Relationships are Important!

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news of good things'" (Romans 10:14-15). 

I have some good friends who are missionaries in Brazil. This is an excerpt from their newsletter:

"Romans 10 contains a beautiful passage of Scripture that describes the necessity of hearing the gospel message in order to be saved. This necessity does not only mean that someone hears words, but that they hear with such understanding that they can apply these words to their own lives. In order to communicate anything with anyone, you must have a relationship with that person. When relationships are strong, the likelihood that your message will be listened to increases.

Sharon Beougher

"The best thing about living in Brazil is the relationships that we have developed. It is extremely encouraging for us to spend time with nationals and experience life with them. Why? Because God designed humanity to live in relationships to facilitate the spread of His glory. What a privilege to do what God has designed us to do!"

No matter where we live, God works through relationships. Let us press on to build the relationships God has put in our lives.

We pray they believe in God's Word

"For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13, New American Standard Bible).

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17, NASB).

What do you believe in? I believe tomorrow the sun will rise and may wake me up before my alarm goes off and that my neighbor will walk her dog around the same time I go for a run. Yet, there is more to believe in, of course.

In the book of 1 Thessalonians, we can read how the Thessalonians received God's Word. They not only heard it, but also believed it as true. God's Word brought a revolution in their lives and community.

As believers in His Word, we believe in who God is and accept the sacrifice Christ made and the forgiveness God offers. Believing in the Word of God can save us from the damage of sin, and God transforms us as we are in a good relationship with Him. We are saved by God's grace, as we respond to His Word by having faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8).

Is there someone on your mind who does not believe in God's Word?

Lord, help this person on our mind believe in You and receive Your Word as true. Help us to continue to learn from and trust in Your Word. Let us experience the positive transformation that comes from believing in You and allowing You to work within us.

"Let the word of Christ dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16, NASB).

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo of Amish Oak Bible Stand from www.dutchcrafters.com.