April 4 - Start Where You Are.

Luke 24:46-47
“And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
 
Christ was behoved both to suffer and to rise from the dead. Why? So that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among the nations! Look at some of the references in the Scripture…
 
Matthew 9:13
“…for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
 
II Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
 
Matthew 26:28
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
 
We all know that this was Jesus’ purpose when He left His throne in Heaven, was made flesh and dwelt among His creation. His Name is above all names, and it is by no other name but the Name of Jesus that bringeth salvation.
 
Although the Gospel of repentance should be preached in His Name to all nations, notice where it is to start…“beginning at Jerusalem.”
 
When Christ gave the Great Commission before He ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, Acts 1 tells us how He said the Gospel would be spread:
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
 
Let’s apply that to the world we live in today:
“in Jerusalem” – Your City or Town
“in all Judaea” – Your State
“in Samaria” – Your Country
“the uttermost part of the earth.” – The World
 
In order to reach the world, you must start where you are. Your community is your Jerusalem. We can’t expect to make a difference in the world if we aren’t making a difference at home.
 
Have you ever met someone who felt “called” to an international mission field, but yet will not go soul winning in their community? God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
 
Start where you are today.
You can shine your Light to your neighbors, fellow students, co-workers, family, friends, strangers, etc. God wants to use you in your Jerusalem wherever that may be. He has placed you right where you are so that you can reach those around you.
 
Not sure how to start?
Read your Bible. God will help prepare you through His Word.
Pray and ask God to direct your path. If you ask Him to give you an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone, He is sure to open the door.
Talk to your Pastor. Ask Him to guide you in what ministry you can help with in your local church.
Give a Gospel tract to someone. Charles Spurgeon called them silent preachers for they can speak volumes to a person’s heart without an audible word being said. God has used Gospel tracts in many many ways to make a difference in people’s lives, and prepare their hearts for the Seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Contact us if you’d like to receive some Gospel tracts for distribution.
 
Let God use you where you are. Bloom where you are planted.
Shine your Light to those around you today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 33-34  |  Acts 6  |  Psalm 64