Daily Devotionals

Text Week 4 Saturday

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15

Who is the person who shared Christ with you? For me, it was my kindergarten teacher. She was a Christian, and she made a point to share Christ with our class when she had the opportunity. When she shared about Jesus' birth, sinless life, death for my sins, and resurrection, I believed and understood. That night I gave my life to Christ, and my life was changed forever. I am sure that you have someone in your life, too, who shared about Jesus with you. This week, we have been talking about studying Scripture in community, and one of the most important aspects of this is talking about Jesus' death and resurrection with others who are far from Christ. After all, as followers of Christ, we are called to spread His message with everyone.

The apostle Paul understood the importance in sharing the Gospel with those around us, and he wrote about it in Romans 10. In this chapter, he wrote, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (verse 13). This is beautiful news. God will rescue anyone who calls on Jesus. Continuing this thought, Paul wrote, "but how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?" (verses 14-15). According to Paul in these verses, people just like you and I are instrumental in spreading the Gospel. We are called to share the good news about Jesus with those who do not know Him. Understanding this important calling, Paul concluded, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" (verse 15).

My friend, God's message must be shared, and His plan is for His people to spread it. In a world where we have so much going on, and we become so busy, it can be easy to become distracted from this calling. Even still, sharing our faith is the most important thing we can do on this earth after giving our lives to Christ.

With this in mind, are your feet beautiful? Are you known for being a person who shares the good news with other people? Why not take the first step this week to invite someone to come with you to church? As we read the Bible together in community, lives are changed. The more people who hear this message, the more lives that can be changed. Who can you invite this weekend to come with you to church?

MOVING TOWARD ACTION

Do you have your list of three people in your life who are far from Christ whom you are praying for and reaching out to? If so, pull out that list; pray for them right now. Pray for God to move in their hearts and lives. Next, reach out to one person on that list. Invite them to come to church with you this weekend and pray for God to move them to come. If you do not have a list, make it now. Ask God to bring people to mind who are far from Him. After making a list, reach out to one person on the list and invite them to come with you to church this weekend. We can't wait to worship together with you all this weekend!

GOING DEEPER

Read Romans 10:5-21(NLT)

For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” In fact, it says,

“The message is very close at hand;
    it is on your lips and in your heart.”

And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile[f] are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:

“The message has gone throughout the earth,
    and the words to all the world.”

But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,

“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.
    I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”

And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,

“I was found by people who were not looking for me.
    I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”

 But regarding Israel, God said,

“All day long I opened my arms to them,
    but they were disobedient and rebellious.”