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
August 22
“You became followers of us and of the Lord…so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1 Thess 1:5-7). Disciple making is the Lord’s design. We will convince no one that we are NT believers if we are not engaged in this vital work. Why? 1. Because it is the express will of God. “Go ye therefore, and [make disciples of] all nations” (Mt. 28:19). 2. Because people—justified, sanctified, glorified people—are the only commodity to be transferred to the next world; everything else will be burned. 3. Because it is the only way to accomplish the Great Commission; the Lord designed the project so everyone could be involved. 4. Because it provides for the optimum use of the gifts given to enrich the Church. 5. Because it enables an efficient transition to the next generation. As Paul enjoined Timothy, “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 23-25 Memorize: Acts 26:18August 21
Alfred Wiener, a Jew born in Frankfurt, Germany, became familiar with “St. Matthew’s Passion” by Bach and Handel’s “Messiah” through his love of good music. When Hitler came to power, Weiner ended up in Buchenwald. He grew deathly sick. As he lay in the darkness, not knowing whether he was delirious or dreaming, an abyss opened beneath. “I saw hands reaching out, ready to pull me down into an eternity of perdition. Then came a hand from above, and in that one hand was the print of a nail. At this moment, I cried: “Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Redeemer, I die. But You, You alone are able to help me! You alone can rescue me from the wrath of God! I am a sinner, but You came to rescue me! Help me, Lord Jesus! I surrender all to You.” Losing consciousness, he miraculously awoke in the hospital where he recovered. Shortly after, he was amazingly dumped outside the prison gate, and survived many years to bear testimony to the matchless grace of God.
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 20-22 Memorize: Acts 20:20-21August 20
Want to help advance the gospel? Evaluate needs: see your area as a mission field; map population centers; identify people groups. Assess opportunities: pray for “open doors” (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3); observe where people gather; look for vulnerabilities (Lk. 4:18) as entry-ways to the good news; observe and develop channels of communication. Inventory resources: mobilize prayer warriors; contact local evangelists, assess current outreaches; consider a gospel fund; encourage tent makers; explore ways to free up time for gospel work. Provide the tools: must be biblical, relevant, attractive; not limited to print (web, blog, YouTube, DVD); good contact info is essential. Equip the saints: share the variety of roles in gospel work; teach the elements in the message; gospel methods and venues; share the need for effective follow-up; recall two handmaidens to the gospel: our personal testimony, and good works. Then look to the Lord to bless!
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 17-19 Memorize: Acts 17:30-31August 19
The remarkable conversion of British thinker C.S. Lewis is described in his own words: “To find their way, atheists must make sense out of a random first cause, denounce as immoral all moral denunciation, express meaningfully all meaninglessness, and find security in hopelessness.…You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet.…In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The words compel them to come in…properly understood, plumb the depth of the Divine mercy.…His compulsion is our liberation.” —Surprised by Joy, pp. 228-229
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 14-16 Memorize: Acts 17:27August 18
How can people in this century take the idea of the virgin birth seriously? Interestingly, the most detail regarding the birth of Christ is given by a medical doctor, in the Lord’s biography by Luke. Often people argue that first century peasants believed in the miracles because they didn’t understand the scientific explanations behind events. But Luke begins his Gospel with the story of Zacharias, who, when told his wife was expecting, didn’t believe the angel, because he understood how babies are born, and that his wife was too old to have a child. The virgin birth was clearly prophesied (Isa 7:14) as evidence to believe, and is treated as an historical fact (Lk 1:27-37). It was a necessity for the following reasons: His birth was a divine gift (1 Jn 4:14), not a mere human event; the Lord must be the seed of a woman, not tainted by coming through sinful human generation (Gen. 3:15); and He must claim David’s line and throne but avoid God’s curse on Jechoniah. Blessed be His name!
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 11-13 Memorize: Acts 17:26-27August 17
“There are two things I like that Islam teaches,” I told a group of upset young Muslims. Upset because I had told them about some Muslims I knew who had found true peace in Christ. “Islam teaches that God is God the Just, and God the Merciful. But when you stand before Him at last, will He be just or merciful?” “Both,” they responded. “That’s a quick answer, but it can’t be right. Justice means God receives full payment for every sin you have committed. Mercy means He has found a way not to charge you. Both can’t be true.” They chased their tails for a while until I interjected with the story of Abraham and his son at Moriah. I told of the ram, and explained the idea of a substitute. That is how God can be both “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom 3:26). But a ram is not a fair trade for a man. Only a righteous man could be a substitute for a sinful man. And only a God-sized Man could pay for billions of sinful people. Christ is the only answer.
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 8-10 Memorize: Acts 16:30-31August 16
Hinduism, the indigenous religion of India, has 900 million adherents worldwide. Although there are many subdivisions, they generally believe in One Supreme Reality (Brahman) who is manifested in many gods and goddesses. They believe that humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion, but are able to escape. The purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth and continue by reincarnation until enlightenment is gained. They practice yoga, meditation, worship (puja), devotion to a god or goddess, and pilgrimage to holy cities. India has had the gospel since the first century, but Hinduism has been very impervious to the message of the Savior. Hindus usually respond poorly to an apologetic approach. Hinduism has survived through story and song; they need to hear the best stories, stories of the Lord Jesus. The caste system relegates millions to a subhuman existence. Some of these are responding to the gospel linked with Christian love.
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 3-7 Memorize: Acts 15:10-11