Flames of Passion
Serving God with Enduring Fervor
"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." — Romans 12:11
Today's Scripture
Matthew 28:16-20
Today's Insights
Matthew 28:19-20, commonly known as the Great Commission, commands: "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." This evangelistic mandate appears throughout the New Testament in various forms: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15), "Repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations" (Luke 24:47), "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21), and "You will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
The Great Commission extends beyond simply proclaiming Christ's death and resurrection. We fulfill this mandate when we baptize new believers, teach them Scripture's truths, and encourage unwavering discipleship as they follow Christ as their master.
Today's Devotional
When George Verwer encountered Jesus during a Billy Graham crusade in 1957, his life was forever transformed. Shortly after his conversion, he founded Operation Mobilization (OM), which by 1963 had deployed two thousand missionaries across Europe. OM evolved into one of the twentieth century's most influential mission organizations, annually sending thousands to the field. By the time of George's passing in 2023, the organization had over 3,000 workers from 134 countries serving in 147 nations, and had inspired the establishment of nearly 300 additional mission agencies.
Much like the apostle Paul, George burned with passion to introduce others to saving faith in Christ. Following Paul's dramatic Damascus Road conversion, he became an ardent missionary, wholeheartedly embracing Jesus' command to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Throughout his missionary journeys, Paul also mentored Timothy and others to continue this sacred work.
Paul's Spirit-inspired writings have emboldened countless believers through the centuries to share the gospel message. Fully grasping the vital significance of Jesus' Great Commission (19-20), Paul reminds us in Romans 12: "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (11). When the Holy Spirit dwells within us, He ignites an unquenchable passion to proclaim Christ to others.
Prophetic Significance
The Great Commission, paired with Paul's exhortation for sustained spiritual fervor, carries profound prophetic significance for our times. As we approach the culmination of the age, Scripture foretells both a great falling away and a remarkable harvest of souls (Matthew 24:12-14). The unwavering zeal exemplified by figures like Paul and George Verwer serves as a prophetic sign of God's continuing work to fulfill His promise that "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations" before the end comes.
The global expansion of missions from the first century until now traces the progressive fulfillment of Joel's ancient prophecy that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28-29). Each generation of passionate evangelists represents another wave in this prophetic outpouring, bringing us closer to the day when "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14).
Modern missions movements like Operation Mobilization prophetically demonstrate how God continues to raise up those with apostolic fervor from every nation—not just Western countries—signaling the maturation of the global church and the approaching completion of the Great Commission task. The zeal that Paul commanded and George Verwer embodied remains a prophetic indicator of genuine Spirit-empowerment and divine calling in these last days.
Reflect & Pray
Who has inspired you in your faith journey? How can you prepare to share your faith with others?
Dear God, please help me be a bold witness for You.