Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:17-18; Acts 15:36-41; 16:4-5
Mon, 28 March 2022

Building People’s Faith Is Critical

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Paul’s ministry to people whom he had led to faith in Christ?

Deeper Reflection
OPPOSITION FROM THE JEWS FORCED PAUL TO LEAVE Thessalonica abruptly and his ministry of building the faith of his new converts was greatly disrupted (Acts 17:5-10). Feeling that he had not built their faith adequately, he longed greatly to see them again (vv.17-18). In his ministry, Paul sought to “return and visit” his converts “in every city” to “see how they are” and to strengthen them in the faith (Acts 15:36, 41; 16:5). Such was Paul’s intense concern.There was a time when Dawson Trotman, the founder of The Navigators, made it a rule in his life never to end his day without sharing Christ with someone;36 and he had won many to Christ. One day, he made a shocking discovery when he shared Christ with a man. He was “one of his ‘converts’ whose decision had not been followed up and had virtually died on the vine”37. Shaken, Dawson reasoned that there must be countless such persons who had sincerely received Christ, but whose lives had not been changed. Lost souls were saved but became lost again. From that time on, Dawson “resolved to follow up anyone he led to Christ – a work more difficult than winning souls”38. Dawson said, “You can lead a man to Christ in 20 minutes to a couple of hours, but it takes 20 weeks to a couple of years to adequately follow him up.”39 Dawson began to put “less emphasis on getting the decision and more on growing up into Christ”40.Building the faith of new and young believers is highly critical.
36 Betty Lee Skinner, Daws, A Man Who Trusted God (Navpress, 1974), 67 37 Betty Lee Skinner, 70 38 Betty Lee Skinner, 70 39 Betty Lee Skinner, 70 40 Betty Lee Skinner, 70
Application:

How can I contribute to building the faith of new and young believers
in Christ?

Prayer:
Lord, grant me to walk with You closely and know You deeply, that I may mature and be transformed by You into Your likeness. And I ask that out of this growth journey of mine I may be used by You to build the faith of those spiritually younger than me in life-to-life transmission in Christ by the lifetouching power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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