TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 19:6-9; 21:1-2
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. - Revelation 19:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Commenting on Christ’s future marriage to His bride, the church, Dr. Charles Ryrie writes, “The marriage is announced as that of the Lamb. Normally, a wedding is announced in the name of the bride, but not this one. It is His marriage, and He, not the bride, is the center of attraction. If there were a musical procession in this wedding it would not be 'Here Comes the Bride,’ but 'Here Comes the Bridegroom!’ ”

We will conclude our study of marriage where the reality and spiritual symbolism of marriage come together. Scripture often uses marriage to illustrate God’s relationship to His people. God Himself was the Husband of Israel (Jer. 3:14), and of course the church is Christ’s bride.

When Christ comes back and we are with Him in eternity, the purposes for marriage will be complete (Matt. 22:30). There will be no need for procreation in heaven, and the joy and intimacy we now enjoy in marriage will be eternally fulfilled in our face-to-face relationship with Jesus Christ.

We need to understand, then, that the spiritual truth represented in marriage is far more than a convenient metaphor. It is the ultimate heavenly reality of which marriage is the earthly symbol. Marriage is an ever-present reminder and object lesson of the devoted love God has for His own and of the absolute faithfulness He expects of His own.

Paul said the body of Christ is like a virgin engaged to Christ. Paul cherished his role as the Corinthians’ spiritual father (1 Cor. 4:15) who had pledged the church to the Lord and would someday present the bride to her Bridegroom.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Every believer, married and single, is part of Christ’s eternal bride and will be at His wedding banquet.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 23:26-56
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. - Luke 23:34
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Gospel of Luke is noted for its intense emotion, revealing dialogue, and detailed character exposition. The book has the plot of a major motion picture. It's no surprise that it was written by the Bible's only Gentile author, because it carries with it much of the style of Greek culture that makes it feel so familiar to a Western audience. The crucifixion account specifically is the epitome of Luke's style and has become a central theme throughout modern art and literature.

Today's reading plunges from high-impact emotional drama to stunning, aching silence. Even as Jesus hobbled toward the place where He would be crucified, followed by mourners and weakened by vicious flogging, His thoughts were not for Himself but for those who would suffer because of disbelief.

Everyone, it seemed, focused on Jesus' claim that He might be the Christ, the King of the Jews. The soldiers mocked Him for it. The sign above Him sarcastically announced it. Even one of the criminals ridiculed Jesus for not acting like the Messiah.

But the other criminal didn't accept the notion that Jesus was behaving badly. Amid the cloud of blasphemous insults against the Son of God, how could anyone think Jesus is the one who deserved criticism? The criminal recognized three things: 1) Jesus was innocent; 2) The criminals were guilty (a rare admission for any criminal); 3) Jesus' kingdom was still certain. His simple statement of humble faith was returned with assurance of salvation.

After three hours of suffering, an inexplicable darkness in the middle of the day, and a supernaturally torn veil, Jesus voluntarily died. The emotion and the vivid detail of the scene escape from Luke's writing at this point like a final breath. The events that followed are described in short, cold language, and the only recorded statement in the chapter after Jesus' death came from the Centurion who accurately and soberly decried the atrocity that had just taken place.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes the only appropriate response we can muster is total silence, and the crucifixion of Jesus deserves such a reaction. Reread today's passage, dwelling on its emotional events and its implications for you, then spend some time in silent reflection. There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who believe Jesus is the Christ and those who don't. Reaffirm your own belief in who He is and pray for those whose disbelief mocks His sacrifice.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 3:11-15
So also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. - Romans 5:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
One evening at Haycock Camp in Pennsylvania, God gave counselor Bruce Gregory a chance to share the gospel with one of the kids. Over two summers at Haycock, this camper and Bruce had developed a solid friendship. Bruce recalls: “I found myself really praying hard for him, with tears, because I cared about him so much and didn’t want to see him miss out on God’s love and grace.”

They finished painting a model rocket together, then kept talking. “The Lord gave me the words to share with him. He accepted Christ that day,” says Bruce. “I just praised the Lord and rejoiced. Salvation is all in His sovereign hands. But He chooses to let us help Him.”

Sharing the good news and bringing people into Christ’s kingdom–this is what it’s all about! That’s our topic for this month: world missions.

We’ll study missions from the perspective of God’s redemptive plan throughout history. We often look back only as far as the Great Commission, but the truth is that the divine blueprint of salvation dates from “before the creation of the world” (Eph. 1:3–10).

