Here I am Lord...send me...

How often... in the past few years  I have expressed a question to the churches and groups that I have had the pleasure to lead. 

How often... I would ask the listeners a question without really grasping what I was actually asking? 

How often... I would wait quietly until the moment of silence, the moment of peace when ask, "Are you ready to die for your faith?" 

You know the drill... the room quiets, look over your glasses and quietly and slowly challenge each person to live for Jesus and then quote the call from Christ...

Matthew 16:24-26 New Living Translation (NLT)

^"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. ²⁵ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁶ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"

As I sit here in front of my computer I am listening to the voice of a young man describe his call from God to reach the youth and children of Mozambique. I listen as he describes his desire to serve God with all that he is and all that he has. I sit here in front of my computer listening as to his voice cracks and he stands describing his desire to live 100% for his Lord. I'm thrilled.

As I sit here, I now listen as a man full of the spirit of God describes his desire to help children in West Ghana. Containers being sent... books, bed and clothing traveling to those in need... faith filled people going to the ends of the earth to share the truth of Christ. I'm encouraged. 

And then...

Against this moment, my heart travels across the sea to the deserts of Syria where a young man is kneeling, hands tied behind his back, a shot is fired and a young christian sinks into the sands of the desert and into the sands of time. 

Against this moment, my heart breaks as I realize that entire fellowships of believers are being removed from this world and are being ushered into eternity by the hands of evil men and corrupt groups.


Against this moment, my heart is soaked by the reality of the lives dying daily for Jesus. 


Against this moment, my heart sinks as I look into my heart and ask that very same question to my spirit, my soul and find the reality of fear and pain. Am I ready to die for my faith?

Against this moment, I cry...

Jesus said in Matthew 10:18-24,  “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.  But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.  You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.  

When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.  And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel."

Historians have said for years that the church of Jesus Christ grows on the blood of it's martyrs... that being true... 
prepare my heart... prepare for hope... prepare for harvest. 

Maranatha... Christ is coming... even so Lord Jesus come quickly.