It's time for today's word of encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's devotional

titled In Harms Way was written by Arthur Jackson. On my morning walk, I noticed that a vehicle

was stopped in the road headed in the wrong direction.

The driver was unaware of the danger to herself and others because she was asleep and

appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The situation was perilous, and I had to act.

After getting her alert enough to move her to the passenger side of the car so that I could get into the driver's seat, I drove her to a safe place.

Physical danger isn't the only harm we face.

In the book of Acts, when Paul saw worldly wise, clever people in Athens

in spiritual peril, because the city was full of idols, he was greatly distressed. The Apostles's

innate response to those who flirted with ideas that failed to consider Christ was to share about

God's purposes in and through Jesus, and some who heard believed. Seeking ultimate meaning,

apart from faith in Christ, is dangerous. Those who have found forgiveness and true fulfillment in Jesus

have been rescued from dead-end pursuits and have been given the message of reconciliation.

Sharing the good news of Jesus with those under the intoxicating influences of this life

is still the means God uses to snatch

people from harm's way.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Acts chapter 17, verses 16 through 34. While Paul was waiting for them

in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So, he reasoned in the

synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day

with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him.

Some of them asked, what is this babbler trying to say? Others remarked, he seems to be advocating foreign gods.

They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

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