That’s why we’re beginning this month in Genesis, with the story of the Fall. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, with dire consequences, but even here we find hope that a Savior is coming. Satan, in the guise of a serpent (cf. Rev. 12:9), tried to ruin God’s creation, but God, of course, was not caught unprepared.

His words to the serpent are a promise to all of humanity: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (v. 15). Even though this verse is not specifically quoted in the New Testament as a fulfilled prophecy, many commentators see a clear foreshadowing of God’s plan. “He” is Eve’s offspring, specifically Jesus Christ. On the Cross, He won the victory, undoing the Fall (Rom. 5:12–19) and sealing Satan’s doom (Rom. 16:20). “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Now that you know our topic for the month, why not set some personal goals or objectives? Doing so will make your reading of Today in the Word more purposeful and personally fulfilling.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 12:1-8
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you. - Genesis 12:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
English professor Wayne Martindale and his wife, Nita, were teaching at a university in China. On their way out of the classroom building one day, they held the door open for a Chinese instructor and her friends. The instructor was so impressed with this simple act of kindness that she joined Nita’s class. A friendship was born, and they were able to welcome her to their home when she arrived in the United States for graduate study.

Her curiosity grew into genuine seeking. She began to read the Gospels, and after coming to the United States, began to attend an English class based on the Bible. In due time, she trusted Christ as Savior! Says Wayne: “The love of Christ is transforming, and love plays well in every culture.”

From Jerusalem to China–look how far the gospel has spread! Are we surprised? We shouldn’t be. God’s plan of redemption has always included “all peoples on earth” (v. 3). We’ll explore the worldwide scope of God’s plan over the next six days, mostly by looking at relevant Old Testament passages.

In today’s reading, God made a covenant with Abraham. But it wasn’t just for Abraham--He intended Abraham’s faith and obedience to result in blessing for the entire world!

The Lord called Abram to leave everything he knew and set out in faith (cf. Rom. 4:1–3; Heb. 11:8–12). From that faith, God would make a nation (Israel) and bless all nations. Whoever was on Abraham’s side was also on God’s side, and would be blessed as a result (v. 3).

When Abraham received this call, he was getting a “fresh start” at age 75 (he would live to be 175, cf. Gen. 25:7). But he had no son, so from a human point of view God’s promises appeared impossible. Nonethe-less, he was obedient, traveled to Canaan, and built an altar to the Lord when he arrived (vv. 7–8). He believed God’s promise and responded with worship.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Too often our perspective on God’s work is limited. A simple tool such as a globe, world map, or atlas can help you broaden your vision of God’s plan. It’s also a great way to start conversations with family or friends. If you don’t already have one of these items, consider obtaining one in the near future.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Jonah 3:1-10
Go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it. . . . Should I not be concerned about that great city? - Jonah 1:2; 4:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 430, Patrick, a young Roman Briton, was carried off by Irish raiders to be a slave. At the time he was a nominal Christian, but he turned to God in earnest in the midst of his suffering. “I would pray constantly during the daylight hours,” he later said. “The love of God and the fear of Him surrounded me more and more.” After six years, he escaped.

Years later, Patrick had a dream in which he received a call to evangelize Ireland, the country in which he’d been enslaved. At that time, Ireland was pagan and idolatrous, a difficult place to serve. Patrick faced fierce opposition from druids and wrote, “Daily I expect murder, fraud, or captivity, but I fear none of these things because of the promises of heaven.”

Called to witness to his enemies, Patrick obeyed. But when Jonah was called to do the same, he ran.

Where was Nineveh? This ancient city, with a population of 120,000 (Jonah 4:11) and an area of about sixty square miles, was the capital of Assyria, a world power and chief enemy of Israel. Jonah ran away not because he was afraid to take a message of judgment there, but because he was afraid the people would repent and God would relent and forgive them (Jon. 4:1–3). He understood God’s character well (v. 10; cf. Jer. 18:7–10)!

The Ninevites did indeed respond to Jonah’s preaching. They fasted and wore sackcloth to demonstrate humility and repentance before God (v. 5). The essence of repentance is a changed heart and life, as the king’s proclamation recognizes: “Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence” (v. .

