Category Archives: Share the Good News

Am I on the path?, Parables, Share the Good News

You Are the Salt and the Light

Jesus provided important insight into the kingdom of God when He taught a crowd of followers during the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:13-16 He shared two simple but powerful metaphors for us as His followers to understand our roles in this world.  

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Our lives should be visible, public testimonies to our faith in Jesus Christ. We should stand out and apart from the world through our behaviors and actions. If we blend in with the world and fail to live for Jesus we are like salt that has lost its flavor or a light that is hidden under a basket.

Take a few minutes in prayer and reflect on your life. Ask God to show you where you need to make changes to live more fully and boldly for Him and not hide or downplay your faith.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Hope, Obeying God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News

Do Not Lose Heart

Paul was very effective in spreading the true gospel, in the face of many false teachings and embedded pagan beliefs. All of us in the body of Christ should take heed when he speaks about his ministry so as to learn from and replicate his success.

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul has such a passage where he speaks on his ministry. He starts by acknowledging he has the ministry only through the mercy he received from the Father. Clearly, there is an opportunity for frustration and struggle, or he would not comment on “we do not lose heart”. He clearly separates himself from the world in terms of his behaviors and attitudes. They were genuine and without hidden or selfish purpose. They had no ulterior motives. They were focused on the truth of the word of God without modifying or changing it to make it “easier” for non believers to accept. He recognized, in teaching the full, unadulterated word of God, some would not receive it… they have been blinded by Satan. Only God can open their eyes. They preach God rather than themselves. He acknowledges that only through God does he have His word and His glory to reflect through them to the world. It is not through his own accomplishment or skill.

In fact, our weak earthen vessels (our bodies) serve only the more to point to God as He is strong in our weakness. His glory shines coming from such humble vessels. Paul further acknowledges the hope within for resurrection to be with the Father when our earthly vessels pass away.

2 Corinthians 4

Paul’s Apostolic Ministry

     1Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

      7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So death works in us, but life in you.

      13But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

      16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Whether or not you are a formal leader in the body of Christ, we are all called to share the gospel with others. In essence, we all have a ministry in the way we live. This message applies to all of us for our lives. Ask God to help you fully embrace these foundational elements of ministry as Paul highlighted. Remember… all who have faith in Christ and believe in Him are called to speak and share with others and not to remain silent, knowing that even if we are persecuted for our faith we will be raised again to be with the Lord.

   13But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.

Take a few minutes to pray. Give thanks to God for the scriptures and the Holy Spirit, both of which enlighten us and guide our path. Ask Him to show you how to apply 2 Cor 4 in your life.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

 

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Share the Good News, Submitted / Servant

Find Joy in Serving Jesus

Many of us confuse joy and happiness. These are actually very different. Happiness is fleeting. It comes and goes based on things and the people around us. When everything is going well we may feel happy, but how quickly it can turn to sadness when things are not how we want them.

Joy depends on our closeness with our Lord Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are in good times or bad we can be filled with the joy of the Lord. Being filled with joy can carry us through any circumstance.

Acts 5:12-41 shows an excellent example where the apostles rejoice in the Lord because they were having such an impact for Jesus in sharing the gospel that the local religious leaders came against them and persecuted them.

12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil[a] spirits, and they were all healed.

17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council[a]—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.[b] 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. 34 But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. 35 Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! 36 Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. 37 After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

38 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

40 The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.[c]

We can learn a lot from how the apostles handled the situation. They did not run in fear or hide. They did not stop preaching and teaching in Jesus’ name. Persecution came, they were thrown in jail… and when God let them out the apostles continued preaching publicly in Jesus’ name. They were filled with joy as they continued to serve Jesus in persecution. They knew whom they were serving. God’s authority is higher than the authority of local and worldly leaders.

How many times are we discouraged from sharing His word just because one person out of many may not want to hear it? God calls us to proclaim His name and His word boldly. Challenge yourself to look for more and more bold opportunities to proclaim His word in your daily life. Start small if necessary and keep taking incremental steps to proclaim Jesus more boldly.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News

Release the Lion; Preach the Gospel

The world attacks the word of God and those who share it. It is easy to get on the defensive when discussing the gospel. We are called to preach the truth of the gospel without shame or doubt. We do not need to apologize for any of it or edit any of it. We are called to share all of it, not just the parts that people accept.

God is capable of defending the gospel on His own behalf.

Charles Spurgeon, a 19th century Baptist preacher said it well in one of his sermons titled “The Lover of God’s Law Filled with Peace”:

“The Word of God can take care of itself, and will do so if we preach it, and cease defending it. See you that lion. They have caged him for his preservation; shut him up behind iron bars to secure him from his foes! See how a band of armed men have gathered together to protect the lion. What a clatter they make with their swords and spears! These mighty men are intent upon defending a lion. O fools, and slow of heart! Open that door! Let the lord of the forest come forth free. Who will dare to encounter him? What does he want with your guardian care? Let the pure gospel go forth in all its lion-like majesty, and it will soon clear its own way and ease itself of its adversaries.”

This is a good reminder for each of us that the word of God is powerful, when preached boldly and completely.  We should never make excuses for it.

Take a few minutes to pray. Ask God to show you any areas in your life where you are compromising in obedience to God and His word. Where are you defensive or do you feel like you have to make excuses for the choices you make to honor God. Stand with confidence on God’s word. Ask God to give you courage and give Him thanks in faith that He will.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Share the Good News, Study the Word

Live Your Life for God as If to Win a Race

It is typical for us to get very involved in sports or jobs or competitive activities and get excited about winning. In fact, those who put forth tremendous amounts of energy and focus are praised for their dedication. Often, they are praised for their dedication without regard for what else has suffered in their life as a result. Consider a very good swimmer who puts forth so much time and effort to compete in a university athletics program that he fails to graduate with a degree and restarts with a new try at a fresh degree after four years. He was dedicated to swimming, but was that the best thing to be dedicated to?

