Romans 10.14–17
14 How then will they call on him
in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in him
of whom they have never heard?
And how are they to hear
without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach
unless they are sent?
As it is written,
“How beautiful are the feet of those
who preach the good news!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Isaiah says,
“Lord, who has believed
what he has heard from us?”
17 So faith comes from hearing,
and hearing through the word of Christ.
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A most important result of building a trellis for a lifestyle of preaching the Gospel to myself that allows for vibrant Vine growth is that as I abide in that Vine, I will bear much fruit (John 15.4-5). This fruit is not only for my enjoyment, but for the enjoyment of those around me. As God transforms me as I spend time in His presence and enjoy His goodness, the natural overflow of my life is that I now have a burning desire to share the fruit of the Gospel with others (Jeremiah 20.9).
This is exactly how God has designed His glory to spread (John 15.16). He saves sinners like me, and as I become so enamored with His kindness and the reality of His everlasting love towards me, I can’t help myself; I must share this with others, and He has saved me for this very purpose! As others see and enjoy the spiritual fruit of my life, by God’s grace they may also hear the Gospel and behold the glory of Jesus’ saving power (Matthew 5.13-16).
Missions is not something
that God invites us into.
Rather, it is
what He saves us into.
–Michael Oh
I look back at my life and know I’m an unlikely candidate to be someone who would be able (or willing!) to share the Gospel. I’d likely be picked last on the team for evangelists or preachers or pastors. But I remind myself that I did not choose this, but God chose me for this, and He has also chosen you, with all your limitations and fears, to trust in Him to be one with “beautiful feet” as He sends you into the lives of others so they could enjoy the fruit of your salvation and the good works He prepared for you (Ephesians 2.10).
The church does not need
strong, talented people.
The church needs
weak people dependent
on the Spirit.
The church is God’s Plan A,
and there is no Plan B.
The Gospel reminds me that I not only have an important role to fulfill in this life, but that God will empower me to do it! He will use me exactly and perfectly as He has planned. I am part of His Plan A!
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
Romans 10.14–17
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Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 67.1–7
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
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Pray Aloud:
Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, King of my heart;
Christ within me, Christ below me,
Christ above me, Never to part.
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left,
Christ all around, Shield in the strife;
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising, Light of my life.
Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, King of my heart;
Christ within me, Christ below me,
Christ above me, Never to part.
-Adapted from St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
Set to the Gaelic tune “Bunessan” in 1969
Father, help ________ to keep in step
with Your Spirit today.
Help ______ to follow You
and lift up Your Name,
that ______ might carry
Your aroma through the day.
Give _______ daily bread,
so that Your promises
would keep ________ heart,
which is prone to wander,
anchored closely to You.
Lead ________ away from temptation,
but instead be brought back
to Your truth and presence.
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