This perpetual calendar includes:
- Remarkable testimonies of souls won to the Savior
- Explanations of gospel concepts
- Answers to frequently-asked questions
- Stories of real-life witnessing opportunities
- Encouragements and tips for sharing the glorious gospel
May 3
George Goodman writes: An appeal should only be made when the Spirit has evidently been convicting the hearers, and then in such sober and wise terms as will leave no doubt as to the step to be taken. We are not without precedent in Scripture. Perhaps the appeal par excellence is, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20). The instruction given by Peter at Pentecost is another excellent example. “With many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation’” (Acts 2:40), an appeal seldom heard in the present day. The instruction given to the jailor at Philippi is in the nature both of instruction and appeal. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31). Let our appeals be intelligent and clear, leaving no question in the hearers as to the step to be taken and to what purpose. — The Gospel We Preach, pp 33-34
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 33-35 Memorize: Zechariah 1:3May 2
H.A. Ironside tells of addressing a “Mission to Israel” in San Francisco in 1898. At the end, an elderly Jew said: “This is Passover week among you, my Jewish brethren; and I was thinking how you will be observing it. You will attend the synagogue services, and carry out the directions of the Talmud; but you forget that you have everything but that which Jehovah required first of all. He did not say, ‘When I see the leaven put away, or when I see you eat the motsah, or the lamb, or go to the synagogue;’ but, ‘When I see the blood I will pass over you.’ You can substitute nothing for this. You must have blood, blood, BLOOD!” He told how he was born in Palestine, studied with the rabbis, but grew increasingly unhappy because he saw no blood for his atonement. At last, on a narrow back street in Istanbul, he heard a man cry out, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7). “Ah, my brethren,” he said, “I have found the blood of atonement at last.”
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 30-32 Memorize: Haggai 1:7May 1
One of the most important lessons in the book of Acts is this: there’s room for everyone on the team. Not all could preach like Peter, but Peter first had to be brought to Jesus, and was, by his otherwise retiring brother, Andrew. Matthew arranged a dinner for the local tax office and invited Someone Else to share the gospel with his guests. Dorcas did good works in the community, and won friends for the gospel. The man born blind couldn’t argue with his detractors, but he could say, “I was blind; now I see.” The demoniac was sent back into his hometown to “tell what great things God has done for you” (Lk 8:39). A friend told me she believed her neighbors respected her; she wanted to witness to them but didn’t know where to start. I suggested asking them what she could pray for. A few days later, she called me. Neighbors were pouring their hearts out at her kitchen table. They didn’t know anyone else who would pray for them, or who cared enough to ask. — J.B.N.
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 27-29 Memorize: Zephaniah 3:17April 30
How can you believe a Bible that is full of contradictions? Josh McDowell writes: “Certain passages at first glance appear to be contradictory, but further investigation will show that this is not the case.” McDowell points out that different descriptions may be complementary, not contradictory (see one or two blind men, Mt 9:27; Mk 10:46). Also there are translation issues: did the men at Saul’s conversion hear the voice from heaven or not? (Acts 9:7, genitive; 22:9, accusative). They heard the sound, but couldn’t distinguish the words. McDowell concludes: “Some difficulties in Scripture result from our inadequate knowledge about the circumstances, and do not necessarily involve an error…As historical and archaeological study proceed, new light is being shed on difficult portions of Scripture and many “errors” have disappeared with the new understanding.” “So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word” (Ps 119:42).
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 24-26 Memorize: Habakkuk 3:17-18April 29
“Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with one blow: then a great ransom cannot deliver you” (Job 36:18). Harry Ironside tells the story of meeting “a very refined and elegant lady on a steamer, who asked indignantly, ‘You don’t mean to say I have to go to heaven like the dying thief, do you?’ ‘No, madam,’ I replied, ‘you do not have to. If you reject Christ, you will have to go to hell with the other.’ And so we would remind the reader: The saved thief believed on the Son of God, and is with Christ now. The lost thief scorned a Savior, and is in the depths of woe. You must be with one or the other for eternity. On another occasion a young man said, after hearing the gospel, ‘Of course, I intend to be saved some time; but there is no use being in a hurry about it. There is always a chance, even at the eleventh hour. Remember the dying thief!’ ‘Which thief?’ pointedly asked his questioner. One was saved that none may despair; but only one, that none may presume.”
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 21-23 Memorize: Habakkuk 1:13April 28
It’s good to have some simple ways in mind to present gospel truth. For example, an outline of John 3:16, as follows, can be easily sketched on a paper napkin at a restaurant table as you speak to a friend who is searching but still without Christ. The verse can be arranged as follows:
GOD LOVED: “God so loved the world”I BELIEVE: “that whoever believes on Him shall not perish”
GOD GAVE: “That He gave His only begotten Son”I HAVE: “but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
April 27
Eric Liddell, the winner of the 400-metre race at the 1924 Paris Olympics, was a consecrated Christian. The film *Chariots of Fire* accurately
recounts his refusal to run his best event, the 100-metre race, because it was on the Lord’s Day, and that someone slipped a paper to him as he stood at the starting blocks. It read, “Them that honour Me I will honour” (1 Sam 2:30). Having been born in China to missionary parents, he left Scotland in 1925 and returned to China to serve the Lord. A huge crowd gathered at Waverly Station to bid him farewell. He addressed them, saying, “Let our motto be ‘Christ for the World, for the World Needs Christ’.” He then led them in singing Isaac Watts’ hymn, “Jesus Shall Reign”. “Blessings abound where’er He reigns; the prisoner leaps to loose his chains; the weary find eternal rest, and all the sons of want are blest.” Eric died in a Japanese prison camp in 1943. These were his last words: “It’s complete surrender.”