God gave both the Ninevites and Jonah a second chance; His love is infinite, reaching out even to those who oppose Him (Matt. 5:44–45; Rom. 5:10). Later, in an example which must have galled the Pharisees, Jesus used the Ninevites as an example of repentance in response to God’s love (Matt. 12:41).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Here’s a question for reflection: Would you share the gospel with your enemies? You may not think that you have actual “enemies.” To identify the people in your life who may be your “Ninevites,” think of people whom you dislike or at least those you tend to avoid. Are you willing to share God’s love with them? Do you desire to spend eternity with them? Can you think of specific ways, in word or in action, to communicate the love of Christ to them? What you do with your answers to these questions is between you and God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 1:1-17
Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God. - Daniel 6:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Carolina Panther defensive end Reggie White, the NFL’s all-time leader in quarterback sacks, is known for much more than his aggressive play. On and off the field, he has been a consistent witness for Christ.

This past off-season, Reggie turned his energy even more toward ministry. For instance, he and his wife, Sara, have been working with former gang member Nicky Cruz in efforts to reach urban youth. They have given not only money, but also time and energy, involving their whole family in ministry.

Says Reggie, “I would hope that my life off the field and the way that I carried myself and allowed Jesus to take control of my life . . . would have more of an impact than what I accomplished on the field.”

Reggie White’s light shines clear in the brutal world of pro sports. Similarly, Daniel’s witness was bright despite his hostile surroundings. That’s particularly evident in today’s reading, when he had everything to lose.

Daniel and his three friends were starting a three–year training course, reserved for the cream of the crop among Babylon’s captives. But they risked their privileged position by refusing to eat food from the king’s table (v. . Why? Since a portion of this food was offered to idols, and since ceremonially unclean animals were used, eating this food would have defiled them (cf. Ps. 141:4).

They took a stand, diplomatically proposing a ten–day test to the reluctant chief steward. During and after the test, God honored their faith and gave them great success (vv. 15, 17; cf. Ex. 23:25)--this no doubt spoke volumes to both their fellow captives and the court staff. Besides a fine education, God added the gift of interpreting visions and dreams, a gift He used throughout Daniel’s life.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We suggest today that you spend some time before the Lord examining your witness in the world. Are you representing Him well? Ask Him to show you any changes He wants to make.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 67:1-7
May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. - Psalm 67:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
As a teenager, Jane McNally felt a burden for India after hearing two presentations by missionaries. As an adult, she obeyed that calling and went to India.

Shortly after India gained independence, Jane started Light of Life Bible correspondence courses, which were translated into many languages and used by a variety of mission agencies. In 1957 she also founded Light of Life magazine, today the largest paid subscriber evangelical Christian magazine in India. Later she started the Good Shepherd Academy, serving more than six hundred Indian (mostly Hindu) children. Recently, she published a book about the abuse of Indian Christian women.

The gospel on the printed page is one means of proclamation–like the joyous proclamation described in today’s psalm.

We’ve used Abraham, Jonah, and Daniel to illustrate that God’s blueprint for world missions–declaring His name and His love–can be seen in the Old Testament as well as the New. This makes sense, for His plan is as old as eternity (Eph. 1:4)! Within the context of Jewish worship, today’s reading celebrates this global perspective.

Psalm 67 opens by invoking a traditional blessing (Num. 6:24–26) on the worshipers. If God blesses them, what will be the result? Verse 2 answers: “Your ways [will] be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” That is to say, there is an “evangelistic” purpose in mind–a blessed Israel can be a case study in God’s goodness (cf. Deut. 4:5–8).

Once the nations see God’s blessing, how will they react? Most of the remainder of the psalm gives a picture of that day (see also October 31). They will praise the Lord. They will feel glad and joyful. They will respond not only to the evidence of His blessing–symbolized in the rich agricultural image of harvest (v. 6)–but also to His just rulership and wise guidance, as seen in today’s verse (cf. Ps. 47:7–9).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In light of this month’s missions theme, you could plan a worship time for your family, friends, or small group at church. Choose hymns, worship choruses, and Scripture readings that speak of salvation, sharing the good news, and Christ’s sacrifice. Plan the time so that you can emphasize and celebrate many different facets of God’s plan for the nations.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 49:1-7
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. - Isaiah 49:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Jesus commanded His followers to go to the world. Sometimes the world comes to us.

For example, during the men’s 1994 soccer World Cup, hosted in the United States, nearly one hundred churches, mission agencies, and parachurch groups cooperated in an evangelistic “Up for the Cup” campaign. The group distributed millions of pieces of literature, including tracts, a special Sports Spectrum magazine with player testimonies, and a New Testament. In addition, Missionary Athletes International organized more than one hundred soccer clinics for more than six thousand kids, with about 550 making decisions for Christ.

