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Written by Ana Teresa Vivas, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Canada
There is nothing more powerful than a story that penetrates your soul, to clearly receive a message. Right? Jesus knew this and that is why, I think, the gospels and the book of Acts are full of so many stories. Some shorter than others, but all of them powerful.
Yes, I have seen the power of God in the lives of many people. In mine. But today I want to tell you, briefly, just one. We'll call him Peter. He wasn't a fisherman; he was an accountant. He counted the hours to party with girls and have a few drinks. Then, in a sports activity, which he also quite enjoyed, he met an old friend who he told him about Jesus, the Bible, the church. Pedro thought his friend was brainwashed. How can Javier come to me with that crazy idea that he is now "Christian"? We have gone out many times before and we have been with girls, a lot. What's happening here? After questioning Javier, a lot, Pedro decided to agree to visit the church and study the Bible, just to find out what Javier was involved in, hoping it wouldn't be a dangerous sect, the kind that makes young people disappear.
Eventually, Peter met and accepted Jesus into his life. He was baptized for the forgiveness of sins and undertook a life full of changes, with the company of the Holy Spirit. He became passionate about the mission of "fishing" for men: Preach the gospel, grow spiritually. Help others grow. Eyes on Jesus.
Pedro got married and formed a family faithful to God, with his wife and children. That family was spreading and touching the lives of others around them. They were simply serving, loving, and using the Word to deliver the knowledge that gives freedom, the gospel, the good news of salvation. And like a COVID attack, many families were joining the church and enjoying the Christian fellowship and peace that God offers.
One of the things that impressed me about Pedro's transformation was how his eyes went from being fixed on the "things of this world" to filling his eyes with the vision of God. Not only did he stop chasing sin, but he devoted himself to vigorously pursuing the spiritual world.
On one occasion, talking about how crowded public transportation is in the city, he told me: "The worst thing is that I see that subway car, full of people, and all I see are corpses, dead people." That perception was what pushed him to speak to any stranger about the message of salvation.
Seeing cadavers, instead of living people, is not a pleasing mental image. However, if it helps us recognize the urgency that we all have to reconcile ourselves with God, then it is not a bad idea to have that mental image. Afterall, “for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12)
God grants us the privilege of being His ambassadors, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:" (2 Cor. 5:18). To be a part of His reconciliation team… What a privilege! What an honor!
I don't know about you, but I feel blessed for this sublime mission of being His messenger and ambassador wherever I am. May God fill us with love and fire through His Spirit, so that we continue the work that Jesus began: to spread the Good News.
#IronRoseSister #HIStories #makedisciples #discipleship #transformation #guestwriter #blog
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Written by Ana Teresa Vivas, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Canada
In my home country of Venezuela, there is an expression, “If you walk with wolves, you will learn to howl.” You surely have a similar expression in your country. It like what 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’.” We are not talking about that, but by my way of thinking, it is very related to what we are talking about: making disciples.
Evangelize (share the good news of salvation), love God, obey God, build friendships based on love and obedience to God, serve and grow together, get to know each other better, mentor, teach, convey God’s love. Put all of these things in a container and stir until well mixed. Prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit should not be neglected. Repeat as many times as necessary. Make disciples.
When Jesus decided to be accompanied throughout His ministry, He lived day in and day out with twelve men. And they were called disciples. A disciple is a student, an apprentice, or someone who pays attention to what the teacher says and does, and imitates him.
We, as followers of Jeuss, are His disciples. We love Him and we imitate Him and if we lose perspective of who we are and for whom we live (Gal. 2:20; Acts 20:24), we have a command in Matthew 28:19-20. 19 ”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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
However, the passion to show others the treasure that we have is difficult for some people, for many various reasons. Whatever the reason, if you are not delighting in the joy and full life that comes from obedience to this command, you are losing one of the most glorious moments possible. You are losing out the opportunity to see someone born again by faith, see it grow and witness this new creature mutliply the “butterfly effect”* in others. We know the blessing and privilege of seeing a new life come into this physical world, one of the most beautiful miracles to witness. But how much more glorious and grand to be part of and witness spiritual birth, to contribute to the rescue of souls for which Jesus also died! Yet these souls will not have a chance to know and enjoy the Kingdom if our lips are not opened to announce and teach about the abundant life that Jesus gives.
John 10:16, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:10b, “yo he venido para que tengan vida, y la tengan en abundancia.”
If you walk with wolves, you howl. If you walk with readers, you will also read. If you walk with Jesus, you will make disciples. It is inevitable; it’s part of the new nature God has given us. It is not about competing for numbers: how many I have taught, how many have been converted, how many have remained faithful, etc. NO! It is more about how we live each day, finding the opportunity to share the Good News or to help someone in their faith, so that it grows. Or, simply walking with someone and being present, showing Jesus with your life. Show others your most precious gift, share it and keep learning from our Lord, Teacher, and Leader: Jesus.
Someday, we will share more and we will hear stories of blessings and peace. Stories of transformed lives. Stories from the spiritual realm that are not seen, but are felt.
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* Butterfly effect: 1. The metamorphosis that occurs in the life of a catepillar when it becomes a butterfly; 2. Refers to the smallest things that have a greater effect and impact.
#IronRoseSister #HIStories #makedisciples #walkwithJesus #walklikeJesus #discipleship #guestwriter #blog