Daily Devotions

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Joye Roll. Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.  Daniel 12:3

Faith Befriends is an expression of passionate and personal evangelism. 

This verse seems to be saying that we are the “wise” ones who follow Jesus with the responsibility of sharing our faith with those who are still seeking God.  It is my experience that we might get one opportunity to share our faith with an individual.  What do you say to that person?

My first experience with this question was when an unchurched family friend was dying.  Her questions took me by surprise.  I remember asking her if she believed in Jesus.  I told her all she had to do was believe in Him, and she would be saved.  I also told her that Jesus loved her very much.  That was the last lucid conversation I had with her. 

Our daughter Mindy went to see her a few days before she died. When Mindy leaned over her bed to talk to her, the cross Mindy was wearing fell forward over our friend.  She reached up and traced the cross with her finger and smiled.  That was it – her last conscious effort in this life.

Passionate and personal evangelism – what a responsibility, and yet – what a gift we have to give!

Let us pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your love, and the incredible, joy, power, and healing, that comes when we share this gift with others.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Susan Tallman. Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf:  Be reconciled to God. 1 Corinthians 5:20

Ambassadors.

What does it mean to be Christ’s ambassadors? Maybe we are his spokesmen? Possibly his representatives?  

Are we to do what He is not here to do?

Making his appeal.    

God’s message is to be relayed to others through us.  It is God who speaks, and we are the messengers who share His word.  We engage in the work that he would do if he were again personally on the earth.   He entrusts us to deliver this word and to urge others to accept it. We obey his instructions and he takes it from there.

Reconciled to God.

We seek to do only His will.  Put aside our hostilities, abandon our sins, embrace His mercy, in other words, to be reconciled and trust him to provide for us.  We put our faith in him and know his loving care for us and for all his creation.

What a great and awesome responsibility to be an ambassador for the King of Kings!  

Let us pray:  Heavenly Father, show us how to be your ambassadors and your voice. We want to be reconciled to you, proclaim your gospel, and serve you with honor and joy.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.