The Great Commission is a command, not a choice. We're all called as followers of Christ to preach the gospel to every creature. We can't keep silent!
Why should I be selfish?
To keep Christ to myself?
To keep silent of His redemptive work at Calvary?
While millions near and far never heard!
While every second more than a handful of people die without hearing the Good News!
They walk into hell to spend an eternity in outer darkness and unspeakable torment!
Such terror, such tragedy!
I can't find any reason or excuse not to proclaim the gospel!
To lost here in my own city, and the unreached in places like Somalia!
So may I not only do so out of obedience
But more so out of love! Love for the lost and unreached.
And most of all because I love you, my Lord my God!
So may I die to self daily! To be selfless,
And count other more significant than myself!
To become less, so You may become greater!
To face hardships, trials, suffering, and persecution,
For the sake of the lost,
And for the sake of Christ & the gospel!
May they be saved, and may You be glorified!
I'm willing to die so they may live!
Yes, I'm willing to disappear,
So You may appear in and through me!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Will I Stay or Go?
Paul Washer, founder of Heart Missionary Society and preacher has said this about missions:
You are either called to go down into the well
Or hold the ropoe for those who go down
Either way there will be scars on your hands
Back in October last year, I had an invasive surgery on my vocals chords in hope that it will improve my voice. Thankfully it did, but not as much as I dreamed it would. My voice is now different from what is was before the surgery back in October, namely it is more understandable than it was before. The result was that family friends , coworkers, and anybody else who was around me during a weekly basis could notice the improvement. Despite this it still is quite rough still, and not the best it could be. Yet I know that if the Lord, He can heal my voice completely in blink of an eye.
I say this because a couple days ago one of my best friends told me that my voice is the only thing that is hindering me from being sent out into the mission field, at least what I desire to do out in to mission field which is evangelism/church planting. For about 4 years I've had a burning passion to go and preach the gospel to the lost, to proclaim Christ to those who haven't heard. There have been long nigths of prayer for the lost and unreached, and plenty of tears shed for their sake. My heart achces for them!
Yet, for my friend to tell to consider staying and sending others to go instead of me going myself as a missionary, due to my compromised voice, was a blow to me at first. Now to be sure I wasn't enraged at my best friend, but I was....confused. Certainly he knows how strong my passion is for the proclomation of Christ and the gospel, and my heart for the lost & unreached. Though I after a couple times of hearing the same thing he just told me, it did hit me; "My voice is pretty compromised.......what if that is the Lord calling me to to stay, and be the one who holds the rope for the one who goes down into the well?" Now this is something I will probably struggle with for a while.
My heart is set on being a missionary, the one who goes down into the well; that is what I will continue to pursue, despite what my friend told me to consider. I do appreciate his advice and suggestions, and I always will, cause I love my dear friend. I am also well aware that both sending and going are equally important, and there will be scars on my hands either way. Nonetheless I will pursue being a missionary despite my compromised voice. At the end of the day I want the Lord's will to be done not my own. So whether I stay or go, may His will be done and may He be given all the praise and glory!
You are either called to go down into the well
Or hold the ropoe for those who go down
Either way there will be scars on your hands
Back in October last year, I had an invasive surgery on my vocals chords in hope that it will improve my voice. Thankfully it did, but not as much as I dreamed it would. My voice is now different from what is was before the surgery back in October, namely it is more understandable than it was before. The result was that family friends , coworkers, and anybody else who was around me during a weekly basis could notice the improvement. Despite this it still is quite rough still, and not the best it could be. Yet I know that if the Lord, He can heal my voice completely in blink of an eye.
I say this because a couple days ago one of my best friends told me that my voice is the only thing that is hindering me from being sent out into the mission field, at least what I desire to do out in to mission field which is evangelism/church planting. For about 4 years I've had a burning passion to go and preach the gospel to the lost, to proclaim Christ to those who haven't heard. There have been long nigths of prayer for the lost and unreached, and plenty of tears shed for their sake. My heart achces for them!
