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Read Acts 20:13-27
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (v. 27).
The hospital called me asking for my help because a woman was told she had not long to live, and she wanted someone to be with her. When I entered the room I saw a very small emaciated woman, whom I later learned was eighty-seven years old and weighed eighty-six pounds. Ruth was scared. My concern was her soul, and I wasted no time in inquiring about her relationship with the Lord. She assured me that she was trusting Christ for salvation, but her fear stemmed from the thought of being alone at the hour of death. I promised Ruth as I sat on her bed that I would stay until family members had time to arrive.
There is a lesson in that narrative just as today’s passage suggests. The message of the gospel is best delivered by someone with skin. Paul taught publicly and went from house to house. He was there. He could be seen. His touch could be felt. His voice could be heard at close range.
We should be thankful for mass mailing, blogs, email, and texting, but nothing will replace human presence — the touch of the hand, the arm around the shoulder, or the embrace. Most of us who have come to Christ came because of a personal encounter with a real, live, caring human. The gospel without arms, legs, and voice is not nearly as effective as the gospel preached in person. (Lonnie Witt)
The depth of our commitment to the proclamation of the gospel can be demonstrated by just how much direct effort we put into its declaration.
This week's featured devotional is the Friday, March 7, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo Credit: "Caronlina Hospital Bed" by bfi Office Furniture used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped.

Read Exodus 3:1-12
"Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharoah, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt" (v. 10).
God must get a person's attention before He can speak to him. God used a very unusual happening to get the attention of Moses. The burning bush is not the only impressive thing; the location is as well, as the Scripture says, "the backside of the desert."
The Lord gave me the privilege several years to visit the Holy Land. While in the desert region of southern Lebanon, a small bush growing there was pointed out as perhaps the kind of bush that Moses witnesses burning but not being consumed. It seemed to be a very unlikely place for such an extraordinary event.
This showed not only the power of God, but also His care to make sure Moses got His message. God also prepared the atmosphere by hallowing the sandy ground upon which Moses was standing. The first response of Moses was, "Here am I."
Moses was rightly humbled that God would call him for such a mission. He wanted to be sure the call was from God. God gave him ample assurance that He would go with him.
It is encouraging to know that if God calls us, He will go with us. (Burl A McClanahan)
What would it take for God to get your attention?
This week's featured devotional is the Monday, February 24, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo Credit: "Desert Bushes" by greeblie used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped.

Read John 9:1-8
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (v. 4).
Is your to-do list like mine — always a carry-over from yesterday and seemingly never done? I have often wished for a few extra hours in my day and then need to remind myself that God apportioned the number of hours to a day and it corresponds to the rhythm He has established for us. If twenty-four is the right number, then I must learn to work within that allotment.
It is astonishing to realize that, while on this earth, Jesus was re- stricted to the limitations of time in the same way as we are. He submitted to all the hardships of humanness, including time pressure.
John related that, on leaving the Temple, Jesus encountered this blind man. His followers were sure his affliction was the result of direct sin, but Jesus corrected their thinking. Then Christ went on to say He had many works to complete before night. It seems He was referring to His death — the cessation of work. And like Him, you and I must be focused on completing the tasks the Father has given us while it is day. Let us not be found with an incomplete “to-do list” when He calls. (Valorie Quesenberry)
Work when the day grows brighter;
Work in the glowing sun.
Work, for the night is coming,
When man’s work is done.
— Annie L. Coghill
God has given you twenty-four hours today; fill your to-do list for His glory.
This is the Monday, February 17, 2014 devotional from Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: "tuesday to-do list" by Stacey Spensley used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped.