God’s Word Says….

Romans 1:16-17 (NCV)

¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes—to save the Jews first, and then to save non-Jews. ¹⁷ The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself—that it begins and ends with faith. As the Scripture says, “But those who are right with God will live by faith.”

My Thoughts…..

Like Paul, occasionally we must stop and evaluate why we are doing what we do. Yes, this is especially appropriate in our ministries today, for denominationalism, financial greed and selfish desires often become the driving force for growing churches. Paul reminds us that the following are some reasons why we should be busy about God’s work:

1. A deep love for God;
2. A love and admiration for God’s precious Word;
3. A full understanding of, and acknowledgment in, the fact that it is God’s Word that saves the wicked and ungodly of this world, not anything of our own ability;
4. A pure love for people of all races and all walks of life who need the Lord;
5. A personal desire to build up our faith in God, so that we can encourage and win others for the Lord. An act that requires ‘faith’ from beginning to end.

Challenge……

Friends, I know that you will not find all of the above things verbatim in the highlighted verses, but these are things that God directed me to an understanding of as I studied this passage. Perhaps you might be drawn to these things and even more as you study this passage. I believe that the bottom line is that we must learn to listen to God and be obedient to His voice. We must be ready to acknowledge that our efforts are not to be centered on what we can do or what we might get out of our efforts. As we love others and inherit a desire to see God’s very best for them, we will learn to earnestly pray for their spiritual welfare, and how God might be glorified from their changed life. I once heard a preacher say that he loved us way too much to see us go to hell! We need to take on more of that attitude, instead of constantly looking to promote self or gain from every experience for our own selfish good. Isn’t it time that we put self aside, love our family and friends enough to share the Truth and awesome power of God’s Word with them? It is the only thing that can save them and the only thing that can help them develop a right relationship with God.

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, please help me to center my life on You and Your desire for my family and friends who are currently showing no fruit of ever being saved. I must acknowledge that I can’t save anyone. In spite of my desire to see this miracle, I just do not have that power. Please use me for Your glory today, as an instrument to share Your love and Your Word with those that I come into contact with. There are people in my realm of influence that need the Lord. I pray that I may not get in the way of Your much needed work in their lives, but that I may be obedient in sharing Your Word with them, so that it’s very power may indwell their spirit and convict them of sin and the need for a Savior. Thank You for the promise that You love us and care enough about us to save us from the ill effects of this world in which we live. Please impress the importance of this scripture upon the lives of my readers today so that they too might open their hearts to Your Holy Spirit and allow Him to accomplish His work among their lost family and friends. For I ask all this in Your most precious and holy name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.