“WE, the How” – Romans 10:13-14


Romans 10:13-14

“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

Like a lot of people who grew up going to church (with my mother’s loving “encouragement” as a youth, and now with a grateful heart), I assumed everyone was pretty aware of Romans 10:13. Just call on the Lord and be saved, right? Simple. In fact, with a church on every corner, I thought everyone had the same opportunity that I had. Well……. not exactly.

As I grew older I was in for a rude awakening. I found out there is a big world out there. A world full of people who not only don’t know Jesus, but have never even heard of Him. A world full of people that aren’t “saved.” A world full of people lost, living without hope, and unfortunately dying without hope.

This truly hit home when I took my first trip to Guatemala in 2018. On this trip we met people who had never heard of Jesus. People who didn’t know to call on His name to be saved. People who not only didn’t have a local church to attend, but who barely had a roof over their heads. These people would walk to and from town with the hopes that they might have enough to make ends meet. They had not only deep physical needs, but even deeper spiritual needs. It was truly an eye opening experience! And to quote the boxer Mike Tyson, “Everyone has a plan ’til they get punched in the mouth.” That day, spiritually speaking, I got punched in the mouth. I got punched hard!

What made my heart ache most was the look of hopelessness in their eyes – spiritual hopelessness. It’s one thing to have it tough in life, but without spiritual hope of Jesus, it’s an entirely different ballgame. Which is likely why the suicide rate is extremely high there as well.

So what did we do about it? We spent the next week loving on those people, by serving them, and simply sharing life with them! The people we ministered to are a beautiful people. They just needed someone willing to be the answer to the questions in Romans 10:14. We were able to give them a hope in Jesus, no matter the circumstances. We told them of a better life after this one for those who believe. And we showed them that no matter where we are from, what we have, or what we lack, we are all His children. They just needed people to love them like He loves us.

So as believers, no matter where we are, WE are to be those people. WE are to be the answers to the questions in Romans 10:14. WE are to be examples of what it looks like to believe in Jesus, and share His good news so they may believe. WE are to love and encourage with our words and our actions. WE are to live out the Great Commission that we recite as a congregation each week.

So no matter if it’s a trip across the world or a trip across the street, WE need to be the “how” to the hurting, the struggling, and those without hope. WE need to show them just what it means to Live and Love like Jesus! Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • What are some ways that you can be the ‘how’ to someone to needs to hear the good news? 
  • Has there been a time when God pierced your heart over the spiritual hopelessness of others? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 

A big thanks to Dylan Owens, one of our Guatemala coordinators, for today’s devotional thought! Due to a COVID diagnosis, Dylan wasn’t able to be with us on this trip. But he was with us in spirit (and texts). 

“WE, the How” – Romans 10:13-14 Read More »

“The Rewards of the Spirit” – Acts 13:2-3

Acts 13:2-3

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

If you are anything like me, you have probably read passages like this and thought something like, “I don’t know how God could use me like He did Barnabas and Saul.” Barnabas was a man full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a key member of the early church. And Saul (Paul) once converted, wrote most of the New Testament and gave his life to spread the Gospel.

God created each one of us for a purpose. If you feel like you aren’t doing the work God has called you to do, look again at verse 2. What were the apostles doing before the Holy Spirit showed up? They were worshiping the Lord and fasting. They were spending time in the presence of the Lord and waiting for instruction. They were present when the Holy Spirit spoke. With all the busyness in our lives, it’s easy to miss the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us. Take a few minutes each day to spend some quiet, uninterrupted time with the Lord, seeking his call for your life. It might not happen the first time, but rest in the promise that He rewards those who seek Him.

Whether it’s telling a co-worker about Jesus, or traveling across the world to a remote village to share the Gospel with strangers, we all have a job to do.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • How do you prepare to hear from the Spirit?  
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 

A big thanks to Brice Alumbaugh, on mission this week in Solola, Guatemala, for his devotional thought!

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash


“The Rewards of the Spirit” – Acts 13:2-3 Read More »

“Declare” – Psalm 96:1-3

Psalm 96:1-3

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!”

When the ark was being moved, this was the psalm, a song of praise, recognizing three important aspects; the greatness, power and mercy of God.
 
The psalmist praises God, and the Christian should likewise, for we should be moved by all that God has done in our lives. He has called us, redeemed us, forgiven us, and given us eternal life, and this the world must know.
 
When we reflect on the majesty of God and his goodness to us, we can’t help but want to tell other people about God. Now we must speak several truths:
  • Who has to praise? All the earth, all nations. 
  • Who has to submit to God? All, for He has authority over all. 
That is why in verse 5 and afterwards the message speaks and emphasizes the dignity of the one who has to be praised. If our hearts are filled with gratitude, if we call ourselves Christians, if Jehovah reigns in our lives then we must praise Him!
 
