ALMOST PERSUADED
Today’s Reading: Acts 26
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
This is the Damascus Gate in the northern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. In its current form, the gate was built in 1537 under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Underneath, remains of a gate dating to the time of the Roman rule of Hadrian in the 2nd century AD have been discovered and excavated.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Acts 26:19-20, 28
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance…” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
Paul obeyed “the Heavenly vision.” A few days ago we read about Mark, who failed, but later returned to obey God’s call. All the disciples (except perhaps John) abandoned Jesus the night of His arrest, but they were restored. If we have failed, return now and God will complete the work to which He has called us. An excellent example of the “work” is Paul’s testimony before the King and the Governor. (1) We start by speaking well of the person to whom we are witnessing. (2) We give a brief personal account of how we came to faith in Jesus. (3) Quote from Jesus Himself…e.g. “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). Paul heard the voice of Jesus in his physical ears. We may hear as he did, but we definitely hear His voice as we read His Word each day. (4) Make a direct appeal for a decision for Christ. Some people will respond with “yes,” and some are “almost persuaded.” (5) Like Paul, don’t give up. Make another appeal (Acts 26:29).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, give me a stubborn refusal to give up on witnessing of Your salvation, and grant me wisdom and persistence in seeking to win precious people to You. I would be the most selfish person if I kept the message of Your love to myself. As I move throughout the hours ahead of me, and as the opportunity is present, I am determined, with the working of Your Spirit in me, to win someone to You. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In my personal witness one-to-one, as well as in my public speaking to groups of people in church, on the street, or on daily television for many years, I’ve followed, more or less, Paul’s five points listed above. I can assure you, results follow. Just as Jesus said in the parable of the sower, when I sow seed, (1) some seed is stolen, (2) some falls on stoney ground, (3) some falls amongst thorns, and (4) some seed falls on good ground and yields a beautiful harvest. I’ve just taken the time to read Matthew 13:1-9. If I don’t see results, I take the time to pray fervently so that the devil (the birds) will be driven back and held back from stealing the seeds. Then I may have to spend time clearing the ground of stones and thorns. The ONLY REASON I will not see results is that I have not sown good seed on enough new ground. The law of averages has proven true. At least one in four people to whom I witness give their lives to Jesus. I can’t sow the good seed inside the same four walls each Sunday and expect to see a harvest. I have to get out to where people live and die.
Have you ever heard or sung the great invitation hymn “Almost Persuaded” (click here)? Experience God’s Spirit. If anyone reading this has not welcomed Jesus into his or her life, do it now. Please, please, don’t turn down this invitation. You can call our toll-free prayer number at 1-866-273-4444, and someone who loves God and loves you will answer 24/7. A caring, non-judgmental person is waiting for your call. If you get a busy signal, try again.
Yours for winning precious, never-dying souls to Jesus,
David
P.S. Merry Christmas from Norma-Jean and me (photo from December, 2016).
Thanks you for this post today. Paul was amazing.
From Michael Youssef today:
“Jesus, thank You for dying for me. Thank You for calling me Your friend. May I remember Your goodness to me and trust that You will never leave me. Armed with this Truth, may I walk fearlessly in this life to the glory of Your name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
Amen Rob
Praying for the courage and wisdom to step forward and introduce others to the salvation message. I struggle with that, feeling others could do it so much better, but I realize that I may be the point of contact for some, they may not have contact with those that do it better. Please give me the right words at the right time.
Tis the season, Merry Christmas and blessings all.
I’ve been searching for over an hour for “If One Day Is Not Too Late” but want to share these 2 written for David and then find the one above.God bless
All The Way.
You have been a light to many,
You sought to make them free,
And through the years of plenty
You served Me so faithfully.
I know you wanted to stay,
I need you more now than they,
So I brought you home that day,
Now you’re with Me all the way.
Your light shone so bright and so far
When you heard me and obeyed,
Now your torch is their bright star,
From one who never delayed.
Faith will keep your light shinning bright
And love will feed the flame,
So the world can see His light,
The One Who took all the blame.
GW (Bill) Marshall/30Jan/2018
The one speaking is The Father….
4 David Mainse
Inspired by a story David Mainse shared about
his missionary father in Egypt.
http://www.100words.ca/?p=29490#respond
Cloud Of Grace
Oh cloud of grace that shaded me
And made known the Lord’s smile,
You guarded me in my misery
As I travelled o’er each bumpy mile.
Over the years I can not know
How many times you smiled,
But as I had watched my children grow,
I know that You too had watched this child.
You’ve blessed us more than we can count,
For true love seeks no gain,
So we must never keep an account,
To show that we have not lived in vain.
G.W(Bill)Marshall /4 Nov, 2017
After all that searching I found it right after I shared the ones above.May God bless this blog
Where He Laid
My name is Paul,I was the worst,
For I beat and killed God’s chosen
When I had an unquenchable thirst,
For my heart was captive and frozen.
But then one day I was made blind,
So that I could see truth and love,
When I met more love than I could find
After I was made low from above.
The god of this world keeps us bound
Until the truth sets each one free
And the chains fall freely to the ground
When grace gives sight that we all may see.
So I will serve Him all my years,
And since my debt is fully paid,
My face will be washed in happy tears
For the tomb is empty where He laid.
GW (Bill) Marshall/24 August, 2017
(began Nov 016)
Sorry,I had that one in my ‘clip board’.I must have neglected to click on this one to copy it and posted the above erroneously??(I had 4-5 files open at once.)
If One Day Is Too Late
There are no locks on His gates,
You are free to walk in with His Son.
He is patient as He awaits
For you,oh wayward son.
Now is always the right time,
For your next day is never assured,
And He forgives your every crime
When you make Him your Lord.
Adrift in a silent sea,
With no god to save you from your fate,
In blackness for eternity,
If one day is too late.
Down from heaven to free us,
When hell tried to kill this holy Child
The One the world knows as Jesus
And left us all beguiled.
As He grew He learned to teach,
And told the elders how they err,
Then they came to fear His outreach
So trapped Him in their snare.
But this was what He came for,
To willingly die to save us all,
For such love He still has in store
For those saved from the fall.
GW(Bill) Marshall/15 Dec,2019