ROMANS 10:14-15.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

TO PONDER

The feet were important. ‘Shoes of peace’ Paul calls them in the armour of God. Transport in Jesus days was mainly Shank’s Pony. (Now, all those under 50 years of age will need to look up Shanks Pony). 

And after a day or so of walking, travelling from town to town, the feet needed a good wash and massage. 

Our message (after the massage) is to share the good news. Now. Often. Immediately. We are the privileged ones, who have been sent. LifeWay worship finishes the service with it every week. Send us, Lord. Get our feet going. Give us the impetus to preach to those who haven’t heard the news of Christmas – and there are many who have not!

A colleague in a rural congregation wondered why one of their new members didn’t worship over the Christmas period. When they contacted him, he said that he thought, like many businesses, the church closed over Christmas. He didn’t link the Christmas message with the message about Jesus he heard on Sundays. He was wondering what Jesus has to do with Christmas. We have work to do people!

People like him, will welcome your preaching, will rejoice at your witness, and love your enthusiasm…smelly feet or not.        

PRAYER:We don’t often get the preaching bit right Lord, so give us the right words to say, especially at this time when many have never heard the real Christmas story. Give us boldness to tell others the good news we know! Amen    

Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping.