God’s Word Says…..

Acts 13:22–23 (AMP)

And when He had deposed him, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart, who will do all My will and carry out My program fully. Of this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel a Savior [in the person of Jesus], according to His promise.

My Thoughts….

Way too often we (Christians) worry about what we could possibly say to someone who wants to know about the Lord. Sermons are prepared every week to tell us about the Lord in our church services. I believe you will note from these few verses in Acts, that a key component that must be involved in every effective sermon preached and/or heard by us, or in every effective witness that we give for the Lord, is simply that the Word of God must be used, repeated or expounded upon. I’m sure that Paul could have shared many fishing stories, or imprisonment stories or even persecution stories that he may have been involved in before he was converted and had his name changed from Saul to Paul. But he didn’t, he took the people gathered in that synagogue deep into the Word of God and allowed God to speak to the hearts of the hearers through His Word. In another part of scripture, Hebrews 4:12, we are told that the Word is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, and it will penetrate soul and spirit and judge thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Challenge….

Remember friend, that when we use the Word of God, He speaks to the hearer, versus when we try to use our thoughts and ideas, we tend to personally judge and impress upon the hearer our sinful ideas and ideals. Don’t forget, one (God’s Word) will penetrate the soul, spirit and heart, while the other (our personal ideas and agendas) will give reason to question our compliance and obedience with our own ideals. We want our hearers to follow God, not us. Accept His proven Word, not our weak and sinful ways. Let’s learn to let go, and instead let God do His mighty work of reaching hearts. Only He can truly do that!

Prayer….

Lord Jesus, You went to the ultimate extremes to show Your love for mankind, and to pave the way for us to get to Your Father and to heaven. We deserve no credit for that, and we definitely have done nothing to enhance that. Please remind us of this when we are tempted to brag on ourselves, or offer our weak, sinful ideas to an unsaved person. It’s all about You Jesus, please help us to teach, preach and/or witness using Your Word, Your ideals, Your teachings, Your commands and most importantly Your love for us. I acknowledge that only You can touch the hearts and souls of mankind. Oh that I may allow You to do that through my witness, and not allow self to kick in on my effort. Use me oh Lord to do Your will, so that those that I come into contact with will see and hear Jesus, not this man who is weakened by the sin of this world. Please use this humble devotional to also tender the hearts of other believes that may meditate on this today.