Yet, for my friend to tell to consider staying and sending others to go instead of me going myself as a missionary, due to my compromised voice, was a blow to me at first. Now to be sure I wasn't enraged at my best friend, but I was....confused. Certainly he knows how strong my passion is for the proclomation of Christ and the gospel, and my heart for the lost & unreached. Though I after a couple times of hearing the same thing he just told me, it did hit me; "My voice is pretty compromised.......what if that is the Lord calling me to to stay, and be the one who holds the rope for the one who goes down into the well?" Now this is something I will probably struggle with for a while.
My heart is set on being a missionary, the one who goes down into the well; that is what I will continue to pursue, despite what my friend told me to consider. I do appreciate his advice and suggestions, and I always will, cause I love my dear friend. I am also well aware that both sending and going are equally important, and there will be scars on my hands either way. Nonetheless I will pursue being a missionary despite my compromised voice. At the end of the day I want the Lord's will to be done not my own. So whether I stay or go, may His will be done and may He be given all the praise and glory!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I've Hidden Your Word in My Heart
My dear friends and beloved brothers & sisters,
As of late I've been focusing on memorization, scripture memorization to be exact; and I must say too, that I've come to enjoy it oh so much. Yet...why? Why spend time memorizing scripture? Well I'll give you my aim for memorizing scripture.
If I were just to memorize a couple verses or 2 chapter, and be done with it then why bother wasting the time just doing that? I would more than likely have selfish motive if I were to just shoot for that, and become puffed up with pride. Listen it would be just plain foolish to just memorize scripture just to boast about how you cite 1 Corinthian 13 or the whole book of Ephesians by heart, all out of selfish gain. So I say this to assure you that the aim for memorizing scripture is won't one of self, but all for the glory of God, and the exaltation of Christ! So that we won't boast in ourselves, but in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Oh that we grow more in Love with Christ, longing for more of Him. To savor and treasure Jesus above everything else. Let me put it in my own words:
My aim for memorizing scripture is to not only grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), but to also work out my own salvation with fear and trembling (Philppians 2:12b) and to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, (Colossians 1:10a).
So in order, I read it, memorize it, meditate on it, and then live it out. For we are called to be doers of the word, and not hearers only(James 1:22).
I encourage you to do the same, with the aim of bringing glory to God, to exalt Christ, and grow more in love with Him! I'm working on memorizing 2 Corinthians 4 & 5; 2 amazing chapters, so if you'd like you can join me in memorizing them. Let me know!
As of late I've been focusing on memorization, scripture memorization to be exact; and I must say too, that I've come to enjoy it oh so much. Yet...why? Why spend time memorizing scripture? Well I'll give you my aim for memorizing scripture.
If I were just to memorize a couple verses or 2 chapter, and be done with it then why bother wasting the time just doing that? I would more than likely have selfish motive if I were to just shoot for that, and become puffed up with pride. Listen it would be just plain foolish to just memorize scripture just to boast about how you cite 1 Corinthian 13 or the whole book of Ephesians by heart, all out of selfish gain. So I say this to assure you that the aim for memorizing scripture is won't one of self, but all for the glory of God, and the exaltation of Christ! So that we won't boast in ourselves, but in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Oh that we grow more in Love with Christ, longing for more of Him. To savor and treasure Jesus above everything else. Let me put it in my own words:
My aim for memorizing scripture is to not only grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), but to also work out my own salvation with fear and trembling (Philppians 2:12b) and to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, (Colossians 1:10a).
So in order, I read it, memorize it, meditate on it, and then live it out. For we are called to be doers of the word, and not hearers only(James 1:22).
I encourage you to do the same, with the aim of bringing glory to God, to exalt Christ, and grow more in love with Him! I'm working on memorizing 2 Corinthians 4 & 5; 2 amazing chapters, so if you'd like you can join me in memorizing them. Let me know!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
What Shall I Aim For?
