This month’s picture--more baptisms in the Dominican Republic! [Click picture to enlarge.]
Effective ministry and mission work is a team effort. Jan and I have shared ministry and mission work for over 53 years! Countless people have encouraged us, supported us, loved us, and prayed for us. In addition to the customary "Brother Bob" or "Hermano Bob," I am also known as dad and papa (pa-paw). One of my favorite breakfasts is huevos fritos, frijoles, and tortillas, with hot sauce and a cup of rich Colombian coffee! The greatest joy of my life is being part of the kingdom of Jesus my King. My #1 priority is to advance "kingdom things" and to help develop authentic "kingdom people." I seek to share the Good News about Jesus everywhere I go, helping people find Jesus and helping people mature as disciples of Jesus. One of the greatest blessings of my life is to be loved by many people around the world!
EASY ACCESS TO MY NEWEST VIDEOS! -- ¡ACCESO FÁCIL A MIS NUEVOS VIDEOS!
Too many times we're so concerned with "keeping Jesus' commands" that we totally miss the "power by which we are able" to keep His commands. Consider the following:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20
How many times have you heard this famous commission command referenced devoid of the last sentence?... "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
If we were left to ourselves with the task of taking the gospel to the world, we would immediately begin planning innovative strategies and plotting elaborate schemes. We would organize conventions, develop programs, and create foundations. Unfortunately, this is what much of our modern mission efforts actually look like. It's called analysis paralysis. We plan for it much more than we actually do it.
But Jesus is so different from us. With the task of taking the gospel to the world, Jesus wandered through the streets and byways and simply engaged people… often, just one at a time. He called them away from common ideas and made them think for themselves. He told parables, allowing people who had eyes to see and ears to hear, to find truth, love and forgiveness. All He wanted was a few people who would think as He did, love as He did, see as He did, teach as He did and serve as He did. All He needed was to transform the hearts of a few, and they would impact the world. Jesus made disciples who would make disciples. And, as Jesus' disciples went on their way, making other disciples, He was with them… even to the end!
Never forget this, Jesus is the One doing the seeking and saving. Jesus is the One who is building His Kingdom. The Holy Spirit is, even now, convicting the world of sin and proclaiming Jesus' glory to blind eyes and deaf ears all around us. Jesus is simply inviting us to participate in what He is already doing.
So, go ahead, speak Jesus to people. Engage them with your testimony about what Jesus has done for you. Speak the truth in love. Speak the Name that is above every other Name. Then, get out of the way and watch what happens. Because, you're not really the one doing all this. He is. He is with you… even to the very end!
Trust Him. Follow Him. Obey Him. Proclaim Him to someone… everyday. #redletters #speakJesus
Please pray for the video project that Larry Bowles and Bob Young are working on -- a fresh retelling of the Story of Jesus. Anticipated release is late 2022 or early 2023.
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The article is available here -->: Rethinking Our Mission Plan