SWORD AND TROWEL

“The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.” (Nehemiah‬ ‭4:17‬‬b)

The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls required the laborers to work with a trowel in one hand and to wield a sword in the other. It is an apt description of those God has always used in the building of His church. The sword is required because there are spiritual forces arrayed against us, led by the archenemy of our souls, Satan. The trowel is required for it is not enough to fight our foe, but we must toil in our task, as well.

This was the thought behind Spurgeon’s monthly magazine called, “The Sword and the Trowel.”  He began its publication in 1865. The subtitle read, “A Record of Combat With Sin, and Labour For the Lord.”  The first issue made clear these twin purposes of battling and building. Spurgeon wrote, “We speak in love, but not in soft words and trimming sentences. We shall not court controversy, but we shall not shun it when the cause of God demands it. ...  We would sound the trumpet, and lead our comrades to the fight. We would ply the trowel with untiring hand for the building up of Jerusalem’s dilapidated walls, and wield the sword with vigor and valour for the truth.”  This, Spurgeon faithfully did, till his ministry concluded at his death.

This is our task still. Not all appreciated Spurgeon’s commitment to the truth—and make no mistake if you take a stand for Biblical doctrine and devotion in these days, you will be attacked as a hater, when it is love for the Lord and love, indeed, for those who reject the truth which motivates us, though it is not perceived as such. Yet, we dare not be ever looking for a fight, but must exert positive service in our Master’s cause. We must employ the trowel!

Pray for those who mount the pulpit today to carry sword and trowel. Ask God to help you as you enter the church house for marching orders and construction assignments—to go forth from that assembly into the world and make a difference for the cause of Christ.

WHO’S. YOUR ONE? Day 31

The Glory to Come

“Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:3-6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

These verses are hard to believe because we have only known a world with death, grief, crying and pain. God gives a glimpse of the joy to come when we will finally be with him in the deepest and most intimate way possible. This is what we are inviting people into. As we invite people to come and see, and we share with our one the good news about the One who shed his blood for them, we are inviting them into a kingdom they were created for and a person they were created to know. He promises He is making all things new, and one day His work will be complete. May this picture of his coming reign propel us into our neighborhoods, work places and homes to faithfully share the best news: there is a God who loved them at the highest cost. He gave His life for them, so that they would turn from the evil inclinations of their hearts and find eternal rest in the arms of their Savior. In Him, it is finished. In Him, we find the eternal rests our hearts have longed for.

Pray for the reality of Revelation 21 that is coming. May this moment of being with Jesus propel you to share the gospel with endurance, love and patience. By God’s grace, may we see many more salvations and baptisms in North America in the months and years to come! (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 30

Better Than We Can Imagine

“And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:9-10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The kingdom of Heaven will be far greater than we ever dared imagine. All of our tiresome, stressful and awkward moments of evangelism will be incomparable when we stand shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters from around the world and admire and worship the King. On this day, may we look around and see men and women— maybe even our one—the Lord gave us the privilege of ushering into the kingdom. When we worship Him without the effects of our sin or the brokenness of our world, we will know that this is where we were meant to be all along—with God and with his people.

Pray now that one day your one will be standing with you before the throne of God in worship. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 29

The Mission Cannot Fail

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

God will build His Church through the faithfulness of His people. The mission is great, but He promises this mission will not fail! No matter the enemies who come upon us as we seek to share the gospel with our one, the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. The message of the gospel will continue to go forth despite famine, calamity, persecution and hardship. Be encouraged that you are on a mission with God’s people that cannot fail. His power working in and through us will keep us in the fight until the day he makes all things new.

