Meditation

03/11/2020

“As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—-when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear form heaven, your dwelling place, and to whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do our own people Israel, and may know hat this house I have built bears your Name.” (2^nd Chronicles6:32–33)

Solomon’s remarkable prayer pointed out that God’s love for Israel was for the purpose of blessing other nations and peoples as well. God’s Temple had been built by an Israelite king in the national capital, but its purpose was never restricted to Israelites alone. It was to be one of God’s means of blessing all people. God’s acts for Israel were intended to draw all people to Him. The central teaching is that God’s is Lord of the whole earth and of all peoples who come to Him. The New Testament records ‘God’s people reaching out and sharing the message.

It was to be one of God’s means of blessing all people. God’s acts for Israel were intended to draw all people to Him. The central teaching is that God’s is Lord of the whole earth and of all peoples who come to Him. The New Testament records ‘God’s people reaching out and sharing the message. So God has encouraged the evangelizing of peoples for over two thousand years, and continue to do so today!

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, it is abundantly clear that You have instructed Your people for many centuries, to reach out to others and tell them about You. Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to this earth and told us face to face, so to speak, to do the exact same thing. Abba, take away our personal fears of being embarrassed by reaching out to others by sharing the message of eternal salvation. Give us Your peace, to tell others of this message that leads people to the same kingdom of heaven that we as believers look forward to. In this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“When Jesus is all we have, we realize Jesus is all we need.”

KNOWING GOD:

“’You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—-I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand,. When I act, who can reverse it?” (Isaiah43:10–13)

Witnesses declare what God has done. Effective witnesses need to be knowledgeable of the mighty acts of God in in history—-and in the contemporary moments also. This requires study and sensitivity to all God has revealed in His Word, in history, and in one’s daily life. Witnesses take up the role of God’s servant (Read 42:6-7). Witnesses believe in, obey, and worship God. They share what they have experienced wit all who do not know God. They want everyone in this world to let the true God be their Savior and to commit their lives to Him. Witnessing is the believer’s essential task.

I AM:

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law bu am under Christs law), so as to win those not having the law. To the week I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of he gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1^st Corinthians9:19-23)

Many sacrificial demands are necessary to evangelize effectively. Although w have freedom in Christ, love for he lost world constrains us to assume the servant role and be willing to become all things to all people to win them to Christ. We serve their needs rather than asserting our rights. We must identify with people, sacrificing our own pleasure, and pour ourselves out to them if we are to point them to Jesus Christ.

Second Thought of the Day:

“He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” (John1:7–9)

John illustrated personal witnessing. Despite his own power and popularity, he pointed people to Christ and away from himself. He sought to bring people to believe in Christ.

Beloved, I have spent a lot of time on evangelizing or witnessing to others. The reason is pretty simple. The Bible, God’s Word, has spent a lot of time over the centuries doing the same thing. Yet, people still think or believe that this is “someone else’s” responsibility. Even a cursory look through the New Testament, one will find it is our responsibility, those of us who believe in God through Jesus Christ. No doubt, it is easier for some people than others, but we are to reach out to those in our environment, no matter how big or small that may be. Each day that you make the effort to share your faith and the message of salvation, is a day filled with the possibility that someone is going to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and that is always a good day! This meditation has come about by people who don’t always have the time to to read the Bible, but just know, that when people see a true believer, they see what is missing in their lives and they might just walk up to you, and ask you to tell them about the Jesus you talk about and serve. Maybe in a small way, this resource, might just be a way to touch someone else into becoming a fellow believer. Shalom!