“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20b

We often talk about the Great Commission. That’s the command Jesus gave to all believers to go and make disciples of people from every nation, language, and ethnic group on earth. However, today we aren’t focused so much on that command. Instead, we reflect on the wonderful promise Jesus makes at the end of the Great Commission. The promise that He is with us always until He returns at the end of the age.

The original Greek text for this sentence literally says that Jesus is with us “all the days”. All of them. Take a moment to think about that. If Jesus is your Lord, He isn’t just with you some of the days. He isn’t just with you on the days when you do great things for Him. He isn’t just with you on pleasant, sunny, happy days. Jesus is with you every single day. The good days and the bad days. The days of triumph and the days of tragedy and defeat. The days you’re fully devoted to Him and the days you trip and fall back into sin. The days you feel strong and the days you’re utterly broken in weakness.

This is the power to live for Christ in our broken, fallen, dark, chaotic, frightening world! This is the power to share hope in Christ amidst disease, disability, disaster, and death! The promise that Jesus – crucified, dead, buried, and risen from the dead – reigns in power over the universe with ALL authority. And He is in you and with you ALL days. You’re never alone. You’re never abandoned. You’re never rejected or ignored. You can truly make disciples wherever you are and wherever you go. Just #FollowJesus because He’s always with you!

“There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” – Acts 4:34-35

What a powerful image of what happens when the people of God are completely filled with the Holy Spirit! Needs get met without asking. No guilt, no compulsion, no commands. People voluntarily share in deeply sacrificial ways to care for needy brothers and sisters. No one took advantage of their brothers and sisters. No one turned a blind eye to their brothers and sisters. The love was genuine and the fellowship was deep and powerful.

For those following Jesus today, these verses should be challenging and convicting. They simply don’t describe our lived experiences, by and large. These verses should bring questions flooding into our minds… What depths of community, love, and fellowship have we been missing out on? What blessings of God have we failed to experience? Are we too cautious, too careful, and too concerned with our own financial security and future? Are we too skeptical, too cynical, or too contemptuous of fellow believers in need? What would it be like to be so profoundly filled by the Holy Spirit that this sort of thing happened regularly?

Rather than trying to imitate the external behaviors of giving and sharing sacrificially, the more urgent question is how can we recreate the internal situation described in these verses? How can we experience the total filling of the Holy Spirit both personally and within our churches? So that we would also feel led to completely follow the Spirit’s leading in giving, sharing, and caring? So that we would be driven by faith over fear, love over security, and trust in God rather than our earthly possessions.

Pursue the Holy Spirit’s rule over your life and those in your circle of friends. Really fast and pray for the Spirit to work as you submit to His leadership, avoid sin in your life, and wait in prayerful worship. If we all do, then perhaps the world will once again see community, love, and fellowship like this! #FollowJesus

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus” – Acts 3:19-20

The invitation of Jesus really is this simple! The grace of God really is this good! Repent of your sins. Turn to God through faith in Jesus as your Lord. When you do, all your sins are forgiven. Then you can enjoy endless refreshing from the Lord’s presence and power in your life and heart. Hopefully you’ve already accepted this deal, trusting your life to Lord Jesus. If you haven’t, please do it right now!

If you’ve done it and Jesus is your Lord and you’re forgiven and refreshed in Him, then ask yourself…. Who in my life needs to grab ahold of this deal? Who needs to hear this offer and accept it for themselves? Surely someone you know, love, care about, work with, or play with needs to hear this invitation and experience God’s amazing grace. Who is it?

Once you know, pray for them and tell them what God is offering them in Christ. If you think you couldn’t possibly be the person to tell them this good news, consider just how simple the invitation really is. You don’t need to be a theologian. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be able to share this invitation with no particular sophistication (thought with the help of the Holy Spirit). Share this invitation and perhaps God will give you the privilege of seeing forgiveness and refreshing wash across someone you care about. There’s no greater privilege than that! #FollowJesus

“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” – Acts 2:39

What a beautiful reminder of who the promise of the Gospel is for… It’s for people near and people far away… It’s for people long ago and for people today… It’s for Jews and Gentiles… It’s for everyone God calls to Himself through faith in Jesus Christ. The treasure of the Gospel is meant to be shared far and wide. It is for people young and old, rich and poor, humble and proud from every tribe, language, and nation on earth.

There are no borders or boundaries on the Gospel! There are no limits to Christ’s command for His followers to make disciples by going to share the Gospel, baptizing, and teaching obedience to Him. This is the good news that saves you from your sins. This is the good news that will save countless more all around the world. How are you choosing to live your life so that others can receive this promise? How are you structuring your lifestyle and managing your time, talent, and treasure so that present and future generations both near and far can hear and respond to the good news of Jesus Christ?

In Christ, you have been blessed by this beautiful promise. However, you’ve been blessed to be a blessing to others. What does that look like for you as you #FollowJesus?

“Correct me, O Lord, but in justice;
not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.”
– Jeremiah 10:24

What a wonderful prayer to pray! Too often, we’d prefer not to be corrected at all. We’d rather God just put His seal of approval on whatever we feel like saying or doing. However, God loves us far too much for that! He will correct those He loves. So, Jeremiah teaches us how to ask God to correct us gently and justly rather than wrathfully. Please know that God is very happy to answer this prayer! So pray it!

Take time, right now, to ask God to correct you. Just like Jeremiah. Ask Him to gently, lovingly, and clearly reveal any ongoing sin or shortcoming that dishonors or disobeys Him. Ask Him to speak through His Word, His Spirit, and His people to show you where He wants you to change. To become more like Jesus. Ask Him to be honest and loving with you.

Of course, asking isn’t the hardest part. It’s harder to keep asking and to sit quietly until you hear His answer. The hardest thing of all is actually accepting God’s changes and doing what you need to do. So, are you ready? Start talking to God and get ready to #FollowJesus even more closely!