It is time to mature

Father, I worship You.  Jesus Christ, I glorify You.  Holy Spirit, Your holiness is inside of me and all I want to do is experience the fullness of who You are in my life.  Amen!

We started off the year with the Word from God for 2013 – a year of growth.  Glory to Jesus!  I want to take today’s article to the level of growth in your faith with God.  I want to make the statement that it is time to mature in our faith in Christ.  Amen!

I read the prophesy for 2013 by Rick Joiner that speaks about the great commission.  Glory to God for giving to me the answer to my prayers throughout 2012.  I seeked the Lord in prayer with regards to why we as Christians pray, yet we do not see people raised from the dead or even just complete healing to the degree I believe Christ wants it to manifest.  After reading Rick’s prophesy, I received my answer and would like to share it with you.

When we read Mat 28:18 – 20, God gives us three clear instructions.  He says: “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.”  Amen!

As I read the above scripture and came to understand the Word God gave to Rick, I was in agreement that I have the full mandate to work for God.  Rick is very clear that God said to Him that we tend to focus on making converts instead of disciples for Christ.  I took some time and here is my opinion about the difference between being a convert and a disciple.  The disciple has all the qualities of a convert, being saved, follower of Christ, knows the difference between right and wrong, has the Holy Spirit inside, goes to church etc.  However the things that make a disciple stand out above these qualities are that you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and act according to His will, you enjoy fasting and prayer to get closer to your Master, your mentor, coach and lead others in the Word of God, you constantly want a more and deeper relationship with Jesus.  Very important is that you understand your full purpose and mandate and are devoted to go and to make other disciples and to teach them to be disciples.

Dear reader what is critical here to understand is that it is not enough to give your life to Jesus in order to mature.  You have to grow closer to the heart of God.  His passion for you is to grow to live out your full mandate and to use the authority that He has given you.  You have the authority to cast out demons, raise people from the dead and heal the sick.  Not because of you, but because of Him that is in you and that gives you the authority to do it.  Remember to stay humble and that by raising disciples, you raise them for Christ and not as followers of you.  This also implies that you have to allow yourself to be mentored and coached by other disciples so that you also continue to grow.  Learning and growing is continuous and a life-long process.

Yes, we love Jesus, we go to church, live according to His will and reach out to the poor and needy.  However, are you merely making converts or making disciples?  It is time to grow in your walk with God.  It is time for the next level of maturity and therefore, you must understand your mandate and take up the authority God has given you!  Time is little and the need is great.  As Christians we no longer have time to waste in not understanding and taking up our mandate.  It is time to mature!

“Father God.  Thank you for revealing to me once again that I am loved and that you do appreciate what I do in Your name.  However, you have showed me Lord that there is more and that you want me to understand your instructions in Mat 28:18 – 20 completely so that, I can reach the maturity level whereby no more time is wasted to live out your will of growth for this world.  I give myself to You Lord.  Here I am.  I choose to take up my appointment with full mandate and authority to go and make disciples and teach them Father, according to Your will.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen!”

With lots of love in Jesus Name

Princess K

PS:  Dear reader, please remember that the scripture used are from the New International Version.  If the scripture is read in another language and translation it might differ slightly.  A verse in the NIV might be a different one in your bible, i.e. Ps 37:3 in the NIV might be Ps 37:4 in your bible.  This does not always occur, but has happened in some instances.