November 14
"When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son."
Providence had directed the movements of nations, and the tide of human impulse and influence, until the world was ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations were united under one government. One language was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized as the language of literature. From all lands the Jews of the dispersion gathered to Jerusalem to the annual feasts. As these returned to the places of their sojourn, they could spread throughout the world the tidings of the Messiah's coming.
Desire of Ages, page 32 from the chapter, 'The fulness of the time' God knew in advance the best time for Jesus to arrive. Communication was easy, apparently the road that went to Jerusalem, just up the road from Bethlehem, could be followed all the way, direct to Rome.
While the legal system was harsh, it was at least a system. History had so panned out that the Jews were living everywhere. God did not plan for His message and His plan to remain in a corner, or on top of a hill. The light was to be spread abroad. The perfect time had come.
If that time were perfect, high time is now. It is so easy to share our faith. It might be that some people won’t listen, but the opportunities are there, and very easy to take advantage of.
We are all different people, and we are all in contact with different people. Some people appreciate a long conversation, others like a short and direct chat. This individual might appreciate a book while someone else would prefer a DVD – or a link to a website.
What is common to all is a need. What is also common to all is the desire for human relationship.
This weekend, could you meet with your prayer partner and do several things? The first is to take out your list of 5 people that you are praying for. Talk about them and work out how they like to communicate. Do they like books, would they prefer a website? Write this down and then move on to the next question. What do they need? Write that down. Now consider how you, as a couple of angels in disguise, might best reach out to the needs of these people using the communication method they would most appreciate. Don't forget - the human touch is the vital spark, because God will speak through you.
Is there any help for you? None greater than this,
“God gives everything we need for life and godliness.”
2 Peter 1:3
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Housekeeping details for you
The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.
A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here
From October 21st this site will continue going through 'Desire of Ages' - but begin to advance rather faster than one paragraph at a time.
Our sister site, at the Upper Room, will progress at a rather slower pace - one paragraph at a time. If you want to head to our sister site for the slower trip through an excellent book you will eventually follow a link to the Upper Room. This will start on October 21st.
