Join the Rescue Mission

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

LUKE 19:10

 

PONDER THIS

I heard of a tragic event. A father went to the hospital to pick up his newborn baby and wife. He left the automobile running with the keys in the car, and their three-year-old in the back seat. Then, someone came to steal the car; later, they found the car abandoned, but they couldn’t find the boy, so people set out to find him. One man who joined the hunt thought, “Maybe the little boy just got out of the car and is somewhere in the vicinity of where the car was abandoned.” He began to shine a flashlight up and down alleys. There was an old house with a swing and on the swing were some newspapers. He shined the light on the newspapers and saw some movement.

He cried out, “Billy! Billy!” Billy said, “Is that you, daddy?” And this man praised the name of God. He said, “No, Billy, I’m not your daddy, but I’m here to take you to your daddy.” Friend, that’s the job of the church—to rescue the perishing, to seek them out, to find them, to bring them to Him. For this cause, Jesus came into the world.

Who pointed you to God as your Father?

What are some ways we point others in His direction?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time today to point someone else toward God.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Does Your Heart Beat Like His?

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” 1 JOHN 4:17

 

PONDER THIS

Once I was reading the Houston Chronicle and came across a picture of a woman who had her ear on the chest of a man. And there was a caption under the photo that explained the man had received a heart transplant, and the heart that was beating in his chest was the heart of this woman’s son. She was listening by putting her ear to his chest to hear her son’s heart beating. When I read that, I thought, “Would to God that He could put His ear on my chest and hear the heartbeat of His Son.”

If God Almighty puts His ear to your chest, and Jesus is in there, you’re going to have a heartbeat for missions and evangelism. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). And why was He sent? Luke 19:10: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

What evidence does your life give that you have the same “heartbeat” as Jesus?

Why must this be true of us if we are genuinely following Him?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of the things your heart “beats for.” Be honest with yourself, recognizing that change can only come through honest assessment.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Motivated by Christ?

PRAY OVER THIS

For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. …Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:13, 17-18

 

READ THIS

If we want to bring people to Jesus, the apostle Paul offers six mighty motivations in 2 Corinthians 5. Today, we are looking at numbers four through six.

We are motivated by our compassion (2 Corinthians 5:13). What motivates me is not my love for people; it is my love for Jesus. Yes, I love people, but the chief motivation of my life is His love for me and, therefore, His love through me.

We remember our confidence (2 Corinthians 5:17). As Christians, we are confident that when we lead a soul to Christ, he will become a new creature. Every person is a potential brother or sister in the faith.

Finally, we read of the soul winner’s commission (2 Corinthians 5:18). We are saved to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are ambassadors of the King of kings, appointed and anointed by God Himself.

CONSIDER THIS

How has Christ’s love for you stirred up your love for others?

How does the confidence God has provided us to bring people to Him help you pursue the commission He has given?

DO THIS

Write down the one step you can take this week to pursue the commission of Christ, walking in the confidence and compassion that He gives?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Pursue Others as God Pursued You

BIBLE MEDITATION

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

The Lord Jesus said, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault” (Matthew 18:15). You say, “He’s the one that did wrong. If he wants forgiveness let him come and ask for it.” But Jesus said, “No, you go to him.” Whether you are in the right or whether you are in the wrong, as a child of God, you are to go to that individual. Isn’t that what God did in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve sinned against God and the Bible tells us that God came looking for them: “Adam, where are you?” (See Genesis 3.) That was not the voice of a detective. That was the voice of God, who pursues us to forgive us.

ACTION POINT

Stop right now and ask God to show you if you have an unforgiving spirit toward someone. Then, in His power and strength, grant forgiveness. It’s going to be impossible in your strength, but remember, God does the impossible.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers