Compassionate Evangelism

Dr. Tim Beougher, in his booklet Overcoming Walls of Witnessing, shares a true story about a pastor in the 1800's in Boston named John Vassar.  He was going door to door to invite people to church.  When he went up to the house right across the street from the church and knocked on the door, the lady of the house angrily opened the door and told him not to ever come to her house to talk about religion.  Vassar was so heart-broken at the woman's hard heart that he just wept on her front door steps.

Sharon Beougher

The next Sunday this same lady walked into the church and sat at the back.  After the service, Vassar went up to her and said he was glad, but surprised to see her at church.  He asked her what had changed her mind.  She said, "It was your tears. I had never seen anyone weep for me before."

Wow!  When was the last time you wept over a unbelieving family member, much less a stranger who was lost?  I am convicted by that!

Seeing the people, He felt compassin for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36).

Lord, please develop in us hearts of compassion so that we may urgently share the Good News to a generation who is in desperate need of hearing Your message of hope!

Let's Have A HeartTalk!

Our world is full of people that are searching and starving for Jesus.  People that need the Lord have many similar characteristics:  empty, searching for peace, trapped in darkness, broken, rejected, without hope, wandering, searching for meaning, yearning for belonging, running from one thing to another, trying to fill their lives with constant activity, trying to escape reality, addicted to the things of this world, and on and on. Why do I know some of these characteristics? Because until I was a grown adult and someone shared Jesus with me, those characteristics described my daily lifestyle. You see, I was lost and without hope until I accepted Jesus as my Savior! Lost people look like lost people!!

Do you know Jesus? If you do not know Jesus, you can know Him right now, today, this very minute! He is looking over your life with His love. He knows those that are starving for peace and purpose that can only be found in Him! Here are some simple steps you can take to know Jesus:

• HOPE in HIM ♥ God has some things He'd like for you to know from His heart. God has great plans for you! Jeremiah 29:11-13 was written just for you as God says "'For I know the plans I have for you, ______________ (put your name in the blank)'" declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'"

• BELIEVE in HIM + God Loves You! John 3:16 was written just for you as God says, "For God so loved the world ______________ (put your name in the blank) that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." When you believe God sent Jesus to die on the cross for you and accept the forgiveness He offers, He will wipe your sins away. Then, the communication with God is open.

• TURN to HIM ^ God will forgive your wrongdoings and clean your heart! Acts 3:19 was written just for you as God says, "Turn to God, so that your ___________(put you name in the blank) sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." As you turn away from your sins and turn to God, He helps you make wise decisions. He wants the very best for you!

• CALL on HIM as LORD "HeartCall" God will give you a new heart. It's not enough just to know about Jesus. You must ask Him to lead your life and be your Lord. Romans 10: 9-10, 13 was written just for you as God says, "if you ___________(put you name in the blank) confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."!!

If you would like to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, just call on Him by praying a simple prayer similar to this one from your heart:  "Dear God, I know You have great plans for me and I want to place my hope in You. I believe You love me and sent Jesus to die on the cross for me. Please forgive me and help me turn from my wrongdoings. I want You to lead my life. Amen!"

If you prayed this prayer and meant it, God says you are now a follower of Him, a New Believer with A New Heart!  2 Corinthians 5:17 was written just for you as God says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, you are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."!

Please share with us of your life-changing decision to follow Christ so that we can rejoice with you, pray for you, and share a simple but wonderful New Believers Guide called "HeartCall: A New Heart", with you!

Now that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can know that He will help you every day and that when you die, you will go to heaven to live with Him forever! 1 John 5:13 was written just for you as God says, "I write these things to you _____________(put your name in the blank) who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life"!

You will also want to take the daily first steps as a follower of Christ:

1. Share HeartTalk with others and tell them of your decision to follow Christ. God will be pleased and you will be His Witness!
2. Join a Bible-believing church and follow Christ's example of baptism. You'll be blessed!
3. Pray daily! Prayer is simply talking to God just like we talk to each other. Share with God why you    love Him and about the things you are trusting Him for. He Always Listens!
4. Read your Bible daily! If you do not have a Bible please let us know so that we can help you get one. As you start reading your Bible, a good place to start is 1 John (don't be embarrassed to look at the table of contents in the front of your Bible to find 1 John). Then read the Gospel of John. Ask God to help you understand what you are reading and He will help you!

Let us hear from you! We would LOVE to know of your decision, answer any questions you may have, support you, and/or pray for you!

"HeartTalk" witnessing booklets are a great tool to use in your personal witness, and in your church ministries for witness training/decision time. You can contact Jaye Martin Ministries by clicking on the e-mail option.  (all of the written material above is from the "HeartTalk" Witnessing Booklet, written by Jaye Martin) Please contact us if you would like to purchase the "HeartTalk" Witnessing Booklets to share with others as His Witness!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PANiveIKVX0  (Come To Jesus - Chris Rice)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0LM5e7EkJ0 (God of This City with lyrics - Chris Tomlin)

Please pass this post onto others as His "HeartTalk" witness!!

God provides the plan to share Christ

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.  Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:20-21

God’s Word provides the plan of salvation that you share with others

As God sends you to share Christ with others, God sends you with His plan.  The plan of salvation is from His perfect Word, the Bible.  This is one reason that it is exciting to read God’s Word and get to know God personally.  His plan will fill your heart with courage and confidence because God never makes a mistake and never makes His plan hard to understand.  The Holy Spirit will help you understand God’s Word as you read it and share it.  Remember the small simple step of faith that you took to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior?  Don’t ever forget that God provides the plan to follow as you share Jesus with others.