In modern times, sports provide an excellent means of crossing boundaries with the message of Christ. Athletic events have proved to be effective platforms for sharing the good news of salvation throughout the world.

This good news is prophesied in today’s Scripture reading, one of Isaiah’s famous “Servant Songs.” We’ve seen God’s plan for the nations in passages of narrative and poetry, and today we see it in prophecy as well.

The “Servant” (v. 3) is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Some people believe that “Israel” is a specific reference to Jacob. However, the prophet is saying that God is calling His chosen people back to Himself.

The Messiah is specially chosen and prepared by the Father (vv. 1–3, 5). He will encounter difficulties and opposition, but God will reward Him in the end (v. 4–5, 7). His mission is not only to Israel, but to the Gentiles as well (v. 6; cf. Isa. 14:1). In the end, every knee will bow (v. 7; cf. Phil. 2:9–11)!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In these days of electricity, the biblical image of light (Isa. 49:6) might not be so vivid to our imaginations. So here’s a brief object lesson to remind yourself or your children of the power of light to dispel darkness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Galatians 3:26-29
There is neither Jew nor Greek . . . for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
John Stewart was the first African American missionary to Native Americans, as well as the first Methodist home missionary in America.

Born free during the days of American slavery, Stewart trusted Christ after a struggle with alcoholism and suicidal depression. He felt called to northern Ohio to take the gospel to the Wyandot tribe; when he arrived in 1816, there were only about seven hundred left. He faced opposition, including racism and an unbelieving translator. Said one chief, “We treated him ill, gave him little to eat, and trampled on him, and were jealous of him for a whole year.”

Nonetheless, Stewart persisted, and the Wyandots had a change of heart. “We were convinced that God had sent him to us,” said that same chief, who was the first to convert.

John Stewart lived a truth that has often been ignored in our culture–within Christ’s redemption, there are no ethnic distinctions (v. 28; Col. 3:11).

As we’ve seen through these recent lessons from Old Testament readings, that is God’s attitude throughout history. He made provision for foreigners to participate in Passover (Ex. 12:48–49), commanded that they be treated fairly (Lev. 19:33–34) and judged by the same laws as native Israelites (Num. 15:15–16; Ezek. 47:22–23).

Such basic social distinctions as ethnicity, social status, and gender play no part in salvation. God’s grace is not based upon such things (Eph. 2:8–9). What matters is faith in Christ Jesus (v. 26), being clothed in His righteousness (v. 27).

Today’s verse also mentions another great truth of salvation: our unity. The deep social divisions that Paul cites have been overcome at the Cross! We should behave toward each other not as before, but in a new way in which all members of the Body use their gifts to serve under the headship of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As today’s suggested application, we recommend that you explore the music, literature, or visual art of an ethnic group different from your own. This is one way to begin to learn about the characteristics of other cultures and other Christians.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 20:19-23
As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. - John 20:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
John Sung had a dream one night. A brilliant scientist, he had been attending a liberal American seminary and was struggling with the doctrines taught there. In his dream, he saw himself lying in a coffin. He had died, despite his academic degrees and honors. When John Sung woke up, he knew he was commissioned to preach the gospel to the world.

John returned to his native China, and tens of thousands who heard his preaching trusted Christ. He organized hundreds of teams of itinerant evangelists. Traveling to the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and other Asian countries, he also ignited revivals and established Bible training centers throughout the region. By the time he died in 1944, he was one of the greatest evangelists in Chinese history.

John Sung embraced the truth spoken by Jesus in today’s verse. We have been sent! That mandate for missions will be our focus for the next six days. From the biblical fact of God’s heart for the nations, we move now to the specific mission of the church as given by Christ.

There are four versions of the Great Commission in the Gospels. Each version has different settings or wordings, which likely means that the “Great Commission” is not a statement of Christ given one time only, but a central theme of His post–Resurrection teaching. He probably repeated this teaching on several different occasions.

John’s version is given at Jesus’ first post–Resurrection appearance to His disciples. It emphasizes a parallel between Christ and His disciples: just as the Father sent the Son, so now the Son sends them (v. 21; cf. John 17:18). Anticipating Pentecost, Jesus also gave them the Holy Spirit (v. 22), for they (as is true for us) were unable to obey His command on their own.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today we suggest that you schedule time for further Bible study on the topic of “sending.” This will help you delve deeper into the significance of our mission mandate.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 28:16-20
Go and make disciples of all nations. - Matthew 28:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
Last year, during its annual World Christian Week, Calvary Bible Church of Neenah, Wisconsin, decided to try something different. Historically a white community, the area has recently become home to Hispanics, Kurds, and Hmong as well. CBC decided to organize a “Fiesta Familiar” (family fiesta) to reach out to the Hispanic community.

