Daily Devotion, July 5, 2020

Devotion: Read Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 28:16-20.

  In both of these passages of Scripture, we see God’s desire to connect with everybody. In the first book of the Old Testament, God calls Abram (later changing his name to Abraham) to set out on a journey of trust in God, establishing a covenant relationship through which God wanted to bless everybody in the world. In the first book of the New Testament, Jesus is about to ascend back to heaven. His final instructions to his disciples include that they are to “go and make disciples” of everybody in the world. God deeply desires to connect to everybody.

  And throughout the Bible, God has chosen to work through people to bring about his mission to bless and disciple everybody. This week, we have been reminded of just a few of those through whom God worked. There have been many, many more: men, women, young, old, poor, rich, those in the spotlight and those in the background, from different races and nationalities; people all down through time just like you and me.

  That method, that plan continues today. God still uses people to fulfill this mission. God invites anyone who wants to join in to be a part of this desire to bless people and connect them to God. That invitation includes you. Who can you bless today? Who can you connect to God?

Adult Challenge:

Identify at least one person or family and how you will bless them this week. Also, identify at least one person or family with whom you will begin or deepen a relationship so that you can lead them to Christ.

Youth Challenge:

From the beginning, God has chosen to work through people to bring about his mission to bless and disciple all people.

I think it can be easy for us to forget this! We have a mission and an obligation to love and make disciples. The days that I remember this and focus on that mission I find myself treating people with a lot more love and compassion. Have you ever thought that you were on a mission from God? (Insert Blues Brothers reference here…you won’t get that, but I bet good money your parents just read that with a Chicago accent…ANYWAY!) Is the thought of this exciting? Why? Is it terrifying? Why?

Children's Challenge:

PRAY TOGETHER

• Encourage each person to think of at least one person they can try to tell the story of Jesus to.
• Guide them in praying silently for that person and for the chance to share the story of Jesus with him or her.

 

What You Say:

“It is important for us to make sure that everyone we know has heard the story of Jesus, because the story of Jesus changes everything.”