Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe to have breakfast and talk about our faith. As we were enjoying our time together, Stan said, “You know, sometimes there are truths in the Bible that sound so simple or simplistic that I hesitate to mention them to you. “That’s okay,” I replied, “if simple will help me in my faith walk, tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Earlier this morning in my journaling time,” Stan said, “I saw a simple but crucial statement about what God knows I need to actually be involved in the great commission in a way that pleases Him.”
“To actually be involved in the great commission,” I repeated. “What’s that?”
“To open my mouth and proclaim the gospel,” Stan said with a laugh. “That’s what I was looking at and focusing on earlier this morning. It says that Philip opened his mouth and preached Jesus. He couldn’t have preached Jesus if he didn’t open his mouth. And it’s the same with me.”
“You have to first open your mouth?”
“That’s it,” Stan agreed, “but there’s also a prayer that comes before opening my mouth.”
“A prayer?”
“Yeah,” Stan replied. “The prayer of Psalm 19:14 that the words or my mouth be acceptable to God. Two simple things: pray for the words of my mouth and then open my mouth to proclaim Jesus with those words.”
“As I said,” he continued, “it may sound simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If it were easy, everyone would open their mouths and proclaim Jesus with words that are acceptable to God. But they don’t.”
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Bible verses to consider:
And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. Acts of the Apostles 8:35.
Let the words of my mouth . . . be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you for those people who opened their mouths and proclaimed Jesus so I could know and accept your provision. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t open my mouth to say anything to anyone about Jesus. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in speaking about Jesus in ways that are acceptable to you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in His precious name. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted the truth of Jesus as the way to have life with God, the life that begins here and will continue on into eternity? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with opening your mouth to tell others about Jesus? How about the words of your mouth in general — are they acceptable to God? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to not only have life with Him through Jesus, but what you need to actually open your mouth and tell others about Jesus? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?