Daily Digest

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

There is so much in these two verses. One thing that struck me was how significant my mind is in this process of transformation from a life trying to please the world (generally unsuccessfully) to a life that does please God. It begins with the Spirit renewing my mind. Not only does this allow me to recognise God’s “good, pleasing and perfect will” but also to embrace it.

The difference between a normal, dead sacrifice and a living sacrifice is that the dead one has no choice. A living one can get up and wander off whenever it chooses. Making myself a living sacrifice involves a continual choice to give myself to God. My mind and my will are essential. The word that the NIV translates as “true and proper” is “logikos” (which comes into English as “logic”). It means both “genuine” and “true” but also “rational”. My mind is an active participant in this worship which is “holy and pleasing to God”.

In the following verses, Paul will spell out what this renewed mind and transformed life look like, and it begins with how we think about ourselves. The result of sound judgement is that I use faith (in God and what he is doing) to measure myself. My mind and my faith go hand in glove.

Jesus says the greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Matthew 12:30) When I give myself to God, I choose with my mind as well as my heart and soul to give my whole self because I love him. The Spirit and I work in partnership to renew my thinking and transform my life to be a pleasing response to what Jesus did to rescue me.

Written by David Cornell

11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! 13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as first-fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

In this passage Paul is continuing the theme of the special place God has for his people, Israel. No matter that they had rejected Jesus and therefore the gospel of salvation, Paul’s vision was “that all Israel will be saved” – 11v26. God has not moved onto Plan B, that being his church made up of non Jews, rather he longs for the return of his chosen people.

God never gives up on anyone – anyone. His forgiveness is available to all who confess and trust in Him. The parables told by Jesus about the faithfulness and forgiveness of God have always really spoken to me. The lost sheep and the lost son shout out that God never gives up on me.

This passage reminds me that my God is a God of forgiveness and faithfulness, who loving welcomes me back when I go my own way, not his way.

Dear Lord Jesus, some of your people Israel have been pruned off the tree which is your church. Lord I pray they will be grafted back in, to bring completeness to your church, and joy to your heart. Bless Israel today. Amen

Written by Claire Moore

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” 19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” 20 And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” 21 But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

As I ready today’s passage, I am reminded afresh of the importance of having the message of the Gospel fresh on my lips, with my heart on my sleeve, and my legs ready to move me to wherever I need to be to bring the message of hope that takes people out of the kingdom of darkness. 

God is mighty to save, but I need to be the hands and feet of Christ to minister to the lost. 

Plus I need to ensure I’m supporting those who are called to do the work of the Gospel. Administratively, with verbal encouragement and with finances. 

Lord, thank You that You have made the importance of getting the Gospel message out in to the world. I pray that you will make me bolder and more effective in following your call. 

Written by Ps Justin Ware 

30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

In this passage, Paul talks about the righteousness God offers us simply by us believing that Jesus is the Son of God and came and died as a sacrifice in our place. But unfortunately, sometimes, we can overcomplicate things by relying on our own efforts to please God.

It can be tempting to have a relationship with God based on our own efforts because it’s easy to measure: if I do good things, then I know that God will love me / accept me / forgive me.

But when this happens, we’re on a slippery slope or unsteady ground. We never can tell just how much good we have to do in order for God to be pleased with us or to love us more. And living this way, we’ll keep “bumping up” against Jesus who offers a different way to God – by believing and trusting in Him. When we do, we will never be put to shame (v33). What a beautiful promise of God that is.

Father, may we keep surrendering to Your way of righteous by continually placing our trust and faith in Jesus instead of our own actions. 

Written by Gab Martin

9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. 6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” 10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[g] 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

This is not exactly the easiest passage of scripture to understand, the workings of Gods’ sovereignty and man’s free will. Theologians have debated this for centuries. So, what can I take from it?

• Paul has a huge heart for his brother Israelites to come to faith in Jesus as Messiah/saviour.
• Ancestral lineage does not automatically make you a child of God.
• It is faith in Jesus that brings me into the family of God.
• Gods mercy, compassion & kindness is not for me to manipulate or judge, but His to bestow.

Many years ago, I remember having a conversation where I told the person I was a Christian but not one of those ‘born again’ ones (Jn 3:1-7). Clearly, I understood there was a difference but not the true meaning. I see the same in this passage … Paul is explaining the dynamic of faith and there is an exchange in our hearts that needs to take place.