We're in the 2 month of 2011, and I found out I want to aim for this year. It two separate things that connect together:
1.) Growing in the knowledge of Christ, the Gospel, and the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:18)
2.) Living out my salvation (Philippians 2:12b)
In 2010 the Lord has given me knowledge of His Word and Himself. He gave me some points of theology to wrestle with, awakened me to sin that I was blind to, gave me understand of some passages of Scripture, and led and taught me His ways. The Lord continues to teach and reveal to me what He wills, and I hunger for more knowledge of Him and His holy Scriptures.
Yet the Lord has also impressed upon my heart to not only grow in knowledge of these things, but to also live out what I know and preach. He has reminded me that it's one thing to know and preach, but it's very different in living it out.
Here are some passages of Scripture that come to mind when I think about this.
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12b)
"The scribes and the pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practice and observe all that they tell you- but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. (Matthew 23:2-3)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)
These verses remind me that the Christian life is not all about knowing, but about living as well. We were created in Christ to do good works(Ephesians 2:10). We are to abide in Christ, and bear fruit. Our faith apart from works is as dead as....roadkill. So I ask you the same question that I asked myself: Are you living? Are you working out your own salvation with fear and trembling? Are you living out the gospel? Or are you just focused on growing in the knowledge of the Word, of theology, and of Christ? I'm definitely not against growing in the knowledge of Christ and the gospel; rather I commend and encourage you to do so, but I want to encourage you just as much to live! We are to make sure that our manner of life is centered around Christ and the gospel. So is it?
I conclude with this: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
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."
The phrase, "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." is in bold, because it stand out when I think about living out the faith. We as Christians have been taught to observe all that Jesus has commanded us to do. The NIV translations has "obey" in place of observe. There is a lot in the gospels thaty Jesus has commanded us to do. I encourage you to go through the gospels, more so the entire Bible in search of the commands that the Lord has given us to obey, and see how we are to live in light of the gospel. As a good friend once put it: "Let us not only talk, let us live!"
1.) Growing in the knowledge of Christ, the Gospel, and the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:18)
2.) Living out my salvation (Philippians 2:12b)
In 2010 the Lord has given me knowledge of His Word and Himself. He gave me some points of theology to wrestle with, awakened me to sin that I was blind to, gave me understand of some passages of Scripture, and led and taught me His ways. The Lord continues to teach and reveal to me what He wills, and I hunger for more knowledge of Him and His holy Scriptures.
Yet the Lord has also impressed upon my heart to not only grow in knowledge of these things, but to also live out what I know and preach. He has reminded me that it's one thing to know and preach, but it's very different in living it out.
Here are some passages of Scripture that come to mind when I think about this.
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12b)
"The scribes and the pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practice and observe all that they tell you- but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. (Matthew 23:2-3)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)
These verses remind me that the Christian life is not all about knowing, but about living as well. We were created in Christ to do good works(Ephesians 2:10). We are to abide in Christ, and bear fruit. Our faith apart from works is as dead as....roadkill. So I ask you the same question that I asked myself: Are you living? Are you working out your own salvation with fear and trembling? Are you living out the gospel? Or are you just focused on growing in the knowledge of the Word, of theology, and of Christ? I'm definitely not against growing in the knowledge of Christ and the gospel; rather I commend and encourage you to do so, but I want to encourage you just as much to live! We are to make sure that our manner of life is centered around Christ and the gospel. So is it?
I conclude with this: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
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."
The phrase, "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." is in bold, because it stand out when I think about living out the faith. We as Christians have been taught to observe all that Jesus has commanded us to do. The NIV translations has "obey" in place of observe. There is a lot in the gospels thaty Jesus has commanded us to do. I encourage you to go through the gospels, more so the entire Bible in search of the commands that the Lord has given us to obey, and see how we are to live in light of the gospel. As a good friend once put it: "Let us not only talk, let us live!"
Friday, January 28, 2011
Humility Before God
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.-- James 4:10
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.-- 1 Peter 5:6
These 2 verses come to mind when I think about being humble before the Lord. Living a life of humility is very though, but nonetheless humility is a vital trait that we as Christians must practice. We more so tend to be prideful in life, and think of ourselves more highly than we ought, which comes from our sinful nature. So for pretty much during our whole time in this life we'll be battling our pride, everyday, from sunrise to sunset.