Pray for endurance despite persecution and hardship of the Church as we continue to share the good news of the gospel with the world. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 28

He Cares Deeply

“So the Lord said, “You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night. But may I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals?””
‭‭Jonah‬ ‭4:10-11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Jonah was one of the most successful evangelists in the Old Testament, and he was also the most upset about it. To Jonah’s frustration, God extended mercy to the wicked Ninevites when they repented. He cares deeply for those who do not know Him, and He cares immensely for your one and others you are sharing the gospel with. He does not desire a single person to perish and spend eternity away from Himself, including the vilest of humans. Never believe a person is too far gone to be wooed back into the loving arms of the Savior. We can trust God to work in a person’s heart so they will repent and turn to Him, like the people in Nineveh.

Who have you believed is too far gone from receiving Christ? Repent of this mindset and pray this person would come to know the Lord. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 27

God Is Not Slow

“Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:8-9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

It’s hard to endure in evangelism. We have friends and family members we have been praying for and sharing the gospel with for years, and there is not the slightest nudge of spiritual interest, let alone conversion. Sharing the gospel can be discouraging, but God’s timing is not like ours. God is patient, and He does not desire anyone to perish. Keep laboring in faith knowing you serve a God who is not slow, but is patient with you and with those you are sharing with, including your one.

Pray God would strengthen your spiritual muscles to endure in prayer for the salvation of your one. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 26

Beautiful Feet

“How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:14-15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Our words are critical. While we can display aspects of the gospel through our actions, sinners cannot come to faith in Christ without hearing the gospel message. According to Romans 10:14–15: we are sent, we preach the gospel, they hear the gospel and then they believe the gospel. We have control over going and speaking. God initiates their listening and accepting. But the proclaimer’s feet are not beautiful because a person came to Christ. Their feet are beautiful because they were faithful to proclaim the message. As you go throughout your day, may you be a carrier of the best news to your one and beyond.

 Find a tool that can help you clearly and concisely communicate the gospel. We recommend Three Circles, which can be found at namb.net/Evangelism. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 25

 


Come and See!

“The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”), and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter” ).”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:35-42‬ ‭CSB‬‬

We naturally recruit people to what we are passionate and excited about. When you see a good play, movie, piece of artwork, sports game, etc., our natural inclination is to grab people to share in our joy. Our joy is more fully complete when they look in wonder at what you both find amazing. When we share the gospel, we are inviting people to “come and see” the God of the universe and His deep love for them. It’s natural for us to go to the people closest to us in relational proximity, like a family member. Don’t underestimate the power of saying “come and see” to a family member who is lost. Peter, the leader of the early church, was introduced to Christ by his brother Andrew. Who might God be calling you to say, “come and see!” to in your family?

Say “come and see” by inviting a family member or your one to church with you this week. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 24

God Chose You

“But Moses replied to the Lord, ‘Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent — either in the past or recently or since you have been speaking to your servant — because my mouth and my tongue are sluggish.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Who placed a mouth on humans? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.’”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭4:10-12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

When the Lord called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses had an arsenal of excuses why he was not the most qualified person for the job. One of his reasons was his inability—past and present—to speak eloquently. Despite whether this was true or not, God chose Moses for this task. Likewise, there are men and women in your life who God has chosen you to share the gospel with. Not your pastor or your super spiritual friend, but you. One of the reasons we may be hesitant to share is because we simply do not know what we would say. Our culture is enamored by articulate speakers who can speak intellectually about the claims of Christianity. But God has chosen you to share the good news with your family, friends, neighbor or your one. He made no mistake. He made the mouth, and He will show you what to say.  He will help you speak. Are you willing to be used by Him?

 Pray you would not allow the fear of not being able to speak eloquently to deter you from sharing the gospel. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 23

The Power of Words

“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, so that I may make it known as I should. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:2-6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

We are dependent on the Lord throughout the whole process of evangelism. We not only need God’s power to open doors for us to share, but we need Him to give us discernment to know how and when to walk through the doors He has opened. When we find ourselves in a gospel conversation, we may wonder what we should say, do and when we should speak with boldness or ask questions. As the Holy Spirit guides us in our gospel conversations, we should not underestimate the power of our words. It’s not just about what we say in presenting the gospel but how we say it. As the Lord directs us, our words should be gracious and seasoned with salt so we would know how to respond to each person we encounter.

