It was another morning at the Twelve Baskets Cafe. Stan and I were together for breakfast and conversation about growing in our faith. Ricky had poured our first cup of coffee and taken our breakfast orders. Stan began the conversation by asking, “Has there been a first one?”
“A first one for what? I’m not sure what you’re asking.”
Without elaborating, Stan said, “The other day, I was talking with a neighbor about sharing our faith.”
“You mean like telling other people about God, what He did through Jesus, how you came to faith, and that sort of thing?”
“Yeah, that’s basically it,” Stan replied. “My neighbor had an interesting thing to say about how he was encouraged to begin telling other people about his faith.”
“What’s that?”
“He said that he had been a Christian for quite some time when one day he was reading in John’s gospel about how Andrew had told his brother about Jesus.”
“Who was his brother?”
“Peter.”
“Okay,” I replied, “What about it?”
“My neighbor said that when he read the part where Peter was the first person Andrew told about having found Jesus, he was immediately convicted by the Holy Spirit.”
“Convicted of what?”
“That there was no first person in his life like that because he hadn’t told anyone.”
“Oh,” I responded. “He hadn’t told anyone, so nobody could be the first one he told. Then what?”
“He said he was changed so there soon became a first person he told, then a second, and now there’s an uncountable number of people he’s told the same thing that Andrew told Peter.”
“That he’d found the Christ?”
“Exactly,” Stan replied. “And that brings me back to my original question: has there been a first one for you?”
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Bible verses to consider:
He found first his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). John 1:41.
. . . whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:13-15.
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. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence because I accepted what someone told me about Jesus, I confess I’ve not told anyone about your provision for them. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in telling others, not just the first one, but all you bring before me to be told. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted God’s provision of life with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why? Is it because no one has told you about His provision, or is it because you have chosen 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 telling others about God’s provision for them through the finished work of Jesus’ cross? If you sense the desire for change in 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, not only to have the life Jesus came to give, but what He knows you need to tell others about His provision for them? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling about 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?
This is a great one Tim. Thanks!