In This Issue:
Winning Souls to Christ
We Are His Ambassadors
We just Deliver It!
Volume: 951 April 1, 2024
Theme: Witnessing
All need to read the Bible every day. Do you have difficulty doing so? Sign up to
receive a daily e-mailed devotion, which includes a KJV chapter a day, and
much more spiritual food! There is even an option to HEAR the chapter and devotion.
Read what readers have said about the e-mailed devotion at
https://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/what-readers-say/
Winning Souls to Christ
Bill Brinkworth
In John 4, we see Jesus got much encouragement and strength (John 4:32, 34) from doing what God desires all of us to do. He had the opportunity to speak to a Samaritan woman about spiritual things. He introduced her to the Messiah. We all would be likewise blessed if we did as our Saviour did.
A wise man (Proverbs 11:20) wins a soul for Heaven and robs Hell of victims. A born-again child of God is expected to tell others as Jesus did. We are not to be silent about the crucial business of eternity. We are commanded to broadcast God’s way to others and will be blessed for doing so.
In John 4:34-38, Jesus taught about telling others about God’s way to Heaven:
- Now is the time to do it. Do not wait four months (John 4:35) or when you think the time is right. Too many say that telling others does not work now. Not true! People are getting saved all the time. There may be a person you work with or someone who lives across the street who desires that someone would tell them the Way. The harvest of souls for Heaven is ripe (John 4:35); go and tell someone. God will give the increase one day if you will go and tell!
- When you win a soul, there will be eternal rewards (John 4:36). You will be encouraged, and even “crowns” are awarded in eternity for those who win souls. The person who gets saved through your telling them will also be rewarded with an eternity in Heaven.
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” I Thessalonians 2:19
“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16 - A person who tells someone does not always win someone immediately. It is a team effort. Someone sows the seed of the hope and knowledge of Jesus and the way to Heaven. Often, another person will later lead the person to the Lord.
Maybe a mother or Sunday school teacher told the person about God’s plan for them in eternity. Nothing happened at the time. The person did not make a decision or did not believe enough to trust Christ as Saviour when they first heard the message. Later, a soul-winner came along (John 4:37) and led that person to a saving knowledge of the biblical way to Heaven.
If you are saved, you have a tremendous responsibility. That charge is to tell others about God’s way to Heaven. Have you told anyone today?
“Except for a temptation here and there, the devil has to do little to get the souls of men into Hell. ALL will go there unless they do what God has made the only way to escape a tormenting eternity! That way is by being born again. Christians must do all they can to win others to Christ so they can be saved from an agonizing eternity! — Bill Brinkworth
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
Proverbs 11:30
We Just Deliver It!
Bill Brinkworth
I do not know if there are many boys or girls who deliver newspapers anymore. However, when I was younger, many my age would get bundles of the daily paper delivered to them, fold them, put them in their newspaper bag, and give them to their customers.
Every day, often first thing in the morning or after school, a bundle of local newspapers would be retrieved by a delivery person. They would do their best, no matter the weather or time, to get the paper for people to read.
If the customer had not opened and read the paper, his ignorance of what was happening in the world around him was not the delivery person’s fault. The paper was made available to him by the diligence of the newspaper deliverer.
Likewise, it is usually not a preacher’s or person delivering God’s message’s fault people do not heed the biblical warnings given to them. The spreader of the Good News obeyed what he was commanded to do from the Word of God. He did his part.
They were the delivery “boys.” Their efforts ensured God’s Word was put in the hands and ears of those needing to know His message. All the delivery person can do is get God’s Truths to others. No one can make anyone saved or be obedient to His commandments.
What are you doing with God’s message faithfully delivered to you? Did you listen intently? Were you convicted about something that was said? Did you go to the Lord, beg for His mercy and forgiveness, and intend to do as the Holy Spirit’s heartfelt “whisper” urged you to do? Or did the message go in one ear, and no obedience to the Holy Spirit’s calling ever followed? If so, you have been delivered God’s Good News. What will you do with His message?
“If people shared the Gospel like they do gossip, we’d have a major revival worldwide.”
— Author Unknown
We Are His Ambassadors
Bill Brinkworth
The apostle Paul was locked in a deep, dank dungeon for his testimony and preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was separated from his friends, did not get the proper food and care, was isolated, and forgotten. Yet, he knew God was aware of his predicament and allowed him to be there for a reason.
Ephesians 6:20 explains why: “For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” An ambassador is an important, special representative appointed to represent another power. Paul’s mission in prison was to be a representative of God.
As odd as many think Paul’s mission was, all Christians are called to be emissaries of Heaven. God may have them in a particular neighborhood, situation, hospital bed, job, or school for a specific opportunity. He wants them to deliver his message to people in that position. Often, no one else can reach them outside the position one finds oneself in.
We can be ambassadors for Heaven with our lives. Many are watching us in many situations, such as how we speak, act, react when angry or sad, or even dress. If we do not tell others about the goodness, mercy, and grace of God, and be a testimony for Him, who will?
The Bible tells us how we can tell others. We can be an emissary by:
Singing: Instead of the world hearing us sing their songs emphasizing adultery, drugs, sexuality, disobedience, and other ungodly actions, they should listen to us singing songs praising His goodness and mercy.
“Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.” Psalm 9:11
Talking:
“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.” I Chronicles 16:9
“Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” Luke 8:38-39
“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9
“The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” John 4:28
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverb 11:30 Use your voice to win others to the cause of Christ.
Being a good example:
“I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” Psalms 26:5-7
“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?” Mark 4:21 The light of a good testimony for the cause of Christ can be brightness in this dark, sinful world. Do not “hide” your Christianity.
Quoting scripture and biblical principles:
“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” Psalm 119:27
“My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.” Psalms 119:171-172 How will the unsaved world hear of the Word of God unless the people of God tell them?
Praising Him:
“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8
“If Christians do not tell the lost how to be saved from a tormenting eternity, who will?” It is the responsibility of believers to tell others how to be saved!
— Bill Brinkworth