Meditation

10/12/2020

“But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord..” (Acts 15:35)

Paul was certainly led by the Spirit throughout his ministry and he even spent a year and a half in Corinth, because he was led to not just preach and teach the Word, he also gave example to it in his life. He could and often did go into lengthy dialog to ensure that everyone that was with him, came to a clear understanding of God’s teaching us via the Old Testament, but also through the life and teachings of God’s Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Paul and other early Christian missionaries went into the synagogues. Just as Jesus had done. There they functioned as teachers, for instruction was the central focus in synagogue services. Modern missionaries, too, find that teaching is an effective approach to spread the message of the gospel, and learning about Jesus leads to strong faith.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, You turned a man steeped in the Old Testament or the Book of Moses or Torah or Pentateuch (First five books of the Hebrew Bible). You have further taught us through Your Son, our Savior, and then His own disciples of the importance of teaching for understanding of Your Word, as well as how this helps us to understand how to live our lives daily for You, is a teaching to others of our faith in action. With this message of eternal life in the kingdom, let those we present this too, also hear the love that accompanies it, when they make their own decision. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“There are times when we are so focused on adding up our troubles, that we simply forget to count our blessings.”

KNOWING GOD:

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2^nd Timothy3:14-17)

The Bible is the textbook of the Christian faith. The Scriptures are the source of religious instruction of both children and adults, pointing the way to salvation, clarifying understandings of the gospel, and providing guidance for living in our daily lives. All doctrine must be formed on the basis of the Bible text.

Church history, contemporary church experience, and the leadership of God’s Spirit will help each generation of Christian teachers and preachers, to find words to communicate true doctrinal teaching, but every teaching must ultimately rest squarely on Scripture. All biblical teaching will lead people to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

I AM:

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—-the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it have been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth,” (Colossians 1:3–6)

The ultimate purpose of he gospel is to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ and lead them to grow and mature in that relationship (1^st Peter2:1-3). God’s concern is not only for the salvation of the lost but also for regular spiritual growth of the saved.

The failure to grow spiritually often produces theological and moral heresy (1^st Corinthians 3:1-3). To proclaim the gospel is God’s safeguard for believers intended to encourage us in spiritual growth and perseverance.

Second Thought of the Day:

“Chapter 3 is a teaching of John the Baptist and exactly what he was doing specifically. In short, he was literally ‘the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Christ, the Messiah.’ John said, ‘I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’ And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.” (Luke 3:16-18)

John was clearly telling the people what they should do in their daily lives, and it all began with repentance, seeking God’s forgiveness for their sins. Even more though, it seemed the people were following him and more were coming daily to be baptized and to listen to him. His job was to prepare the way for the Messiah and so he began to make the distinction between his mission and that of the Messiah.

John’s message was powerful and led people to be baptized, seeking God in faith by repenting of their sins, and to wait for the Messiah’s coming. There is another lesson we need to understand, and it’s not just to be baptized, for we must continue to help Christians to mature. New converts need to be strengthened, for they will face temptations; they need leadership; they need to be involved in church ministry; they need pray and the fellowship of believers. During the month of pandemic and the threat of a resurgence this Fall and more than ever, we need to stay in touch and lift up our fellow brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus our Lord in prayer and support. I pray that this strikes a chord with all.