Worship
Scripture
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” – Mark 1:14-20, ESV
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” – Mark 8:34, ESV
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” – Mark 10:21, ESV
“And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” – Matthew 4:19, ESV
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27, ESV
A Season of Kingdom Advancement
Monday, we crossed over into the Hebrew year of 5783. There are many prophetic words for God’s people as we begin a new year on the Jewish calendar. It is prophesied that this is a year of expansion and abundance; a year of new strengths; and the power of God will be released through His people like we have not ever seen. These are words that align with Scripture—our identity and authority in Christ being manifested on the Earth. His Kingdom is coming! His will will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! When the darkness is growing more and more dark, the power and glory of God will be on display! We don’t have to question when or how, it’s just our job to get positioned in surrender, aligned with His heart, and moving with His Spirit. He does the rest!
The Great Commission Today
I was speaking to a group of women in the Virginia area this week, where we have launched a new Arise chapter. Lee Self is leading one of our 70 cities, mobilizing women to live lives centered around the Great Commission. There was a woman in her late 20s sitting in the center of the room. She looked at me with eyes of longing. I had a sense in my spirit that God was calling her into full-time ministry. As we spoke afterwards, she shared with me that she has been hungry to find a group of women who even care about the Great Commission and taking the gospel to the lost. With tears in her eyes, she shared of the dryness of the season because the Church just doesn’t seem to care about this anymore.
Her assessment is accurate. Some states have scores of women who have lives centered on the gospel. Other states have a mere handful; but the remnant of the people will usher in the harvest!
Will you be a part of the remnant of Jesus in this hour who is wide awake, desperate for Him, and positioned to carry His purposes in the Earth?
If we look at the responses of the first disciples of Jesus, we see the phrase “at once” defined all of their dispositions (except the rich young ruler). They were willing to leave vocations, social norms, families and relationships, and familiarity to follow Him. The invitation from Jesus rested on their hearts, which manifested in their feet.
We are reaching a critical crossing over for the Bride of Christ as she walks toward her Bridegroom and the wedding of the Lamb. We are racing against time, so I write this with a heart and passion for urgency! On one hand is the promise that we will be made ready for His return. On the other hand is the mantle of urgency that Matthew 28:18-20 steers us toward. Go therefore! If we have all we need in Christ, what we have received in our hearts needs to drop to our feet. It’s time to move! We follow Him exactly where He always went—to the lost sheep. We don’t get to give ourselves an out, saying, “That’s not my gift; it’s not my stage of life; or I’m too busy.” In the same sense of ownership the first apostles in Acts received, we too are marked and commissioned to this time in history and to the nations of the world. More than 3 billion have yet to hear the name Jesus. We must follow Jesus and go!
Does Jesus have permission to change things in your life? Does He have permission to change your vocation, your friend group, your social life, your place of residence, and even your worldview?
Americans battle something that no one else battles in their worldviews and that is the great American dream. We are taught that we are entitled to obtain great wealth and work at it at all costs. We store up our treasures in barns and aim for the golden years of retirement where we golf and vacation until we die. And then maybe, “When I retire, I will serve the Lord.”
People of God, we have been duped. This is not the destiny and fullness of calling that Jesus saved us for. It’s time we wrestle with the worldview we have been told is our entitled right to life.
Modern Examples of Following Christ
Do you remember my translator on my last trip to the Himalayas? His father was martyred when he was a little boy. At that time, he vowed to the Lord that he would serve Him and preach the gospel for his whole life and is now doing just that. His life is not his own.
Many of you know my friend, Dr. Alexandria Watkins. She recently opened her practice in North Dallas, and there are times she has to close her new practice so she can take the gospel to the nations. Does it make sense for her business plan? Probably not, but she’s storing up her treasures in Heaven. Her life is not her own.
My daughter, Emily, seeks every opportunity to minister the gospel to her patients and families at the hospital in Virginia. Could this cost her her job and even potentially her license? Yes. Has she weighed the cost? Yes. Her life is not her own.
We met a man in Israel, Dr. Steven Khoury. He is an Arab believer taking the gospel to both the Jews and Muslims. The favor of the Lord is on him, and many are encountering the truth of Jesus. He had to get to a point where he said, “If I die; I die.” His boldness and courage made us long for an impartation of the same passion and zeal for the gospel. His life is not his own. (He will be coming and speaking to the Arise women over lunch on November 30. Make sure and join us for this in-person or virtually! Early bird tickets end on October 24.)
I could share many more real-life examples of those who give their wealth, their businesses, and their time all to Jesus. And their lives will be written on the scrolls of Heaven for all of eternity. The joyous invitation before you and me is this: Will you let Him do the same with your life? Will you give Him permission?
The American Challenge
Would you dare to forsake the American dream and all of your logical plans for your life and your finances and follow Jesus? Today, will you give Him your mustard seed of faith and give Him your yes? Will you trust Him to take you on the grandest adventure of a lifetime? There is so much more in store for you and me.
The Lord called my precious aunt to follow Him and go for many, many years. She refused. The timing wasn’t good; there was more work to do at school; more money to make; more things to accomplish. Finally, the Lord captured her heart, and she said, “Yes.” She only had a few years to partner with Jesus before she died of cancer. If the Lord is calling you, and you just don’t understand what the next step is, that’s OK because He does. He just wants you to give Him your yes and your surrender. He will show you His plan as you follow Him!
Jesus looks at you and loves you and says to you today: Follow Me!
