The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "RIPTIDES" for Saturday, 24 September 2016 with Scripture: Romans 10:12-15

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "RIPTIDES" for Saturday, 24 September 2016 with Scripture: Romans 10:12 That means that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — Adonai is the same for everyone, rich toward everyone who calls on him, 13 since everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be delivered.[Romans 10:13 Joel 3:5(2:32)]
14 But how can they call on someone if they haven’t trusted in him? And how can they trust in someone if they haven’t heard about him? And how can they hear about someone if no one is proclaiming him? 15 And how can people proclaim him unless God sends them? — as the Tanakh puts it, “How beautiful are the feet of those announcing good news about good things!”[Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7]
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Jesus commanded, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”[Mark 16:15 (NIV)]
From the walkway above Ipanema Beach near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I saw a terrible sight. A young man was caught in a fierce riptide and quickly swept out to sea. He swam toward shore with all of his might but only exhausted himself. He went under, came up screaming and waving for help, went under, and was never seen again.
I know how to deal with riptides. If only I could have spent a few minutes with that young man before he went into the ocean, to explain what to do if caught in a riptide! Sure, I might have made him feel uncomfortable, or he might have rejected my explanation, or he might not have wanted to be bothered. But still, if he had heard my few simple instructions, he would have known how to survive.
Something similar applies to the good news of salvation in Christ. With a simple explanation about believing in God’s sacrifice of Jesus and in the power of Jesus’ resurrection, people can be rescued when they become caught in the “riptides” of life — divorce, the death of loved ones, financial disaster, or broken health. When we share our hope in Christ, some people might feel uncomfortable, reject us, or consider themselves too busy to discuss salvation. Still, the gospel truths we share with them can encourage them during the trials of life and give them hope for eternity.
The Author: Randy Swanson (Utah, USA)
Thought for the Day: With whom can I share my hope in Christ today?
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be bold in proclaiming your gospel. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE RELUCTANT TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

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