HomeWord - May 1, 2006

A Great Story 
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. — Matthew 28:19-20

In 1858 Mr. Kimbell, a Sunday school teacher, prayed with one of his students (a shoe salesman) to become a Christian. The salesman, Dwight L. Moody, became a great evangelist. In 1879 Moody was sharing the good news of Jesus and a young man, F. B. Meyer, met Christ; this young man became zealous for preaching the "good news." While preaching on an American college campus, F. B. Meyer brought a student, J. Wilbur Chapman, to Christ. Chapman later employed an ex-baseball player, Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work.

Billy Sunday became one of the greatest Christian preachers and evangelists in the early 1900s. Once after Billy Sunday preached in Charlotte, a group of local business-men were so enthusiastic, they decided to bring another man, Mordecai Hamm, to preach. In that revival meeting a young man, Billy Graham, yielded his life to Christ. Billy Graham has since preached to more people in person than any person in the world. And so, the story goes on and on.

It all started with a faithful Sunday school teacher: Mr. Kimbell. Few people will ever know his name but, in reality, look at how many people this one man's witness has affected.

The world has yet to see what one man or woman can do for Christ if they are completely yielded to him. Will you be a person like Mr. Kimbell who was faithful in sharing the good news of Jesus? You never know what can happen. There is definitely another Billy Graham out there waiting to be converted.

Here's what the Scripture says about those who share the good news:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7).

To comment on today's devotional, click here.

       

GOING DEEPER:

1. How can Isaiah 52:7 inspire you?

2. Who are three people you can pray for and then look for an opportunity to share the "good news" with sometime in the next month?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 98:1-4

---

HomeWord Encouraging Parents…Building Families
Other FREE resources from HomeWord and Jim Burns: -7 Minutes to Being a Better Parent -Download HomeWord's daily broadcast -Get your toughest parenting questions answered HomeWord provides bottom-shelf, real-life, practical resources ranging from 411 (information) and 911 (crisis resources) to help parents.