Author: Dave Dishman (Page 410 of 475)

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20, English Standard Version).

Three words help describe the role of an ambassador: listen, observe and respect. An ambassador listens. A good ambassador doesn’t just listen to make her next point, but listens in order to understand. Good listening communicates care for a person. Isn’t that why we’re having the conversation about Jesus in the first place?

A excellent ambassador is also a careful observer of the people and culture around her. An ambassador is, by definition, in a place far from home. She needs to observe and learn all she can about this new culture in order to clearly communicate her message. Then there’s respect. Every people group and culture and person is worthy of our respect. Every person you meet is a creature made in the image of God, fashioned by the hands of the Creator. To adequately convey the love of Christ to them, you must convey your respect for them. How long does this take? if may take just one conversation or many, but it must happen.

It’s a really, really big deal to be appointed as an ambassador from your country. It’s one of the most sought-after posts in the world. When Paul described our role as an ambassador for Christ, he meant it in the full weight of the word. You are representing the loving God as you go to the world. God had entrusted to you his message of hope and forgiveness. Listen to, observe, and respect those you meet, and you will find many people interested in the message you carry – the message about Jesus.

How would your life be different if you fully embraced this role as an ambassador of Christ? Who has God put in your path that you are to play the role of an ambassador toward?

Where might God be calling you to be an ambassador? Pray that God shows you his place for you. Then, pray for courage to follow wherever the Lord may lead.

The congregation in Antioch was blessed with a number of prophet-preachers and teachers: Barnabas, Simon, nicknamed Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, an advisor to the ruler Herod, Saul. One day as they were worshiping God—they were also fasting as they waited for guidance—the Holy Spirit spoke: “Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do.” So they commissioned them. In that circle of intensity and obedience, of fasting and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off (Acts 13:1-3, The Message).

The Holy Spirit is integral to the work of missions. More to the point, the Holy Spirit is integral to any successful work of missions. We see from Acts 1:8 that the Holy Spirit brings power. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit in-dwelt the believers in dramatic fashion and launched a new missionary age.

The Holy Spirit is the source of power for those who go; power abundant and never ending. This is an incredible promise. Let this soak in for a minute. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Three in one. God dwells in you and God goes with you. Afraid of what might lie ahead? That’s natural. But the all-powerful God dwells in you as you go. Intimidated by the people you meet? God, who knit each of those people together in their mother’s womb, who knows every hair on their head, greets them with you. Worried about visiting a land where nobody appears to follow Jesus? Remember that the “earth is the Lord’s and all it contains” (Psalm 24:1). The rightful owner, the Master, the King of all lands and countries and seas and presidents and emirs and dictators and kings and queens is traveling with you. Of course, none of these places are new to the Lord. He’s been there all along. People have just lost him along the way, and you’re there to help them rediscover him.

Through every bit of this discovery process the Holy Spirit is involved. When you ask someone to become a disciple of Jesus, you are asking them to change their entire reason for living. This decision will change their life, their family, their future. One decision changes everything. We cannot change a person in this way. But the Holy Spirit can and the Holy Spirit does all the time. As we go, our success does not depend on us, but on our reliance on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

Have you every experienced the Holy Spirit clearly at work in your life? Take a minute and pray and ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit.

Are you willing to follow wherever the Holy Spirit leads? Will you trust your fears and your future to the care of the Holy Spirt? As you pray, continue to pray for the courage to follow wherever the Lord may lead.