“Jss came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the H0ly Sp!r!t. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20
Today, I bow humbly before our G0d and before each of you, to declare the f@ithfulness of our G0d to keep His Word!! I bow humbly because of the overwhelming joy I have experienced as G0d’s servant, sent out to make disciples through His Presence and Power at work in me, through me, and around me!! I bow humbly before Him as I consider the work of His hands over the last 5 years and His f@ithfulness to accomplish His plans and purposes even when I could not imagine it to be possible!! He is a GREAT G0d!! He is the ONLY TRUE G0d! He is OUR G0D!!
As my thoughts have continued to reflect on the work of G0d while the Craftsman team was here, I continue to be overwhelmed by the joy of one special day. It was the day we celebrated the transformation of S0’s life over the last few years and the work of G0d to make a disciple of Jss out of S0. We came together to worship the One that brings s@lvation, transformation, and empowers us to live our lives for His glory!! We came together to witness the baptism of S0 and to celebrate with Him the fullness of life in Chr!st and the peace that comes from knowing and following Him.
I was so humbled by this day of celebration as we sat together, singing, listening to S0 share from His own heart the transformation G0d has made within Him, and hearing the words of encouragement shared with S0 by those of us who have walked beside him in his journey to truly give his life to Jss. My heart was so full and my mind was flooded with the memories of each step of the way!! My heart smiled on the inside as I remembered one of my first encounters with S0—the one where I said I would NEVER work alongside this man. He was not trustworthy, along with many other things I won’t take the time to list. You see I smiled because it was probably that day that G0d set out to show me the power of His transforming work in the life of a person—not only S0, but me!! I know better than to say “I will never…” to G0d, but really that day I could not imagine what G0d was about to do. I was not only celebrating the transformation of S0 but of myself, of the surrender of both of our lives to the will of G0d, to the making of a disciple, to the future of what G0d will do through a man who has been truly transformed from the inside out!! I was humbled by the reality that G0d chooses to use us like He said He would in Matthew 28:18-20—“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” something I know I am so unworthy to do. Yet, G0d has chosen us, called us, and sent us to do just what He said!!
When the day was over and we were in the truck taking people home, S0 had these words to say about his baptism and his choice to follow Jss:
“Fanta, from the day I was born to this very day, I have NEVER known a peace and grace like I have known today!! My mind is at peace, my heart is at peace, my body is at peace! REALLY, REALLY, I have never known this peace!” My response, “Now you have been Spiritually Reborn.”
Over the last week, S0 continues to testify about his baptism and the work of G0d through it:
“My baptism didn’t just get me wet and washed on the outside. It washed my mind, my heart, everything within me!! Really, Really, I’m clean like I have never known on the inside!!”
After the team left and we were beginning to get back to our normal routines, S0 began to tell everyone on the street corner about his baptism. He wanted to celebrate with them. I took the left over sodas we had bought for the occasion and he gave them out to everyone. He declared,
“I am a Chr!st!an! I was baptized and I am changed!”
What an overwhelming joy to hear S0 declare with boldness and courage the great peace, grace, and transformation Jss has made in his life!!
Many of you have walked alongside S0 through pr@yer and calling out to G0d on His behalf! Take this day to celebrate with us the f@ithfulness of G0d, the transforming power of G0d, and the great and unfailing love of G0d for ALL He created!!
let’s get out there and make more disciples….