“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV
Welcome to the third devotional recap of the year. This week we defined a good year from an eternal perspective, emphasizing that the victory of the Gospel is the ultimate goal.
We kicked off on Sunday by addressing the faulty perspective that a good year is one free from trouble, reminding ourselves that Jesus promised that He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). We must shift our focus from personal material gain to eternal priorities. A good year is a year where the Gospel prevails. We must focus on things that count for eternity by devoting ourselves to prayer and sharing the Gospel.
Continuing the theme on Monday, we paused to appreciate the role of faith in the effective spread of the Gospel (Ephesians 2:8). Saving faith is threefold: faith in the specific person of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12), faith in the specific message of the Gospel (Christ’s death and resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2), and faith in the operation of God, who authored and executed this salvation plan as a free gift (Ephesians 2:5-9). This assurance strengthens our conviction and motivates us to share the message with others.
Tuesday’s article differentiated between saving faith (conviction in the truth of the Gospel) and charismatic faith (belief in God’s ability to perform miracles and meet needs, Acts 1:8). While both are important, we must guard our motives and avoid seeking God only for the ‘bread’ He gives rather than the ‘Bread’ He is (John 6:26-29). Our focus must be on Christ, the Bread from heaven, who is able both to save and to do much more.
On Wednesday, we were challenged to maintain an unwavering conviction in God’s promises, unlike those who lose hope after disappointments. God is faithful and true to His word (Numbers 23:19). Like Abraham, we must be strengthened in faith, fully convinced that God is able to perform what He promised (Romans 4:20-21). Our reality must be dictated by God’s written word, not our negative experiences or the doubts of people around us (Proverbs 4:23).
Thursday’s message emphasized that faith requires action and confession, not just silent belief. We are called to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), allowing faith to impose itself over our natural senses. We learned that unbelief can limit God’s power (Matthew 13:58). Faith sustains us to take the first step, like Peter walking on water, and it is sustained by making bold, insistent statements that align our words and actions with our beliefs (Mark 11:22-23; James 1:22). We concluded the week by underscoring the vital role every believer plays in the command to spread the Gospel (2 Corinthians 2:14). Jesus commanded us to go into all the world (Mark 16:15), starting with those closest to us, in proximity and relationship, and extending to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). We can participate by actively preaching, supporting the work of the local assembly (financially and through service), and giving to missionaries who reach unreached regions.
Dear believer, a good year is defined by the victory of the Gospel. Therefore, know the message, have unwavering faith, and get to work spreading the knowledge of Christ everywhere through you!
Have a great weekend!
Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 41, Matthew 12:43-13:17