Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe to enjoy breakfast and conversation about growing in our faith. As we waited for Ricky to bring what we wanted for breakfast, Stan mentioned that earlier in his journaling time he’d been focusing on when the apostle Paul was was in Athens on Mars Hill, and how what Paul did is the same thing we’re supposed to do today.
“Wasn’t that a long time ago?” I asked. “How’s that supposed to apply to us today?”
“It’s what Paul saw and what he did that applies to us,” Stan replied.
“What’d he see?”
“An inscription that said, ‘To an unknown God’.”
“What’d he do about it?”
“He told them about what they didn’t know, that the only true God had given His only begotten Son so that all who believe in Him can have life with God.”
“And that’s what we’re supposed to do? Right?”
“Right, indeed,” Stan replied. “There are a lot of people who don’t know God and what He’s done for them in providing Jesus. We’re to go and tell them about the God they don’t know!”
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Bible verses to consider:
For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, “To An Unknown God.” What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. Acts of the Apostles 17:23.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, . . . . Matthew 28:19-20.
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 who told me about what I didn’t know about you. Even though I now know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t go anywhere to tell anyone anything about what they don’t know about you and your provision for them. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in going and telling others what they don’t know. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Do you know God in the sense you’ve accepted His provision of Jesus as the way to Him? 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 telling others what they don’t know about God and His provision for them? 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, not only to know Him and His provision for you, but what does He know you need to go and tell others what they don’t know about Him? 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 other 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?