Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Faith comes from hearing . . . the word of Christ. (Rom. 10:17)
So here is how the gospel works. As Christians share the gospel, some people hear it and believe. They receive it not merely as human information but as the very Word of God (1 Thess. 2:13). And this results in changed lives, as hearers of the Word also become doers, and “walk in a manner worthy of God” (v. 12).
Albert Dosti is a pastor in Albania. As a young man serving in the Albanian military, he was assigned the task of monitoring foreign radio broadcasts being transmitted into the country in the Albanian language. One of the programs he monitored, listening to it in case it contained subversive political messages, was called “Words of Hope.” No politics there, but a truly subversive message! After listening for some time, Albert discovered that a strange and unexpected thing had happened—he had become a believer in Jesus. Eventually Albert would become the radio pastor for Words of Hope Albania, and would write and record almost 2,000 programs in which he faithfully preached the Word of God. This work continues with Words of Hope’s ministry team in Albania, including in the Albanian Words of Hope devotional.
Jesus once said that the hour is now here when the dead will hear his voice, and those who hear will live (John 5:25). He was speaking of spiritual death and spiritual life. Many listen to the gospel but they don’t really hear it. To hear it in such a way that new life is born in you is a sort of miracle. Has that happened to you?
As you pray, ask God to give you the kind of hearing that results in life.
About the Author
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
