The Immersion Devotions continue our attention on passages relating to God’s mission. One obviously need not go overseas to have a mission. A daily life of discipleship is full of mission opportunities; as Jesus said to the first disciples: open your eyes and look (at the fields. They’re ripe for harvest! John 4:35).There are plenty of people among us that God seeks to encounter ‘missionaries’ – God’s people on a mission – people like you!

Roman 10:14-15

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

This ‘beautiful feet’ statement follows a series of four questions:
How can people call on a God they don’t believe in?
How can they believe in a God they have not heard of?
How can they hear if someone doesn’t say something (“preach”)?
And who is going to speak up unless they are sent?

Oh, and by the way, if you missed yesterday’s devotion, you are sent – so you can speak up – it doesn’t have to be preachy either. Authentic would be nice though.

Lord, I want beautiful feet…

We step into this week celebrating You, Father, who wills none to be lost;

We celebrate You, Jesus, who came to seek and save what was lost;

We celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who brings the lost back to the Father;

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Luke 10:2

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

A sad commentary of this line of scripture is that God’s fields are ripe, but not enough workers are ready to gather the harvest in a timely fashion. Jesus tells a parable about a Father asking his two sons to go work in the fields (Matthew 21:18-22). One promises to do so, but never does. The other initially says “no” but later reconsiders and ends up in the field helping. Do you relate to either son: What is stopping you from reaping God’s fields?

Lord, I pray that you would send workers into your harvest field; how can I help…?

Amen.

John 17:20

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.

The message of the disciples was often in words either written or spoken, but almost always that testimony was either preceded or backed up by actions that pointed to Jesus. Many believed not just because of what they heard from the disciples, but also what they saw from them in action. Question: Who might Jesus be praying for to believe through your message? And – how are your actions leading the way?

Lord, let me be an open book of faith that can be read easily by others; let your message come through clear and strong – with actions and words. I pray this as your disciple in Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

1 Peter 2:9

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

As Christians, we know that the world is full of darkness... but it is helpful to remember that we are full of light (Jesus is that Light in us). We are urged to praise the God who called us out of the darkness – and bring God’s Word into the darkness. Question: Can you ‘see’ the Light of Christ in you? Pause and see it!

Lord, the world could use Your light – and I have it (You!) in me – help me shine brightly…

Amen.

2 Timothy 1:9

[God] has saved us and called us to a holy life... because of his own purpose and grace.

Once a person is saved by God, living a holy life is part of God’s purpose and plan from that point forward. Ephesians 2:10 describes it this way: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. From the time Jesus went up to heaven, he has used his people to fulfill his purpose – carrying out good (read godly) works.

Lord God, let my life serve your purpose...

Amen

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

... whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble…I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Jesus spent his entire life seeking to bring glory to God – and He did just that. We may not be just like Jesus, but we can still seek to do everything to God’s glory in our lives! Question: Who (in your life) could say sees the influence of God on your behavior and attitude, either on a day-to-day basis or even occasionally?

Lord God, I seek to live on a steady diet of godly actions, but I need your help to stay disciplined in that commitment… help please!

Amen.

Matthew 18:14

…your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

Whenever we begin to see people as nuisances, as pains-in-the-neck, annoyances, or irritants, this is a good passage to pull out. People matter to God, and they should matter to us, no matter who they are. Question: Who have you disregarded or written off lately?

Lord, grant me a heart that can look at people the way that you do – loving them despite their faults.

Amen.