  

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

I Thessalonians 2:13

The simple message of salvation that you offer to others is shared by faith.  The plan of salvation is found in God’s Word.  As you read and memorize God’s Word, you are being equipped to share Christ with others.  This is the greatest joy-filled plan to follow.  Begin today to make yourself familiar with and memorize the Scriptures in the “HeartTalk” witnessing booklet.  You will be ready to share His plan of eternal life through Jesus using this wonderful plan.

 

God’s Word provides powerful examples of His people sharing Christ with others

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus…"  John 1:40-42a

God’s Word is full of examples of His people witnessing.  What a joy it is that God has given you these role models from His Word that encourages you to share Christ and cheers you on in many ways.  Even though they followed Christ many years ago, their footprints are provided as examples for every believer to follow today.  Get to know some of these biblical role models and let their lives be an inspiration and reminder that if they could be witnesses, you can too.

  

God’s Spirit will draw people to Christ

“When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement…" John 16:8

When you share Christ, do not feel defeated if the person you share with doesn’t say yes to Christ right away.  Christians need to be careful that they don’t fall into the trap of playing the Holy Spirit.  That is not your role to fill.  Your role is to pray, to share, and to leave the results to God.  You may be planting a seed in the heart of someone who needs the Lord, watering a seed that someone else has planted, or picking the fruit of a life that was planted and watered by someone else.  The results are all up to God.  He is not willing for one person to perish. 

NOTE: Today's post is taken from HeartCall: A New Heart and written by Tracy Jones.

Remember Whose You Are!

"A Simple Healthy Formula for Godly Self-Esteem & Self-Worth!"

Valentines Day was yesterday, but we are surrounding with "hearts" everyday! God wants our heart to be in good condition so that He can use us to share Him & His Love with others! Let's talk about the heart (the seat of our emotions) today according to the TRUTH in God's Word!!

In order to apply God’s Truth about self-esteem & self-worth, let's look at 3 lies that the enemy & the world portrays, especially to women, as self-esteem & self-worth keeping in mind that they are 3 HUGE LIES!!!

Then we will look at the ONE true message from GOD…He Is TRUTH!!!

3 LIES that women are told from the enemy & the world:

1. Self-Esteem & Self-Worth = What You LOOK LIKE: At one time or another we all have been caught in a trap of lies from the enemy and the world of being overly concerned and/or at times obsessed (narcissistic) over: Weight, Body Shape, or Appearance…always leads to negative thinking and negative self talk!
"The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes. He trusts something that can't help him at all. Yet he cannot bring himself to ask, "Is this idol that I'm holding in my hand a lie?" Isaiah 44:20 NLT

2. Self-Esteem & Self-Worth = What You DO: At one time or another we all have been caught in a trap of lies from the enemy and the world of being labeled by what we do to be accepted or to measure up to standards that are unrealistic: Perfect Wife, Perfect Mother, Perfect Home, Everything Organized, Over-Achiever, Climbing the Career Ladder, Striving to be Successful, Making Good Grades, Talented, Club Member, Up-To-Date Scrapbooks, What I Do Is Who I Am = obsessed with (narcissistic) accomplishments/achievements always leads to negative thinking & negative self talk!
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NLT


3. Self-Esteem & Self-Worth = What OTHERS THINK About You: At one time or another we all been caught in a trap from the enemy and the world of being overly concerned and/or at times obsessed with (narcissistic) being a people pleaser: Approval From Others, Trying To Fit In, Doing Whatever It Takes To Be Accepted, Trying to Look Like You Have It All Together, Trying to Be Accepted By The “In” Crowd, Being A Follower Of Others, Closed Relationship Clicks…always leads to negative thinking & negative self talk!
"...For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night..." Rev.12:10b NLT


All of the above traps will lead to: low self-esteem/low self-worth, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of the future, fear of all kinds, the blame game, shame, anxiety, displaced anger, self-pity, being passive, eating disorders, isolation, depression, withdrawing from others, loss of creativity, negativity, perfectionism, critical spirit, controlling/manipulating others, co-dependant relationships, gambling, alcohol and/or drug use to escape emotional pain = negative strong-holds!

GOOD NEWS!!!!! God’s ONE True Formula for Self-Esteem & Self-Worth is....

Who You Are In JESUS CHRIST!! = True Self-Esteem & Self-Worth: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed me in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me,O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!" Psalm 139:13-18 NLT

Please take some time and look up these PROMISES about who you are in Jesus Christ and please share Him with others....all we need to do is look at the news, culture, people our lives touch everyday and see that people are needing to know JESUS & share Him with others!! God made us to Know Him & be His Witnesses, that is WHO WE ARE!!": Psalm 17:8; Romans 8:1-2, 15-17, 37-39; 2 Cor. 4:16-18, 5:17; Eph. 2:10; Colossians 2:10, 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Jer.29:11-13 ESV

A Few Resources that help with Self-Esteem & Self-Worth: “The Search for Significance” Robert S.McGee; “Healing of Damaged Emotions” David A.Seamands; “Breaking Free” Beth Moore; "The Blessing" Gary Smalley & John Trent

Some websites to help you in your walk with the Lord & your witness for Christ!
www.jayemartin.blogspot.com www.womensministry.net www.pointofgrace.com www.womensministry.net www.family.org www.christianwomentoday.com www.JourneyOfJoy.com www.RetirementWithAPurpose.com www.namb.net www.lifeway.com www.lroof.org www.insight.org www.turningpointradio.org www.justbetweenus.org

If You Need Prayer and/or Encouragement: Tracy Jones ~ tjonescomm@swbell.net

http://www.godvine.com/Beautiful-by-MercyMe-For-Anyone-Who-Doesn-t-Feel-Beautiful-565.html (Mercy Me-Your Beautiful)

storytelling through art

"Jesus said, 'Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again.  But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again - ever!  In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life'" (John 4:13-14, HCSB). 

