Meditation

07/05/2022

“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, thought I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” (Psalm 71:14-18 – Evangelism – Gospel)

The gospel is good news that God has acted to meet our needs. In the Old Testament His acts included helping individuals escape their enemies’ cruel plans. In the New Testament He acted in Jesus Christ to provide eternal salvation. In both Testaments however, God’s people respond in hope and praise, testifying to all who will listen to God’s mighty acts. Youth can share God’s gracious acts, and so can senior citizens. Our responsibility is to be certain the next generation knows what God has done for us, and prepare them for what He can do in their future, along with their responsibility to pass this all forward.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, You guide each generation with the proper Bible-based prophets, to help prepare the people of the current generation to both prepare the next generation with the gospel message, and You also guide through the Holy Spirit those whose responsibility is to train the new generation to received the gospel message and teach it among their families and keep this process continually reaching out to others. Today we continue to pray troops serving in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, that a peaceful solution might be found and let the fighting be silenced. We also pray for those who are suffering in body, mind, and/or spirit, with friends, family, for those we don’t know. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“All that I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator—-in all that I have not seen.”

KNOWING GOD:

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was please through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1^st Corinthians 1:21-25 – Evangelism – Gospel)

Christian preaching has a basic content summarizing the gospel. The Geek word “Kergma” is used to indicate this basic core of what is preached and it centers on Christ Jesus. It teaches Jesus is the Messiah; He lived 2,000 years ago; He lived a sinless life and preached good works and performed them Himself; He died on a cross to pay the price for our sins and was raised from the dead; He is coming back again, though not as a humble man, but in all His glory to end this evil age; He calls all people to repentance and faith and promises forgiveness, redemption, and the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Yes, He did good works for others including healing, but we are not able to work enough to deserve entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, it is a free gift for accepting God through His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have you made this decision?

I AM:

“Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.” (1^st 5:10 – Evangelism – Gospel)

The gospel is truth—-disturbing truth. It becomes a divider of people. Those who believe in Christ have the testimony in their hearts that God’s Word concerning His Son is true. Those who refuse to believe accuse God of lying. How wise to believe and then share that message of the gospel. Think about this a moment. At any given time, there are about 200 digs going on in Israel and this has gone on for two thousand years. Every single time a dig produces a new find, it has affirmed what is already in the Bible. What are the odds of that happening?!

2ND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom o God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—-first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe he puts the sickle to is, because he harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29 – Evangelism Gospel)

Beloved the gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” The message of the Kingdom is a small seed, but when planted in an open heart, it produces salvation. Our role is to take the gospel, plant it in lives, and watch God grow it. God sometimes uses us to plant the seed, sometimes to help fertilize the seed by our witnessing of our faith in God to others, and sometimes we are there to witness the harvesting taking place. It is not “our” job to decide, we are there to love and support those who have opened their hearts to the Lord, and then to celebrate with them in their decision.