DCLM Daily Manna 2024: DCLM Daily Manna 26 October 2024: Take a Break
Text: Acts 17:22-33 (KJV)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this* inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
KEY VERSE: Acts 17:23
“For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”
A 2023 report by the World Population Review stated that 2.38 billion people were adherents of Christianity in 2020 out of a world population of 7.7 billion people. Many religions were identified, but 1.19 billion people were not affiliated with any religion. It is clear that many people are still without the salvation that comes through accepting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Apostle Paul’s four missionary journeys covered about 10,000 miles. He seized every opportunity available in synagogues, homes, outdoors, and other places to preach the gospel. At the Mars’ Hill forum, he witnessed to the educated but spiritually lost Athenians about the true God and the Person of Jesus. There was no room for lethargy in expanding the Kingdom of God.
Paul’s passion at Mar’s Hill reveals that most learned people lack the knowledge of salvation, and need to be taught about the gospel. This should be our urgent task just like the attitude of the Lord Jesus Christ while on earth. He stated, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). Our mandate to preach the gospel to the world remains unaccomplished until the whole world knows Christ.
Like Paul, we must be prepared to give a lucid explanation of the gospel to the ignorant religious. As you step out today, be sure to utilise every opportunity to preach the gospel and serve the Lord. We must not relent in giving our time, talent and treasure for the propagation of the gospel in our immediate environment and to the end of the earth. There is no room for lethargy in God’s Kingdom. We must occupy till He comes.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Live to labour for Christ until He returns.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Proverbs 15-17
Daily Manna 26 October 2024
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