Recently, I went to a henna party and found out more about how missionaries are finding a new way to talk about God with others through art.  Henna is a natural dye for the skin used for beauty reasons in Southeast Asian countries.  It can help share a story like this:

~~~~

The hour of the day was when most people weren't out, but that was just the right time that this woman went to get some water.  In the fourth chapter of John in the Bible, we learn that she had a reputation.  Jesus was going to get some water at the same time and asked her for some.  Now, Jesus was recognized from being of Jewish descent, and she was a Samaritan...so to some, this could've seemed scandalous, that this man was talking to this woman at this odd time of day.  The Bible lets us know that God looks at the heart, though, not the outside - so, it makes sense that Jesus started this conversation with her.

He asked some questions, and as they talked, He explained that He was the living water.  God gives us new life through Christ. When she realized that He was the Messiah, the promised one who God sent prophets to tell about so long ago who would save God's people.  She went to the city to tell others that He had come.

~~~~

There's more to learn about Jesus being living water, from John 4:1-26.  It's been on my mind for a couple of weeks, and symbols representing different parts of this story are now stained on my hand for about a week.  A woman named Katie told me about how this story, and how other Bible stories, can be expressed through henna art.  

In South Asian cultures, the henna plant is often ground into a sort of paste that feels cool to the skin.  Women use it for hair dye or as a temporary tattoo, as it's popularly considered a beautiful thing there.  Someone noted how it's similar to how many American women use lip stick stains and how some women in other countries stain their nails.  It goes away in about a week.

Some missionaries partnered with the International Mission Board to explain to others this way of sharing God's good news through Bible stories. The designs you can make using this dye can be symbols of different parts of the story. That way, they help give a creative, visual picture of the story that you can share.

If you'd like to know more, then check out the sites below.  A good place to buy something like the henna I used is online or at an international supermarket (I've heard that peacock, that comes out looking black, can cause serious allergic reactions - so I've heard to stay away from that kind).  

Henna storytelling - IMB 

A simple description of henna - wisegeek.com
A historical look - hennapage.com

Henna as a marriage tradition - matadornetwork.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

Planning Ahead With Purpose!

"A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below." Proverbs 15:23-24 NKJV


"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:..." Ecc.3:1 NKJV
I love how God created the seasons and how He causes them to change...just about every 3 months. Right now, with the temperature over 100 degrees everyday, it doesn't "feel" like a new season is coming, BUT IT IS!!! "Autumn~Fall" is about to be in the air and this is a great time to do some evangelistic planning ahead with purpose!

As we look at the calendar we are already beginning to prepare for the seasonal activities that we know are about to take place in our lives and in the lives of others around us: Back-to-School, Muffins with Mom, Donuts with Dad, Moving back to College Campuses, Posting upcoming Fall Family Activities on the calendar, and more!

During the new season we are about to enter, let's ask God to help us see opportunities to share Jesus using some creative "seasonal" ideas.
God has created you with your creative thoughts and gifted you through His Spirit to share Him with others through His Strength & Courage! I would like to encourage all of you to finish today's blog by sharing 3 of your ideas with all of us! You can share your ideas in one of several ways; on this blog at the bottom, on my facebook page, or you can send me your ideas by my e-mail address and I will post them for you...as we share ideas and read the ideas of others please put the ideas into practice as we are networking together to make this a Fresh Season Full of our Savior:-)!

Ok, I will get us started with a couple of ways that I have has the privilege of sharing Jesus during the Autumn~Fall season of life:
Back to School Backpacks: Shared with moms/children that are visitors at church; the backpacks can be filled with school supplies-snacks & age appropriate witnessing booklets (1 for child & 1 for parent)!
9-11 Patriot Cups of Encouragement: Since the tragic attack that our Nation went through on September 11th, this year will be monumental as there will be a "10 years since 9/11 focus", ask God to use this time of the year as an opportunity to reach out to military families-veterans-anyone that may serve our nation in anyway; you can use a coffecup/mug/teacup that you already have (if you are like me you have extras!) Fill this cup of encouragement with small tokens of God's Love (scripture cards/bookmark/candy/small lotion/tea bag/individual coffee bags/etc.) BUT most of all include the Good News of Jesus Christ through a witnessing booklet!
Fall Festival of Faith: As your church or community holds Fall events...what are some ways that we can take that day and make it "the Lord's Day" and fill it with ideas that point others to Jesus?

Praying that the new Season we are entering will be "A New Season to Share our Savior" in many new creative ways!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB6jhbtDUZE (Turn! Turn! Turn!) [can you tell we are READY for this HOT weather to CHANGE!:-)Ha!]

The God of Hope

Devotional from HeartCall: The Call to Prayer, published 1999 by North American Mission Board, Jaye Martin compiler and contributor

June 19

Background Passage: Romans 15:13-33

Focal Verse: Romans 15:13

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Paul’s intention as reflected in these verses and throughout his letters in the New Testament is to always be ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ and His saving power.  His desire and ability to be obedient to this task is established in the God of hope who will fill him with all peace and joy.  As I read this scripture I find great encouragement in knowing that the same God of hope will fill me with peace and joy as I serve Him.  There have been times of anxiety to even pray specifically for a lost relative or friend fearing that God would tell me to speak a word of testimony.  As I spend time with the Lord He teaches me that I can possess peace and confidence when sharing my faith with others as I surrender these encounters to God, knowing that it is Christ working through me and the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is not my efforts which bring results.  Paul’s desire to give testimony to his faith in Jesus Christ flows out of the abundance of true joy he receives as a result of his daily walk with the Lord.  What an awesome God we serve!

Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Rome and mine for you is that you will be encouraged to pray for the lost and then under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit be willing to give testimony of the peace and joy you have through Jesus Christ.

Bridget Cavey

Catonsville, MD

For information on HeartCall, go to http://namb.net/heartcall

the call of evangelist

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5, ESV.


