For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek..
DAILY READING Matthew 19:1-15; Numbers 9-10; Ecclesiastes 7
One day, in 2009 John 3:16 became the most Searched Item on Google. Ninety four million people searched for its meaning. How did that happen?
Tim Tebow, regarded as the greatest player in the history of American college football, had painted under his eye this Bible verse during a match. It became even more intriguing, when in this match, he led the Florida Gators to resounding victory in the college national championship game.
His performance was so impressive, many believed the verse under his eyes had a part to play. And so by the following day, John 3:16 ranked as the top-searched item on Google, as people sought to know It’s meaning.
What a way to preach. From then on Tim began to paint different Bible verses under his eye. He also made a habit of getting on one knee to say a prayer after each win. Soon this pose became known as ‘Tebowing’. And would be mimicked by celebrities, inspiring a web page which received over 20,000 photos of people “Tebowing”.
By 2011, Tim Tebow had become a sensation, especially as he led his team to record wins, most of those wins coming in the last minutes of the match. Tebow who is a devout Christian and born of missionary parents said by painting the Bible verses under his eyes, he was just trying to be obedient to God and do the right thing. What he did brought the opportunity to many to encounter The Word of God through the different bible verses.
In honoring God, God has also honored Tebow. From a college footballer he has become an internationally known figure.
Preaching the Gospel is a duty we owe as Christians. The spirit of Christ is a missionary spirit. The very first impulse of the renewed heart is to bring others also to the Saviour . The desire to make the Gospel known to all men should be burning in us.. When the desire is in our heart God will give us the wisdom to make Christ Known to our world through creative means.
No matter how busy we may be, our primary calling is to be ambassadors of Christ. By words or by deed, our lives at all times should be expressing The Word of God; an epistle readable and accessible to all men. People should be reading the scriptures our life is projecting, as we proclaim Christ in every way possible.
Aimee Semple Mcpherson was a very well known Evangelist in the early 19th century. She once preached at a church where there were only two people in attendance. By the third day of the meeting, and still only two people in attendance she asked the pastor where the crowds in the town were. When she was shown the area, she took a chair from the church and went down to the area. She stood upon the chair, closed her eyes and began to mutter a prayer. People, curious, began to gather wondering what she was doing. When she sensed enough crowds had gathered, she opened her eyes, jumped down from the chair, and shouted ‘Quick, follow me!’’ She ran down the street, and the people ran after her, intrigued by her drama. She got to the church and ran into the building, She quickly whispered to the ushers to lock the door after everyone had come in and let none out until she had finished her preaching. Well, interestingly, when she started to preach, no one even tried to leave. And from that day the church became continually filled in her meetings and many gave their lives to Christ.
When we realize that thousands are going to hell everyday, no method can be too dramatic in proclaiming the truth.
We must preach The Gospel. We must stand against the traffic to hell and turn as many as we can to Jesus. It’s an urgent call. And we must play whatever part we can. We may not need to create so much drama as Tebow or Aimee, but in whatever way we can we must preach Christ. Paul said ‘woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel’. When your heart is open, God will show you ways and methods that work. Bottom line is winning souls.
So today ask God to show you ways to share your faith wherever you go,
PRAYER: Lord, help me to preach your Word wherever I go, let my life be a living epistle that men can read at all times.
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Your heart needs to be filled with The Word of God to the point of overflow. – WORDBITE 222
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK ESTABLISHED IN THE WORD OF GOD]