August 6 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 6 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

GOD SENDS THE GOSPEL THROUGH PEOPLE

Colossians 1:7-8 “You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.”

St. Paul was unable personally to go to Colossae to preach and teach the gospel.  He sent Epaphras in his place.  He told the people in Colossae the Good News of God’s love for them in Christ Jesus.  Philip was sent by the Holy Spirit to teach the meaning of Isaiah to the Ethiopian Eunuch.  In 1894 the Holy Spirit led Rev. Theodore Naether and his family to India as the first LCMS missionary to that country.

St. Paul reminded the Colossians that they learned the gospel from Epaphras.  From whom did you learn it?  Perhaps it was from your Christian mother or father as they taught you your first prayers and simple Bible stories.  Do you remember your first Sunday School teacher who taught you about Jesus?  Were you privileged to attend a Lutheran elementary school where you learned about Jesus every day? Who is the first pastor you remember telling you about Jesus?

An important question for you to consider today is, to whom can you tell the gospel message?  There are many stories you can tell people with whom you come in contact.  Imagine telling the story of God’s love to someone who never heard the gospel.  The way you tell the story does not have to be eloquent, polished or with great oratorical skill.  All they need to hear from you is that God loves them, sent His Son Jesus to save them and promises whoever believes in Jesus will have everlasting life.

Recently a person told of their six-year-old granddaughter whose classmate told her that Jesus loved her.  The parents of this granddaughter say they are atheists.  They have therefore not told their daughter about Jesus.  But, through the mouth of her six-year-old classmate she heard that Jesus loved her. God, through the pen of Isaiah says, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, as you led Philip to the Ethiopian Eunuch, I pray You will lead me to whoever you want me to tell the gospel.  Give me courage to speak the good news of the gospel to those I know who need to hear it.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Hark, the voice of Jesus calling, “Who will go and work today?

Fields are white and harvests waiting— Who will bear the sheaves away?”

Loud and long the Master calleth, Rich reward He offers thee.

Who will answer, gladly saying, “Here am I, send me, send me”?

Some take up His task in morning, To their Lord responding soon;

Some are called in heat of mid-day, Others late in afternoon;

Even as the sun is setting, Some are sent into the fields,

There to gather in the bounty That God’s Word so richly yields.

For as rain and snow from heaven Water seeds in dusty soil,

Causing them to bud and flower, Giving bread to those who toil;

So the Lord sends forth His promise, Words of life and joy and peace—

Never void to Him returning, Bearing fruit with great increase.

Hearken to the Lord whose coming Marks the time when grace shall end,

When with His angelic reapers He in glory shall descend.

Soon the nigh, the final harvest; Soon the time for work shall cease.

Then the souls His grace has garnered Shall enjoy His Sabbath peace.

(LSB 827)