It’s a pity that we can’t stay and spend a whole month on this passage. There is so much here that we need to meditate on and apply to our lives. In fact, Acts 17 is probably my favorite chapter in all of Scripture. And it boils down to the following words found there… 26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us… (Acts 17:26&27a [ESV]). Did you catch that. The God of the universe has determined our time and living location. You and I were born on the exact day he ordained us to be born and we are living in just the right place that he had ordained for us to live. There is a reason for all this… so that we would have the best opportunity to hear and respond to his love for us.
Now this begs two questions. First, if you are not a Christ follower – even if you thought you chose the place to live – it was God who chose it for you. And why? Because it is right where you have the best chance to hear about the good news of Jesus. You may not know it now, but that’s what’s happening in your life right now.
Second, if you are a Christ follower God has put you in just the right spot to share the good news of Jesus to those around you. If those without Jesus are ordained to live next to you, then you are there to share the gospel with them. God has ordained it.
Now that is a life changing thought and reality isn’t it!?! So here are some things you can do to be ready to share the gospel with those around you:
- Walk through your neighborhood and pray for those in each home on your block;
- Pray that your neighborhood would be known as one of peace and faith;
- When you meet your neighbors do your best to remember their names and circumstances;
- When you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you ask your neighbors what you can be praying for in their lives;
- And when possible, do practical acts of kindness to them.
Lord God, we pray today that you would give us a holy zeal for our neighbors. We desire that many would come to know you as their personal saviour. I pray hat our neighborhoods would be known for their peace and faith. I pray we would put into practice the knowledge that you have put us right where we live for such a time as this. I pray all these things in Jesus Name, Amen.
Sixty-six books in a year 