Sharing Gospel Resources

I am not ashamed of the gospel. Romans 1 16. Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading, Sharing Gospel Resources, was written by Arthur Jackson and read by Wes Ward. Romans Chapter 1 verses 8 through 17. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times. And I pray that now, at last, by God's will, the way may be opened for me to come to you.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong. That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you, but have been prevented from doing so until now, in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, the righteous will live by faith. Sharing Gospel Resources, written by Arthur Jackson.

The venue and accommodations for our leadership meeting in downtown Chicago were in stark contrast with the neediness I encountered on my way there, neediness that included individuals who lacked the basics of food and shelter. The differences helped me picture and articulate things we needed to include in our vision planning for serving in the city and elsewhere, to get gospel resources, anything given by God to help spread the message of his love and salvation to places where they're needed most. At the time Paul wrote to the Roman believers in Jesus, he hadn't visited them yet, but he wanted to. He wrote in Romans 1, I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong, that is that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. The apostle was looking forward to a gift exchange that would benefit him and others as they sought to live for Jesus and serve others.

The resources we possess include the spiritual gifts and material resources given to us by God. May we allow him to use us to compassionately reach out to people with the gospel message. And as God empowers us, let's open our hearts, hands, and lips to serve others. May we do so unashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

Let's pray. Lord, thank you for both the spiritual and material gifts that you've given to us to serve you and others. Would you open our hearts and our hands and our voices to those in need around us? May we boldly share your love and forgiveness with others and may they have humble hearts ready to receive the gift of salvation that you so graciously offer. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. How will you share the good news of the forgiveness that you've received? The good news of the forgiveness that you've received. How can you meet others' physical needs while sharing the love of Christ?