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Transcript: Hi there, this is Sheyvah Rex in another episode of Perfect King's Imperfect Princess, and this is a devotion called, The Good News is for Everyone, Everywhere. Is God powerful enough to save even those people? Our verse today, (this was originally published on thelife.com August 15th,2024, which is today as I'm recording, and it is also my husband’s and my anniversary, our 26th. Happy anniversary to us. Thank you.)
Okay, so our verse today is, Now all glory to God,
who is able to make you strong, just as my good news says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now, as the prophets foretold, and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Imagine you're out to share the gospel at a park in the suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which is home to immigrants from over a hundred nations. You ask a man, "What do you think about Jesus Christ?"
He squints and spits."Jesus is for white people."
You could ask him, "I'm curious as to why you would say that?"
If he's willing to engage in conversation, what could you say to his idea that Jesus is only for white people?
Jesus Christ is for everyone. God created all of us different physically, but all in the image of God. Jesus commanded us to go into all the world and preach his good news to all people, not just to those who look the same or believe the same. There were people from Africa following Jesus even during the New Testament times in the Bible, such as Simon of Cyrene and the Ethiopian eunuch. Some of the early church fathers were from North Africa, Tertullian from Tunisia and Athanasius from Egypt.
Most of the current new converts to Christianity come from Asia and Africa.*
We may think, oh, that ethnic group believes in such and such a religion.
They won't be open to hearing about Jesus.
This demonstrates a lack of faith, unbelief in Jesus' ability to change hearts.
Romans 16.25-27, which I quoted earlier from the New Living Translation,
is Paul's conclusion to the New Testament book of Romans and a short hymn of praise
to God for the excellence of his plan to save us. All glory goes to God, not to us.
God deserves the glory because he can make us strong and steadfast in trust in him.
while we are naturally weak and prideful. It is very exciting that God opened salvation through Christ to all people everywhere. Anyone might believe and obey him. Many of us have people from various nations living among us in our own cities and towns.
We have the opening to share Jesus' love with people from around the world. Jesus came to rescue us from sin and to give us a peaceful relationship with God. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3.9 NLT.
Let us take the opportunity God is giving us with boldness from his Holy Spirit.
Pray first for the darkness and lies of the evil one to be dispelled by God and for
the people to receive the light of his truth.
Let's pray.
Forgive me, Dear Lord, for prejudice, for writing certain people off, for not persevering in prayer, and for not believing that you are able to draw them to trust and obey you. Forgive me, Jesus, for fear of people's reactions or of conflict. Give me your courage and the words to share your good news. Help my friends, family, and neighbors to receive your light and not believe the devil's lies. Open their minds to hear and understand the gospel. Convict them of sin. Bring them to repentance. Thank you for choosing to partner with us in prayer to see your will accomplished. In Jesus' name, amen. **
Throughout this day, make a list of friends, family, and neighbors for whom you could pray and put it in your calendar daily. See what God will accomplish through your prayers.
* Many ideas in the first paragraph came from this article, Christianity,
A White Man's Religion, by Lakeia Bradley, posted March 1, 2023. https://www.therebelution.com/blog/2023/03/is-christianity-a-white-mans-religion/
** And some of the concepts in my prayer are from a book by Dr. Alvin Vandergriend,
Praying God's Heart, Prayers That Make a Difference, Chapter 16, Praying Your Friends to Christ.
Thanks for joining me today. I hope you have a great day. God bless you.
And let me know if you have any prayer requests because I would love to pray with you and for you.
So send me an email or a direct message.
Have a great day.
God bless.
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