Compelled to Tell

I am not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. Romans chapter 1 verse 16. Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Compelled to Tell was written by Arthur Jackson and read by Wes Ward. Acts chapter 20 verses 17 through 24. From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived he said to them, You know how I lived the whole time I was with you.

From the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me. My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. The task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. Compelled to Tell, written by Arthur Jackson You know Jesus loves you.

He really loves you. Those were the last words of John Daniels. Just seconds after he had given a homeless man money and shared those parting words, he was struck by a car and instantly killed. The printed program for the service that celebrated John's life included these words. He wanted to figure out how he could reach more people. So on a Sunday afternoon, trying to help a man in need, God gave him a way to reach the world.

All of the local TV channels carried the news and it reached friends, family, and many others all over the country. Though John Daniels wasn't a preacher, he was compelled to tell others about Jesus. So was Paul. In Acts chapter 20, the apostle expressed his zeal for the gospel in his parting words to the church leaders at Ephesus saying, My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. The good news of forgiveness and new life in Jesus is too good not to share with others. Some believers are more skilled at explaining the gospel than others, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, all who have experienced its life-changing power can tell their story of God's love.

Let's pray. Oh Lord, please ignite in us that same passion that Paul had to finish his race and share the good news. The good news of your forgiveness and grace offered through the life and death and resurrection of your son. Would you fill us with the Holy Spirit's boldness that we may faithfully testify to the life-changing power of your love. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. Who do you know who needs to hear about God's love and forgiveness in and through Christ? What's keeping you from sharing his work in your life with them?