28 Days: Day 15

SCRIPTURE

• Mark 1:9, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 John 2:3 & Acts 18:8

OBSERVATION

When we believe God and accept His gift of grace and love we are then washed clean and baptism reminds us of that work of God, as well as provides a testimony to others of the work of God.  Baptism is to be yet another avenue where we are given the opportunity to be His witnesses. 

UNDERSTANDING

Some reasons for baptism...

To Follow The Example Set By Jesus

(Mark 1:9 NIV)  At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Because Jesus Commands It

(Mat 28:19-20 NIV) “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

 (1 John 2:3 NIV)  We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.

It Demonstrates That I Really Am a Believer

(Acts 18:8 NIV)  Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

LIFE APPLICATION

Baptism is one of the ways that we align ourselves with other believers, in essence it is an initiation into the fellowship of the believers, the church.  In aligning with the fellowship of believers we agree to be part of the Great Commission team. 

Are you a part of the Great Commission Team?

28 Days: Day 12

SCRIPTURE

• James 5:16 (NIV) ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
• 1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV) ¹ I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--  

OBSERVATION

“One thing more, the soul-winner must be a master of the art of prayer. You cannot bring souls to God if you go not to God yourself. You must get your battle-axe, and your weapons of war, from the armoury of sacred communication with Christ. If you are much alone with Jesus, you will catch His Spirit; you will be fired with the flame that burned in His breast, and consumed His life. You will weep with the tears that fell upon Jerusalem when He saw it perishing; and if you cannot speak so eloquently as He did, yet shall there be about what you say somewhat of the same power which in Him thrilled the hearts and awoke the consciences of men. My dear hearers, especially you members of the church, I am always so anxious lest any of you should begin to lie upon your oars, and take things easy in the matters of God's kingdom. There are some of you—I bless you, and I bless God at the remembrance of you—who are in season, and out of season, in earnest for winning souls, and you are the truly wise; but I fear there are others whose hands are slack, who are satisfied to let me preach, but do not themselves preach; who take these seats, and occupy these pews, and hope the cause goes well, but that is all they do.”(The Soul Winner Charles Spurgeon [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989]

UNDERSTANDING

All around us we see evidence of people who are struggling with and breaking under the stress and strain of everyday life; lost people who are at the end of their rope and without hope. In their time of need, they do not need judgment or condemnation or pithy Christian clichés. What they need is to feel the mercy and compassion of God from the people of God. There is no better way to convey that we care than to offer to pray for someone. Even the most skeptical or unreligious person will accept our offer and see it for what it is.There is power in prayer! Not only in it’s power to communicate our love for the hurting, but it also releases the redemptive power of God into that person’s life and circumstances. Whether they ever admit it or not, they will understand that your prayers helped and God will use that truth to touch their hearts with His love.

LIFE APPLICATION

The next time someone shares a struggle or concern with you, offer to pray for them right then and there. If they decline, don’t be offended. Respect their feelings and let them know that you will be praying for them. Check in with them often, continue to walk with them through the struggle and be ready to rejoice with them when God answers your prayer on their behalf. Remember, people don’t care what you know until they know that you care. Care enough to pray!

28 Days: Day 11

SCRIPTURE

• 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) ¹⁵  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

OBSERVATION

What does it mean to set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts?  I think that this is the pre-requisite for having a good witness.  When we set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts we are saying that God is the sovereign ruler of our life.  We are saying that He gets the highest priority, our deepest worship, that He is the One who has the right to tell us what to do.  When we live like this it will always foster questions from those around us and then we must be prepared to tell them what it is we are doing and why. 

UNDERSTANDING

If you’ve ever served on a jury, you know that it can be a tedious and boring process. As a juror, you sift through charts, timelines, physical and circumstantial evidence, opinion and speculation…day after day. But the entire courtroom sits up and pays special attention when an eyewitness takes the stand. There is something riveting when someone testifies to what they have personally seen and heard. If they are telling the truth, not even the most skillful cross-examiner will be able to impeach the witness.It is the same with our testimony concerning Christ. No amount of book knowledge, clever arguments or contrary opinion can ever shake our experience with the living Lord Jesus. When we share what Christ has done in our lives, we speak from experience. We don’t need to be expert bible scholars or theologians to give our testimony - we lived it! We have firsthand knowledge of, and a personal relationship with, a savior and friend who walks and talks with us, who has forgiven our sins and who promises us abundant and eternal life. Everyone within your scope of influence; friends and family, co-workers and school-mates, everyone you know, should hear about what God has done in your life and that He can do the same for them.

LIFE APPLICATION

As you choose to consecrate (set ourselves apart) our lives to God, prayerfully ask Him to place you in situations where you can share your faith and when those opportunities present themselves – Preach it!