Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Free To All" for Friday, 30 May 2014 - Read Romans 10:10-17

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Free To All" for Friday, 30 May 2014 - Read Romans 10:10 For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”[a]
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. 13 For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[b] 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? 15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace,
    who bring glad tidings of good things!”[c]
16 But they didn’t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”[d] 17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Footnotes:
a. Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16
b. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
c. Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7
d. Romans 10:16 Isaiah 53:1
How are they to proclaim [the Lord] unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all have obeyed the good news.(Romans 10:15-16 (NRSV))
I waited anxiously at the registration desk. It was 30 minutes past the scheduled starting time, yet only three participants had arrived. The organization had brought in the best instructor and organized every detail of the professional training. All the students had to do was come and learn; no payment was required. Why didn’t they come? I thought. Day one is a disaster. Later that night as I lay in bed exhausted, I prayed: “Lord, help me not to give in to discouragement. Please bring more participants tomorrow because this course could help them so much with their careers. Amen.” On Sunday the course ended with 52% of the expected number of participants. This experience reminds me of an event infinitely greater than this professional training session. God gave us the gift of salvation. Jesus stands with open arms and bids us to come and receive everlasting life at absolutely no cost. Many have accepted this gift; yet many more have not. As co-workers in God’s vineyard, we can pray for the many who have not accepted the gift of salvation, and we can act as God’s hands and feet to spread the message to everyone we meet.
The Author: Frankie Kapendo (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Thought for the Day: Every day I can be available to tell the good news of Christ.
Prayer: Dear God, give your children a heart of compassion and tenacity to carry your gift of salvation to unbelievers. Prepare their hearts to welcome your son. Amen.

Prayer focus: Those who are discouraged in telling the good news
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