Have You Ever Seen One of God’s Stars Burn Out? Have you ever looked up on a clear, cloudness night at all the billions and billions of stars in the heavens? I can't help but think that God sees a similar picture when He looks down at all the souls on earth. All those billions and billons of souls that he has seen since the beginning of time, all shining, all important to Him. And then one of those lights goes out. A soul is lost. Sure, you and I don't notice when a star dies and its lights go out, but God knows. Souls are God's stars. They are precious to Him.  Every single one of them. Just like He knows the number of hairs on your head, God knows the whereabouts and what is happening in the life of every soul on earth. Every single one. He loves each and every soul so much that He sent His son Jesus to save each one. But the lights keep going out. Another person dies who didn't have a relationship with Jesus, the Son who was sacrificed to give them eternal life with the Father. Jesus shared just how important souls are to the Father in His last recorded personal instruction to His disciples: And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”           .                                                 Matthew 28: 18-20 The Great Commission is the end of a Gospel and the beginning of faith in action for all Christians. Jesus is giving His followers a special calling and presenting specific action that He expects of them. This isn't something that He wishes we would do, it is something that He commands us to do. And as we read verse 18, it emphasizes that Jesus has all the authority to command it. He's omnipotent. It's the very foundation of our faith as Christians. In verse 19, Jesus gives His believers specific directions to follow once they have affirmed their faith in Him. “Go!” Jesus calls all those who put their faith in Him to spread the Good News of salvation throughout the world. We are expected to share our faith, our testimony, and our love for Jesus by teaching His commandments and His truths. Another important aspect of verse 19 is that it shares the doctrine of the Holy Trinity … the three persons of the Godhead … the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And finally in verse 20, Jesus reminds us that we aren't on our own. He is with us. Even in the darkest areas of this world you are expected to keep your faith in Him, follow His commandments, share His love.   As you are reading this commentary, thousands and thousands of lights have gone out. Souls have been lost. Did anyone ever try to share the Good News with these people? Did they choose to ignore the truth? Did they fall prey to the lies of the devil … to the idols of this world? Sometimes the lie comes in the form of false religion or false teachings? That will kill you. I believe that God loves each and everyone of us so much that He has put someone or something in our life to share the Good News of Jesus.  Everyone.  That includes natives deep in the jungles completely cut off from all of civilization; Muslim extremist who hate Christians and live each day to kill them;, the homeless man on the corner with the cardboard sign; the atheist working to take away all of our freedoms to express our faith as Christians … everyone. Now it’s up to us to go where God has called us to go. How strong is your faith? Who has God put in your path desperately needing His love, His hope, His healing, His mercy, His door to salvation. When was the last time you witnessed to someone and shared what Jesus has done in your life? Have you ever?  If you haven't, you are not alone. Probably 98% of the “believers” sitting in church on any  Sunday morning haven't done so either. Remember someone shared the good news with you.  Someone was obedient.  And because of that person, or that church, your life will never be the same again. Your soul will be forever thankful in heaven. Many Christians have made incredible sacrifices; giving up everything they own to share the Good News in the most remote regions of the world. But your mission field could be your own backyard. Maybe you have a neighbor whose car is in the driveway each time you go to church. Have they heard the Good News? Maybe you have a coworker who has confided in you the difficulties in their life. Have you given them hope through Jesus Christ? Wherever we go, every faithful Christian should be compelled through obedience to share the Gospel. If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, where has He called you to go? Who has God put on your heart to share the gift of salvation? If you aren't sure what to do to be obedient to Jesus; if you have never been taught how to evangelize and share the Good News; if you are uncomfortable or don't know how to begin the conversation … then I encourage you to view the videos on using the Soul Winning Script. Pastors Eric and Jennifer Gonyon from the Revival Ministries International team will teach you and every member of your church who have the burning desire to receive the power of evangelism. It's harvest time. By Ray Boetcher Publisher of The Church Guide