Scripture: "The Lord is not slow in keeping
His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9).
A friend of mine just told me about a television
show she likes. She said, "When I find something really good, I get
excited, and I want to tell my friends about it." What about you? is there
anything you think is really wonderful, which you want to tell people about?
Amazing Things
One day, in the course of His travels, Jesus
stopped at a well in a Samaritan village. He met a woman there and told her
amazing things, revealing, "I AM the Messiah!" (John 4:26). She was so excited that she "left
her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling
everyone" (John 4:28). Have you ever learned something
so amazing that you can’t wait to tell everyone about it?
His Message
On the morning of Jesus' resurrection, His
followers found His tomb empty, but "they still hadn’t understood the
Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead" (John 20:9). Mary Magdalene stayed behind,
weeping. But Jesus appeared to her, proving His triumph over death. He
instructed her to tell the others about the miracle, and she obeyed: "Mary
Magdalene found the Disciples and told them, 'I have seen the Lord!' Then she
gave them His message" (John 20:18). When the Lord instructs you to
share His words, how do you respond?
Good News
When the Samaritan woman told her people about
Jesus, "many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because [of
what] the woman had said" (John 4:39). But when Mary Magdalene "told
[the Disciples] that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they didn’t believe
her" (Mark 16:11) until He appeared to them
Himself.
Jesus told His followers, "Go into all the
world and preach the Good News to everyone" (Mark 16:15). Today, His followers carry on
with the task. As in Jesus’ day, some will believe; but other times, even our
dearest friends or family members will refuse God’s truth. When the Lord asks
you to tell others the Good News, will you run to do it, like the Samaritan
woman and Mary Magdalene?
It is so wonderful to know from 2 Peter 3:8-9 that the Lord is patient with
us, as He does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance. It’s
important to always remember that every action you take can be a vital step to
move someone closer to everlasting life through Jesus Christ.
So, on this special day, I want to challenge you
with a specific task. Think about five people you know, who don’t yet know
Jesus as Lord and Savior, or have turned away from Him. These may be family,
friends or colleagues at work or school. Maybe you have shared Jesus already
with them, but they have not chosen to follow Him. You care about these people
and really want to see them come to know Christ. You now know that the Lord
shares your heart because of what He says in 2 Peter 3:8-9.
Here’s the challenge. Write those five names in a
journal, the front of your Bible, or a sticky note on your computer monitor --
wherever you will see them daily. Practice sharing your faith with them daily.
Let’s call this the “Take 5 Challenge”.
How long do you do this? Until each person has
accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, or at least one year. When any of them
become believers, add the name of another friend or loved one to your “Take 5”
list. I challenge you to “Take 5” until the day you are too old to pray
anymore!
“Take 5” is therefore a serious effort between you
and the Lord and the people on your list. So think carefully about these five
people and talk to the Lord about them often, keeping in mind the Scripture 2 Peter 3:8-9.
Your PRAY NOW Challenge: "Lord, thank you that
you do not want anyone to perish. Show me the first five people that You want
me to add to my “Take 5” list. Give me Your love for them, and a chance to
share You with them, that they may come to know You as Lord and Savior. In the
Name of Jesus, Amen."
Thanks for sharing my Birth Day. God richly Bless
you!
