Good Morning Disciple Makers! We are gathered by God to be part of His Good News Delivery Company. Amen! And we all have a part to play. We are created, saved, made new, and gifted to be a special part and there are people only you can reach. Pray into that and talk to some friends as you process and take a step of faith into your part. God's grace is with you and the Holy Spirit will guide you and give you the words as needed. Go! Make disciples is not a suggestion. Acts 1:8 was in a devoand is truth and a command. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Learning to rely on the Spirit takes practice and discipline. But He comes bringing power to overcome any obstacles , real or perceived, so that you can fulfill this command as you are and for such a time as this. How can you be part of His Good News Delivery Co. to the ends of the earth? Maybe as a prayer warrior and intercessor? Maybe as a funder? Maybe by going and sharing wherever you go.? And maybe the ends of the earth begin outside your front or back door? Go! Check out this link to pray for the unreached of the world and pray or follow the Holy Spirit lead. (unreachedoftheday.org) Copy and past the link into your browser and get some great prayer helps for the day.
Also check out our other devos forfor reminders about your salvation story and our call to go be the salt and light the world needs. God custom made you for what you will face. trust the Holy Spirit and go! Amen! I'm praying for you!
ODB:
A Leap of Faith
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith. Ephesians 2:8
A French sailor, along with his cat, was sailing from Dutch Harbor—located on an island south of Alaska—to San Diego, California, when his yacht was capsized by a huge wave. The vessel righted itself, but the mariner lost his rudder and rigging to the violent swells. He reported his dire situation to the Coast Guard, saying he was stranded, had no control, and his boat was “pretty much dead in the water.” Eventually the Coast Guard contacted an oil drilling ship nearby, and they came to the sailor’s rescue. However, he still had to make a literal leap of faith—with his cat tucked under his jacket—from his boat to the rescue vessel.
In Ephesians 2, Paul described the sinful and hopeless condition of humanity—dead in the water spiritually and separated from God (v. 1). Moreover, we were disobedient to all that He desires (v. 2) and depraved—unable to do anything to merit salvation (v. 3). But “by grace,” Jesus made it possible for us to be “saved, through faith,” and this salvation is a “gift of God” (v. 8).
We were all stranded in the raging seas of sin and death, but praise God that we have a Savior who made it possible for us to leap into His saving arms by faith. Christ alone can rescue us and carry us to safety.
By Marvin Williams
REFLECT & PRAY
What is the means of the rescue Jesus has made possible? How are faith in Him and the salvation He’s made possible linked?
Dear Jesus, Your mercy and grace led me to—by faith—leap into Your saving arms.
Our need of Christ’s rescue is undeniable, given Paul’s clear teaching in Ephesians 2. Apart from Jesus we “were dead” (v. 1), and the dead can do absolutely nothing on their own behalf. How grateful we should be that God, out “of his great love for us” and His rich mercy (v. 4) has given us life through Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf. In addition to giving us life, He’s given us a place “in the heavenly realms” (v. 6). All this was done to express God’s “kindness to us” (v. 7). Apart from Jesus (vv. 8-9), we’d be both lost and helpless, but He came and took our place. He’s rescued and brought to safety those who’ve believed in Him!
Bill Crowder
UR: Seasoned with Salt
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. - Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
I made a chocolate cake and served it for teatime, but nobody looked happy. Then I tasted it, and it was bland. My husband took one bite and declared, “You forgot the salt!” The recipe called for a quarter-teaspoon of salt, which I had omitted. Even in sweet dishes, a tiny amount of salt makes all the difference.
In a similar way, it is important to correctly season our conversations so that we can make a difference. Each conversation requires a unique approach. It is important to be gracious and encouraging as we share our thoughts and what we know with others. In Acts 17, Paul gives us a beautiful example to follow. Even though he was distressed to see all the idols in Athens, he complimented the Greek people on being very religious (see vv. 16-22). They had numerous temples dedicated to their many gods. They even had an altar to an unknown god. Paul then declared that Jesus was the God unknown to the Greeks, and he spoke about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
The “salt” in Paul’s words made his speech palatable, and many people wanted to hear what he was talking about. When we season what we say and do with kindness and generosity, we can help others to know Jesus.
's Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, guide our words and actions so that they may bring others closer to you. Amen.
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