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What on Earth Am I Here For?
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Thursday, September 18, 2003
My Prayer Today
Dear God, We've a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light. We've a song to sing to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord, a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword. We've a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigns above has sent us His Son to save us, and show us that God is love. We've a Savior to show to the nations, who the path of sorrow has trod, that all of the world's great peoples might come to the truth of God. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright, and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light! Amen. (Words copyright H. E. Nichol)
Bible Verses
2 Samuel 23:8-17
8 These are the names of David's mightiest men. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was commander of the Three – the three greatest warriors among David's men. He once used his spear to kill eight hundred enemy warriors in a single battle. 9 Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. 10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder! 11 Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, 12 but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory. 13 Once during harvesttime, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty – an elite group among David's fighting men) went down to meet him there. 14 David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem. 15 David remarked longingly to his men, "Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well in Bethlehem, the one by the gate." 16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out before the LORD. 17 "The LORD forbid that I should drink this!" he exclaimed. "This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me." So David did not drink it. This is an example of the exploits of the Three.
Reflecting on Evangelism
At its core, evangelism is the gentle calling out of our friends' names in the hope that they might hear us and find what we have found. It seeks to share the love of God, as it was fully revealed in Jesus Christ, with others through word and deed, so that they might experience God's forgiveness, find acceptance in Christian fellowship, and become involved in continuing Jesus' ministry in the world.
Why do you think that evangelism, in some peoples' minds, has a negative connotation?
How can we change those perceptions?
Exploring Evangelism
Today's Bible readings tell us about 3 mighty men – men with different backgrounds but with one common goal: to serve their king.
Read verses 13-17 (these events occur when David was just "Dave!"). What did the mighty three do for David?
What did they risk in order to get water for David?
God is calling us to be mighty warriors for Him. What can we do to bring water (Good News) to a thirsty (lost) world?
What is the risk to us?
Understanding Evangelism and my Purpose
List the names of one or two friends, family members, associates who need to hear the Good News:
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Pray and ask God to use you as a mighty warrior to share the Good News with them. Evangelism is one person telling another about Jesus. It's one of the highest purposes in life that we can fulfill. God will provide the words and equip you to share! Mighty warriors have one common goal: to serve their King!
Applying Evangelism to My Daily Life
It’s easy to play it safe, but it's not profitable. Peter wasn't the only person in the Bible to take a risk. Think about how different our Bible would be if Abraham had said no when he was asked to leave everything he had to pursue the vision of a great nation. What would have happened if Noah had decided to play it safe in his old age and not become a boat builder? And if David decided that tending sheep had a better future than fighting giants? What if Daniel realized that it was safer to obey the king's command than to pray? And if Mary told the angel that she really wasn't interested in being a teen-age mom because she didn't want to take the risk? What if Jesus had come to the conclusion that there was a brighter future in being a carpenter then being a Messiah?
Sharing the Good News can involve risk. But where will our friends, family members, associates spend eternity if we do not take that first step? Mighty warriors serve their King! The risk is no risk at all when we focus on Him. Souls saved for Jesus are a great investment and profit!
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