Furthering the Gospel

There are two ways to look at every situation. How it will affect you, and how it will affect God's kngdon. The apostle Paul was always concerned wiht how his circumstances might aid the spreading of the gospel. When he was unjustly imprisoned, he iimediately looked to see how his imprisonement might provide God's salvation to others. (Phil. 1:13; Acts 16:19-34). whe he was assailed by an angry mob, he used the opportunity to preach the gospel (Acts 22:1-21). When Paul's criminal proceedings took him before the king, his thoughts were on sharing his faith wwith the king (Acts 26:1-32). Even when Paul was shipwrecked on anisland, he used that opportunity to share the gospel there. Regardless of his circumstance, Paul's concern was how he could use his current situation to tell others of God's good news of salvation.

Often weh we encounter a new situation, our first thoughts are not about God's kingdon. When we face a crisis, we can become angry of fearful for our own well-being, rather that looking to see what God intends to do through our circumstances. If we remain self-centered we will miss so much of what God could do through our experiences, both for us and for those around us.

Ask God to make you aware of how He could use your present curcymstances to bless others. Perhaps someone around you needs to see the difference Christ's presence makes in your life. Are youo wioling for God to use your circumstances to demonstrate His saving power to those around you?

Experiencing God Devotional
Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
picture by: fpaengineers