Read Dr. David Jeremiah Daily Devotional for today July 1 2023: New Testament Missionaries: John the Baptist.
SCRIPTURE: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. -John 1:6-8.
John the Baptist was the original missionary in Christian history; he preceded Christ, prepared His way, proclaimed repentance, and set the stage for our Lord’s earthly ministry. God had prepared John for that very moment, even from before his birth. His mother, Elizabeth, exclaimed to the virgin Mary, “As soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy” (Luke 1:44).
John’s boldness came from his sense of calling, and his calling went back to his earliest days. In the same way, God has appointed us from birth to be His servants and messengers (Jeremiah 1:5). We’re not all career missionaries, but we’re all called to share Christ with boldness to those to whom the Lord sends us.
Scared at the thought of witnessing? You were born to do it, so ask God for boldness!
We cannot speak boldly if [God] does not work mightily…. We are therefore authorized to ask in faith for God’s accompanying power.
A. T. Pierson