The Gospel and North America | Resources
Devotional:
1 Samuel 7:12 says, “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’”
I have an “Ebenezer Stone” on my desk. On one side, it has a personally significant date and a Bible verse written on it to remind me of a God-centered moment in my life where His grace was solid, His mercy was evident, and His calling was clear. The date is Father’s Day 2013, the day I began to obey His calling for me to pursue ministry (whether vocational or lay it matters not). Prior to that day, I was a believer, but I was not interested in obeying the Lord in everything He made me to be and do. I was His child, but for some reason I felt it safe to tiptoe on the line of obedience at my leisure. I felt content to consume and be fed but not share in my abundance. Until God said “that’s enough,” and He pushed me into a messy road of sanctification where my flesh constantly battles against God’s calling on my life.
The verse is Acts 20:27, from Paul’s farewell sermon to the Ephesian elders. “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” I wrote this verse because of Paul’s obedience to Jesus. Jesus called him to “suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16) and yet he did not hold back. He gave himself over to Jesus, knowing it would cost him his life.
The other side of the stone is a simple but “impossible” prayer. It’s a prayer that is in no way possible to achieve by man, but only by God’s grace and mercy. It’s a prayer for my family, a prayer for FFC, and a prayer for the Church. Three words: “Send us all.”
Lord, send us all. All of Your people. Empty the church of pew sitters and send us into the streets, our nation, and to the furthest ends of the Earth. Make your name famous in the hearts of every nation, tribe and tongue. Use every single one of us and wring us out until there is nothing left. In your most holy and beautiful name, Amen.
by Dale Hight
Scripture Reading:
Sunday: 2 Kings 4; 1 Tim. 1; Dan. 8; Ps. 116
Monday: 2 Kings 5; 1 Tim. 2; Dan. 9; Ps. 117-118
Tuesday: 2 Kings 6; 1 Tim. 3; Dan. 10; Ps. 119:1-24
Wednesday: 2 Kings 7; 1 Tim. 4; Dan. 11; Ps. 119:25-48
Thursday: 2 Kings 8; 1 Tim. 5; Dan. 12; Ps. 119:49-72
Friday: 2 Kings 9; 1 Tim. 6; Hos. 1; Ps. 119:73-96
Saturday: 2 Kings 10; 2 Tim. 1; Hos. 2; Ps. 119:97-120
Memory Verse:
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” 1 Chronicles 16:24
Discussion Questions:
What in our text this week stands out as interesting, confusing, or challenging?
What does our text this week teach us about missions or God’s heart for the world?
What did this week’s message teach you or remind you about God’s heart for the world?
In light of what we have studied this week, how should you respond in obedience?