This is week three of our On Mission series and we are loving it! Every week has been so encouraging and motivating to keep us on mission. This week, BC Alumni Jeriel Williams gives us valuable insight on how to maintain a missional outlook daily. Let’s dig in to this awesome devotional!
“You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT
Living a missional lifestyle requires a daily commitment. Even though our goal is to live this way for decades, we ought to take this approach daily. In this devotional, I want to help simplify an important structure on how we can follow God‘s mission daily.
Verse 15: “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”
Putting our eyes on the Cross allows us to better trust the words of Christ. It can be easy for us to have drifting eyes and focus on the things of this world. Returning back to salvation allows us to put aside all ambitions, worries and fears by trusting God with our lives. This can be done by simply thanking Him specifically for what He has done in your life. What did He deliver you from? What did He save you from? Express your heart of gratitude in prayer to Jesus every morning!
Verse 16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
We have to realize how special of a tool God’s Word is. This is the breath of God! His Words! It is a tool that transforms our heart, which then transforms our mind and then transforms our actions. We can’t go on mission with God without first being equipped by Him. We need to create moments before our day starts that allow the Word to transform us. Next time you read God’s word, ask Him what in your life needs to be realigned according to His will and watch how He begins to reveal to you what is right.
Verse 17: “God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
There is daily work set before us. Be ready to accept it! This work could look like ministering to a stranger, praying for a friend or even giving generously to those in need. Note that this is work and sometimes won’t be easy. But as we are initially putting our trust in the Lord we can also trust that He is with us throughout the entire process.
“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 28:20 NLT
Living a missional life for decades to come may seem intimidating at first thought, but if we just choose to honor these 3 values everyday, we will one day look up and see a lifetime of faithfulness with the Lord. So when we are making the commitment to follow God missionally for the rest of our lives, let us remember that it is a step-by-step process that takes daily pursuits to put our eyes back on the cross, allowing the Word to transform us and being ready to accept the good work that is set before us.
