Share Him Boldly

Are you ready with an answer when someone asks about the Gospel?  Perhaps they don't ask, rather they give you their insight or opinion about spiritual matters.  It might take the form of them validating a concept like evolution, or "mother nature".  Those conversations are ripe for sharing the Truth.

We sometimes pass on that opportunity because we are not confident in our ability to share and defend the Gospel.  Friends, that is not our job to defend it.  That is the work of the Holy Spirit.  We are to share our faith.  Some might say, it is our responsibility to share our experience, strength and hope.

Our experiences really do paint our thoughts.  I've read that your thoughts become your actions, your actions your character and so on.  We ALL have something to share from our experience.  How did God use you?  How did you come to believe?  What are you doing with that?

Our strength is dependent upon our daily walk.  How are we fed?  Physically, if we do not eat, we get weak.  Spiritually, it is the same thing.  Prayer and preparation are key.  How will we know what God says about a subject if we never read His manual? 

Hope.....that is the most important of all.  That separates us.  We have hope in things eternal, not things that will rust and ruin.  Hope gets us up and motivates us.  Why do you desire to get out of bed each day?  Perhaps responsibilities direct your actions somewhat, but those responsibilities are a result of having hope in a better day, or future.

The disciples lived 3 intense years with Jesus.  They were constantly learning and growing.  You would think that after 3 years, they would be pretty bold and confident.  When Jesus was arrested, they fled.  For 40 days they hid.  Then, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and these once shy, and scared men became living vessels for the Gospel.  They preached openly and were persecuted for it.  They did not have this until the Holy Spirit came upon them!!!!

God wants us to witness to others, that is part of the Great Commission that Jesus commanded his disciples.  We are an extension of His disciples today.  Go and make disciples of all nations.  How can we do that without sharing Him boldly? 

Do not worry about what to say, or how to say it.  God will lead.  Do not worry about being right or being able to defend the Gospel.  You will fail, and you will succeed.  But it is God working in you to succeed.  We are all called in different ways and at different times.  If you share and are rejected, they are not rejecting you, rather they are making a willful decision against God.  Pray for them.

Sharing boldly is crucial in both talk and action.....don't forget to live how you preach.  St. Francis of Assissi put it,"preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary, use words". 

God is in control, allow Him to use you.

I can't write That!!!

Greetings once again!  Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.  Let's see if we can get back on a roll.

Writing things down is not only time consuming, after all, who wants to spend time writing or typing their thoughts as opposed to just thinking them, it is also difficult.  We struggle to express what we are thinking or feeling in words.  Writing is a discipline, it takes time and commitment.  We really need to write for ourselves, so we have a barometer or gauge on our growth. 

I was discussing with a friend, the struggles and trials of life.  He listened patiently and afterwards offered some friendly advise.  "Are you journaling"?  Three simple words that cut me to the core.  I have offered that advice to others who are growing in their faith.  Why had I not heeded that advice myself?  Because, it takes time and effort.  It is a commitment.  So I have challenged myself (actually my friend challenged me).  I will start writing a journal (not typing in a blog only) and share that with him next time I have breakfast with him. 

So now, what to write about.  I could complain, write out the frustrations of life.  Or, I could write inspiring words to help others through the troubles I've seen.  Or, I could write funny snipets of life from a sarcastic point of view.  Instead, I find that I sit staring at a blank page, wondering what impact I can have.

Many of us claim, I cannot write.  I am not good with the pen.  I'll bet Shakespeare's first work left something to be desired.  It takes time.  Think of anything you are good at, were you naturally good at first or did it take time and practice?  Writing is truly a worthwhile endeavor. 

So, armed with that little tidbit of knowledge, lets begin.  Paper is relatively cheap.  Ink, well you can buy 5 pens for under $1.  Time....that is another matter.  I'll bet you spend 5 minutes watching TV.  I do.  Challenge yourself to write for 5 minutes before the TV goes on.  You are not missing anything.  Solomon once said that there is nothing new under the sun.  That is especially true for TV. 

One last thing....you cannot cry about writers cramp or sore fingers until you have written for a while.  Got to build up those callouses.