May 13th, 2020 – Morning Devotion With Pastor Dan
This certainly has been a difficult time for everybody, with the governments stay at home order, and with all the restrictions due to the Corona virus. But with all the worry and fear, I have found it to be an open door in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to many people. Many are willing to hear the message of hope, because all they hear from the news and the political environment is that there is none. What a sad time for so many who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. What a great time for the believer. So many without Christ, dying of the virus of sin, and we don’t have to wait for a vaccine, we have it, the Gospel Of Jesus Christ.
(Matthew 5:16)…..In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(1 Peter 3:15)…..But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
(Matthew 28:18-20)…..And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
(Acts 1:8)…..But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
What words are these for the man who in His absolute impotence had been crucified by His enemies, speaking of the ends of the earth as His dominion. What folly on the part of those who speak of Christ as being nothing but a man. How could it have entered the mind of any writer to venture the prophecy that a Jew who had been crucified, whose whole life had been proved by that cross to be an utter failure, and whose disciples at the last utterly forsaken Him – that by them He should conquer the world? No human mind could have formed such a conception. It is the thought of God; He alone could plan and execute such a purpose.
His servants are to be Witnesses to Him, ever testifying of His wonderful love, of His power to redeem, of His continual abiding presence, and of His wonderful power to work in them.
This is the only weapon that the King of allows His redeemed ones to use. Without claiming authority or power, without wisdom and eloquence, without influence or position, each one is called, not only by his words, but by his life and action, to be a living proof and witness of what Jesus can do.
This is to be the only weapon they are to use in conquering men and bringing them to the feet of Christ. This is what the first disciples did. When they were filled with the Spirit they began to speak of the mighty things that Christ has done.
It was this power that those who are scattered abroad by persecution went forth, even as far as Antioch, preaching in the name of Jesus, so that a multitude of heathen believed. They have no commission from the apostles; they had no special gifts or training, but out of the fulness of the heart they spoke of Jesus Christ. They could not be silent; they were filled with the life and the love of Christ, and could not but witness to Him.
It was this that gave the Gospel its power of increase; every new convert became a witness for Christ. Here we have the secret of a flourishing Church: every believer a witness for Jesus. Here we have the cause of the weakness of the Church: so few who are willing in daily life to testify that Jesus is Lord.
Andrew Murray
This is certainly something that should occupy our prayer life. Lord, teach your disciples how blessed we are to know You and the power of your love, and that we may find our highest joy in being a witness of You and what You have done for man.