A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Tuesday,
April 13,
2021
The Dogwood tree in our backyard is blooming. We sort of wish it would stay this way!
"The
First Thing"
Message
summary: Andrew,
although lesser known, is a great example for all
of us. Today we considered the "first thing"
he did after encountering the Messiah. Let us all
be faithful in letting our light shine and making
the most of every opportunity.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"The
first thing Andrew did was to find his
brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the
Messiah' (that is, the Christ). And he brought
him to Jesus" (John 1:41,42a). "Be very careful,
then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because
the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15,16).
Tom Zahradnik is
a chaplain friend serving in New York. The other
day I read a prayer request demonstrating his
heart for spreading the Gospel asking prayer for,
"Opportunities to share the Gospel with the police
officers I serve as Police Chaplain in Port
Jervis, NY and opportunities to open up for more
positive connections and sharing the Gospel with
employees at a heating/AC company I serve as
chaplain in Middletown, NY." I interviewed Tom 13
years ago when he received his chaplaincy
endorsement and am heartened at his faithfulness.
The photo shows Tom along with his wife, Cathleen
from a visit they made several years ago.
Tom Zahradnik is
a chaplain friend serving in New York. The other
day I read a prayer request demonstrating his
heart for spreading the Gospel asking prayer for,
"Opportunities to share the Gospel with the police
officers I serve as Police Chaplain in Port
Jervis, NY and opportunities to open up for more
positive connections and sharing the Gospel with
employees at a heating/AC company I serve as
chaplain in Middletown, NY." I interviewed Tom 13
years ago when he received his chaplaincy
endorsement and am heartened at his faithfulness.
The photo shows Tom along with his wife, Cathleen
from a visit they made several years ago.
Pastor Robert Morgan (left)
tells a story about a time when he had lunch
with a friend. While they were visiting a lady
stopped by their table to greet them. As she
left Morgan's friend said, "This woman has been
a Christian one day less than me". Morgan asked
what he meant.His friend told him, "I was selling insurance for a living, but I was pretty wild. One night my misery led me to contact a pastor who led me to Christ. The next morning I excitedly told some co-workers how my life was changed. The lady you just saw overheard me talking, approached me, and said 'I need that in my life". I took her to the pastor and she too was born again."
I
wonder, would others at our workplace or places we
frequent desire to know Christ as a result of
merely overhearing our conversation in addition to
observing our lives? Paul wrote that we are to "make
the most of every opportunity, because the days
are evil".
As we continue to live out our faith in the daily grind of life we should seek opportunities to communicate the life-changing truths of Christ to those around us. The Lord providentially places people in our paths and we do well to see ministry in this light rather than something we do compartmentally.
Andrew is one of the lesser-known disciples. Although he came to know Christ first and brought his brother Simon (Peter) to Jesus, he is quickly over-shadowed by his famous, rather outspoken brother. Yet we always find his name associated with bringing people to Jesus in the Gospel accounts. As far as I can determine this seems to be the only thing that distinguishes him.
As we continue to live out our faith in the daily grind of life we should seek opportunities to communicate the life-changing truths of Christ to those around us. The Lord providentially places people in our paths and we do well to see ministry in this light rather than something we do compartmentally.
Andrew is one of the lesser-known disciples. Although he came to know Christ first and brought his brother Simon (Peter) to Jesus, he is quickly over-shadowed by his famous, rather outspoken brother. Yet we always find his name associated with bringing people to Jesus in the Gospel accounts. As far as I can determine this seems to be the only thing that distinguishes him.
- During a hunger crisis he
managed to bring a little boy to Jesus even
though he didn't appear to have much faith that
the boy's contribution would amount to much! (John 6:8-9)
- Along with Philip, he brought
Jesus a message concerning some Greeks who
wanted to personally meet Jesus. (John 12:20-22)
Note two instructive points in the first daily
text:
Let us all be faithful in letting our light shine and making the most of every opportunity. Today we considered the "first thing" Andrew did after encountering the Messiah, bringing his brother Peter to Jesus. What opportunities will we have today to bring someone to Jesus?
1)
"The first thing Andrew did was to
find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have
found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ)".
Andrew had found the Messiah and wasted no time
in declaring the message to his brother. It was
obviously a priority. What an example for us!
2) "And he brought him to Jesus". That surely summarizes the best thing we can do for our family, friends and all whom we may encounter in life. Bring them to Jesus!
2) "And he brought him to Jesus". That surely summarizes the best thing we can do for our family, friends and all whom we may encounter in life. Bring them to Jesus!
Let us all be faithful in letting our light shine and making the most of every opportunity. Today we considered the "first thing" Andrew did after encountering the Messiah, bringing his brother Peter to Jesus. What opportunities will we have today to bring someone to Jesus?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
one of the ways we express genuine interest and
compassion to others is by telling them of Jesus
the Messiah, much like the disciple Andrew did.
Right after finding who Jesus was the first thing
he did was to tell his brother, Peter, of the good
news. Their lives were forever changed. May we see
the opportunities that you place before us today.
May the words we speak, the lives we live, and the
time we spend with others bring about a harvest of
souls so that the kingdom of God is made known to
those who would otherwise be lost. In the name of
Jesus we pray. Amen.
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