Send Me

One of my favorite songs right now is "Send Me" by Lecrae. It is a Christian rap song that really hits home for me because it hits on things that strike a cord in my heart and also reminds me about people I know. I invite you to listen to the song and just listen to the words even if you aren't into rap music. See if it hits home for you too. Here are the lyrics of the song. I have highlighted the things that really jump out to me.


[Chorus:]
Send Me, I'll Go
Send Me, I'll Go
Send Me, I'll Go
Let Me Go, Let Me Go
Send Me, I'll Go
Send Me, I'll Go
Send Me, I'll Go
Let Me Go, Let Me Go [x2]
I Seen it wit my own two
Theres no way I can show you
A perfectly poverty stricken people with no view
And I bet you can't believe this
They never heard of Jesus
Heard of Young Buck, Lil' Wayne, and Young Jeezy
No One signing up to go on missions this summer
Rather sit at home and watch Xzibit pimpin a hummer
While at night he rollin Shot now
Nobody sreamin Stop now
No bridge illustrates for criminals who on Lockdown
People deep in Africa, lookin for an answer bro
In China men are dyin men until they know who died for sin
So, look what grace did
Not for us to stay here
Inside our comfort zones at home in Momma's basement
Get out on the grind ya'll, aint no better time dog
I know you read the Great Commission let me just remind ya'll
Make Disciples of the Nations teach them to obey the Lord
Hate to never lead someone to Christ before I see the Lord
[CHORUS]
Ay, after 1000 years in the west and the churches
Gettin bigger daily without understandin worship
Some regenerate but alot aint saved
You walk outside and be surprised that the block aint changed.
And the numbers they be gettin them
Somethin still aint hittin them
American's aint Christian's they just practicin the rituals
Thats why we should be missions ay oh what you think I'm spittin fo
United States is dyin and the east is lookin pitiful
Some places if they catch you they'll arrest you and they'll serve you
But they still need the word too the gospel should be heard too
We claim we aint ashamed but we still aint hit the block up
We in our Christian bubble while our brothers gettin locked up
Lord I wanna Stop up
Take a bag and Walk up
In a country where sharin my faith may get me Shot up
Anyway I go Lord whether my city, Lord or For a broad
I just wanna show them Jesus Christ the risen Holy God.
[CHORUS]
I know they dyin in the streets
Over in the Middle East
Some kids seekin peace
Others holdin up a peace
If the violence doesnt seace
Then at least, the decease
Might know Jesus as they savior as they're body hit the street
And I know this is a graphic view
I pray that its attackin you
Tractin you, to act and do what you see in the back of blue
Matthew 24:14 We should read it twice
Before we think that life is just a Battle see we live for Christ
Look dog, life is more than Church, Work, and Football
What if you were dead in sin and Christians overlooked ya'll
This is why we leave the couches and the comfort of our houses
To show the world a God that Mayan never read about
Yeah...The Great Commission says make Disciples of all nations
Have we even made em in our own nation?
Come on Christians
Missions exist because worship doesnt
People don't worship the God that made them
We Ambassadors..Let's Go!
[CHORUS]


This song pulls at my heart because I know I am called to missions and going out and spreading the Word. I have been very blessed in the different opportunities I have had to serve on mission teams to Mexico, South Africa, ASP, New Mexico, and at home in the Dallas Metroplex. The Great Commission calls us to spread the Word and make more Disciples. 
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:16-20
Why are we so afraid to fulfill this? It says plain as day that Christ is with us ALWAYS. Not just when it is convenient or when we need Him or when we are living the right way. He is with us every second of every day of our lives. Christ Jesus has told us “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) He carried the ultimate cross by dying for all of our sins and the way we glorify Him for doing that is to pick up our cross and spread the Good News. It is not easy and we will face persecution, but look at what Jesus went through for us. Still afraid of what will happen? If you are afraid of being shunned or laughed at you need to look in to scripture more and figure out what you really stand for and how important God is in your life. We are called to push everything else away and trust in God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but how do we shy away from doing so. Christ DEFEATED death. What makes you think your struggle is too big for Jesus to handle? Look at Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." It is not until the whole world knows the Truth of Jesus Christ that the end will come and when the end comes things will be so much better than they are here. We will all be sitting with Jesus Christ and God the Father and things will be so much better than we can comprehend here on earth. All of our treasures are in Heaven not on earth. We don't need fancy cars, nice clothes, or anything like that because they are worthless. However, learning what the Bible has to say and going out and making disciples are the true treasures of what earth has to offer. This is what prepares us to be accepted into the Kingdom with God the Father and our brother Jesus Christ. 


