Morning, Zane.
How are things going in your circle of life and influence? I can’t imagine a better concise and all-encompassing prayer to continually pray than the one David recorded in Psalm 19:14. Please memorize it.
Lots on my list today. First, I plan to take off about now on my old man jog along with two happy dogs.
Love and prayers—Tua/Ray.
When the rulers of the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch recognized Paul and Barnabas as visitors, it was no accident that they said to them, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” If we can believe that these first missionaries were indeed sent by the Holy Spirit, there is no difficulty believing that this opportunity was a “God thing.” Even though he didn’t say it out loud, Paul had to say internally, “Yes indeed—do we ever have such a message!!!” He proceeded to give a concise presentation of the Biblical Gospel. Verse 39 stands out to me as a wonderful and profound MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT: “Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” The same Spirit that sent these missionaries touched many hungry and responsive souls that day.
It may be that many of us, by virtue of frequent exposure, have become so accustomed to the Word of God and the basic Gospel message that we lose a measure of our sense of marvel and appreciation for it. It is too easy for the commonly-heard Gospel to become commonplace. But let’s be reminded right here and now that we, as believers, are custodians of a tremendous MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT for all people everywhere. It is a MESSAGE of hope and help, of light and life, of peace and power, of trust and truth, of grace and guidance, of benefit and blessing—absolutely adequate to guarantee God’s presence and pleasure both now and forevermore. Is that ENCOURAGING or what?!
Please be a faithful receiver and transmitter of this Gospel MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT. To hide or silence it is to promote darkness and discouragement.