Approaching God
Our God is a covenantal God who makes faithful promises to us. As you prepare to spend time with God today, read this promise of assurance:
“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
Listening to God
Consider this covenant (promise) that God made with Jacob. As you read, think about what implications this has for the global mission of the church.
“At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.’” (Genesis 28:13-14)
There are many times in the Old Testament when, in the context of making a covenant, God says that His people are blessed so that they can be a blessing to others. The greatest blessing we have from God is a relationship with Him through the grace given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. How do we share that blessing with others throughout the entire earth?
Talking to God
We have the joy of knowing that our salvation is through grace alone; it is not something we have to earn from God. Yet sometimes we still try to earn our salvation. Talk with God about this and ask for His assurance of grace. Ask God to use us to bring this truth to people around the world.
Responding to God
How is God asking you to partner with the worldwide mission of God through the church? Is there a missionary you are called to support through prayers and/or resources? Could you invest time in learning about a particular country and their needs so that you could pray for their social and spiritual transformation? Is God calling you to short or long-term missions away from home?
Surrendering to God
Sing the children’s song “He’s got the whole world in His hands” as your statement of faith today that God will use us to share His truth throughout the world.
By Amy Schenkel
A HISTORICAL SIDEBAR
By 1555, there were 5 underground Protestant churches in France. However, by 1559, the number of these Protestant churches jumped to more than 100. Some scholars estimate that by 1562 there were more than 2,150 churches established in France with approximately three-million Protestants in attendance. This is an indirect result of the vast missionary activity tied to the Reformation and is a direct result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church.