The fiesta included music, food, games for children, information on social services, Christian literature, and an evangelistic talk entitled Jesus Is the Only Way–all in Spanish, all for free. Also helping to organize the event were Jorge Aguilar and Luis Asibinac, originally of Guatemala and leaders of the local Christian Latin Ministry. The event was a success!

As the illustrations in this month’s devotions make clear, there are many ways to obey the Great Commission, to fulfill our task of making disciples of all nations. Discipleship is the focus in Matthew’s version of the Great Commission, the one most familiar to many of us.

Jesus’ command here has one action: “make disciples” (v. 19). In Greek, “go” is not a separate action, but part of this main action. To make disciples is more than merely making converts. “Converts” have trusted Christ, whereas “disciples” are actively following Him and growing in their faith. In other words, the task of missions does not end at the point of salvation.

What are other features of Christ’s command? We are to base our obedience to this command upon the authority of God (vv. 18–19). Our target is nothing less than “all nations,” or all people groups. Two key results that should flow from our mission activity are baptism–a symbol of spiritual rebirth (cf. Rom. 6:3–4)–and the teaching of the Word (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15). The purpose of teaching is to spur obedience and Christlikeness (cf. John 14:15).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
How can your church reach the surrounding community for Christ? You might be able to do something like the “Fiesta Familiar” described in today’s illustration.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 24:36-49
Everything must be fulfilled that is written about [Jesus] in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. - Luke 24:44
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1953, Helen Roseveare arrived in the Congo committed to evangelism and medical missions. Finding the health problems there quite serious, she decided to train nationals as nurses rather than try to do all the work herself. Although her more traditional colleagues disapproved of her unconventional methods, she successfully started a hospital and training center.

When the Congo gained independence, and some missionaries were attacked by rebels, Helen courageously stayed on. She paid the price in 1964, as rebels took her captive and raped her. Even so, she returned two years later to continue the work. When she eventually returned home after many difficult years, she continued the cause of missions through her writing and speaking.

What motivated Helen Roseveare? What outweighed the difficulties, the conflicts, and the suffering? The truth of the resurrection of Christ, and this is the gospel that Christ commands us to take to the world. Today’s Great Commission reading from Luke focuses on the trustworthiness and content of the gospel narrative.

The trustworthiness of the gospel is found in at least two ways here. First, Jesus gave the disciples the proof of His physical body. He invited them to see His wounds and to touch Him, and He ate some fish, to demonstrate that He wasn’t a ghost (vv. 37–43). Second, in one of the most amazing Bible lessons of all time, He gave them the proof of fulfilled prophecy. Everything that had happened was foretold (vv. 44–45).

The content of the gospel is summarized by Jesus in terms of these prophecies (vv. 45–47). The main elements are the suffering (death) and resurrection of the Messiah, and the proclamation of His salvation throughout the world. As we saw also in John, repentance is the key to accepting God’s gift of forgiveness in Christ.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today, why not use your imagination to glorify God? We have several suggestions to help you get started.

• From the viewpoint of a post–Resurrection eyewitness, write a song narrating that time.

• Again from the viewpoint of an eyewitness, write a dramatic monologue about the events following the Resurrection. What did you think and feel when you saw the risen Christ and heard His final teachings?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 1:1-9
You will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Raised in the Philippines, Lenardo (Nard) Pugyao trusted Christ at age fourteen after reading the Gospel of Mark in his own language. Later, he left for high school in the back seat of a missionary airplane, and was himself led into the field of missionary aviation. He graduated from Moody in 1975.

Nearly twenty years after reading the Gospel of Mark for the first time, Nard piloted the plane that carried the first five hundred copies of the complete New Testament translated into his native tongue. “As I circled over the village,” Nard says, “I knew that down there, underneath those coconut groves, that’s where God formed me. I said, 'God, look at that little hut. That’s where you formed me in secret. What a privilege, now I’m carrying your Word back to my own people.’ ”

Nard Pugyao and other missionary aviators around the globe are a vital part of fulfilling the Great Commission. The version recounted here in Acts is spoken just before the Ascension, meaning that these are the last words spoken by Jesus on earth.

