdom: (vs.2) Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (vs.3) For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. (vs.4) They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (vs.5) But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and  fully carry out the ministry God has given you.(Fulfill your ministry.)

d. Mark 16:15-16 And then He told them,  “Go into all the world  and preach the Good News to everyone. (vs.16) Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. (You have God’s permission to “Go.”)

e. Romans 8:19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are. (Today, the world is waiting on you… to manifest and mature, and take your place as a beacon of light.)

My prayer over you:
I declare that you were commissioned by Jesus with these words, (Mk 16:15) “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Rom 1:16) You are not ashamed of the gospel, for you know it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. I proclaim that (Ps 119:1) you are blessed and you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God! (vs.2) You are blessed because you follow God’s directions, doing your best to find Him. (vs.3) You will not go off on your own; you walk straight along the road God set. (vs.4) You know God prescribes the right way to live and God expects you to live it. (vs.5) I proclaim that your steps are steady, keeping to the course God has set! I pray that (Mt 3:8) you prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (Mk 8:34) You are a disciple and you know that if anyone wishes to go after Christ, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Christ. (vs.35) You know whoever wishes to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Christ’s sake, and the gospel’s, will save it. (vs.36) You ask yourself, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul,” and (vs.37) “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” I declare that (1Cor 15:58) You will stand firm! You will let nothing move you! You will always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is never in vain. (Pro 11:30) You know that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever wins souls is wise! (Col 4:3) I pray for you, that God may open to you doors for the Word, so you may declare the mystery of Christ, (vs.4) and that you may make it clear, which is how you ought to speak. (vs.5) You walk in wisdom toward outsiders, and you make the best use of time. (vs.6) I declare that your speech is always gracious, seasoned with salt, and you know how to answer each person. I declare that (1Cor 16:13) you are on the alert, you stand firm in the faith, you act like a godly person, and you remain strong! (Php 1:27) Whatever happens, you conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether other Believers come and see you, or only hear about your faith, it will be known that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one for the faith of the gospel! (1Thes 3:7) Therefore, in all of your distresses and persecutions, other Believers are encouraged because of your faith! (vs.8) So now, others really live because you stand firm in the Lord! I declare that (Ac 17:6) you will turn the world upside down with Truth and Love, (Ac 13:36) you will serve God in your own generation, and (Ac 20:20) and you will keep nothing back from the world that is profitable, but you will show and teach the world publicly, the things of God. (Ac 20:24) You will consider your life worth nothing compared to finishing the race and completing the task the Lord Jesus has given you – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. In Jesus’ name, amen!