Consider also the Olympian who has traded in their life for competing in a sport, but invests not in their family or relationship with YHWH. They may win gold and at the same time have lost the greater race.

We should take care to focus on serving the Father and sharing the gospel with others. Run this race as if to win. Dedication here is truly a virtue and the prize at the end is not perishable, but everlasting.

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

      24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you areas where you are putting an inappropriate amount of time and energy, of “dedication”, that is actually distracting you from what is truly important. It may not be a competition or sport. It may be your job. Don’t let anything keep you from investing time in your relationship with the Father and in sharing the good news of the gospel with others. Run that race as if to win. Spend time listening to God as He shows you where you need to make some changes in your life.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Share the Good News, Wise

Connect With Others Where They Are, Not Where You Want Them to Be

Paul had a talent for engaging people who did not yet know Christ in a way in which he could establish a connection with them. He was able to discern where they were and engage them in productive ways. For each audience, he thinks carefully about where they are currently, and then tries to establish a connection with them before drawing them to Christ. He never simply comes forth and starts the conversation with “You are going to hell, but I have the words to save you.” Would you believe someone approached me with this many years ago. They meant well, but it absolutely was ineffective… actually pushed me away from them. They did not even know me.

 

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

      19For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

I pray for God’s help to give me this kind of wisdom like Paul. I want to be able to connect with folks. This does not mean we should engage in their sin or false teaching, but simply look for ways to connect with them. A great example is recorded in Acts 17.

 

Acts 17:22-31

      22So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23“For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29“Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

 

Paul could easily have started with “You are all pagans worshipping false gods and will go to hell”. It would have been true, but not effective. Instead he seizes on a positive way to engage them… “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.” and from there he brings them to the truth of the Lord. Wonderful approach. They listened.

 

Take a few minutes in prayer with me. Let us each ask the Father’s help to be able to engage in this way with believers and non-believers alike. May we see them in love and for the need they have to know Him, rather than judge them harshly. Of course, we must never compromise the truth of scripture just to make others feel less bad. That leads people to complacency, an easy and comfortable path to hell.

 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Help / Serve Others, Share the Good News

Should Pastors Be Paid?

What a dramatic comparison we see in how Paul speaks about sharing the gospel compared to many “big name” and “high dollar” pastors in our society today.  Note that Paul clearly states that it is ok for those who preach the gospel to ask for material support from those to whom they preach. Truly if they can not provide for their families, then they can not continue to preach and minister. However, we can clearly see that many pastors today appear more focused on maximizing their income and luxury living than preaching the gospel in the way that Paul did.

1 Corinthians 9:1-18

      1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

      3My defense to those who examine me is this: 4Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? 7Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?

      8I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? 9For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? 10Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. 11If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

      15But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. 16For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

This is not a condemnation of all those who preach and accumulate wealth. Many write books or conduct other activities that honor Jehovah and generate their own income separate from donations of their flock. This is not condemnation of all pastors who draw modest pay for their families in return for their services. Truly if they can not provide for their families, then they can not continue to preach and minister. Paul confirms this is fine. We do, however, have an opportunity to seek and seek to become those who are truly following our Lord and Savior such that sharing the gospel is our primary reward!

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Am I on the path?, Salvation, Share the Good News

Salvation through Faith in Yeshua (aka Jesus)

Romans 10 provides valuable insight into salvation.  I encourage everyone to click the link and read the entire chapter.

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[e] 12 Jew and Gentile[f] are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[g]

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”[h]

It sounds almost too easy, but most of the world misses it. If we truly believe in our hearts God raised Jesus from the dead we should be driven to several natural next steps.

  • Change our lives. Turn away from our selfish focus on what is comfortable and acceptable. Be transformed to serve and obey Jesus even when facing those who would mock or persecute us.
  • Openly declare that Jesus is Lord. In this way, we also become the messengers to bring the good news to others!

If we as Christians are quiet and blend in with the world, then we are like a lamp that provides no light… what is the point?

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Share the Good News, Submitted / Servant

Servants of Christ

If we are servants of Christ, then we are to seek our approval in Him and Him alone. We are not to seek our approval in the opinions of men. We are not to puff up our own feelings about ourselves either. Be humble before the Lord. Serve Him and from Him will come the praise that matters.

1 Corinthians 4

Servants of Christ

      1Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

      6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. 7For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

      8You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. 9For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. 11To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 12and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

      14I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. 17For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. 20For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 21What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

Take a few minutes to pray. Ask God to show you any areas where you are seeking your praise from man or just building it up within yourself. Commit to seeking praise from the Lord alone. This does not mean that you will reject praise from others, but that you will focus your message and actions to please God and let the rest fall where it may.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Encouragement, Kindness / Gentleness, Love, Share the Good News

Relationships With One Another Matter

Paul did not just care about disciples and followers of Jesus generically. He took time to know them as individuals. He cared about them for who they were specifically. As he closes his letter to Romans, we see how many individuals are important to him. It is not just about “leading a church” but developing relationships and leading people to live like Yeshua.

Romans 16:1-15

Greetings and Love Expressed

      1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

      3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; 5also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. 6Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. 15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

I am always impressed by Paul in that he developed and maintained personal relationships with so many while traveling and sharing God’s truth over such great distances. He did not just come and “preach”… he connected with people. He did not just move on after engaging people in a new city… he kept in touch with them. Paul sets a wonderful example for us to follow.

Take time pray and to listen. Ask God how you can connect personally with fellow believers and develop strong relationship ties with them. How can you encourage one another and appreciate one another while still seeking wholeheartedly to honor our Father in all aspects of our lives?

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

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