I have a very specific calling. It is "to do the work of an evangelist." To be honest, it is not a popular calling. If it had been up to me, I'd have chosen something else. I always wanted to be a singer and use my talent to lead people in praise, but alias, I can't sing a word. Over the years, people have tried to put me into teaching roles, administrator jobs, and social chairs; while I can do these things, they are not my primary calling and gifting. My main giftedness is that of the evangelist - that of equipping church members to effectively share their faith in Jesus. We are all called to share the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20) but my call is to help people do this one thing.


Years ago, I began to study leadership becasue I realized that I needed to be more effective at "this one thing I do." I needed to learn to lead and influence people to share Christ. While I believe I have also been gifted in this area, I believe my gifting is but for one purpose...to influence people to be evangelistic.

Why am I telling you all this? Probably to remind myself! While this season holds many opportunities, my greatest calling (apart from my calling as a wife and mom) is to be involved in the work of evangelism. If I, or my team, can help you to reach people for Christ or train you to do so, then let me know. If you just need a speaker, then I pray God will show you who that might be.

Thank you for your love, your prayers, and your encouragement. Pray for me to remain focused on the main thing - the work of evangelist. You are loved and prayed for.

God Knows Exactly What We All Need 4 Summer!!

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 HCSB


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8i460c3ejw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8i460c3ejw&feature=related (Just Give Me Jesus! Ann Graham Lotz & Fernado Ortega)

Faithful and Available

One of the most powerful true stories I have ever heard about God wanting us just to be faithful in what He has called us to do in evangelism is about a man from George Street.  It begins when Frances Dixon preached a revival in Great Britain and asked a man named Peter to share his testimony.  He shared how he was walking down George Street in Sydney, Australia, when a man approached him and asked him "If you were to die tonight, would you go to heaven or hell?  The Bible says you can know."  So he proceeded to share how he found Christ as a result of that question.

Frances Dixon then asked Peter to share at another revival with him.  As he finished sharing, a man named Nowell stood up in the back and said that was his testimony as well.  He had been in Sydney, Australia, and a man on George Street stopped him and asked him the same questions, and as a result he became a Christian.

To make a long story short, Dixon found that in nine different places where he preached all over the world (including at a missionary conference in India) that has this same testimony.  So, he proceeded to arrange a trip to Sydney. Someone from Sydney led Dixon to his humble home where Mr. Genter was bed-ridden.  Dixon shared with Genter how he had found many people all over the world who were impacted b his questions.  Mr. Genter, with tears streaming down his face, said he told the Lord twenty-five years earlier that he would ask three people a day that question......but that he had NEVER known anyone come to the Lord as a result of his faithfulness. 

This story is SUCH an encouragement in evangelism in that God just wants us to be FAITHFUL to what He calls us to do.  We can trust God for results, but He just wants us to be faithful and available.  You can listen to the story as told by someone else on the attached link.

May all of us be faithful to do what God has called us to do!

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=2E2MCNNU

The Wonderous Cross!

"...looking to Jesus, the founder and profector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured THE CROSS , despising the shame , and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God..." Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race we're in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God-He could put up with anything along the way: CROSS, shame, whatever. And now He's there, in the place of honor, right alongside of God..." Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)

The Wonderful Cross

(Chris Tomlin~Matt Redman)

When I survey the Wonderous Cross

On which the Prince of Glory died

My richest gain I count my loss

And pour content on all my pride
See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the Wonderous Cross, O the Wonderous Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the Wonderous Cross, O the Wonderous Cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
O the Wonderous Cross, O the Wonderous Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the Wonderous Cross, O the Wonderous Cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name

♥Who can we share Jesus with this Good Friday & Easter? Someone needs to hear about THE WONDERFUL CROSS & they need to receive THE WONDERFUL SAVIOR JESUS!!♥
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sKcw9_PQYA

(The Wonderful Cross! Chris Tomlin~Matt Redman)

Let's Set Up Our Banners!

"May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God 'set up our banners'! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! Now this I know: The LORD saves..."!! Psalm 20:5-6 (ESV)

Please look at Jaye's post from yesterday if you would like to post a gifted2go "banner" on your facebook! As we look at the gifted2go banner, please pray for this great opportunity to make facebook pages evangelistic! You are invited to use the gifted2go banner, or possibly you may feel led to make an evangelistic facebook banner of your own creative giftedness from God! We would like to encourage you to look for opportunities to share Jesus through your social network of friends that God has gifted your life with for His purpose!

We would like to share with you the simple yet powerful meaning behind Gifted2Go that includes: an empty box, the cross, and a bow! This is a simple way to share Jesus with others! (If you would like to print on your own printer these free witnessing business cards that includes this powerful plan of salvation, please let us know! We would be glad to send you the printer ready copy:-)

Empty Box = Empty Life that we all have without Jesus Christ! We were born "separated from Christ, alienated...and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" Ephesians 2:12b ESV (this very week, when I saw a news report of a 2011 famous singer arrive at an awards show in an egg, then she was hatched out to that egg as she sang a song about how she was "born" this way...I was compelled to PRAY for this precious young woman that is needing to hear from someone about how JESUS can fill up her EMPTY LIFE that is searching for true answers/purpose that is only found/fullfilled in JESUS CHRIST!! Please join me in praying for someone that I know God must be using to reach the "trend setters" of Hollywood that are "alienated" from the promises of God, can you imagine with me what will happen when this young woman that is very popular in today's culture "is born again" WOW!! This leads me to what must fill up our empty life....