Humility before God is so much more important than humility before other. Once we are born again we submit ourselves to the Lord, letting Him have our bodies, mind, and lives to use for His glory (for He is worthy of our humble submission to Him). The thing is though, we are not perfect and spot on for doing that daily. We tend to be prideful, and take the wheel of our lives to steer through life often times. In saying this I mean we want to be independent and take control of situations and circumstances that come up, so we can hopefully obtain the outcome we want. It like telling God, "Hey, let me handle this!" or "Step aside, I'll take care of it."
Here's what Jesus says to His disciples when they ask who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 18: "Whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." What Jesus means by saying this that children are definitely in a sense are dependent. Children rely on their parents for food, shelter, clothing, protection, a good education, and other essentials in life. In the same way, we as God's children are called to to be dependent on our Father for everything we need in the Christian life.
One way I humble myself before the Lord is meditating on the gospel. I remind myself of who I am a dirty, wretched, finite, sinner....saved by grace before an infinitely holy, righteous, just, powerful, all-knowing sovereign God. Then in light of that I remind myself of how I don't deserve anything except death, the Father's wrath, namely eternal damnation. God would be entirely just to rid this earth of me and cast me into hell at this very moment. Although God being rich in love and mercy toward me poured out His grace on me, and saved me from my sin and eternal punishment (which Christ took in my place on the cross). He did so that I may be forgiven, and reconciled to the Father, and......given a new heart with new desires. Which means that I will desire to live a life of humility, long for Christ increase, and myself decrease (John 3:30). Also that I may live to glorify, praise, exalt, and magnify above all things, especially myself.
Meditating and praying about this does help my to humble myself before the Lord. For He is oh so worthy of my sacrifice of my all to Him everyday!
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.-- 1 Peter 5:6
These 2 verses come to mind when I think about being humble before the Lord. Living a life of humility is very though, but nonetheless humility is a vital trait that we as Christians must practice. We more so tend to be prideful in life, and think of ourselves more highly than we ought, which comes from our sinful nature. So for pretty much during our whole time in this life we'll be battling our pride, everyday, from sunrise to sunset.
Humility before God is so much more important than humility before other. Once we are born again we submit ourselves to the Lord, letting Him have our bodies, mind, and lives to use for His glory (for He is worthy of our humble submission to Him). The thing is though, we are not perfect and spot on for doing that daily. We tend to be prideful, and take the wheel of our lives to steer through life often times. In saying this I mean we want to be independent and take control of situations and circumstances that come up, so we can hopefully obtain the outcome we want. It like telling God, "Hey, let me handle this!" or "Step aside, I'll take care of it."
Here's what Jesus says to His disciples when they ask who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 18: "Whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." What Jesus means by saying this that children are definitely in a sense are dependent. Children rely on their parents for food, shelter, clothing, protection, a good education, and other essentials in life. In the same way, we as God's children are called to to be dependent on our Father for everything we need in the Christian life.
One way I humble myself before the Lord is meditating on the gospel. I remind myself of who I am a dirty, wretched, finite, sinner....saved by grace before an infinitely holy, righteous, just, powerful, all-knowing sovereign God. Then in light of that I remind myself of how I don't deserve anything except death, the Father's wrath, namely eternal damnation. God would be entirely just to rid this earth of me and cast me into hell at this very moment. Although God being rich in love and mercy toward me poured out His grace on me, and saved me from my sin and eternal punishment (which Christ took in my place on the cross). He did so that I may be forgiven, and reconciled to the Father, and......given a new heart with new desires. Which means that I will desire to live a life of humility, long for Christ increase, and myself decrease (John 3:30). Also that I may live to glorify, praise, exalt, and magnify above all things, especially myself.
Meditating and praying about this does help my to humble myself before the Lord. For He is oh so worthy of my sacrifice of my all to Him everyday!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Following Their Example
Dear Friends,
The past few weeks (including last month), have been quite a bit for me. A lot has happened in my life, and in the lives of some dear friends of mine during these past few weeks. I can go on listing out what has happened, but......I won't do that. Although I would see myself possibly sharing some of those things in future blog posts.
