Today’s
Scripture: John 15:12-13
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his
friends.”
Words
of Devotion
Paul Carlson arrived in the Congo in 1961 shortly after
the African nation was given independence. Trained in medicine, he felt the
call to become a missionary doctor for the Evangelical Covenant Church. Though
there was widespread turmoil in that part of Africa, he realized that these
unsettled conditions provided a great opportunity for medical missionaries to
help people and share the Gospel.
After his first tour was completed, he returned to the United States. His wife,
Lois, saw that he was “a new person. His attitudes had changed…his purposes in
life were well defined, his outlook on the future was confident.” So he and
Lois decided to return to the Congo in 1963, even though the situation remained
dangerous.
Soon after his return, Carlson was captured by rebels and tortured while he
endured three months in captivity. When Belgian paratroopers landed on a rescue
mission, he and other missionaries tried to escape, but Carlson was killed.
His martyrdom became front-page news across the world. In particular, people
throughout the Congo were moved by the commitment he had shown. At his funeral,
many pastors told of the impact of his life. On his grave marker, these words
were written in the Lingala language: “Greater love has no one than this, than
to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Paul Carlson had laid down his life,
and thousands of people were impacted by the Gospel as a result!
How serious is your commitment to God? Have you made Jesus your Lord? Are you
seeking first His Kingdom? Are you willing to lay down your life for others?
Are you serving God with your mind, soul, body, and resources?
Today, commit your
life to Him anew, and allow God’s love to flow through you to others.
Today's
Prayer: Father, I seek
first Your Kingdom. Nothing is more important than serving You. Give me the
boldness to stand for You without compromise. In Jesus’ name Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment