SATURDAY JULY 11,2020
TOPIC: OUR REWARDABLE SERVICE
TEXT:JOSHUA 19:40-51
KEY VERSE: "When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them" (JOSHUA 19:49).
Walter J. Chantry, editor of Banner of Truth Magazine, in one of his articles said, "Our Good Shepherd has become the model for other shepherds. His great concern is the good of the sheep. Jesus our Lord made every personal claim subservient to the blessing of His flock; even to giving His life that they might live."
In our text, we read of the seventh lot of the tribe of Dan. Also of note is the inheritance given to Joshua, the leader of the people according to the word of the Lord for faithfulness in service. He waited until all the tribes were settled; and remained steadfast in faith and unmovable by situations before he got his inheritance. He was concerned for their welfare that he cared less for himself.
As a believer, are you still interested in reaching out to lost souls on the field of evangelism? Do you still care for the field? Remember, the world we live in presently remains the darkest and the most inhospitable territory to the cause of Jesus Christ. A report states that only a small percentage out of those who have been privileged to hear about Jesus in this territory are truly Christians.
The real work for every Christian, like Joshua, is in the field, not in the confines of the local church. Evangelism is the primary assignment of all Christians and there is yet no substitute for it. Any activity or work in the church that makes Christians neglect evangelism is dangerous.
The number of evangelists in the streets, buses or train stations is reducing even when there are yet more people to be reached for Christ. Remember that soul-winning is a rewardable service and every believer's business. Thus, we must wake up now and do the work of an evangelist.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Preaching the gospel is the essential prerogative of the redeemed.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 KINGS 24-25
HIGHER EVERYDAY
SATURDAY JULY 11, 2020
TOPIC: FOR CHRIST IN ALL CONDITIONS
TEXT:ROMANS 8:31-35
MEMORY VERSE: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (ROMANS 8:35).
We are told in Acts Chapter 16 that Paul was arrested for preaching in the name of Jesus. He was stripped of his clothing, severely flogged by the Romans and thrown into the inner prison, yet he endured it all for Jesus.
When the Jews flogged a person, they stopped at thirty-nine strokes. The Romans also were not that merciful, they beat a person to the brink of death. Of the original twelve Apostles, only John died a natural death, though he was also tortured for Christ.
Hence, John Scott said, "The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith." Persecution has been a common fact in Christendom.
Many disciples of Jesus were also tortured, jeered at, flogged, and imprisoned or martyred, (Hebrews 11:35b - 37). What shall separate you from the love of God? These believers did not deny their Saviour.
You too must stand for Christ in all situations and conditions. Wherever you are, remain faithful to the Lord, and He will surely send you help in time of need. He will not fail you.
QUOTE: Take a stand for Jesus.
CHALLENGE: Don't give up your faith in Christ.
PRAYER: In all situations O God, help me to stand for Christ.