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The Pocket Testament League Blog

 

Posted by The Pocket Testament League on Fri, Mar 29, 2013

 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8

As a follower of Jesus you have God's promise to hold onto,  but what about your friends and neighbors?

Do you ever encounter people who seem to live under a cloud of doubt,  fear and anxiety?

James C. from Wilmington, North Carolina, has a solution:
“Being able to touch people with a pocket sized Gospel of John is awesome. Just to talk with troubled souls and see the tears of hope re-enter their lives is what Jesus had in mind. I will forever be grateful that I found one of my purposes God gave me... and that is to give these Gospels to others. Thank you all, and you are in my prayers for helping to save many, including myself.”

Your friends and neighbors may not know God's promises YET. But you can change that by handing them a Pocket Testament Gospel. Each Pocket Testament contains the entire Gospel of John, that describes what Jesus has done for us through His life, death and resurrection. It explains God's unchanging plan of salvation... and His unfailing love.

You can share the message of hope today - with Pocket Testament Gospels of John

Whose Blood is on Your Hands?

Day 333:

Acts 20:25-27

 

"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God."

 

 

Thoughts for Today:

 

If you were to die today, whose blood would be on your hands?

In other words, of all the people you know, with which ones have you not shared your faith in Jesus?

 

Paul is saying in our passage today that he is "innocent of the blood of all men" because he has not hesitated to proclaim the "whole will of God."

I think that last phrase is an interesting choice of words, the "whole will of God." Think about the last time you spoke to a friend or loved one about the Lord. What did you leave out? That's what Paul is saying. He has not only spoken to everyone he came in contact with, but also did not leave anything out. Do you wish you could say that ?

 

Questions to Ponder:

 

Who do you know that you want to share with,

but for whatever reason have hesitated to do so? Write their names down: _________________________

The next time you see them, commit to sharing Jesus with them.

 

When you have an opportunity to witness,

what part of the Gospel message is the most difficult for you to express?

 

Do you understand it fully yourself?

Talk with a pastor or other teacher to make sure you know the "whole" story.

Sometimes the Lord uses the people in our lives to teach us truth more completely.

 

Do You have a pocket gospel to give to them ?

The Personal Cost of Saving Lives

Day 331:

Acts 20:23

"I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me."

 

 

Thoughts for Today:

 

Following are lyrics to The Fray song, How to Save a Life, written by singer/pianist Isaac Slade based on his experiences while working as a mentor at a camp for troubled teenage males:

 

Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
And you begin to wonder why you came

Refrain:
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend?
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

 

Many of us who have lost a family member, friend or loved one can relate to the feelings of frustration, emptiness, and guilt expressed by the songwriter, "Where did I go wrong; Somewhere along in the bitterness; I would have stayed up with you all night; Had I known -- how to save a life."

In our passage today, Paul didn't wonder how to save a life, he knew: Jesus. The only problem was it came with greater and greater personal sacrifice. Many times we feel guilty because of things we know we should have said or done, yet didn't make the effort or take the time to do. Paul's love for the Lord was so great that despite the fact he knew "prison and hardships" awaited him, he continued on. In other words, Paul was fully committed to saving lives even if it meant losing his own.

 

 

Questions to Ponder:

 

Hopefully none of us will ever have to make the choice to sacrifice our life for another; but

 

what about another precious commodity -- time?

 

Why not offer your golf day when a young man in trouble needs some guidance?

 

Or sleep time early in the morning to help a friend work on a marriage problem?

 

You see we all have opportunities to make a difference and save lives every day, if we choose to.

 

Whose life will you save?

Do You Practice What You Preach?

A POCKET DEVOTION TIME WITH GOD'S WORD.

Day 330:

Acts 20:22

"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there."

 

 

Thoughts for Today:

 

There are so many great Bible verses;

* Joshua 24:15, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

* John 10:26-27, "You do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

* Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

* Philippians 2:13, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."

Our passage today is not exceptionally eloquent. But this passage represents the essence and key component of faith-based Christian living -- a willingness to go where ("Jerusalem") and when ("now") God calls -- all without knowing what might happen ("not knowing what will happen to me there").  "Wow!"

The reason for sharing the previous Bible verses with you is because they are also a great key in developing and maintaining the right state of mind to confidently obey God's call.

* Joshua 24:15 -- There can be no doubt or ambiguity when you serve God. However, it is first necessary to make a personal commitment (which is leadership by example), before you can bring your entire household in service to the Lord.

* John 10:26-28 -- He speaks to us so the key is to listen to His voice. Always remind yourself that if you truly belong to Jesus you will not only listen for His voice but follow Him as well.

* Romans 8:28 -- It is comforting to know that you can't mess things up because in all things God works for our good. The only thing you need to do is love Him.

* Philippians 2:13 -- How did Paul know for certain he was to go to Jerusalem? Because that's what he wanted to do. That might seem too self-serving for some of you, but that is the way God works -- in you (so the desire you have has been placed there by God) -- to will (God chooses to work through us, but it requires our willingness) -- and to act (God's not going to do it for us, this is the action part) -- according to His (not mine or yours, we need to remain in alignment with Him) -- good purpose (this is the promise: no matter what, everything will work out fine in the end).

It's really very simple: Love God and be committed to serve God; Listen to His voice and follow when He calls; Don't worry, God's in control (He -- not you is responsible for the result); and finally, God alone will give you everything you will need to do His will -- so get going!

 

Questions to Ponder:

 

Paul wrote Romans and Philippians and we see in our passage today that Paul practiced what he preached.

 

Do you talk about faith, prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, yet haven't yielded to His voice?

 

What is the Lord speaking to you about right now?

What voices do you need to quiet before you can hear the Lord's?

Will you follow?

 

When? Why not follow Paul's example and answer,

"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to _________,

not knowing what will happen to me there."

a special day of prayer

In 1775, before the formation of the United States of America, the Continental Congress called for a special day of prayer.

 

Along with countless individuals who will be taking special time out to pray on the National Day of Prayer, more than 35,000 prayer gatherings will take place throughout the United States.

 

What will you be doing on Thursday, May 2, in recognition of God’s lordship over this country?

 

How are you going to continue this great Christian tradition of the United States of America?

 

Share God’s Word with Pocket Testament Gospels of John! Order IN GOD WE TRUST, a Gospel cover that recognizes and celebrates America’s Christian heritage.

www.ptl.org/Trust 

Receiving Instructions from the Lord

Acts 20:13-16

We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Kios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

 

 

Thought for Today:

 

Paul let his missionary team go on ahead by ship to Assos, while he took the longer (time-wise) twenty-five mile route on foot. If it wasn't faster, it makes you wonder why Paul did so. After all, the last sentence of our passage today indicates that Paul "was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem".

 

Questions to Ponder:

 

Do you have a difficult decision to make right now? Is stress mounting?

Do you have concerns over health or the well being of family members?

Does the Lord seem to be silent in this your greatest time of need?

 

Open your front door, take your Bible in hand, and go for a walk all by yourself.

 

Spend time with the Lord; opening yourself to hear His voice.

It is not about the physical exercise, so there is no need to hurry --

pray while you walk, talk to your friend Jesus, and

when you find a quiet place take a moment to sit and read God's word.

 

Quiet, intentional time with the Lord is the key to hearing His voice.

Will you try?  How about today?

 

Have you talked to your pastor about making your church a Pocket Powered Church?