Go
Out of My Comfort Zone
“Do not be afraid,
Abram. I am your shield, your very great
reward.” (Genesis 15:1b)
I recall a time when I felt very uncomfortable traveling out of state with just my child and myself. Usually, I rely on my husband to drive. The trip was going well until the road I needed to go on was blocked because of an accident. I was ready to panic. My directions did not provide an alternate route. Miraculously another person traveling with the same directions as me, called on the cell phone. We both pulled off at the next exit. He was familiar with the area and after looking at a map, was able to find an alternate route. We continued on our trip and made it to our destination safely. This incident made me think of how God calls on many ordinary people to go and venture out of their comfort zone for Him. There may be roadblocks along the way, but God provides help sometimes in the form of a friendly hand. The Bible provides directions, just like a map, to set us on the right course again. I’m not so afraid to venture out on my own anymore because I know God is with me. He has shown me that I can trust Him through Jesus who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:8).
Questions:
1. Can you recall times in your life when you were afraid to go somewhere or do something you had never done before?
2. How did God help you get over your fear or apprehension?
Prayer:
Dear God, it is amazing that You know our every need and You are there for us always. Help us to remember that we can rely on You for strength and guidance in any situation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Go
Go and I am With You
“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)
This is your big chance. Your big chance to “go” and tell someone something very exciting! Nothing holds you back and no one stands in your way. What is the news? Jesus Christ is Born! Jesus Christ is alive! Jesus Christ is here for you and for me!
The birth, life, and ministry of Christ is the news we have to share with those very near and dear to us, as well as those who have never heard it. It is a vivid reminder of the job we have to do: Going to people, telling the news, and making of disciples to be ministers of Jesus Christ.
Before Christ ascended into heaven He instructed the disciples to keep spreading the news of what He had done. In everything they did, they were to demonstrate the love of Christ and proclaim His victory.
Christ gave us the same instruction. Daily we are to “go” and demonstrate the love of Christ in all that we do and say. Daily we are to “go” and tell of the eternal life and forgiveness of sins in Christ. Daily we are to “go” and make disciples or followers of Christ.
The task may seem overwhelming. It may even seem frightening. But rest assured in the everlasting promise that Christ gives as we “go” about this task. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Tell others what He has done. Teach them of His love and live in the joy that He is always with you.
Questions:
1. How can we demonstrate Christ’s love in what we say and do?
2. What event in Christ’s life is most exciting for you to tell others about?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help us everyday to be witnesses of You. Give us the energy to go, tell, and make disciples. In Your Son’s name, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Go
Go and Trust Me
Get Go, Citgo,
Stop-N-Go, Kum & Go… Do you recognize any of these names? They are just a few of many names of
convenience stores. As we travel across
So
it is that our Lord invites and commands us to “go”. He invites us to “fill up”
on His Word. “Let the Word of Christ
dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and
as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to
God.” (Colossians 3:16) It is only
through the Word and in our Lord that we are “fed and filled up.” It is only through the Word and in Him that
we can hear His command to “go”.
Throughout
Scripture God has commanded His people to “go.” Time and time again God has led, encouraged,
and supported His people as they went and led others into His saving arms.
“Go
Noah,” says the Lord, “build an ark in the middle of the desert. Oh, people will give you a hard time. But trust in Me.” And Noah did as the Lord commanded.
“Go
Moses,” says the Lord, “lead the Israelites to the freedom of the Promised
Land. There will be whining and complaining and the journey will be long. But trust in Me.”
And Moses did as the Lord commanded.
“Go
Saul,” says the Lord, “your name will be changed to Paul. Now I want you to preach
of My love instead of persecuting others because of
Me. And, oh yes, some days will be tough
and people won’t always want to hear you.
But trust in Me.” And Paul did as the Lord commanded.
“Go,
my Son,” says the Lord, “sacrifice yourself for the sins
of the world. The journey – it will be very tough, but it will give forgiveness
of sins and eternal life. And trust in Me.” And Jesus did as
His Father commanded.
“Go
My children,” says the Lord, “tell others of Me and of
the life and forgiveness they have through My Son. Go and tell others of the heavenly home that
awaits them. And trust in Me, for “never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b)
“Go”
and do as He commands knowing that His presence is always there. “Go” and tell others of the love they have in
the arms of the Savior.
Questions:
1.
What stops us
from “going” to tell others about Christ?
2.
Who in your life
encourages you to “go” and tells about Jesus?
