Corona Devo 3027


                          

Thank you to the lady at the grocery store that chatted with me in the check-out line and then gave me a Christian cartoon book as we bagged our groceries.  

"It's a comic book for Easter", she said lightly as she placed the small booklet it in my hand, and later when I read through it, I saw that she had shared the Gospel of Jesus with me in comic-form, and I thought, "What an easy way to share God's love and truth".

Going into the world and "preaching the gospel to every creature" does not have to come from a pulpit, or from a professor in front of a Bible classroom. It can come with a warm smile and a tiny comic book. 
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.   ~Mark 16:15-16

Go and make disciples of all the nations today.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  ~Matthew 28:19-20

~~~

Kudos to my (new) friend who gave me a hair cut a few weeks back, and for many snips, multiple combings, and about three inches of a trim, she chattered about all that the Lord has been doing in her life over the past few years.  
We could have talked about anything, but she chose to share her testimony with me, and I was so blessed by it.

She did not know (at that time) if I knew the Lord or not, but she knew that the Lord had sent her and had received His breathed Holy Spirit into her, and while giving a haircut, she breathed it into me.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  ~John 20:21-22
~~~

A couple years ago, we were blessed to enjoy a cruise.  In my experience, most cruises do not have a firm faith-focus, but this one was different.  My husband presented daily challenges for our family and friends to share the gospel with others.  One day we were tasked with passing out Jesus-themed bracelets.  Another day, we passed out invites to a church service, which my husband had organized and then led.  And still another day we were challenged to share Christ with at least one stranger.

These tasks were uncomfortable and awkward and...amazing.  All of us agreed that they made each of us feel more spiritually alive than we had in a long time.

Sharing our faith in God with others is so intimidating.  But could it (possibly) be that our Lord knows the blessings that come with boldness in our faith...and that's one of the reasons He tasks us to share it?

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.  ~Mark 16:20


Go and make disciples of all the nations today.
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature today.

We don't just preach and learn God’s word in church, or in Bible study, or when we're alone with our Bible open.  God's people are called to (consistently) be sharing His truth and their testimony of His truth... and kudos to those who are doing just that today. 
 
WE can do just that today.

Jesus commands us to do that today.  Let's get serious about it.  Let's get creative about it (like the lady at the grocery store did).  

Let's incorporate it into our vocation today, like the hairdresser did.

Let's incorporate it into our vacation today, like my husband did.

Let's go out and preach everywhere. 

Go and make disciples of all the nations today.
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature today.

~~~

Jesus Christ gives us peace, which comes from Him, and then with that peace we can be emboldened to share about Him.

---

What did Jesus say to the disciples/His followers/us(!) when He came back and was resurrected from the dead?  

Jesus came back with a couple main-points for His people to take away, before He went away.

What did Jesus say to those that were close to His heart when He came back?

First (and repeatedly) Jesus spoke "peace" into His people and their hearts.  
What are we facing today?  Whether our calendar overwhelms us, or a diagnosis has grounded us: God gives us peace through His Word and His Son.

Christ came back to bring us peace.

  • Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”  ~Luke 24:36  
  • Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (20) When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  (21) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." ~John 20:19-22

Once we understand/receive/believe in God's peace...Jesus girds us with His peace and then goes beyond in His assignment for us.  And His next message is a command to us: Go and tell others about Him.

  • And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  ~Mark 16:15-16  
  • And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.  ~Mark 16:20   
  • Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  ~Matthew 28:19-20
~~~

Let's challenge ourselves to be bold today.  Let's get out of our comfort zones today.  Let's give someone God's hope today.  Let's share with someone what God's been doing in our lives lately.  Let's flash a warm smile and possibly a Bible comic book at someone today.  

Let's go and make disciples of all the nations today.
Let's go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature today.

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