John 3:16 is one of my favorite verses, but it is also one of my least favorite because of how often it is taken out of context. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This isn't the important part. This is just the intro to the verses 17-20 where the message lies. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." What this tells us is Jesus came to the earth to not only defeat death, but to also defeat sin. By stepping into the light we admit that we are sinners, but we are committed to repenting. We know that we will stumble and fall short at times, but we are going to put or faith in Jesus Christ and ask for Help and guidance so that we can do everything we can to overcome sin and lead others to Christ. To often John 3:16 is used to condemn when it is actually the intro to good news about the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. 


I pray that everyone is able to hear their calling and does everything they can to glorify The Father and The Son in everything they do. I also pray that everyone understands there are so many more important things than just going to Church, Work, and watching Football. 


I leave you with this. When you need a pick me up because you are struggling be it with gossip, a co-worker, lust, hatred, or anything else remember the last thing Christ said on the cross. "Tetelesti" or "It is finished". Remember this means our debt is paid in full. 

Why can't we be like Paul?

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”"

Sound familiar? It should. It is the Great Commission given to us as Christian's by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is our duty to spread the Good News to the nations that those who have not heard can commit their lives to Christ. However, we often think that we have to go to the corners of the word to do this. That is NOT true. It needs to be done in our own backyard, but who is doing it? When was the last time you reached out to someone you knew who needed help? Too afraid of rejection? Think about what the apostle Paul did. He continued to spread the Good News from prison. Not the comfort of his home or local community, but prison. He put his earthly fears of persecution behind him and trust in God the Father to protect him and guide him as he did His work. Paul went out to glorify Christ! He wasn't doing it for his own glory, in fact it landed him in prison, but that didn't stop him. Why is it that the fear of being laughed at scares us so much. In the United States we don't have to worry about being stoned to death or arrested or tortured for spread the Gospel. We have the freedom to spread God's word, but we are too afraid of being laughed out by our friends. Why? Why do we put more into our worldly faith than we do in our faith in God the Father? Scripture tells us that nothing on earth can compare to what God has in store for us in Heaven. It's time that we change this. It is time that we stop worrying about earthly things and put all of our faith and trust in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 

Jesus Time

How often do we take stop what we are doing to spend time with Jesus? Take a minute to reflect on the last time you stopped what you were doing, stopped thinking about homework, cleaning dishes, washing clothes, writing a report, getting that next promotion, cooking dinner, mowing the yard, or anything else that demands your time and attention because it is 'so important'. Was it this morning? Yesterday? Last week? Last month? Last year? Can't remember? Why is it that Christ has time to impact us everyday whether we know it or not, but we can't make the time to sit down and devote ourselves to him? Christ had made the time to hang on the cross and die for our sins, but we won't take five minutes of our day to stop and thank Him? What about praise Him for all the amazing things He has given us? Don't feel like He has provided lately? Look around. Do you have a roof over your head? Clothes on your back? Running water? Food to eat? A TV? Car? Electricity? Friends? Family? That is just the very tip of the massive iceberg of blessings the Lord has provided us. So why is it that we can't make time for God? Is it because the game will give us something to talk about at work tomorrow? You need your favorite shirt washed so you can wear it on your date tonight? What if we talked about God with our co-workers? Instead of "did you see that touchdown run?" we start with "you will never guess how God impacted me this weekend." And on the date what if instead of using looks to hook the other person you used your faith in Christ. Instead of bragging about yourself and trying to impress the other person you tell them about God and how He will always be your number one relationship? 
My challenge to everyone is to stop letting earthly things get in the way of your relationship with Christ. Nothing that this world has to offer is as important as Christ is. Only Christ can provide the one thing you need, eternal life. Scripture tells us Jesus is "the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him." It also tells us “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Christ is all we need. We don't need shiny, fancy things. Christ carried His cross so that we would be able to be forgiven and take up our cross and glorify God so that we may have Eternal Life. 
The challenge has been set before by God when he told us "you shall have no other gods before me." This includes worldly things that consume us. Don't let life become a false god. Instead take your life, give it fully to Christ and follow The Call He has for you.
I pray that everyone hears The Call and has time with Christ everyday because the reward is more than any of us will ever be able to imagine. 
God Bless!