It was another several years before I made that exchange and was ‘born again’. Was it my will or Gods sovereignty, I’m not going to know this side of heaven and regardless, I am forever grateful it happened.

I sincerely pray today that you have also made that exchange, and by faith have accepted Jesus as your Lord and saviour.

Written by Suzie Hodgson

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

This passage of scripture makes me want to breathe a sigh of relief.  God’s Spirit helps us in our weakness when we don’t know how to pray.  This applies to me so often!

I find it very comforting to know that I don’t need to have all the right words to pray.  Have you ever felt like you are not a very ‘good prayer’? I certainly have!  But this reminds me that I can just come to God and He will help me in my weakness. As it says here, even wordless groaning can be interpreted by Him!

Then God promises that He will meet me in my weakness and He will work things out for the best when I trust Him. Very comforting and very simple. Lord, help me to take you at your word and rest in this!

Written by Shelley Witt

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[a] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[b] his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[c] And by him we cry, “Abba,[d] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

When we give our lives to Jesus the transfer of what Kingdom we belong to, occurs.  We are transferred from being away from God to being embraced by God.  We now belong.

We receive His Spirit, The Holy Spirit in this “transaction”, however it requires us to leave behind habits and be willing to be transformed. 

What I find extraordinary is that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you and I, if we call Jesus our Lord and Saviour.  HIS POWER lives in you and in me.  Is anything impossible?   Is any miracle impossible?  Is any situation not able to be changed?  All is possible with Jesus.

However, living in Christ requires us to “put to death our sinful nature”.  We need to make decisions which is followed by our actions.  Our life becomes transformed and therefore people should be able to see the difference in our actions, our behaviour, etc..    

I always remember a saying “WE ARE NOT Human Beings having a Spiritual Experience – WE ARE a SPIRITUAL BEING having a Human Experience.” 

Lord, help us to be transformed by your Holy Spirit and truly live in a way that shows others our “supernatural” life from You.  Amen

Written by Ps. Sue Botta

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

The struggle of the flesh vs the struggle of the heart is real!! Apparently, it’s not just me – Paul also knew this struggle. I am neither just a body (the flesh) or just a soul – and it seems there is frequently friction between the two. We see examples of spiritual self-sabotage all the time, when poor choices are made, temptation wins over good sense.

But I want to do better. Unless I acknowledge my own struggle, I am helpless to make better choices around my thoughts and actions. Vs 25 hints at a solution – through Christ Jesus it is possible to reconcile (not compromise) and overcome. The power of the Holy Spirit – not the power of me!! This is why it is so important every day to be renewed by the Spirit. This tug of war will last for as long as I have breath, but the power of God lasts for Eternity. When Jesus said ‘it is finished’ I believe this was what He was referring to. He understands my humanity but also the sovereign power of God. Today Lord let me choose your way!

Mighty Heavenly Father, I thank you for the power of the Cross over my life. Lord help me recognise the struggle of my flesh versus my will every day. I am sorry for the times when get it wrong. I ask to be filled with your Spirit and help me to make good choices that will glorify you. 

Written by Christine Knight

7 Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man. 4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

The believer is effectively dead to the Law through the crucifixion of Jesus.  Our relationship to the law and the sin it produces is completely severed.  Believers are no longer trapped under the Law which comprised of rules that human beings are simply not able to keep. Rather believers have entered a new relationship with Jesus who was raised from the dead.  This new relationship with Jesus brings forth different fruit to that of life under the Law of Moses.

Thinking and reflecting on the above truth can be immensely freeing! Believers are no longer harnessed to life under the law but joined to life with a resurrected Jesus. Believers are free to live a new life in the freedom of God.  This new way of life will bear much fruit for God whereas the law brought out our sinful nature. The fruit of the spirit is love, goodness, patience, gentleness, self-control, peace, faithfulness and joy.  Our relationship with Jesus changes our very make up and what our life produces.

Thank you, Lord that Jesus, put the law to death on the cross and his resurrection brought about a new way of life for us. Amen

Written by Ainslie Woods

19 For God is satisfied to have all his fullness dwelling in Christ. 20 And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again! 21–22 Even though you were once distant from him, living in the shadows of your evil thoughts and actions, he reconnected you back to himself. He released his supernatural peace to you through the sacrifice of his own body as the sin-payment on your behalf so that you would dwell in his presence. And now there is nothing between you and Father God, for he sees you as holy, flawless, and restored, 23 if indeed you continue to advance in faith, assured of a firm foundation to grow upon. Never be shaken from the hope of the gospel you have believed in. And this is the glorious news I preach all over the world.

