Our congregation is currently observing the 50 Days Ablaze program within our worship services and Bible studies.  Our emphasis is to share the Word of God and the precious gift of salvation with each other and to reach out to others as well.

As I talk to congregation members it is heartening to hear how they feel that this is drawing us together around God’s Word and strengthening personal faith as well.  In our busy lives it is often too easy to separate ourselves from Bible study and from each other.  There are so many things to fill the hours of our day!  However, Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we are not to give up meeting together but to encourage one another “and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  There is an urgency for us to continue to “meet” with God in prayer and Bible study.  There is also an urgency to make sure that others know about God’s salvation made possible for us through Jesus Christ as well! Scripture is full of verses that speak of this sharing.  In Psalm 118 the psalmist talks about proclaiming what the Lord has done.  In 1 Timothy 4:2 Paul encourages Timothy to “Preach the Word.”  Mark 16:15 tells us to “Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Sometimes we think that only grown-ups can do that but that is not so.  People of all ages—yes, children as well—have the command of God to make sure that the word gets out to all.  One of the earliest verses that we commit to memory comes from Matthew 28:19.  It instructs and encourages us to “go and make disciples of all nations . . .teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

So, are we Ablaze with this important message?  Are we in the Word and prayer to remind ourselves of God’s message?  Are we sharing it everywhere we go? Do we feel we are not up to the job?  1 Cor. 2:13 assures us that we will speak “not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit.” So, let’s get to it!

Linda Bresemann