TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:4-5
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Paul begins his letter to the Philippians talking about “the first day.” The first day started with a businesswoman, named Lydia, accepting the Gospel message at the riverside then immediately going into action. She was baptized, then offers her home as a base for Paul and his team (Acts 16:14-15). The first day was also when Paul and Barnabas were beaten and imprisoned, and the jailer accepts Jesus. He immediately invites them to his home. He and his household are baptized, then he tends to the needs of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 16:23-34).
These new Christians got off to a great start by immediately taking action on the Gospel in their lives. There is no waiting. From the start, they did what they already knew how to do—opened their homes, served Paul’s team and were generous. Today, it might be the woman who accepts Christ at an evening event, then signs up to serve at church that Sunday. Or the man who accepts Christ through a friend, goes to church with him and promptly offers to serve.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Whether a new Christian or not, the question “How can I be part of this?” should always be on our heart. There is always a next step for us when we respond to the Gospel. Today, pray and ask God to help you stop waiting and get going. Find your next step at adabible.org/next-steps.