It’s interesting to note that they were spoken in response to a question about the kingdom (v. 6), about which Christ had been preaching since His Resurrection (v. 3). The disciples wanted to know God’s timetable for history–Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit had led them to wonder if the end times were near, since prophecy often linked or blended the two (see, e.g., Joel 2:28–32).

Jesus’ answer, in effect, was that this was not their business. Following the empowering arrival of the Holy Spirit, they were to be Christ’s witnesses throughout the world. As we saw in Matthew, the proclamation of the gospel was to start in Jerusalem and expand outward to nearby regions, finally reaching “the ends of the earth” (v. . This could be an “outline” of the book of Acts, following the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem (ch. 1–7) to Judea and Samaria (ch. 8–9) to the rest of the known world at that time (ch. 10–28).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Numerous ethnic groups around the world do not yet have God’s Word in their own language, or any gospel witness at all. Today, please pray for such unreached people groups, and for the many organizations and missionaries who are working to reach them with the gospel.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 10:9-15
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! - Romans 10:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
William Carey, pioneer missionary to India, is often called the “Father of Modern Missions.” When he first headed overseas, there was little support for cross–cultural evangelism, and virtually no independent mission agencies.

Indeed, when Carey first presented his ideas in 1786 to a gathering of Baptist ministers in England, he was ridiculed. It was widely believed that the Great Commission had been carried out by the apostles and that the modern church was not responsible to take the gospel to the whole world.

In response, Carey wrote a classic treatise on missions, including biblical arguments, a historical overview, global demographic statistics, answers to practical objections, and an outline of a strategic plan to reach the world. This included many elements we now consider standard, such as prayer support, finances, and training for recruits.

Sending is the key to the spread of the gospel. Whereas the Great Commission readings give a command to be obeyed, in today’s passage Paul asks a rhetorical question that traces a chain of causes back to our “sentness.”

The goal of missions is to see people saved, in the fullest sense of that word. What does this involve (vv. 9–13)? Inward belief of the heart, by which comes justification, and outward confession of Christ’s lordship. The focus here is the historical fact of the Resurrection (cf. 1 Cor. 15:12–17).

How is this goal reached (vv. 14–15)? To call on the name of the Lord, people must first believe. Belief is impossible unless they’ve heard the gospel message. They can’t hear the message unless there is someone to preach it to them. And there will be no one to do that unless they’re sent! If any link in this chain breaks, missions does not happen. No wonder those feet (cf. Isa. 52:7) are so beautiful!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Christian songwriter Twila Paris has turned today’s verse into a well–known praise chorus, “How Beautiful.” As part of your devotional time today, sing this melody before the Lord as a reminder of the mission He has given to every Christian.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 15:17-29
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known. - Romans 15:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
George Verwer was a veteran of mission work in Mexico, the former Soviet Union, Spain, and other countries. He had founded Operation Mobilization, a pioneering organization in the use of short–term missions teams. But when he dreamed of a “gospel ship,” his co–leaders advised him to forget it. “What do you know about running a ship? Nothing! It would be a disaster!”

After five years of prayer, the Logoswas commissioned and set sail for India. Since 1971, the Logos,its sister ship, the Doulos,and its successor, Logos II,have been spreading the gospel and offering Bible teaching and Christian literature in ports around the world.

Like George Verwer, Paul was ambitious for the gospel of Christ. For him, the bottom line was preaching Christ. Later he’d repeat this idea, even when he was in prison and others’ motives were suspect (Phil. 1:12–18). He gloried only in his service to Christ and in what Christ had done. It’s all about God!

Paul’s list of “accomplishments” (vv. 17–20) reads like a review of the Great Commission readings. He’d proclaimed the gospel, doing so in the power of the Holy Spirit. He’d journeyed from Jerusalem to Illyricum (present–day Albania and Yugoslavia), following the geographic progression outlined in Matthew and Acts. And he’d taught the Gentiles to obey, as Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:20).

Paul’s particular ambition was to preach the gospel to people who had never heard (vv. 20–21). In the secular world, “ambition” often points to self–promotion and materialism–what a difference godliness makes! Paul wanted to promote not himself but his Savior. He was eager not to acquire things but to store up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:19–21), taking the Light where it was darkest. His quotation of Isaiah 52:15 (part of a “Servant Song”) reinforced the biblical foundations of his ambition.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What is “spiritual passion”? Take time today to write out a concise, biblical definition of this term. You could study Paul’s statements in today’s Scripture reading as a model for your definition.