Celebration — Day 40
Luke 15:7, 10: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Live It
We can learn three lessons from today’s text.
- Evangelism is a celebration. Celebration is a better term than “effort” or “campaign” or “crusade.” What we are really doing in an evangelistic festival is uniting ourselves with the joy of heaven when a sinner repents. Only the devil takes exception, and since it bothers him, he wants it to bother you, too. Don’t listen to him. Cheer up!
- We celebrate what God has done. It’s indeed true that God uses human beings to share the good news, but it’s God’s work to bring conversion. We are celebrating the work of God in conversion—His success. We should focus on the miracle of conversion, which God alone can do.
- God changes all kinds of people. Remember the first day of these 40 days; we began praying for people in the following three categories:
• In Jerusalem—people close to you in distance and relationship.
• In Judea—acquaintances, but not deep friendships.
• In Samaria—persons hostile to the gospel.
Share It
Write down the names of the people who were baptized, for whom you will pray and serve as a spiritual mentor and friend.
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My Prayer Today: For steadfastness in Christ.
– Pray that every person baptized will remain steadfast with Christ, in the church.
My Thoughts: ________________________________________________________________________
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Decision — Day 39
Acts 22:16: “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
Live It
We can learn three lessons from today’s text.
- Get up. When a person decides to be baptized, his or her life begins to climb. Relationships improve. Health improves. Finances improve. Communion with God improves. The road to Jerusalem is always upward. When we make that marvelous decision, our self-esteem rises too.
- Wash. Anyone who has gone more than two days without a bath knows how good it feels to have one again! Another blessing of following Jesus is the opportunity to leave the past behind—to wash it away. What an incomparable feeling of cleanliness!
- Invoke. When we invoke, or call on, God’s presence, we enter the realm of prayer. A decision accompanied by prayer is secure and trustworthy. Whom do you turn to when you have problems? In whom do you trust when you need a confidant? When you invoke the name of Jesus at these times, His peace will flood our hearts as never before.
Share It
Begin to fast for all those who will be baptized in the meetings.
My Prayer Today: For those who have to make hard choices.
– Pray that God will hope them overcome any obstacle.
– Pray that they will be able to put God first in their lives.
My Thoughts: ________________________________________________________________________
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