Focus 2020 – The Great Commission: Perspectives from LeadersSample

So Abram Went 

Bible passage: 

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years old when he set out from Harran. (Genesis 12:1–4) 

Devotional: 

I’ll never forget Jaime. As a new disciple of Jesus, Jaime did not ease into following Jesus, he jumped! We had just returned from a couples’ retreat focused on marriage and the 20 couples were still basking in the great fellowship and biblical teaching on Christ-focused marriages. The following week, a small group of guys gathered to pray together and Jaime wanted to know how the church could afford the costs of the marriage retreat. Several guys chimed in about the offerings that the church took up as a part of our worship. When Jaime heard someone say something about a tithe, he wanted to know if the 10 percent was on the gross or net portion of the pay check. Everyone laughed, except Jaime. At our next worship gathering, Jaime came with three checkbooks and proceeded to write a check from each one. When asked what he was doing, Jaime explained that the first checkbook was their personal account his wife knew about. The second checkbook was his business account the government knew about. The third checkbook only God and Jaime knew about. He wrote out three checks that Sunday. When asked why, Jaime replied, “The way I figure it, God’s blessings in my life began long before I believed in Jesus and I’ve a lot of back tithes to give.” As a new disciple, Jaime gave back to God what had been entrusted to him. 

As much as I am drawn to the promises of God’s redemptive purposes for all of humanity given to Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3, my pulse quickens in reading verse 4: “So Abram went …” Abraham did not ease into following God, he jumped! By faith, Abraham believed God and he went. The tangible plan of redemption for all the families of the earth was launched and continues to this day. 

While knowledge of the Bible and a grasp of God’s intent that none should perish are core to our knowing God and his ways, what God is looking for in us is simple obedience.  

Quote: God told Abraham, “Go!” And he went. Jesus told his disciples, “Go!” So we go. We’ll keep going and making disciples until he says, “Come home!”  

Question: What does your next step of obedience to Jesus look like in blessing all the families of the earth? 

Jeff Denlinger 

President, WorldVenture