Is the Gospel ‘Glorious’ news?  Or is it just ‘OK’ or even ‘ho-hum’ news?  That depends on how much you think you need its message.  It would be Glorious to win the lottery if you needed the money.  But would Bill Gates think it is ‘Glorious’ to win $1 million?  Probably not.

Things that strike us as Glorious tend to be sudden, massive (to us) and unexpected.

For Paul, the Glorious News is that God has restored us back to innocence, removed the barrier between Himself and us, and given us supernatural peace.  All of this came at no cost to Paul.  The cost was borne God Himself.

Paul admits he had lost his innocence, was isolated from God, and had no peace.  That is certainly how I felt when I had the Glorious News explained to me.  I felt like I’d been released from a dark prison into the light of day.  I felt like a had a second chance.

How many people around us outwardly look ok, but inwardly are feeling that same loss of innocence, lack of peace and isolation from God?  We have Glorious News!  The King of the Universe wants to restore their innocence, bring them close to Him and give them supernatural peace.

Paul says to never lose the hope of the gospel we have believed in.  If we keep that hope fresh in our minds, we can easily show it to others.

God, please remind me how I felt the day I first heard The Glorious News, so I can show it to someone else.

Written by Paul Fleming

14 For it is Christ’s love that fuels our passion and motivates us, because we are absolutely convinced that he has given his life for all of us. This means all died with him, 15 so that those who live should no longer live self-absorbed lives but lives that are poured out for him—the one who died for us and now lives again.

Our text today highlights the love and sacrifice of Christ in that by dying for us He has also saved us from a life without purpose.

Christ died for all, everyone who has ever lived, who is currently living and all who will live in the future – His sacrifice leaves no one out. He has saved us from an eternity of separation from Him, separation from everything good.

So what is my part in this?

As Christ has died for me, He calls me to die to myself…my own plans and ambition, my desire for material possessions and comfort.

He called me to lay it all on the table before Him and instead gives me back a new heart that is ‘fuelled by passion’, to change my thinking for His, to look out for others rather than myself.

He makes this possible…I cannot die to my selfishness unless He gives me the heart.

And the point of this is…
Of course God wants to grow us in character but primarily our actions impact others, hopefully drawing them to Christ.

Often the process is long, walking with people, being involved in their lives, rather than applying a band aid to a gaping wound; God provides healing in a multitude of small actions, that one day results in a change of heart.

Sometimes there is a long delay between acts of kindness and the turning of a heart to Christ….but no kindness in the name of Jesus is wasted. God remembers and uses them all to His purpose, anything as simple as a cup of water.

The starting place (for me) is prayer.

There is no other option as I am fully convinced that I cannot do anything worthwhile in my own strength. I simply cannot do what only the Holy Spirit can.

Giving in prayer is perhaps the greatest act we can do on behalf of others and sometimes the only thing God calls me to do.

It does not burden me when I walk with Him – in fact, when I am in step with Him the walk is satisfying and inevitably fruitful. My treasure is in heaven and I experience the truth that it is so much more blessed to give than receive.

Written by Lainy Samperi

4 and shared meals with them. Jesus instructed them, “Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the gift I told you about, the gift the Father has promised. 5 For John baptized you in water, but in a few days from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit!” 6 Every time they were gathered together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is it the time now for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He answered, “The Father is the one who sets the fixed dates and the times of their fulfillment. You are not permitted to know the timing of all that he has prepared by his own authority. 8 But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be filled with power. And you will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces—even to the remotest places on earth!”

As I read this passage, I am reminded that before Peter and the disciples took the good news of Jesus to their community, their nation and far beyond, a few essential things occurred. 

Firstly, Peter and the disciples were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God and the hope for the world.  After Jesus death he appeared to them many times and proved his resurrection to them by many signs, over an extended period.  Jesus overcame death, he proved undoubtable that he was God, and because of this his message of hope was real and powerful.  

Secondly, the disciples related with the resurrected Jesus. They sat with him, they spoke together and shared meals. He was the same Jesus before and after resurrection – the Jesus who relates, who invites and who includes people – and who commands them to do the same.  