The Cross = Jesus!! "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) God sent JESUS to die on the cross for you and for me!! We must received Him into our empty lives to be SAVED and to have HOPE for now and HOPE for the future!! When we turn to God and believe that He died on the cross for our sins and accept His forgiveness, HE enters our life and FILLS the VOIDS of our empty life!! God not only FILLS our life/box because of the CROSS the day that we believe, He stays in us and with us FOREVER!! This leads me to the beautiful bow that is on top of the most beautiful cross...

The Bow = Eternity!! F O R E V E R!!! "...because God has said, "Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you."! Hebrews 13:5b How many people in our lives are looking for someone that will NEVER leave them, NEVER let them down, NEVER reject them, NEVER misunderstand them, NEVER hurt them, NEVER lie to them, NEVER NEVER NEVER?!!! The BOW of ETERNITY is one of the most beautiful parts of a "GIFTBOX"!! JESUS is A FREE GIFT you and I are given to make an ETERNAL difference in our lives and for us to "GIVE" to others so that they too can be SAVED!!

When we ask for forgiveness, accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, and turn to the life that He has for us to live, isn't it AMAZING what God can do through an " empty box, the cross, and a bow"...God desires to change the world forever through YOUR LIFE because now you are Gifted2Go!!

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them"!! Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

Love Is An Action Verb!

The season of "Love" is upon us, Happy Valentines Day to you!

During this season, when you hear God's words, "Love One Another" what is the first evangelistic thought that comes to your mind? My first thought is, "who needs God's Love and the demonstration of the LOVE of CHRIST today?"

"Do not fear, O Zion (O Sister in Christ); do not let your hands hang limp (have you given up or are you worn out so you are unable to demonstrate the LOVE OF CHRIST to others?). The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."!! ♥Zephaniah 3:16-17♥

Dear Praying Sisters in Christ, when is the last time we have shared God's Love with someone that needs Jesus, which may even include weeping? When is the last time that we covered someone else, especially someone that needs Jesus, from the top of their heads to the bottom of their feet with encouraging words and prayers of protection? ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

It is good to stop and remember that the enemy is constantly on the prowl roaring (lying to whoever he can and trying to paralyze God's witnesses with fear = False Evidence Appearing Real) and trying to cause someone to doubt God's Giftedness upon their life. The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword, the weapon we fight the enemy with on the front lines of evangelistic ministry! ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

When the truth of God's Word is spoken into our lives and the lives of others, God extinguishes the flaming arrows of attack that are being launched everyday! Are we willing to "fight the good fight"? Are we covering each others backs in prayer? ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

Do you know that there is someone, tonight, that is crying herself to sleep and/or waking up each morning in doubt or despair as they wonder if anyone really cares about them (that is what my life was like without Christ!)? Do you know that there is someone that feels like they are in a dark pit; for example, right now in Alaska women are in a season of darkness because of winter, lets send our prayers to them because someone needs the LIGHT of God's Love! ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

Urgent Breaking News Flash: God is calling us to speak Good News words of hope and blessing from His Love Letter (The Word of God) into the lives that the path of our life crosses ! ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

Because of Jesus, we are GIFTED BY GOD to be His Gifted2Go evangelistic encourager and prayer warrior as we remember; "He takes great delight in you, He quiets you with His Love, and rejoices over you with singing"! ♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB!

♥LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB, an ACTION VERB that was demonstrated ON THE CROSS by JESUS who LOVED US and GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16.....let's PASS HIS LOVE ON, IN JESUS' NAME & 4 HIS GLORY to people that need the Lord, AMEN & AMEN♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voawjjqg8zw&feature=related (How Deep The Father's Love For Us - Sarah Sadler)

You Are A New Creation!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a NEW CREATION;

the old has gone, the NEW has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

It's been said that "The Victorious Evangelistic Christian Walk is a process of Daily Renewing The Mind with the TRUTH of God's Word & Being Ready To Share His Love & Truth With Others"! Romans 12:2 says it best, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."

One of my favorite evangelists once said that one of the keys to walking in Victory with Jesus so that we will be ready to share Him with others is to renew our minds daily and get rid of any "defeatin thinkin"! Why is it so important to be careful about what our minds dwell on? The main reason is that the enemy tries to attack our minds daily and he wants to defeat us anyway he can so that we will not share Jesus with others; therefore, we must do what God says in 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 "The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (anything that tries to get a hold on our lives that is not from God), and WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT to make it obedient to CHRIST."! This is one huge reason why I have Promises from God's Word posted everywhere that I spend time at; my sink, my desk, my laundry room, my bedside, my bathroom counter, my car, my walls in my home and office, etc... I AM DESPERATE for GOD & HIS WORD & HIS DAILY VICTORIOUS PLANS! Maybe it is because I am a first-generation Christian, and there are many "old" messages/memories from the 22 years that I was LOST. Do you ever have negative messages/memories that try to play over and over your mind...resist & reject these messages because they are NOT from The Lord!!

Please join me as we THANK GOD daily that We Are A NEW CREATION and the old is GONE and the NEW has come!! Please join me as we THANK GOD That We Are Desperate for Jesus & His Word DAILY!

Today there may be some thoughts that may come into our minds that are NOT from The Lord; perhaps thoughts of defeat, thoughts of doubt, thoughts of discouragement...any kind of thought that DOES NOT line up with the truth of GOD'S WORD we must REJECT & TAKE CAPTIVE because it is not "New Creation Thinkin"! We must RESIST & REJECT negative thoughts and do what God says in 1 Peter 1:13 "Therefore, get your MINDS ready for action, being self-disciplined, and SET your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you from Jesus Christ." We must put on our "Helmet of Salvation AND The Sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God" (protection for the GOOD NEWS that is in our mind)! Eph.6:17 (one HUGE reason why we must study and read God's Word DAILY~Memorize a Verse for exactly what you are going through TODAY because God's Word is ALIVE & ACTIVE to help us fight the good fight!)

