Introduce Jesus! #262

John 1:40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He *found Philip. And Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip *found Nathanael and *said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

God uses people!! Did you ever think that God could use you for His glory? Jesus called the first of His followers from a group of men that He later used to bring others into His flock. Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist when he met Jesus. The Bible says that he followed Jesus after meeting Him. His first action as a new disciple of Jesus was to introduce Jesus to his brother, Peter. God used Andrew as a spokesman for the man who was to become known as The Messiah. Since that day many have come know Jesus as the Messiah. Both the Bible and the Quran proclaim Him, The Messiah.

Whenever believers call Jesus, the Christ, they are actually calling Him, The Messiah. God has used many, and maybe even you, to tell brothers and sisters and friends and family about The Messiah. Faith in Jesus as the Messiah is the basis of being a true believer of God. Placing your faith in Him is the answer to eternal life. His death and resurrection satisfied the holiness of God, and through His death on the cross He became our substitute and died for our sins. When The Messiah died and rose again He made it possible for you to live forever in heaven.

You may think that God cannot use you, but He can. He can use your life, your story of salvation through Jesus, your faith, your joy, and peace as a means of expressing your relationship with The Messiah, Jesus, who is also called The Christ.

Never sell your opportunity to be used by God to introduce others to The Messiah. God desires for you to be an Andrew or a Philip and use your life to proclaim to a needy world that there is a Savior, Jesus, The Messiah. Use this day as the opportune moment when God uses YOU!!    

______________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Aren't we all glad God is not finished with us yet. He still desires to use our lives for His glory. It seems God is continually teaching me about Himself, my identity in Him, and my need for further sanctification. I know I am complete in Christ, Colossians 2:10, but I also know He is growing me in the grace and knowledge of Christ. God still has a lot of work on me in order for me to be like Jesus. I am thankful that "He who began a good work will complete it." Sometimes I get a glimpse of how much more work God has to do on me to finish the job He started. WOW!!

I hope and pray God has blessed your life this past week. I don't necessarily mean everything went well from your personal perspective, but that you see God at work in every area of your life. He is you know. 

Sandy has a new license on her car. The plates were due so I decided she needed a speciality plate. GRRMMIE was available. For a long time Johnny could not say Grammie so it came out as only GRR. Thus the license. She likes it. 

I went fishing on Friday last week with Richard, a friend from church. We had an eventful trip when we noticed a boat near us capsized. We went to the rescue. It took almost an hour to get them to shore and and upright their boat. They lost everything in the boat. Not a good day for them. No one was hurt and for that we were thankful. 

Sandy and I both are preparing for our upcoming speaking engagements. Sandy will speak on Sunday, August 18th at the First Christian Church in Globe, AZ. She is also preparing for the Ladies Bible Study, Reflections, at First Baptist Church of Tempe. She will be teaching the Book of Ruth beginning on September 10th. 

I will be speaking at the Grace Community Church in Tempe on August 25th. I will speak at both the 9:15 and 11:00 o'clock services. Grace is located on Southern Ave between McClintock and Rural. Hope you can join me. 

The Second Baptist Church of Lebanon, Mo has asked me to preach a revival September 29-October 2. I am praying and studying for that series of messages. 

Sandy and I both appreciate your prayers for our preparation sharing of God's Word.

May God bless you this week with a lagniappe or a serendipity. Appreciate and love all of you for your prayers and support. Our ministry would not be possible without you.  ~ DGW