Based on “Advancing the Gospel” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/3-4/10,
Message #6053; Daily Devotional #2 - “A Word in Season”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11) I woke up to the sound of beautiful voices, the words of the song were very clear; it was just at the crack of dawn. The song was a worship song, exalting God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and was sung over and over. At first, I was quite cross that my sleep had been disturbed, but there was something about the melody of the music that was irresistible. That was over twenty years ago in my university dormitory. I had heard the Gospel at that point in my life but had not committed my life completely to Jesus. My experience that morning can never be forgotten; it certainly caused an awakening in my spirit. What could the words of a song mean to an unconverted soul? The students from a campus Christian group who had came out to preach the Gospel probably never knew the impact of their mission.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) There is power in spoken words. What we say has the potential to affect the people around us either positively or negatively. God’s own Word is sharper than any two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), and it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Jesus paid the price for our freedom; we are at liberty to reach out to the world around us. Each new day brings a world of opportunities to speak words of hope and advance the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Even at the darkest hour, Jesus gave the message of hope to the thief crucified on the cross next to Him (Luke 23:43). Jesus ministered to the thief who acknowledged His Lordship (Luke 23:42). Jesus spoke a Word in season to the thief that changed his eternal destiny.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. (Isaiah 50:4) The fields are white, and the harvest is here. Christ follower, there are opportunities to share, advance, and defend the Gospel in our lives every day. Our most valuable instrument is God’s Word in our mouths. The words of life we speak will affect and change lives. No Word of God can return to Him void, it always accomplishes its purposes (Isaiah 55:11). Every day can be a mission trip for Jesus as we go to work, school, and about our normal routines. The best way to prepare for our daily mission trip is to let the Holy Spirit direct our path and be sensitive to His leading. God is faithful to give us all the grace we need to carry on and to minister in every situation. Pray with me: Oh Father, let the words uttered from our mouths always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to speak to everyone that the Lord brings into our mission field. Amen.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Luke 23:39-43; Colossians 4:6
LO
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.