"Finally, brothers/sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable , whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard in me and seen in me, and the God of Peace will be with you"!! Philippians 4:8-9

When I became a Christian one of my mentors taught me the importance of ERASE & REPLACE, how do we do that? Make a list of any "defeatin thinkin" with a PENCIL and STOP thinking that way as you take the ERASER on your pencil and GET RID OF EACH DEFEATING WORD that is on the list! After we ERASE the things that God does not want us to dwell on, FILL your paper (REPLACE), computer screen, chalkboard, places in your home/office, and most of all our MINDS with God's Word/Messages/Testimonies because You are a NEW CREATION, the OLD is GONE the NEW has COME...DAILY! AMEN!!

God Wins!

God Wins Spiritual Wars, but my dear Christian friends, as His witnesses we ARE going to be in one spiritual battle after another...until Jesus returns! Today's picture is a picture of my mother and her brother (my 66 year old uncle) as I share with you one of the testimonies from their lives and mine!!

God shares specifically throughout His Word, "His Battle Plans for Believers", some key marching orders that we need to study and live out in order to be prepared to take our stand against the tactics and schemes of the devil! One reason that I am so excited about Gifted2Go is that Ephesians 6 is apart of this vital tool for women on the front lines that are sharing Jesus with others!

"Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand." Ephesians 6:10-12 HCSB

(The specific verses listed above, some of the verses that Gifted2Go are based on, gave me the battle plan that I needed as God strengthened me, clothed me with His armor so I could stand in against the enemies tactics, and equipped me with everything I would need to be prepared to stand for Him in Victory!)

Today I would like to share a personal testimony about a HUGE spiritual battle I was in and how GOD WON THE SPIRITUAL WAR when my mother went to be with the Lord after a very quick sudden death from cancer that was found after gall-bladder surgery. You must remember, as I have shared in previous blogs, that I am a first-generation Christian!! When I became a believer and follower of Jesus I began to witness to my immediate family the SPIRITUAL BATTLE began and much of this battle looked & felt like this: rejection, fear, emotional pain, nothing in common anymore, loneliness, burdened, brokenhearted, misunderstandings, and much more that every witness walks through as we battle "spiritual forces & evil tactics of the devil"! The exciting part of this testimony is what God does after every spiritual war, even if it takes YEARS...GOD BRINGS THE VICTORY...after every Spiritual battle we fight as His witness He brings THE VICTORY...it may not come about like we would like or the way that is the easiest, but the results are ALWAYS just like the cheer goes... V-I-C-T-O-R-Y...victory victory is our cry!!! It is my joy to share with you that after many battles and many tears, I had the privilege of leading and witnessing my mother come to the Lord on 2/15/92!! PRAISE YOUR NAME JESUS=VICTORY!!!! After many many years of fighting the enemy through love & prayer...GOD WON THE SPIRITUAL WAR!

Fast forward to April 3rd, 2009...my mother went to be with the Lord and at her memorial service I knew that she wanted me to share her testimony and that is what I did, by the Grace of God, but it was after much warfare because the entire room was full of extended family members and her friends that NEEDED TO BE SAVED!!!

The battle was intense the days before her memorial service, the day of her memorial service, and even today-the days after her memorial service and the battle looks like this from those that surrounded me that still need Jesus: distance, rejection, anger, accusations, lies, judgement, withholding of love, the lost & backslidden medicating their pain/grief with alcohol, darkness, confusion, the enemy actually trying to cut me off from my praying friends through lack of the ability to communicate by cellphone & computer networks that were down, so much more it would take an entire chapter to describe...fast forward to the memorial service where GOD brought His VICTORY...God led us to an anointed pastor & his wife, Brother Tony Lynn, through one of our praying friends in Michigan, Julie Scheving (Julie is a State Women's Evangelism leader in Michigan and she has recently had a stroke-one week after my mother's memorial service, please pray for Julie as the Lord keeps healing her) My mom had recently relocated to Toledo Ohio/Erie Michigan area to be closer to her younger brother, my Uncle Larry (and one of the biggest hearts desires my mother had was that my Uncle Larry would accept Jesus as his Savior)...as my mother's memorial service was being planned, the Lord laid it on my heart specific worship songs to be played (one of them can be heard at the bottom of this blog) and specific words to share as I opened up my mother's Bible and shared specifically from what she had written in it...as Brother Tony offered an invitation to accept Jesus at the end of my mother's memorial service. As Bro. Tony led everyone in an invitation to accept Jesus prayer, word for word, seated behind me my 66 year old Uncle Larry ACCEPTED JESUS AS HIS PERSONAL LORD & SAVIOR!!!!! All I could do was cry out to God with Persevering PRAISE and visualize my mother in heaven having one of the greatest prayers and desires of her heart answered by God through her death and her testimony being shared after MANY spiritual Battles...GOD WON THE WAR!!!!VICTORY VICTORY that's the Christian Battle CRY!!!!!!! The picture above is a picture of my dear SAVED 66 year old Uncle Larry pictured with my mother that is now rejoicing in Heaven for ONE dear soul that has been saved through her TESTimony!! I pray this blog and one of the worship songs that the Lord led me to share at my mother's memorial service will encourage you in the battle you may be in or may be about to enter...let us all remember that there is always VICTORY in JESUS!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6XcXQoSlPg&feature=fvst
(I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin)

Who is on your prayer list that you are trusting God to bring SPIRITUAL VICTORY in their lives? NEVER GIVE UP!! Let's stop right now and PRAY for those in our lives that NEED JESUS as GOD SENDS HIS MESSAGE in WORDS & ACTIONS to point them all one step closer TO THE CROSS! IN JESUS' NAME..AMEN!!!!!

♥JESUS 2011♥

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future..." Jeremiah 29:11


God has great plans for you and I for 2011 as we live each and every day to Know CHRIST and to Share CHRIST! This is the most wonderful new hope and new future that we could ever pray for as our New Year of 2011 unfolds!