The one thing I will share is that God has reminded me of Philippians 3:17; in which Paul says, "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." This verse has come to mind when I spent time with some dear friends, brothers and sisters in the faith. This passages and others encourage us as Christians to imitate those who are basically imitating Christ in different areas of the faith. I can't begin to tell you the many ways I've seen my dear friends imitate Christ in many different ways. They have set an example before me to follow. It's such an encouragement for me!
Not only that, but I want to be sure that I set a Christlike example before them, and my family as well. That is my goal for this year. I want my character and conduct to be centered around Christ and the gospel, so that those whom I love friends and family alike can have an example they can follow.
Now I encourage you to aim on doing the same yourself my dear friend. Yea, we won't be perfect at doing so, but as long as our eyes are fixed on Christ, and our hearts rooted so deep in Him, then it can surely happen.
In Christ,
Joshua A. Taylor
The past few weeks (including last month), have been quite a bit for me. A lot has happened in my life, and in the lives of some dear friends of mine during these past few weeks. I can go on listing out what has happened, but......I won't do that. Although I would see myself possibly sharing some of those things in future blog posts.
The one thing I will share is that God has reminded me of Philippians 3:17; in which Paul says, "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." This verse has come to mind when I spent time with some dear friends, brothers and sisters in the faith. This passages and others encourage us as Christians to imitate those who are basically imitating Christ in different areas of the faith. I can't begin to tell you the many ways I've seen my dear friends imitate Christ in many different ways. They have set an example before me to follow. It's such an encouragement for me!
Not only that, but I want to be sure that I set a Christlike example before them, and my family as well. That is my goal for this year. I want my character and conduct to be centered around Christ and the gospel, so that those whom I love friends and family alike can have an example they can follow.
Now I encourage you to aim on doing the same yourself my dear friend. Yea, we won't be perfect at doing so, but as long as our eyes are fixed on Christ, and our hearts rooted so deep in Him, then it can surely happen.
In Christ,
Joshua A. Taylor
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Battle for True Contentment
I'm currently at war against my selfish desires and God's sovereign will. I long for His will to be done. I want to content in His will. Thy way not mine own Lord; however hard, painful, and confusing it may be. Not just for this moment, but for my future; for every area of my life. I want to be like Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane saying "Not as I will, but as you will."
Whether I get married or stay single
Whether I go to college, and perhaps seminary or not
Whether I actually am sent out onto the field or I send others out
Whether I stay in Indy or eventually move to a different state
Whether my voice gets fully restored or it stays gruff & rough
And in every other area of my life. Everything big, small, and inbetween.
I want to be content with Christ, abiding in Him above all else. Not having a care about the fleeting pleasures of sin, this world and my own selfish desires. Chasing after Him, and clinging to Him. This is my prayer. This my battle. If God is for me....then who can be against me? If I delight myself in Him, then He will give me the desires of my heart; namely Himself. I want my life to be all for Christ, and all about Christ. I want to disappear, so that Christ may shine ever so brightly and radiantly. To Him be all power, wisdom, honor, glory, and praise, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen.
Whether I get married or stay single
Whether I go to college, and perhaps seminary or not
Whether I actually am sent out onto the field or I send others out
Whether I stay in Indy or eventually move to a different state
Whether my voice gets fully restored or it stays gruff & rough
And in every other area of my life. Everything big, small, and inbetween.
I want to be content with Christ, abiding in Him above all else. Not having a care about the fleeting pleasures of sin, this world and my own selfish desires. Chasing after Him, and clinging to Him. This is my prayer. This my battle. If God is for me....then who can be against me? If I delight myself in Him, then He will give me the desires of my heart; namely Himself. I want my life to be all for Christ, and all about Christ. I want to disappear, so that Christ may shine ever so brightly and radiantly. To Him be all power, wisdom, honor, glory, and praise, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen.
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