Encouragement for Today
Principle 7
“Pass It On”
By Susanne Scheppmann, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member, Co-editor Online Devotions
Key Verse:
Mark 16:15, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.’” (NIV)
Devotion:
“Welcome! What can I get for you today?”
“A large Café Americano. Extra shot, please.”
“Room for cream?”
“Nope, just add the extra jolt of caffeine.”
“OK, that will be $3.85 at the window”
The car ahead of me pulled out and turned the corner. I let my foot off the brake and crept forward toward the drive-thru window. I fumbled for the exact change, and then I waited expectantly for the steaming brew. Coffee makes me happy!
As the sliding glass window opened, a grinning young brunette handed me my order. As I reached to hand her my money, she said, “You don’t have to pay. The car ahead you bought your drink.”
I jerked my head to see who might have been in the car ahead of me, but it was long gone. I asked, “Who was it?”
“Oh, you probably don’t know them. The last eleven cars have all paid for the order behind them. It’s been so fun to watch.”
Amazed, I thought I should pass on the blessing to the next vehicle. Then this consideration spun through my mind, “What if the order is for a whole office staff? What if it is $38.50 and not just $3.85?”
However, the blessing had to be passed on. I said, “Well, okay! I’ll buy the order behind me.” It turned out to be $4.95 and was worth the smile on the young woman’s face behind the counter.
She giggled and turned to her co-workers. “Hey it’s number twelve now! Isn’t this incredible?”
As I drove off I wished I could have seen the face of the next coffee aficionado who was about to be pleasantly surprised.
As I pondered this quirky incident the rest of day, I felt God teaching me a valuable lesson. Do I pass on the blessing of Jesus to others? Do I fear what it could cost me? I might face rejection and ridicule. I could embarrass myself by not having all the right answers.
I recalled sitting around a smoky campfire with my old church youth group. We sang with gusto, “That’s how it is with God’s love . . . You want to pass it on.” It seemed so easy in that group to sing with passion for lost souls when there wasn’t one in sight.
So now, how often do I pass on the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Unfortunately, not as often as I should or could. Jesus stated, "’The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest’” (Luke 10:2 NASB).
We are his laborers sent to spread the good news of eternal salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Our key verse states for us to “go into all the world and preach the good news.” Today my world may be my family, neighbors, co-workers or a chance meeting in a store. I want to pass on the Good News, no matter the cost.
Who in your world needs more than a cup of free coffee? Let’s agree together to pass on the love of God to a harvest of hurting people.
My Prayer for Today:
Lord, teach me how to pass on your Good News. Give me the courage when I feel timid to share my faith. Allow me to see beyond today’s discomfort and the possibility of being misunderstood to the eternal blessing for others of the knowledge of Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Try to pass on a small blessing to someone else today. Buy someone’s coffee. Treat a child to an ice cream cone. Offer to baby-sit someone’s else’s two-year-old. Then pay special attention to how you feel about giving the blessing.
Next, decide to pass on the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Ask God to reveal to you a creative way to share the message of salvation with someone who needs eternal life.
Reflection Points:
When have I been blessed unexpectedly?
Would I have purchased the drinks in the car behind me at the drive-thru?
Am I afraid to share my faith with others?
How can I share my faith with creativity?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 9:23, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (NIV)
Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.’" (NIV)
1 John 5:11, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (NIV)
Luke 10:1-2, “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Right and Wrong Reasons to Give, ETC Corner article
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/etcJun05.htm
Cents and Sensibility, by Bethany and Scott Palmer
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_sensibility.htm
The P31 Woman magazine, can be given as gift subscription
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/woman.htm