Prayer:
Gracious Father, encourage us
to go and tell others about You. Give us faith to trust You
as people long ago did. Help us to know
that You are always with us and never will You leave
us. In Jesus’ name, Your
Son, my Savior. Amen.
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“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
Letting go was not easy…when my child started kindergarten, when my child went on his first overnighter, when he took the car by himself, and most recently when he went off to college. I couldn’t help it…I worried. God tells us not to worry. We are His children and He lets us go out into the world and make our own decisions. He wants what’s best for us just like we want what’s best for our own children. Even if that means letting us go and waiting and watching patiently until we find our way back to Him. It helps to know that God is with us during these “letting go times.” It shows us that the “letting go” is really letting God take over so there is no need for worry.
Questions:
1. Have you experienced any letting go times?
2. Do you let go and let God help you?
Prayer:
Dear Father, How wonderful You are that we can bring our worries to You! Thank You for being there when we have to let go. Amen.
Go
Obey
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him, serve Him, and hold fast to Him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4)
When I think of “go,” I think of how many times I tell my children to go brush your teeth, go get dressed, go do your homework, or go feed the dog. I know how frustrated I get when I have to repeat myself day after day when they don’t do what they’ve been told. Yet, no matter how upset I may get, I still love my children very much. But what about God our heavenly Father? He tells us to go – care for the sick, feed the hungry, and clothe the poor. Sometimes I do it the first time He asks, sometimes I have to be reminded. Through reading the Bible daily, God reminds me of what He wants me to do. What does God want us to do? Are there areas where we could volunteer at our church or in our community? Has God been calling to you and asking you to “go,” but you have been hesitant? Don’t we all struggle with this issue and fall short of what God desires of us. However, I know that when I fall short of what He asks of me, He still loves and forgives me. What a gracious loving and heavenly Father we have. It is His love that moves me to want to go to others now and serve them as He has served me.
Questions:
1. How do we know what God is telling us to do and where God is telling us to go?
2. What sometimes keeps us from doing what God tells us to do and going where He tells us to go?
Prayer
Thank you for being patient with us when we don’t listen the first time. Thank you for not giving up on us. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price for our sins. Thank you for always loving us. Amen.
Go
Go and Walk on Water
“But Jesus immediately said to them; ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ‘Lord, if it’s You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14:27-29)
Peter, a man who was a bit doubtful and afraid of what he could do, steps out of the boat and onto the water at Christ’s command of “come.” With eyes focused on Jesus, Peter was walking on water. What seemed impossible was now a reality. What seemed totally unheard of was now Christ telling Peter to “go” and look to Him above all else.
And Peter did just that – until he noticed the wind, the waves, the thunder, and the lightning. Peter was walking on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and began to focus on the things around him. Once Peter started focusing on the storm, down he went.
What about us? Ask yourself: Am I walking on water or am I drowning in the storm or am I afraid to get out of the boat? Just as Christ invited Peter to “come” or to “go and get out of the boat” He says to you and me to go and do what may seem impossible. No, we may not actually “walk on water,” but when God invites us to do the seemingly impossible, amazing things happen.
What is God asking you to do that seems to be totally impossible? Ask yourself: Does it seem impossible because I am not focused on Jesus but on the storms around me? Keep your eyes on Jesus, put Him first in your heart, and then go, walk on water.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Questions:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, keep our eyes, our minds, and our hearts focused on You. Keep us from drowning in the storms of life. Give us strength to face the impossible. Help us to let go of the things around us and through You let amazing things happen. In Your Name. Amen.
Go
And They Hurried Off
“When the angels had left them and gone into
heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to
Being a shepherd in the hills of
Yet, it was the shepherds who first received the announcement of the Christ child. Thousands upon thousands of angels filled the sky on that dark, cold night to proclaim the birth of the long-awaited Messiah to these lowly men.
How did the shepherds respond? The answer is two-fold. They didn’t wait until morning or to hear it from someone else to see if it were true. No, they “hurried off.” They were on the “go” to see the Christ-child. Secondly, they didn’t wait until someone asked about the event. They went with joy and excitement to tell everyone what they had seen and heard.
What is your response to the birth of Christ? Take time today and everyday to “go and worship the Christ” and then as the shepherds did, make known abroad that which the Lord has made known to us.
Questions:
1. What is your response to the Gospel message?
2. How can we encourage others to “go” and tell of Christ?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us the response of the shepherds. Give us strength and joy to respond in the same way. Grant unto us the never-ending love that comes only from You to show all those around us. In Jesus’ name, our Lord and Savior. Amen.