September 17 - Commissioned.

Acts 13:2-3
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
 
Here we see two missionaries being commissioned by the church to go and serve. Paul and Barnabas traveled far and wide proclaiming the Gospel. God used their surrendered lives and the church sent them away to reach others.
 
There are many other examples in the Bible of those who surrendered their lives for God’s glory. Esther, Daniel, David, The Disciples, Paul… The list could go on and on. What do all of these have in common? They were willing to be used, and had the right motive.
 
Be willing.
Isaiah 6:8
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
 
Though you may not feel called to leave home to reach others, you can still be used if you are willing. Isaiah was willing to do whatever the Lord asked of him.
Are you?
 
Have the right motive.
When Hudson Taylor was the Director of the China Inland Mission, he asked missionary candidates, “Why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?"
He received several responses:
"Because Christ commanded us."
"Because millions are perishing without Christ." And many others explaining why each of them wanted to go as missionaries. Hudson Taylor then responded, "All of these motives, however good, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing: namely, the love of Christ." The Love of Christ makes the missionary’s duty a delight.
What is your motive for serving?
 
Matthew 28:18-20
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
 
This command is not reserved for only those in “full time ministry”. We have all been commissioned by our Saviour to reach others. We cannot do this on our own, but He gives the power! We must go. We must teach. We must reach.
 
Remember today that we have been commissioned!
 
 
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 13-14  |  Revelation 22  |  Psalm 49