Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.               Mark 16:15           

Maybe I picked this verse for the Lenten devotional because I love to travel the world but I believe it is our responsibility, as believers, to help others to find their faith and come to Christ. I was lucky to be born in a Christian home where my mother taught Sunday school and junior church for many years. The church was always an important part of our lives. My cousin, Edna Esther Johnson, who grew up across the street from us, has been a special  inspiration to me. She has been a missionary nurse with the Evangelical Church of America for many years serving in Liberia. She just returned from Liberia from probably her last stint, often walking up to 10 miles between villages spreading the gospel and attending to the medical needs of the people. Incidentally, Edna is 81 years old. Oh to be as dedicated to  spreading the gospel as she has been.

In the first chapter of John, Philip said to Nathanael “Come and See" this man who is Jesus. Nathanael did not have any high expectations about what he was going to see but he came and found Jesus and believed. When opportunities to witness to our faith present themselves we need to act. A few years ago while on a hunting trip to Zimbabwe, Janet had her camo Bible on the table in our thatched roof tent. The house boy saw the Bible and a discussion of the Christian faith     followed. Opportunity taken. We need to go into the entire world and to our next door neighbors and invite them to "Come and See" what God can mean to them.

Prayer: Thank you for giving to us, your believers, your love and grace. You have commissioned us to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to all creation. Help us to summon the courage to spread the word and to  encourage others to "Come and See" what you have to offer. In  Jesus name we pray, Amen.