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In other words, many American believers drift spiritually instead of running the race of the Christian life in such a way as to win. Discipleship, like a race, requires all-out effort.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY from Today in the Word Devotion Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

“Running the race” is a biblical image of perseverance and sacrifice—living in this way brings glory to God. He has a different way than the world of evaluating achievements. He measures success in different terms. In other words, the world encourages us to run one kind of race; God demands another. It takes courage and strength that only God can give to run a race the world doesn’t recognize, for a prize it doesn’t value, but this is what it means to be a disciple of Christ!

MP3 audio link to today’s readings:

http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_21_09.mp3

Moody Radio Online http://www.moodyradio.org/

Today in the Word http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_ProgramToday.aspx?id=35654

I believe now is a time we need to fight to keep God in us, in our family, in our Country; we need to be and be looking for Servant Leaders! Today’s devotional highlighted to phrases I keep close every moment and wanted to share.

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

God . . . made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. – 2 Corinthians 4:6

TODAY IN THE WORD
Several years ago, fishing in the Mississippi River near Alton, Illinois, Tim Pruitt landed a 124-pound blue catfish. It took Pruitt more than half an hour to land the giant fish, which measured 58 inches long and 44 inches around. About as large as a sixth-grader, it broke the world record by two-and-a-half pounds and the state record by nearly twenty pounds. The huge catfish was kept alive, put on display at a Cabela’s Outfitter store in Kansas City, and later returned to the river.

Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). As we also see in today’s reading, God is glorified when we share the light of the gospel with those living in darkness. When Paul wrote, “we have this ministry,” he meant all believers (v. 1; see 3:18) and the new covenant (see 3:6). That means we are all responsible for spreading the good news.

The basis for our calling is not our own abilities or effectiveness but God’s mercy. Our evangelistic “method” is simple—“setting forth the truth plainly” (v. 2). We do not need deceptions, distortions, or marketing tricks.

In fact, we cannot “convert” anyone. That is the work of the Holy Spirit, with the ultimate choice between the individual and God. Because unbelievers are spiritually blind, the gospel is veiled or concealed from their understanding (vv. 3-4). In addition, Satan takes an active role in further blinding their hearts and minds to the “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.”

God’s hand is needed for any evangelism to be successful. This is why our goal in witnessing can only be to “commend ourselves to every man’s conscience” (v. 2). Therefore, while we’re passionate about sharing the good news, we need not fret about unbelievers’ unresponsiveness. It’s not about us (v. 5). God is the source of spiritual light and power in our witness, and He is the One who gives life (v. 6).

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you caught any fish lately? Have you been baiting your hook well? Do the fish even know you’re there? These questions aren’t really about fishing, of course, but about evangelism. While God is the only One who can awaken belief in spiritually dead hearts, we have been commanded to be part of this process by sharing the gospel (Matt. 28:19-20). God is pleased to use us as His children to tell others of the good news of salvation in Christ. What a privilege!

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