Witnessing about Him will be natural. A great truth is that God “chose” us. If you who read these words have been called by God, then you have been called to announce “his glorious works among the nations.”
You know, creation overflows with praise for our great God, and the wonders of his salvation must also overflow from our lips.
 
Are you talking to others about the greatness of God? There is no road, mountain, sea, sky, language, or custom that prevents a child of God from testifying of His great power and compassion. 
Jehovah reigns!!! this is the powerful and fundamental message that God’s people must proclaim to the world. Amen.

A big thanks to Pastor Walter Barrios for today’s devotional thought! Pastor Walter is the pastor of Iglesia Bautista la Verdad in Solola, Guatemala. 



“Declare” – Psalm 96:1-3 Read More »

“Clean”

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Years ago, as I was being a good husband and washing dishes, there came a thought to me. We had some toddler cups that were too deep and narrow for my hands to reach with a dishcloth. To my disgust, the bottom of the cup was still dirty. Well, I found the greatest invention since the remote. It was a sponge that was attached to a long handle – perfect to reach where my hands could not. I thought of the passage above which informs us that God will cleanse us from “ALL” sin. There are a couple of points to this illumination.
  1. God gets where we cannot. We need to confess to God and we need the cleansing power of Christ.  We need it, because we cannot clean ourselves. The wounds are too deep. Jesus can reach where we cannot.
  2. God gets all that we cannot. God is faithful. He is reliable to get the job done. There is no doubt that Jesus Christ will reach the worst and get all the dirt.
Confession is good for the soul.  If you have something that needs to be washed, Jesus can get “ALL” the dirt. You will feel much better when you are clean.

Stephen Williams

twenty20photos Envato Elements

“Clean” Read More »

“Confused and Broken” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

1 Corinthians 1:18

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

The world has become a place with much confusion, leading to heartbreak in every community. Confusion has the ability to take hold of anyone no matter their situation or circumstance. Brokenness creeps in through the smallest cracks before anyone knows that their life is starting to be run by confusion and darkness. Foolishness does not care about who it breaks – what social class a person is, what skin color or the intelligence someone has. Humans are just simply broken. And we are in desperate need of a Savior. 

The good news for all humans is that there is an answer to our confusion, heartbreak, brokenness, darkness, and foolishness. The answer is simply Jesus Christ. Paul is communicating that the people that don’t understand Jesus as Savior are foolish and will perish. However, this doesn’t mean people have to remain and perish in their foolishness. God has extended His power of salvation through Jesus Christ, so people can live a life of victory, healing, growth, and unconditional love.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we need to share what the cross truly means to the foolish world. The cross represents Jesus Christ taking the place of every human being for our sins. Jesus died on the cross so that we might have life through Him. His death on the cross paid the price of our sins in full. Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected, defeating sin, death, and the grave. The time is now for every follower of Jesus Christ to share what Jesus has done for them on the cross. 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • Why do you think the word of the cross seems foolish to the world? 
  • How have you experienced a shift in perception towards the cross since choosing to believe and follow Christ? 
  • How might we help others experience that shift as well?   
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 

A big thanks to Macon Jones for today’s devotional thought! 

Photo by OSPAN ALI on Unsplash

“Confused and Broken” – 1 Corinthians 1:18 Read More »

“Freedom through Surrender” – Hebrews 12:1-2

Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In order to run our race well, the author of Hebrews says we must, “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” This isn’t here to raise the Bible’s word count, it is yet another reminder of our propensity to sin and how easily we are tempted to. 

This is a warning followed by a calling. Not only are we warned to flee from sin but we are also charged to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” At this point you may be thinking about your life and all the ups and downs that come along with living on this earth. You may be carrying a weight that was placed on you by someone else or it may even be self-inflicted. The endurance needed to run the race well may feel just out of reach. 

Well, you are not alone. Even better, I have some great news! Verse 2 reminds us that we do not find the endurance we need within ourselves, we find it by looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

What a great picture of who Jesus is and what he did for us…all wrapped up in one verse. Throughout the entire book of Hebrews, the author is reminding us of the truth that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. He is the humble lamb that was slain for the sins of the world and He is the imprint of the nature of the almighty God. The only way to break free from the bondage of sin is to live a life surrendered to Christ.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • What are some things in your life that might be getting in the way of you running your best race? 
  • How might you set boundaries, create habits or receive healing to remove those things that might tangle you up? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you respond? 

A big thanks to Montana Ethridge for today’s devotional thought!

Photo by ZHENYU LUO on Unsplash


“Freedom through Surrender” – Hebrews 12:1-2 Read More »