Day 349: What Will You Do

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Lately I feel God has been challenging me in many ways and I want to bring those challenges to you. I think as the Body of Christ we are being challenged to do more and be more. Not in a sense that we aren’t enough but that there is always something more to be done. 

We are constantly talking about how the world is corrupt and we want world peace and we need someone to help. Well I have news for you. We are that someone to help. We are that someone to make a change in the world. We are the spark to the fire. God calls us the light of the world for a reason. Not so we can sit in darkness s d hide our light. But so that we can bring light into the darkness. Let me tell you that the world is becoming darker and darker everyday. With that being said the body of Christ must grow brighter and stronger everyday. We must be the change that not only we want to see but the change that this world needs. There’s is so much going on in the world and we are looking to everyone else to fix it. We are looking for politicians to fix this when what our people need is Prayer. What our countries need is for the people of God to show them that all hope s not gone. That there is a God and He is still sovereign and He is always listening. 

While we are waiting for celebrities, politicians, and city and community leaders to speak up and do something. My question to the body of Christ is what do you say? What will you do? How do you treat people? I ask myself these questions as well. It starts with us. Equality, justice, peace, truth. It all starts with us. What will we do when we see injustice happening? What will we do when we see people falling and persecuted? What will we do? We often think that these are not our battles or our conversations. By overlooking the things that are causing the world so much pain how are we helping to heal. By looking over our brother or sister who is starving and struggling how are we doing God’s will. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is  in Matthew 25:35-40 when Jesus says,35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

So again I ask, What will you do?  

I know that when God saw His people falling and being destroyed by sin, He sent Jesus. That’s what He did. He did something for His people and because of that act of grace and love we are here today. He sent a savior to save the world and Jesus sent us. Jesus gave us a mission to go out and make disciples. 

Response/Prayer Time 

Take the time to answer the questions proposed today. As the year begins to wind down we are talking about putting our faith into action and serving Christ in all the ways we can. Talk to God about what that looks like for you and ask Him what He wants you to do and where He wants you to go. 

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening! Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 350!

Day 140: The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Before Jesus Ascended into heaven He sent the disciples on a mission. He told them to go make more disciples. The message version of the bible puts it this way, “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…

Take what I have taught you and teach it to the nations, bring the message of Christ, the good news to the world. Jesus is giving them the authority to go and do what He did, but do it in His name. He tells them to go out and make more disciples, teach them this way of living. Let the people know that there is one way, and Christ Jesus is that way. As John 14:6 Jesus Himself tells us, ‘“ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”’

I believe that this commission goes for us as well, we have been discipled by Christ, now let's go lead others to Him.  There are people out there waiting to be lead to Christ, people who don’t know where to start or where to go. We don’t have to be pastors and preachers to lead people to Christ. As we pointed out yesterday, the life we live should point to Christ.

I believe that God has given us all a mission as followers of Christ to lead people to Him. We each have different platforms, different gifts, and talents, and we can use them all to the glory of God. We can use the gifts that God has given us to minister to other people. Whatever that may look like, for me that’s acting and performing, for someone else it could be science, or writing, art, whatever it may be, use it to the glory of God.

As an actress, there are many different things that different characters call for, but I love playing characters or being in productions that will open up a conversation. I was in a play recently where I played Abraham, and I had the opportunity to talk to my castmates about my faith, and even explain parts of the bible to them. This would not have been possible without me having the opportunity to play this character in the first place. It opened up the conversation about faith, family, and sexuality. It was a great experience, but the most rewarding thing was to share my faith with people through what I love to do most, act!

-Dyamond

God puts us in the places He wants us to be and He will use us right where we are. He has given us His word and shown us a life dedicated to following Christ. He walked with the disciples and when it was time for Him to head home he left them with the Holy Spirit and sent them on a mission. As we can see throughout acts and all the books to follow the Gospels, these men went out preaching, teaching, and baptizing in Jesus name. Even when they were persecuted, and thrown into prison and out of cities. They were stoned, some even to death, they were beaten. But even through all of this, they never stopped spreading the word of God. They were in the prisons praying and saving people. They were willing to die for it. Now I'm not telling you to go out and purposely put your life on the line to prove your faith, everyone can die for something but not everyone can live for it. What I’m saying is, like these disciples and apostles, we must realize that Christ is more important than this temporary life. He is eternal.

Use what God has given you to lead His people to Him. Do not neglect the mission.

Response/Reflection/Prayer Time

Take the time to think about what we talked about today and respond. In whatever way you feel lead to do so, do it. Then pray about it, have a conversation with God today. Just talk to Him or listen as He speaks to you.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening. You are amazing. See you tomorrow for Day 141!