Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I Thessalonians5:11

Wherever You Go, God is Sending You!

Dear Friend,              

In the story of Palm Sunday we read, “... Jesus sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go to the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied there... Untie it and bring it.” Mark 11:1-2* Jesus sent his disciples on a mission to serve him. He still does.

The verb “to send” is a key word in the Bible. It is clearly describes a major dimension of the ministry of Jesus who was sent by God and who now sends us: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." John 20:21

Whether you “Shelter-in-Place” in your home or you must go out to accomplish some work, sending” is always a sending to serve –as in the Halverson Benediction:

Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; our Lord has a purpose in your being there.  Christ who indwells you has something he wants to do through you where you are.  Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.  Richard C. Halverson

Consider this. As God sends you, it may or may not involve physical movement from one place to another, but it always involves ministry. You are sent to serve wherever you are!

Further, think of the differences in meaning between the words to leave and to send.

1.  When you leave, then “you no longer belong.” When you are sent you continue in relationship with the sending group or person.

 2.  When you leave, you go without a mission on behalf of those you leave. When you are sent, you go with a mission to do or a message to deliver.

 3.  When you leave, there may or may not be any encouragement given to you. When you are sent, you go with blessing.

God speaks of the sending of God’s Word, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

God sends us in the same way. Wherever you go, God is sending you - indeed our Lord has a purpose in you being there.

Joy to you – E. Stanley Ott

© Copyright2020 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the ESV

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Consider your present circumstances - where you are living, working, spending your time - and the people who are with you - either physically near you or with you "remotely" by means of phone or Internet. Since sending is to serve those God puts into your life, ask yourself for each of the people in your life, what does serving mean?

Some of the ways we are sent to serve include:

sent to offer compassion

sent to offer a word of faith - encouraging the following of Jesus

sent to stand up for what is right

sent to do your work with all of the gifts, energy and passion God has given you.

How are you doing with each of these reasons for being sent with each of the people and situations in your life?

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