Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Obadiah 1; Acts 8
Devotional Thought:
Jesus told His disciples that they would have persecution. He foretold of their persecution and martyrdom, but He comforted them by reminding them that the Holy Ghost would be with them. Their power for the mission, ministry, and even martyrdom would come from the Comforter. We sometimes think of the persecution as a bad thing, but the gospel spread throughout the world because of this persecution and local churches were established. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” (vs .4) Persecution has a way of separating the genuine from the fake. Those who truly believe Godand claim His promises for daily living will live in light of those promises. Those who are selfish, but pretending will fold, fade, or flee from the pressure. The last part of this chapter is one of the greatest missionary stories ever told. God sends Phillip to the Ethiopian eunuch to preach the gospel. The Ethiopian was reading out of Isaiah 53, but could not understand the gospel. Romans 10: 13-15 says “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe on whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Are you participating in the greatest ministry in the world? Are you telling someone about salvation that is provided through Jesus Christ? When the gospel was explained, this Ethiopian was gloriously saved and he immediately wanted to identify with the gospel through baptism. I sometimes wonder if we need some persecution in America to stimulate our evangelistic fervor. Has the gospel been hid under a bushel? Have we become so wrapped up in the American dream that the spreading of the gospel has become secondary? Do we not experience the power of the Holy Ghost upon us, because we refuse to be witnesses for the gospel? Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Will you strive to share the gospel with someone today?
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to share the gospel with someone today. Please give me the discernment to see the opportunities you arrange and provide, and help me to be faithful to preach the gospel of peace.
• Lord, thank you for the salvation you have provided for me and for all who will call on you with faith believing.
• Lord, please help me to be bold in persecution. Help me to faithfully trust you and your program and faithfully participate in the spreading of the gospel.