We are writing a new story – will you come with us?
By COMMISSIONER MIRIAM GLUYAS
Friends,
Over the past few weeks, I have done a lot of ‘listening’ around the Australia Territory and have loved hearing from so many people. I will continue to listen. Discerning what the Spirit is saying in all that I hear is key. We want to hear from the Spirit of God.
We are writing a new story together, and I think we all welcome that.
I am hearing clearly that:
• We want to see Australia transformed, one life at a time, with the love of Jesus.
• We want to follow Jesus.
• We want to move people onto God’s agenda.
• We want to live ... Jesus-centred. Spirit-led. Hope revealed (we have lost some hope but want hope back).
• And we admit that we don’t always know how to get there.
We feel a little like the writer in 2 Chronicles 20:12 “... and we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You”.
And so, I invite you to ‘COME WITH US’ on this journey.
1. Come with us ... as a people of prayer
This seems like a ‘no-brainer’, but that is not necessarily so.
• Are we all on our knees, really seeking God?
• If we really “don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you”, are we desperately seeking God?
• Are we praying big prayers, believing that our God will answer?
• Are we praying for salvation, family, friends, and our friends across the world?
• Are we praying for a world that often seems so messy? • Are we praying for the Church, which seems to be more and more persecuted across the face of the earth?
• Are we praying for God to raise up leaders?
• Are we praying for creativity, for the new thing, for how God wants us to be the Church?
• Are we praying for healing – body, mind and soul?
• Not ‘God bless us’ prayers, but prayers of real faith.
• And are we sharing the answers? That builds hope and faith.
May faith rise in each of us!
2. Come with us ... on a one-one-one journey
We need every Salvationist/Salvo on mission to be involved in at least:
• One worship service a week
• One discipleship group a week
• One ministry a week
Imagine what God can do if we are all on God’s mission.
• How has God wired you? What does this look like for you?
• Let God speak to you about what this might be like in your life.
• What is the Spirit of God saying to you?
Will you step out in faith and, as Mary said to the disciples, “Whatever He says to you, do it”? There’s a world out there that desperately needs Jesus. The world needs us all to play our part, to live close to Jesus.
3. Come with us ... in making disciples who make disciples who make disciples ...
Who is discipling you, and who are you discipling?
• Seek God on how you continue or begin the journey. We all need discipling and to disciple.
• I love discipleship huddles. It’s all about ‘discern and do’ – discerning what God is saying and doing something about it.
• Read a chapter of the Gospels together.
• Talk about what each of you thinks God is saying.
• Decide what you will do because of what God is saying to you.
• What will you do together on mission?
• Come back next week and talk about what you discovered.
• Repeat.
Or use something that works for you. There are so many great resources available.
This has not been a strong point with us, but can I invite you on this journey? It is so key.
Living like Jesus and for Jesus in these days is so very important.
We are a holiness movement. We are a mission movement. We need to get the balance. On our knees, then rising, then going forward into a world that desperately needs Jesus. Living like Him and for Him.
Can I invite you to ‘COME WITH US’?
Many of you are already, and how I thank God for you.
Let me remind you again of the verses that I shared last time:
“Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he ploughed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! ” (Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG)
Bless you, friends. Grateful to you and for you.
Miriam
