(15) Not boasting of things without our measure, that is of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we may be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, (16) to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not just to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. (2 Corinthians 10:15-16 KJV)

I remember the first time this scripture jumped out at me. It wasn’t too long after I knew that I was called to teach Gods word. I wasn’t sure where God was taken me or if I even had a ministry. I knew deep down that I was called to teach and so far I taught a word here and there on my church’s prayer line, but truthfully that was few and far between. So I wouldn’t exactly call that a ministry. I remember struggling comparing myself to how some of the other teachers and ministers on that prayer line taught and I remember feeling as though I was way out of my league. I mean they are powerhouse teachers. The scripture came to mind about it being wise not to compare myself to those around me. So I decided to look that scripture up hoping that God would speak to me. He did but just not in that verse it wasn’t until I read a few verses down that God highlighted this scripture for me.

To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.

It was then that I knew that God was telling me that I would teach his word in places beyond my reach. Do you want to know the beauty of this scripture. That it doesn’t just apply to me but to anyone who is willing to go out and spread God’s word! A region is a large indefinite area or range of something specified. Two of the meanings of beyond that I find fitting for this verse is, outside the understanding, limits, or reach of; the other one I like I surpassing, over and above. Neither you nor I have any idea on where God is going to take us in our calling, but I do know that he will give us not only the ability but the way to preach/teach his word in places that we’ve never thought that we could reach. For example this blog or any Christian blog that is putting out the word of God. Do you ever stop to think just how far the word is being spread by just one click of a button. You may live in Kansas, but with the press of publish someone in Japan can read Gods word within seconds! Wow! talk about regions beyond you.  Some of you may say, well Aqua I’m not a writer and blogging isn’t my thing. I love God and I want to get God’s word out, but how can God use me? Are you comfortable in front of a camera? Do you know if God called you to preach/teach his word? Then how about posting a video of you speaking the word. Again with the click of a button the word has spread to regions beyond you. For those of you who knows that you were not called to either preach nor teach and you know that it isn’t for you. There is so many videos out there on YouTube where people just speak of the goodness of God in their lives. Just in the fact that they speak of Jesus even though their not teaching God is using them to spread the goodness of God in the places beyond them! One thing that is for sure in today’s world with today’s technology we have it way easier than the apostles had it when they begin to spread the word.

(15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16)

When Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the word of God  to every creature. That is every man, woman, boy and girl. They literally had to go out into all of the world. Keep in mind, that this was in a time before the internet, cars and planes. When Jesus sent the disciples out, they had to travel either by foot, by donkeys or if they were really going far out by ship. They had no bible to rely on, but still they went out and preached the gospel. Even though Jesus anointed them to preach the gospel they had no idea where it would lead them. They probably thought that they were only preaching to the people in the here and now. I wonder if they had any idea that the very gospel that they preached would not only be spread to physical regions beyond them, but also to regions beyond their time. What do you mean about that you may ask? It’s been well over 2000 years since Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the gospel and people to this day are being saved because of it. Just as we have no idea where our calling will lead us, but trust that God can cause it to go further than you or I could ever imagine. Do you know that after we’re gone the things we teach will live on! Blogging and internet videos were never meant to replace the bible. Nothing ever could but I do believe that it can cause someone who never picked up a bible much less read one to do so. We may never know this side of heaven the lives God has allowed us to touch because of his word. As I was doing this blog I asked myself, what was it that made the disciples so willing to spread the gospel. Even, if they had to travel by foot to do it. The answer was simple. They did it because they loved Jesus and because they loved Jesus they were willing to do whatever it was to spread the good news even if it meant walking all night.

I don’t know where God is leading you on your journey, to be honest I don’t know 100% where he is leading me either. I do know however; that he is leading us to places they we could not even imagine. That he will enable us to spread his word to regions that is over and above us. Our job is just to get the word out there. God will take care of the rest.

God’s blessings,

Aqua.