UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 10, 2014.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Sharing the Good News”
Philem. 1:6
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
Probably, sharing the gospel in Mexico (culturally Catholic) is easier than in the State (culturally secular and postmodern). Only one or two persons refused the gospel tract that I frequently handed out while doing my daily run. But once at a park in California, a mother sought me out to return a rather benign tract that I gave to her son. That is probably why many don’t share their faith: afraid of being embarrassed when rejected like that. Yet, by not sharing and never experiencing leading someone to the Lord, we miss out on the kind of joy (a good thing indeed) that materializes only when that happens. It’s like men who cannot experience the ultimate joy of childbirth from the mother’s standpoint.
While I was studying at a university in the 1980s, I met a graduate student from China who was having a difficult time putting her ideas into proper English. After befriending her, I spoke to her about many things, including my faith in Christ. She was quite sad, however, when she did poorly on her take-home mid-term. So, I helped her with the final exam; as a result (I think), she received an A. And on the final day of the quarter, I popped the question (no, not that one): “Do you want to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.” She said, “Yes.” Frankly, I don’t know who was more joyous, her or me.
On that day, I once again realized that one of the good things we have in Christ is the ability (i.e., knowledge of the gospel and being able to communicate) and opportunities to change someone’s eternal destiny. Now, that is significant. So, get going; don’t miss out. What about fear? It partly stems from not really knowing what we truly believe; therefore, study and learn. Ultimately, this fear must be replaced with love for the lost soul (1 Jn. 4:18a: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. . . .”) and boldness through prayer. (Eph. 6:20b: “Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, sharing the gospel is not something I have done much in the past and isn’t exactly something I look forward to doing. Nevertheless, I’m your child because someone took the time to tell me about your Son. So Lord, open my eyes to see the person whom I need to share your love, and give me the boldness and articulation to share the gospel in a gentle and respectable manner. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 44
Lunch Break Study
Read Daniel 2:45-47: “This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. ‘The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.” 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, ‘Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.’”
Questions to Consider
- What happened as a result of Daniel’s successful interpretation of a mysterious vision that this pagan king had?
- What did Daniel do here as well as in his later dealing with another pagan king Darius who declared, “The God of Daniel . . . is the living God ad he endures forever” (Dan. 6”26b)? Implications?
- How do you think Daniel felt after seeing that his presence in the nation that exiled him led to converting these kings, who then proclaimed the God of Daniel throughout their empires?
Notes
- Nebuchadnezzar, who was furious that none of his advisers could resolve this vision (Dan. 2:10-2) became a believer of Daniel’s God.
- In both occasions, Daniel shared his faith despite of the great risk in doing so. One implication: Daniel knew that the main purpose behind being placed in a high governmental position was to have access to mighty people and to share his faith at an opportune time.
- Humanly speaking, Daniel’s life was sad but in times like that, he, no doubt, realized that his pain and disappointment in life had a real purpose—to reveal God’s greatness among the pagans.
Evening Reflection
In reviewing this day, did you see anyone who seemed to need God’s love more urgently than others? What made you feel that way? Write out a prayer on his (her) behalf; plan to share the gospel as you build a relationship with that person.