|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "All People That On Earth Do Dwell"1 (Lyrics) |
In my local social circle, I am often with Christians, but I have family and friends who are not Christians. It's difficult for me to explain to those non-believers that my "religion" is not like others such as Buddhism or Judaism. It's nearly impossible for them to understand that my Christian faith is not about what I do; it's all about who I am in Christ. It's more than virtuous acts; rather it's the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in me. Even when I sin, I am still a Christian — who needs to repent.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NIV)
They try to relate to my faith, and in some cases, they excuse my obvious senility by allowing that they understand about some people having a "belief system". Unfortunately, we have lost a whole generation who have little or no experience with church or Sunday school; thus the Bible is totally unfamiliar to them. Playing bridge one day, the ladies were discussing religion, and one stated that she believed that she herself was her own god. My response was that I was personally hoping for something better! There is such a need for Christ in our world today, that people cobble together belief systems from whatever suits them. We are spiritual beings, and most are not being fed the proper nourishment.
Recently, I was silently humming the hymn, "He lives". It occurred to me that the opening line, "I serve a living Saviour", is the key. If people understood that Christ is not in the musty pages of unopened Bibles, but that He is alive today — the living God — perhaps they would be curious to know more about Him. We don't worship Him by rituals and observances; He is alive within those who have received Him. God wants our repentance so that He can wash us pure in the blood of Jesus and be in relationship with us.
Psalm 51:16-17 – You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (NIV 2011)
Prayer: Abba, Father, this poor world is desperately in need of Your Son Jesus. Everywhere we look, there is sickness, violence, broken homes, poverty, and the list goes on. Empower us to spread the news of Your peace to this fractured world by preaching the living God from our pulpits and in the streets. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, enable all to receive the message to their own understanding, as happened at Pentecost. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Sunday, May 28, 2023 – Worldwide — Day of Pentecost—Pray that our churches worldwide may experience a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be better enabled to share our faith with our families, friends, and communities.
cancer: "May 27, 2023. Please pray fervently for my friend who has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer..." 
Pregnant daughter so very sick!: "May 26, 2023. Please pray for my daughter AD, who is having her first baby at 36 years old. She is..." 
Many thanks Karen.
You are so right Karen. Good word for today.
Thank you for your “Daily” contribution today.
God bless you for sharing your faith with us. Blessings.
Thanks Karen, that is important and strong to think through.
This is the message we have to keep portraying in our everyday lives, in all we do think and say. Thanks so much!!
Thank you, Karen. There are many who are dismayed that the younger generation and some of our peers don’t understand the blessings that come from a faith belief in Jesus Christ.
(Texas)
Hi Karen,
You are so right, a whole generation of people seems not be “churched” anymore. I take services in different churches and there many where the youngest people are in their fifties.
Thank you for you devotional.
Dear Karen,
Thanks for a very fine devotional.
Keep on keeping on in your witnessing. I pray for God’s presence and power for you in it.
We have opportunities to follow our sacrificial Lord in doing His will in witnessing.
Keep writing.
Hi Karen,
I want to thank you for today’s devotional. Here you are in Ontario, I’m in New Brunswick and my friend is in Newfoundland and your devotional has confirmed for us what the Lord has been revealing to us and others of faith in Christ in Atlantic Canada. We can so relate to how your family and friends of non-believers “don’t get it” when you try to share your faith. That we in and of ourselves are nothing special…they can have what we have and experience in/through Christ. The Spirit is moving, He is shifting and shaking things up! He is showing us what’s really important…not what we think is important. How its not what we do but who we are in the Spirit…that we have relationship with God. We’ve been lead to pray for the power of the Spirit to be unhindered through out the world and in the hearts of believers and non- believers. To step out side of our comfort zone in boldness of faith. John 15:5 Apart from Christ I can do nothing.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings,
(NB)
Karen, excellent message! My wife and I returning from vacation and your devotional is the first I saw in many days…really resonates with my ministry. Thank you!