Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Taken from NAMB Who’s Your One 21 day devotional.
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, so that I may make it known as I should. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. COLOSSIANS 4:2–6, CSB
The Power Of Words/ Passion Week - Holy Wednesday
We are dependent on the Lord throughout the whole process of evangelism. We not only need God’s power to open doors for us to share, but we need Him to give us discernment to know how and when to walk through the doors He has opened. When we find ourselves in a gospel conversation, we may wonder what we should say, do and when we should speak with boldness or ask questions. As the Holy Spirit guides us in our gospel conversations, we should not underestimate the power of our words. It’s not just about what we say in presenting the gospel but how we say it. As the Lord directs us, our words should be gracious and seasoned with salt so we would know how to respond to each person we encounter.
Remember that it may only be your job to plant the seeds. You may not see the fruit, which can be disappointing sometimes. Also remember that God has a plan! He laid your One on your heart for a reason and you are a special part of His plan for your One, even if you don’t get to see them give their life to the Lord.
It is Holy week, Sunday is coming. Pray for God to provide the opportunity to bring up in conversation with your One that you would like for them to visit for one of our services this Saturday or Sunday.
Passion Week - Holy Wednesday
But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. Matthew 26:10-13
This week we have been looking at what happened each day in this last week.
Palm Sunday – Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey colt.
Holy Monday - Jesus cleansed the temple, was praised by local children, and cursed the fig tree.
Holy Tuesday – Jesus was issued various challenges by the Pharisees and Sadducees over many subjects.
Holy Wednesday - Holy Wednesday is the day on which Jesus was anointed with oil during a meal at Simon the leper’s house. The day is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” since it is traditionally thought of as the day Judas conspired with local authorities to betray Jesus.
The scene is Bethany, just a few miles from Jerusalem; the time is the night before Jesus' triumphal entry. In just a few days He will be arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified. Jesus goes to a dinner given in His honor by Simon, the Leper. As Jesus is reclining at the table along with His disciples, a woman is so overwhelmed with emotion that she takes an alabaster jar containing very expensive perfume, breaks the container and uses all of the precious perfume to anoint the head and feet of Jesus.
Some there began immediately to criticize her but Jesus comes to her defense. "Leave her alone,' said Jesus. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” The word Jesus uses for beautiful is a word that speaks of something that is wonderfully significant. He goes on to say, “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” And Jesus was right, for what she did that evening has been told and retold down through the centuries as an example of pure, impulsive, sacrificial love.
Possibly today there will be a time when you can find a quiet place to share your love for Christ. Love, real love, is impulsive and sacrificial. It doesn't stop to think. It doesn't stop to weigh the costs. It doesn't worry if others cannot understand. It just acts.
Who’s Your One Prayer Guide Day 32
Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself wil be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. REVELATION 21:3-6, CSB
Lord, I long for the day when You will make all things new. This world is broken, and I know You will come and recreate all things. I know You have set a day when Christ will return and do just that. I ask You to save ___________________ before that great day. Make him/her thirsty for the water of life You freely give. Use the witness of Your people to point him/her to salvation through Jesus Christ. I know You are the Beginning and the End—the only hope for salvation for all people. So, I ask You to give new life in Christ.