One of the best questions we can ask ourselves and one of the best focuses we can pray for is to be sensitive to "who needs us to share Jesus Christ & His Love with them today?"!! Many are going to accept JESUS in 2011! Just thinking about those that are going to come to know Jesus as their Lord causes my heart to PRAISE JESUS!! This worship song inspires me as I think about the day that I came to Jesus as a first generation Christian hearing about Christ for the very first time and ACCEPTING Him as MY LORD & MY SAVIOR (RUNNING TO JESUS!!) when I was in my 20's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PANiveIKVX0&feature=related (Come To Jesus by Chris Rice)!

Let's make a JESUS 2011 list of names right now, that includes those that we have been trusting the Lord for already (maybe for YEARS!) as we NEVER GIVE UP & keep praying and looking for opportunities to share our Jesus with others because People Need The Lord http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uZcGaixMhg&feature=related (People Need The Lord by Steve Greene)!

Let's fill our 2011 Calendar with Jesus & His Gifted2Go Purposes! Please know that someone is praying for you as you share your faith with others, you are not alone! Let's Give Them Jesus in 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=empiUulYcDs (Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp)!

Greetings Gifted2Go Girls!

I am Fired Up! WOW, we have been blessed beyond words with the launching of another Spirit-Filled vision from the heart of one of today's gifted evangelistic Christian woman leaders that is on the front lines of ministry, Jaye Martin! Gifted2Go evangelistic events and resources help equip those that know the Lord to share the Lord with those that need the Lord!! If we have accepted The GIFT of All GIFTS~JESUS, you are Gifted2Go...Can I hear a huge AMEN!!? AMEN!!!!

Gifted2Go Arkansas is THIS WEEKEND 10/21/10-10/23/10! Thank You for your prayers, we are fired up and excited to Share His Gifts as We GO!!! You can GO too as a Gifted2GO Praying Friend, thank you for praying as the Lord leads you!!

I am always humbled by Jaye's invitations to serve on her evangelistic ministry team!! When God put our lives together almost 15 years ago, He blessed my life one of the most special GIFTS that I could of every have been given and I will forever be grateful in ways that are too many to count!

It is an exciting day we live in when Creative Strategic Evangelistic Leadership for Women can take place over the Internet as it is used as a gift from God for an evangelistic tool for our postmodern lives! God is faithful to equip us in the Gifts He has given as we Go and share Him through our lives, think with me how He is using blogs, e-mail, websites, instant messages, texting, christian music videos on the Internet, social networks, and the list goes on!! What are some "postmodern" ways that you are seeing Him at work? In our evangelistic gifted2go lives, one way God reminds us and encourages us through His Word as each of us have been given at least one gift or more from God so that He can minister through us, here are a couple of promises that God has encouraged and equipped my life with: "Do not neglect the gift that is in you..." 1 Timothy 4:14a "Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze (I LOVE that word!) the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment." 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (HCSB)

We are full of great anticipation and expectation as we have the privilege of being encouraged and equipped through these Internet blogging waves! As a first-generation Christian, there are so many "firsts" that God has lovingly poured out upon my life that I look forward to sharing with you in the blogs to come, but right now I am experiencing my "first blog" and I thank you for your input and patience with great joy! This BLOGasphere (God may even give us some new first words:-)!) is amazing, just to think, that we are connecting from all over the world as we share from a keyboard, Dear Lord, let this set us ablaze in a new fresh gifted way for your Glory!
We are looking forward in the days, months, years...until Jesus' return of the joy to serve you, pray for you, and cheer you on as The Lord "keeps ablaze the gift of God that is in you" (2 Tim. 1:6b) Please know of my constant prayers for you and my availability to you in any way as the Lord leads us through His Spirit & His Word! One of my prayers, as I close my very first BLOG that I think may have been longer than I expected, is that I pray that you will feel the freedom to share what God has on your heart to evangelistically encourage others or receive encouragement yourself as we are all Gifted2Go praying friends looking to Jesus = The Greatest Gifts for ALL! Go God!!

Cheering You On In The Gifted2Go Blazing Joy Journey With Jesus,
Tracy
Ephesians 3:14-21
2 Corinthians 9:2b

God Has Set You Apart!

"...know that the Lord has SET APART the godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him." Psalm 4:3 NIV

I will never forget the first godly counsel that I received about being "set apart" as a first-generation Christian! As a new believer striving to be a new witness in the midst of learning how to be a Christian wife and mother, I first heard the words; "God has set you apart", and I needed to know what that meant. Christians are set apart to be "in the world but not of the world anymore" and we are just passing through this world on a mission to share Jesus with others and take as many of them with us to heaven...this was my first evangelism one on one training!

This sure helped me understand what I was feeling as a new Christian experiencing some of my first attacks from the enemy as he attacked me and tried to make me feel so alone and different! The good news is that as God's Witnesses...we are set apart in Jesus...we are different...and In Jesus we are NEVER alone but the path we travel will NOT look like the world's path that I had just been rescued from.

As a Christian, are you feeling like "you do not fit in"? Good News, those are "set apart" feelings as you are "in this world but not of this world" anymore!

In Psalm 4 David describes so well some of the circumstances and feelings that come with being set apart for God's Victory living and sharing Jesus with others that are searching searching like we once were!

I must close with writing the entire fourth Psalm as God is so faithful to speak and minister to each one of His Set Apart Saved Sisters right at the point of our NEED!! The Message paraphrase describes each word in modern day words that we can meditate upon...

