Note From the Board – Jim Weisert – April 2025

Consider the following question from the great theologian Francis Chan and his book Crazy Love; what does the word God mean to you? Is it just another word? Or when you say the word “God” it stops you and you want to yell Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God Almighty!!! He is Perfect!!! Consider another question: Are we living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission daily in our lives?

The questions above have been penetrating my thoughts for years now. I’m not referring to Unite4Africa because all you have to do is read the monthly newsletter articles to see that Unite4Africa lives out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission and they scream out Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God Almighty, He is Perfect, everyday in Africa. That is thanks to our partners like you, but especially because our staff and leadership on the ground in Africa who are so dedicated to Christ.

No, these questions hit home for me, meaning; me, my church, the Christians and churches in my city – Tucson AZ and for that matter all cities and states in the United States of America. Are we in Awe of God’s goodness and all his plans for our eternity in Heaven with him? Are we? I am rereading Crazy Love because I find myself sometimes lacking in my Awe of God, and that breaks my heart. I am only because He is God! I want my love for Him and my Awe of Him to grow deeper and wider every day for the rest of my days. And I want that for each of us. How can we do that; by truly taking time to read about God daily, surrendering our all to Him each and every day. And asking him what He wants us to do with our days for His glory.

I have the privilege to serve with incredible Godly men and women in Tucson AZ who serve in multiple locations around the US and the world, who live out what God commands each of us to do in scripture; care for the orphans, widows, hurting, lost, sick, etc. It’s an honor and great privilege to serve and share life with them; their lives are so filled with God’s spirit and His joy, it’s incredible to watch how God blesses the work of their hands. That helps me see the Awe of God through His chosen people.

That being said, what concerns me is the statement in scripture that tells us that on that day, many will come before God/Jesus and claim all that they did this in His name, and yet He will tell them “I never knew you, away from me you evil doers” (Matthew 7:22-23). You see, Jesus also tells us that “I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). So for me, and perhaps for each of you, I am trying to be obedient by learning and applying God’s Great Commandment and Great Commission and making time to be in Awe of God in my life on a daily basis. But what about those “Christians” who aren’t?

If you’re reading this you probably know the Great Commandment; “Love the Lord with all you heart, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37). The first half of this command is easy for the mature believer, but at times even for the mature believer the second half can be tough especially when you have someone that’s hard to love around you. But God doesn’t say “Love your neighbor as yourself, unless…, so we are to be obedient at all times. Then the “Great Commission” tells us to “go and make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”(Matthew 28:19-20). This is where my concern for the Church in the US lies. Are we, the “Church”, teaching the Great Commandment and Great Commission to our congregations, families, and friends? Are we showing the Church the Awe of God on a weekly basis? Consider that for a moment… now consider if we were judged by God on our efforts today, would He be pleased with our work, our reverence of Him?

Good question? Did that thought concern you? It does me. That’s why I would suggest that we all write the Great Commandment and Great Commission on our hearts by seeing the Awe of the one true living God! And then live them out. Here are some simple and relevant things each of us can do:

1) Take time every day to praise God; praising him with statements like; Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!!! You are Perfect!!! Through you only have all things been created!!!    

2) Take time daily to tell God that the desire of your heart is to know Him more every day for the rest of your life and to be obedient to his will and word.

3) Read the following books – Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E Coleman and Make Disciples by Tim Bowland. These Books will expose you to the work God calls us to do during our lives on this earth, and some practical ways of living out our faith. You will learn more about practical ways of living out our faith from reading those two books.

4) Mentor/disciple at least one person (of the same sex) each year for the rest of your life, teaching them everything God/Jesus has taught you through your reading of scripture and relationship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, what your mentor has and is teaching you, from the things those in your life group have taught you through scripture, and from the teachings of the church you attend regularly. And teach them how to share God’s truth in grace with all those who are asking (1st Peter 3:15).

5) Finally, go to https://www.itsallaboutrelationship.org/ “It’s all about Relationship.” These free online tools lay out how you go about making disciples in the book “Make Disciples”. You will learn how easy it is to share your faith with others in a non-threatening way. You will also see this is how we fulfill our purpose as followers of Christ.

If we each would do just those five things this year, we could expand the work and influence of the Kingdom in our homes, cities, and states; and over time, as those we mentor/disciple do the same, we can turn our countries hard heart against God/Jesus for Him and in doing so God will heal our land/hearts/minds. 

May we each live a life that sees the Awe of God every day so we can live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission because of our passions for the One who created all things, who has giving each of us every ability we have ever had! That one day we may hear God tell us; “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
United we can do all things through Christ Jesus! Amen!
 
Jim Weisert
Board Member
Unite4Africa