Romans 12:9-10, ‘Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor..’[ESV]
DAILY READING • Day 124 – Acts 16:1-15; Judges 2-3; Job 34-
In 1854, Kimball was a Sunday School teacher in Detroit. One day he went to visit a 17 year-old boy who was in his Sunday School class who had little interest in God or religion. That young man was D.L. Moody. At the time, Moody did not understand the Gospel. However, when his Sunday school teacher went the extra mile to visit him at the shoe factory where he worked and carefully explained to him the Gospel, Moody gave his life to Christ.
Moody went on to become one of the greatest evangelists in the world, sharing the gospel with 100 million people, as well as founding Moody Bible Institute and The Moody Church in Chicago.
But the story doesn’t end there. Through his ministry, Moody was responsible for a London pastor named F.B. Meyer coming to faith. Meyer was responsible for J. Wilbur Chapman coming to faith, and Chapman influenced Billy Sunday, another prominent evangelist of the 20th century. Billy Sunday was integral in a man named Mordecai Ham coming to faith. And Mordecai Ham was the preacher responsible for leading a young man named Billy Graham to Christ.
No one may hear the name of Moody’s Sunday school teacher, Edward Kimball, but he played a crucial role in the birthing of these great ministries.
Indeed Edward Kimball’s story reminds us to never underestimate the influence you can have on the world by affecting the life of just one person. He was a mere school teacher but the ripple effect of his showing love and sharing the Gospel with D.L Moody, continues to affect lives, even today.
It is true that God intends to turn us into signs and wonders, but while you may be looking for something big and spectacular, God can begin to use you even where you are right now.
You may not be a great preacher or great evangelist, but you can make a crucial difference by positively affecting those around you. When you decide to do the very best you can with what you have, you can indeed make a big difference.
Many times people wait for big breaks, but big breaks may never come except you start first with the small steps. When you decide to simply reflect the love of Christ to all who come your way, you are already becoming a wonder.
The truth is that people are passing through all manner of problems and challenges in a world where nobody seems to care. So when they see you offer love and a helping hand, to them you are a wonder.
A seed of a sharing the Gospel, giving words of upliftment and encouragement can become a turning point in the life of someone else.
It may seem a small thing to do, but you may never know the extent to which that little seed may grow and influence generations.
When we decide to do our best in whatever role God has called us, we will certainly become a wonder to the world.
In this season, let us spiritually position ourselves through study of the Word and prayers to be used by God to make an eternal impact on the world.
PRAYER: Lord, please use me to positively affect lives around me. I know that when I am impacted by You, I will be empowered to impact others. Therefore please help me to adhere daily to Your Word, so that I can walk in Your ways in Jesus Name. .
Quote
Your heart needs to be filled with The Word of God to the point of overflow. – WORDBITE 222.