September 9                                    Dan 4 - 6

EMPTY HANDED?

MEMORISE: 'But watch thou in all things, Endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, Make full proof of thy ministry.' (2 Tim 4:5)
READ: 2 Timothy 4: 1-5

Must I go and empty-handed
Must I meet my savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet him
Must I empty handed go?

These are lyrics of a song by CC Luther. He is asking a set of questions that every believer should answer - either here or now or when you meet your Lord. A positive response to these questions now will elicit a glorious afterlife through all eternity.

You have given your life to Christ. You have been saved. You are on your way to heaven. Praise God! Somebody preached to you, using whatever medium. You heard the gospel through someone, which led to your salvation. How many people have you preached to whom genuinely gave their lives to Christ? How many souls have you won for the Lord? What are their names, addresses and their spiritual state? You should know. 'But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry' (2 Tim 4:5).

Christians and Church leaders today have misplaced their priorities. Ask a brother, 'Why don't you evangelize?' He will tell you he is not in the evangelism department - let those in that department face their work. Ask a church leader, a pastor or senior pastor, 'why don't you win souls? He will tell you he is busy with the administration of the church and that God understands. Some will even equate whatever assignment they are doing with soul winning.

The above scripture was directed to Timothy. He was a senior pastor and also an administrator. Yet he was instructed to be involved in evangelism. Evangelism was to come first, even before his ministry. Evangelism is the main thing, whatever other assignment, office; departmental duty and so on should be made to support it. How many souls will you be taking with you to heaven?

ACTION POINT
Have you led 100 souls to Christ who is still in the faith?
If not, pursue project A- soul -A-day until you achieve that goal.