Psalm 4 (the message paraphrase)
"When I call, you give me answers. God, take my side! Once, in a tight place, you gave me room;
Now I am in trouble again: grace me! hear me! You rabble-how long do I put up with your scorn?... Look at this: look who got picked by God! (set apart) He listens that split second I call to Him. Complain if you must, but do not lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for His verdict. Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees. At the day's end I'm ready for sound sleep, For You, God, have put my life back together"!

http://www.utube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8 (All to Jesus I Surrender!)
http://www.utube.com/watch?v=TI9RIbaa87I&feature=related (More Than Enough!)

Every Day Evangelism

“For we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20, HCSB).

Have you ever noticed how people talk about what just happened? Whether it is a news headliner, what’s happening in Hollywood or in the economy, what Oprah said, or even the weather report, people like to talk about whatever the latest thing is. Even in the online social networks like Facebook and Twitter, the curiosity for most is the status updates answering questions like…what are you doing or what’s on your mind? Current is what people are talking about.

If we are wondering how to share the Good News in today’s culture, “what’s current?” should give us some insights into what people want to know. So let’s think about that. What is God doing in your life today? What is current in your walk with Christ? How can we communicate that as we go?

Let’s see what we can learn about being current in sharing our faith from the Bible. Take a brief look at Acts. In the early church, people were hearing about the resurrection of Christ and the church was growing. These believers were enthusiastic about sharing their faith. They knew in Whom they believed and were focused on the difference that Christ made in their lives.

“And every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47, HCSB).

These early worshippers must have been doing more than just getting together and praising God. In Act 2:46-47, we see that they met in the temple complex and then broke break from house to house. They gathered and then they scattered to praise the Lord about what He had done. Others saw what was happening as the believers overflowed with the love of the Lord. They were obedient to come together and praise God and were obedient to go and share the Good News. Many more believed and the church grew daily because people were being saved.

In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested for “teaching the people and proclaiming in the person of Jesus” (Acts 4:2, HCSB). When brought before the Jewish leadership, they responded that they were
unable to stop speaking about what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20, HCSB). They knew God was at work and had given them a message. They were so excited about that message that they were compelled to tell the story of what Jesus had done for them.

As we think back on the stories in Acts about the early church, we don’t have all the details but we know that these followers worshipped together and then they went out house to house. We can do the same thing. Often we are good at gathering together as believers but not as good at going into our neighborhoods of non-believers to share the message of Truth. We can become so busy that we don’t even have unbelievers in our lives. We don’t have to go from house to house but we can look for ways to be involved in our communities. In this day and age, unbelievers can be found in online groups and networks or in more traditional forms of interest groups. As a young adult, I found unbelievers in my work networks and through friend connections. When I was married with a child, there were even more opportunities to meet people through my daughter and her school friends and their families. Now as an empty nester, I have to make a concerted effort to look for ways to meet lost people. Sometimes it is through a volunteer effort, sometimes through crossing paths with people as I run errands, or in my travels. People who need Jesus are everywhere and God desires for us to more than just cross paths with them. He desire for us to share His truth as we go.

One way I have found to share Christ is to focus on a truth from God’s Word and to share that truth with others as I go about my day. Making my conversations about what God is doing in my life this week and especially today, is what people are interested in. They are even more interested in what God could be doing that involves them. It is exciting to see how God weaves what He is doing in our lives with what is happening in theirs. He knows just what we need; but He also knows who else needs to hear it. Somehow He puts us at just the right place at just the right time to be able to make a connection.

To share Christ on a daily basis, try these suggestions. Every day…

1. Find a Truth from God’s Word.

We can begin by allowing God to do something in our lives. We know that He is always at work but we start by renewing our relationship with Him. A good Bible reading plan and set a time to read the Bible every day is essential for each of us as believers. Sometimes devotional books can help us get started. Allow some time to read the Word and ask God to give you truth for the day. It might be a new thought or a reminder of something we already know. Whatever that truth is, concentrate on that truth during the day.

For instance, maybe you are reading through Psalms and God shows you the truth of being joyful and expressing joy to the Lord. It might be that you are going through a difficult time financially and God reminds you that He is the provider. There are so many truths we find in the Word of God. As you allow God to work in your life, you will have many truths you can share with others. Choosing one truth for the day will help you have something to say when the opportunity presents itself.

2. Pray for an opportunity to share the truth with an unbeliever.

If you know that you will see lost people during the day, pray specifically for those people. Pray that God will give you the words to share with them. Pray for an opportunity to share the truths that the Lord is teaching you. I have found that I am much more aware of the Holy Spirit working when I have sincerely prayed for an opportunity to share.

As you spend time with God each morning, ask Him to give you the time and words and situations where you can tell others about Him. Sometimes you may encounter someone in a phone call, sometimes in an email or on Facebook, and sometimes it may be face to face when you least expect it.

As you pray, pray specifically for those who you know but also pray for God to open the doors to tell anyone about Him who needs to know.

3. Share the Truth as God opens the door.

These truths that God teaches you will naturally flow into conversations you have as you go throughout your day because the Holy Spirit will open the doors. Often we share things the Lord is doing with our lives with other Christian friends but shy away from saying them when we talk to the lost. As God does things in your life, try sharing them with someone else.

Look for ways you can engage unbelievers in conversations. Some days you will see more people than others. If you find yourself with church friends all day, pray for God to show you how you can get involved in activities with those who might need the Lord. Volunteering, visiting in area hospitals, and even grocery shopping are all places where people gather. Ask God to make you sensitive throughout the day for someone to share the Truth with.

In conclusion

Wouldn’t it be great if we committed to be current in sharing our faith? Can you imagine what God could do if each person would share a truth from God’s Word every day with an unbeliever? God does so many exciting things so what a joy to be able to share them with others. We should not be able to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard in our lives today!

“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah—for which I am in prison—
so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person” (Colossians 4:2-6, HCSB).

Reprinted from LifeWay's Deacon Magazine, April 2010.