Pray the Lord would open doors for you to share the gospel with your one this week, and pray your words would be gracious as you share the good news of Christ. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 22

 

Be Constant in Prayer

“Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up. ‘There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people. And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, “Give me justice against my adversary.” ‘For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’” Then the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:1-8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Some have labored on our knees and through the verbal proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of those close to us. The years pile high with no inkling of spiritual interest on their part, and we begin to wonder if our whispered prayers are to the white walls in our room instead of to the God of the universe. Why has God not answered my prayers to save my best friend, brother or co-worker? Why is my one still not walking with the Lord? We assume the hard work of evangelism is spent preparing a perfectly crafted gospel presentation, getting the message out there and watching the Holy Spirit work. But perhaps the greater work happens on our knees when no one is watching. God hears our petitions to save those we love. He longs for them to be saved, too. He is not slow, and He desires all to repent and to come to a saving knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:9). Take heart, laborer. Always pray, never give up and do not grow weary of the good work you are doing in evangelism. Your Father hears you.

 Spend five minutes praying for your one and their salvation. Pray also the Lord would open doors to speak the truth of the gospel in love to them. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 21

God Leads Through His People

“Your way went through the sea and your path through the vast water, but your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77:19-20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

God could have led the Israelites across the Red Sea and into the Promised Land without the assistance of any human, but He chose not to rescue them this way. While God’s people were saved through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, He used Moses and Aaron to do it. This is the pattern we see throughout scripture. God’s plan of redemption for the world is accomplished through His people sharing the gospel. He does not have to use us, but He chooses to use us for His name’s sake. God leads His people through His people. Never underestimate the role you can and will play in the lives of those you are sharing the gospel with and discipling. If God is going to do a work in your one’s life, He will likely use you and other believers to do it.

As you go about your day, look for opportunities the Lord has given you to be His hands, feet and mouthpiece to those you encounter. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 20

The Blindness of Unbelievers

“In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:4-6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The way we live as Christians looks like foolishness to the unbeliever. They are prevented from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, and consequently, the things of Christ appear strange and foreign. They are prevented from seeing and being in an intimate relationship with God Himself. As we share the gospel with our one, we do not share in such a way as to make ourselves look great. We proclaim Christ as servant messengers who are praying God would use us to shine light into the darkness of the lives of unbelievers. May this light give knowledge to those we share the good news with each day.

Pray God would give “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory” to your one. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE, Day 19

Pray for Good Soil

“Then he said to them: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables? The sower sows the word. Some are like the word sown on the path. When they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them. And others are like seed sown on rocky ground. When they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy. But they have no root; they are short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately fall away. Others are like seed sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word, but the worries of this age, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And those like seed sown on good ground hear the word, welcome it, and produce fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundred times what was sown.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:13-20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

People will inevitably respond to the gospel differently. Some hear the truth, and Satan steals it. Others hear it and joyfully accept it, but the hardship of this world uproot and reveal its shallowness. Others allow the care of this world to choke out the truth, and what fruit they would have produced dies. And some hear the good news, receive it with joy and produce fruit beyond what we could ever ask or imagine. You are not responsible for how your one responds to the message, but you are responsible to share it. God will be with us as we spread gospel seeds and may the good news of the kingdom fall on fertile soil in the hearts of hearers.

Pray the heart of your one would be like the seed planted on good soil, which produced much fruit. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 18

The Holy Spirit's Guidance

“An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road. ) So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about — himself or someone else?” Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:26-35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

What a joy to have inquiring hearts initiate to us in search of truth! We often intentionally seek out others to share the gospel with, but sometimes God has been preparing a person’s heart to receive the good news, and all that’s left is a divine encounter with a faithful Christian who is willing to share the best news we’ve ever heard. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance as He prompts you to share with others, especially your one. 

