Christ Loves the Nations – Nancy Gavilanes

As the world once again comes together for friendly but fierce sports competition at this year’s Winter Olympics, my evangelistic and exhorter heart is ready to burst.

As you may know, as a young journalist God allowed me to go to a Summer and Winter Games as a reporter and spectator.

He called me to follow Him while I was at a Summer Games. You can read about that in God-Given Dreams (NavPress) and By Faith (available on Amazon).

After God asked me to lay down my journalism career and to let go of my obsession with sports, which had become idols for me, I still had a love for the Nations.

As a Latina from New York who has traveled to 6 continents and gone on five short-term missions trips to five countries, I truly see that Christ LOVES the Nations!

I’m so grateful that my books, Abounding Faith for Today podcast episodes, YouTube videos, blog posts, social media posts and more can travel further and faster than I ever could.

I’m also so honored that my devotional articles for the Our Daily Bread devotional are translated into more than 50 languages and are available worldwide in print and online.

Only God could help me reach the nations for His Glory!

Oh, the world is far from perfect.

But God LOVES the Nations!

From His covenant with Abraham in Genesis, to His messages through many of the Old Testament prophets, to the Gospels and Paul’s writings, and all the way to Revelation, God speaks about the Nations all throughout the Bible.

God’s family is located all across the globe.

The Body of Christ is international.

Let’s remember to love and serve and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ living worldwide.

Here are some of my favorite Bible verses about the Nations:

Jesus Came to Save the World – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

We’re to Make Disciples of All Nations – “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)

We’re to Reach the Ends of the Earth – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The Nations Worship in Heaven – “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

‘Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb.’” (Revelation 7:9-10)

God Reigns Over All Nations – “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14)

God’s Covenant with Abraham Still Stands- “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”(Genesis 22:17-18)

We’re One in Christ – “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28-29)

Jesus is for All People – “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32)

God Rules – “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. (Psalm 22:27-28)

One Day the World Will Bow – “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2 : 9-11)

The Nations are Part of Our Inheritance – “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” (Psalm 2:8)

Can you feel God’s heart for the Nations?

God loves us and sent Jesus for us no matter what city, country or continent we were born in.

May we be filled with God’s immeasurable love for the Nations!

Let’s continue to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®