Clever Free Methodist

I believe most of us can quote some of the words of the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28. I am pretty sure those words would include “go and make disciples” and something about baptizing. That is correct if you are just looking at Matthew 28:19 ! However, if we move into verse 20, we see that the “Great Commission” expands beyond going, making, and baptizing when Jesus adds “…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” When it comes to the “Great Commission,” we are not only instructed to “go” and “make” and then “baptize” disciples, we are also to be actively teaching others to obey what Jesus commanded. Let’s look at all these steps. First: Go! This is a very important word. First off, it is a command which must be obeyed. Secondly, it is not designating one specific place. Why? Because the proper translation of the Greek language for “go” means “as you are going.” That means, we are prepared to make disciples wherever we are at the moment.

There have been times where I have heard someone, in some form of frustration, cry out “why is God punishing me?” Although these times come forth from a myriad of issues and trials, I think the true reason behind what is going on is still the same: God is not punishing us, but educating and training us. There is a good chance that God may be using and allowing our circumstances as a way to discipline and correct us. God loves us and will not allow things in our life that prevent us from excelling and completing His will for our lives. Hebrews 12:6-11, says, “For the  Lord  disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”   As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?   If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.” It is very important

Epiphany ... have you ever heard of such a word? Although, you may humorously want to say “Gesundheit” after saying the word out loud, it is actually a significant event of the Church calendar. Epiphany, the twelfth day after Christmas, is when the Church marks the conclusion of the  Christmas  season. Usually, most Churches will celebrate Epiphany the first Sunday of the New Year. Many families will mark Epiphany by taking down the Christmas tree and decorations. The word " Epiphany " means  "to show"  or  "to reveal."  It is also a historical date because it marks the arrival of the "three wise men" from the east who came "to show" and "to reveal" to all the world that this little 2-year-old toddler was Lord and King (Matthew 2:9-11)  This is why we celebrate Epiphany !  We celebrate to recall how God has been "showing" and "revealing" Himself to us ever since that one night the Kings o