It is Finished, Paid in Full

I know I posted most of this on Facebook the other day, but I feel that this something that needs to be heard again because of how we often think of the crucifixion as any other death. It is anything but a 'normal' death. It is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ hanging on the cross dying for our sins. He was sent to earth by God the Father, born in a stable and laid to rest in a manger and then leaves the earth hanging on the cross bearing the sins of the ENTIRE world. Christ is beaten, torment, and betrayed, but still carries his cross so that we can be forgiven for our sins. He didn't have to go through with it, but he did for us. He didn't have to go through with his Father's, our Father's, plan, but he did so that one day we can be united with Christ Jesus and God our Father. He carried the ultimate cross and what do we do in return? Praise Him when it is convenient? Honor Him when it makes us look or feel good? Turn to Him when we feel we have no where else to turn when really He is the ONLY way we ever need to turn? In fact we should NEVER have to turn to him because we should ALWAYS be facing Him and living for Him and honoring Him! Without Christ we are nothing, but sinners who are lost, but with Christ we are forgiven and we are found! I pray that let God and Christ take your heart and melt it and mold it and use it in the way He sees fit so that we can honor and glorify our Creator in all that we do no matter what it is! I pray that you take the time to sit down and read your Bible and know and understand what Christ has done for us. We are born into a world of sin, we aren't contaminated after we are old enough to make our own choices to become a sinner, but are born into it. However, it is through Christ that we are forgiven and are able to repent from that life of sin and honor and glorify Him and overcome sin! I also pray that you pray to God at all hours. He is there to listen to you and nothing is too big for God! Praise Him in victory and fruitfulness, but also praise Him in defeat and struggle because as Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, God as plans for us even if we don't know them!


I also ask that as you go through this you pray before and after and take the time to reflect and read through scripture and see what else God has blessed with and how He is the way, the truth, and the light.


During His time on earth Jesus provided us with perfect words to bring us closer to Him. However, it was Jesus' actions which spoke to us most clearly. When Jesus hung on that cross for each of us He said "Tetelesti" (it is finished). Our debt was paid in full. Jesus didn't deserve this punishment and we didn't deserve His sacrifice but, that's what God's is about.


Do you get a pit in your stomach every time you think about the crucifixion or has it just become old news and not phase you anymore? Is it a gut check every time that you think of our Lord and Savior hanging on the cross for our sins? Do you live every minute of your life to glorify God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who hung on the cross so we may live? We all know about John 3:16, but what about verse 17? "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." Jesus paid the price and saved us, but what have we done to honor and glorify Him? I pray that we are all able to grow in our faith and honor Christ in all we do no matter how big or small it may seem. Nothing on this earth will ever match what God has in store for us!


God Bless!

Disclaimer

Hey guys!
I just wanted to make one thing clear before saying anything else. The reason I am doing this blog is not for personal glory or satisfaction. I often post things on Facebook that speak my Christian values and beliefs, but when I type and post those it is not me speaking. It is Christ working through me. I believe that this one of the ways he has called me to minister to his people. At no point is this ever done to make myself feel good or to show off. Everything I post is what God has put on my mind and what I have been moved to pass on to others in hope that it hits home with at least one person and brings them closer to Christ or even leads them to except Christ as their Lord and Savior.
I got the title of the blog, "Hate to Never Lead Someone to Christ Before I see the Lord" from the song Send Me by Lecrae. It refers directly to the Great Commission that Christ has prescribed us. I chose the URL because Titus 3:3-5 is one of my favorite verses and it really hits home because we have all struggled and sinned, but because of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us by hanging on the cross and dying for our sins we are forgiven. However, it is now our turn to take up our cross and glorify Him in everything we do.
Please feel free to comment on anything, ask anything, or whatever else you feel called to do. 
God Bless!
Clay