Pray Paul’s (adapted) prayer with me: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know him better. I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which he has called me, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God, You placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:17-23

That prayer flowed naturally out of the pen of Paul. His witness was natural, as is recorded in Acts. He might see philosophers in a marketplace or women washing clothes by the river, and the words and witness would simply flow. 

The same was true of Jesus’ disciples - (stinky fishermen, compromised tax collectors, political rabble-rousers). He intentionally picked simple and seemingly unqualified folks to share his message. Women, demon-possessed, soldiers, and former beggars – all were deemed perfect vessels to carry the message of the gospel to others. Perhaps my favorite passage in the record of Acts is in chapter 4: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. What was their bold message? “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 

This week we will be talking about being contagious - (sorry for the pregnant pandemic metaphor). Contagious Christianity is bold, influential, and natural in our witness. This flows instinctively out of a life full of Christ, as we have just prayed. God fills us and uses us to bring those who are still in darkness into His marvelous light. And when we disconnect from Christ our Head, fail to invite Him into every sphere of our lives, and focus our heart (worship) on things other than God’s kingdom, our mouths STOP NATURALLY PROCLAIMING what is gloriously true! 

My prayer is that through this week, we may “know Him better, and may know the hope to which He has called us! To courageously declare the wonderful deeds of Him who brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (Ephesians 1/1 Peter 2) We pray that our testimony and witness would be the natural overflow of our hearts fully set on Christ our King. 

Take one unsaved person from your circle of acquaintances and:

1. Write out a prayer for that person.
2. Write out what you would say to them if your conversation happened to turn to the things of God.

‍

PREPARE FOR THIS WEEK'S ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP:

1. Look back over the devotions from the past week. Which devotions were most meaningful to you?
2. Why?
3. What is God teaching you about living a bold, courageous life?