09/09/2022
*ANCHOR (⚓) – NIFES’ Daily Devotional*
*Date:* Friday, 9th September 2022
*Topic:* ```365 Converts a Year!!!```
*Bible Reading:* Acts 2: 42–47 (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®. Copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles)
*42.* And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
*43.* And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
*44.* And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
*45.* And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
*46.* And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
*47.* praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
*Word for Today:* _And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved._ – *v. 47b.*
*Inspiring Commentary:*
Consider the phrase “…And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47b). It implies a minimum of one soul was added to that Church daily and 365 souls were added yearly. What is the growth rate of your Church/fellowship? A 365-soul growth rate per year means your church building will overflow/expand yearly. That doesn’t happen in many Churches. Why? We are just not as evangelical as Christ wants us to be. How are our members convincing others to join their crowdfunding platforms but not the Church? The fund-raising platforms are booming but the evangelical tree of life is stagnant and malnourished. Priority is the answer.
Jesus said in Matthew 6: 20–21: “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If a pastor promises cash to every member who brings new members weekly, soon the Church will overflow. Is it that we don’t trust eternal rewards for soul winners that we aren’t striving for souls?
To get to Europe, many African youths will pray, fast and do the unthinkable. For a jersey in a European Football club, many can sell their all to attain that. For an American lottery win, many can forsake all to be a winner. Why stake for games we have no control over but cannot risk a meal for souls? For a certificate, we can sacrifice so much for but not for souls. What a great disappointment will trail this generation if we don’t strive for souls while we may.
*Prayer:* Dear Lord, we see the enormous opportunities we have to win souls. Help us not to waste these opportunities but to use them while we may. Amen.
