Verse of the Day 6/24

Romans 10:13-14 (AMP)For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved.
14 But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]? And how are they to believe in Him [adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him] of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?

 

Many across the country and across the world today will be heading off to church to hear a message from the Word of God, the Bible with the focus being to preach the Gospel and hoping that new converts will call upon the Lord and be saved.

 

I read an article by Ed Stetzer in Tabletalk magazine from Ligonier Ministries this morning "Preach the Gospel and Since It's Necessary Use Words".  It dealt with the statement often attributed to Francis of Assisi "preach the gospel and if necessary use words."  He pointed out that while these words are attributed to Francis of Assisi there is no documentation that he ever did so and it is doubtful that he would have agreed with the statement. 

 

It goes along with another statement that is also used often today "actions speak louder than words."  Both statements sound good and should challenge and encourage us to "back up our words with actions".  But we can't avoid the fact that the Gospel, the truth about Jesus, His life, ministry, death and resurrection must be told.  Stetzer writes, "one of the most important things a Christian does is to redirect other Christians back to Jesus through the good news of the gospel.  And we need to speak it in the church so that unbelievers visiting among us can hear how precious it remains to our lives, that it is not merely a way station on our spiritual journey."

 

Yesterday we considered our pilgrimage, our journey through life as a Christian.  It revolves around the gospel message, God's Word and how it impacts directs and redirects our lives.  The Word, the Gospel is not just a way station it is our guide along the path of the Christian life.

 

Are you thankful that someone preached the gospel to you?  Pray for your pastor today and always and encourage him if given the opportunity to preach the gospel with words.  We need to commit to living out those words, and use and let the Word influence our daily lives.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Romans 10:13-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

 

14 But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! 16 But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message? 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.