Pray that in every situation, the Holy Spirit would give us discernment to answer questions accurately and the wisdom to always be prepared to share the good news. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 17

What's in It for Me?

“One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:24‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭20:35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Generosity benefits the giver and the receiver. It is paradoxical for the Bible to assert that the more we give, the more we gain, since our hearts incline us to hoard instead of give. In Christ, we have been given a treasure in the form of good news (2 Corinthians 4:7), and there is much to gain in sharing this news with others. When we are generous with the gospel message which has been entrusted to us, it is not only for the recipient’s benefit. When we generously share the gospel with our one, we gain something too, be it in the form of intimacy with the Lord, the joy of being used by Him or a reminder for ourselves in our very words about how precious this news really is.

As you share the gospel this week, remember the message you are sharing is for the recipient, but it’s also for you, too. For it is truly “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 16

Remember the Mustard Seed

“He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:31-32‬ ‭CSB‬‬

If the disciples were here today, they would be amazed at the expansion of the kingdom of God thus far. They were witnesses to these words spoken by Jesus in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. They would remember at that point, gospel expansion resided largely in Jerusalem, but it’s impact would begin to spread like a contagious (welcomed) virus. Perhaps they would look out at the tribes, tongues and nations who are following Jesus today, and they would whisper to themselves in remembrance, “the mustard seed!” Their labor has been carried on for centuries after their deaths, and the fruit of their work has lived on. The kingdom started small, but it has grown to epic proportions, and it continues to grow. What a privilege that we play a small role in the kingdom’s expansion. As you see men and women, including your one, come to faith in Jesus, remember the mustard seed.

Pray your one would be added to the kingdom of God and would join the rich heritage of gospel-proclaiming believers who have come before them, including yourself! (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 15

The Lord Opens Hearts

“A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭16:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Opportunities to share the gospel can happen at unexpected times, and we have to be vigilant to recognize them when they come. Paul and his companions went to sit by a river to pray. When they found the space occupied, they engaged the women who were there. It is here we witness God open the heart of Lydia in response to Paul’s proclamation of the gospel.

We never know the degree to which God is working in a person’s heart, but we can depend on God to open the hearts of those we share the gospel with. God and His Word are sufficient to do the heavy lifting in our evangelism. Remain faithful to share His Word. You never know who may be listening and whose heart will be opened.

Pray you would be ready to share the gospel in the unexpected moments of life this week. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 14

The Pressure Is Off

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:44‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Sometimes we feel pressure that we are responsible for a person becoming a Christian. We may place an overemphasis on saying the right words or finding the right time to share the gospel. Like trying to enter a game of double-dutch, we strategically rock back and forth while attempting to figure out when to jump in with the big news. Rest assured, God will give wisdom how and when to share. But if you’re a Christian, find joy in the fact that you’re already in the game, and the pressure of performance is off. It is not in our ability to save people, but we are called to deliver the message, and God gives us the privilege to be used by Him. As you share the best news with your one, leave the results of salvation up to the God who draws people to Himself, and enjoy the joy of joining God in His mission as He makes all things new.

Pray that as you share the gospel with your one, you would be reminded that only the Father can draw people to Himself. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 13

Keep Going

“For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

If we are living intentionally to advance God’s kingdom, we will grow weary. Our souls and bodies grow tired with time and age. Life’s harsh realities put a wet towel on our fiery passion which once burned brightly. But we find hope to endure when we look at the cross. As we think on the person and work of Jesus, we place our hope in the One who endured immense hostility to the point of death on the cross. He did this so we would not give up. As the great crowd of witnesses spurs you on, keep running the race set before you with endurance, with your eyes ever fixed on the Savior. While it may take years or decades to see that friend, family member or your one come to Christ, “be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Pray the Lord would give you endurance as you share the gospel with your one. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)