Finally, the disciples did what Jesus commanded in this passage – they waited for the promised Holy Spirit to come and infill them and empower them to be witnesses. Further on in Acts we see the results. They are filled by the Holy Spirit and they begin to share the good news. Peter and the disciples share the gospel with great anointing and authority, they are guided by the spirit towards people and they (like Jesus) open up the gospel to whole groups of people who had previously been forgotten or overlooked (the gentiles, women, the poor, and minorities), their words of invitation are accompanied with miraculous acts of healing, deliverance, freedom and restoration.  

When I read this passage, I am reminded that I too am filled with the same Holy Spirit to be a messenger to all people. That I not only speak the message but that I, because the Holy Spirit lives in me, embody the message. I am challenged to live the gospel. To see people as Jesus does, to love and care for them, to listen to people and to speak of the hope of Jesus, and to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.   Jesus fill me again with your Holy Spirit. Help me to be your messenger of hope, love and restoration to all those around me. I ask especially that you would give me eyes to see and ears to hear those who are lonely or feel forgotten, as you did. Amen

Written by Ps. Zoe Stewart

13 “Your lives are like salt among the people. But if you, like salt, become bland, how can your ‘saltiness’ be restored? Flavorless salt is good for nothing[a] and will be thrown out and trampled on by others. 14 “Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? 15 And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. 16 So don’t hide your light![d] Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”

One of my favourite meals is hot fish and chips with chicken salt. However, when the chips aren’t seasoned right, it’s quite a letdown. The distinct flavour is missing, and the chips which are still hot and crunchy just seem to be missing something essential.  

In my observation of this passage, Jesus comments that our ‘lives are like salt among the people’. As followers of Christ in this society, we bring something noticeably different to the standard way of living. My mind jumps to the fruits of the Spirit, that through the work of the Holy Spirit we live as people characterised by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These characteristics set us apart, giving us our ‘salty-ness’, and by living these out it makes the work of God attractive to those around us. How cool is that! 

But Jesus also issues us a warning, that ‘flavourless salt is good for nothing’. It’s a blunt explanation that if our lives are shaped by disobedience to God and ignorance to the work of the Holy Spirit, this will result in our being ‘thrown out and trampled by others’.  In response to this, I’ve begun to ask God to soften my heart so that I would be easily shaped by the Holy Spirit, and to also make me aware of the opportunities to be ‘salty’. I’m reminded of I Corinthians 11:1 which says, ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ’. Let’s strive to live as Christ did, and live a life shaped by the Holy Spirit. By living in this way, we can be sure that those that surround us will see our Godly ‘salty-ness’ and even be led to follow in Christ’s footsteps too.  

Written by Andrew Molteno

16 For you see, even though I proclaim the good news, I can’t take the credit for my labours, for I am compelled to fulfil my duty by completing this work. It would be agony to me if I did not constantly preach the gospel!

In the context of the passage, it is clear that Paul has an inner conviction to preach the gospel. You can hear the burden and the urgency of his expression ‘it would be agony to me if I did not constantly preach the gospel!’.

How many of us live with this urgency and weightiness of the gospel’s importance? How often is sharing the gospel snuffed out by our busyness, our insecurity about what others might think about us and our own ambivalence to the gospel in the individualistic society that we live in?

Paul’s conviction to preach the gospel came from a life transforming encounter with Jesus. During this encounter, Paul received a revelation of Jesus’ Lordship – think bright lights and a voice from heaven, literally. (Acts 9:1-9).

Paul obviously had a powerful testimony of being saved by Jesus. He writes on many occasions of his testimony, ‘even though I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy’ (1 Timothy 1:13).

Now I realise that not all of us might have a radical conversion story like Paul, but each of us have a unique and distinct testimony of how God has saved us from our sin and made us into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Take some time to reflect on your walk with Jesus.

What do you find compelling about Jesus and His Kingdom?

What do you love about Jesus?

How has Jesus changed the way you live?

As we take the time to consider the way that Jesus has changed the way we live and the way we see the world, the gospel will naturally flow out of us. Lord Jesus, draw to our minds your saving grace and goodness in our lives. Strengthen our inner conviction about your Lordship and your kingdom and reveal yourself to others through our words and actions. Amen.

Written by Sam Liu