The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Witnesses

 

            A few years ago I developed a Bible study around the word, “Witness.”  A witness is someone to testifies or tells what Jesus Christ has done in their lives.  If you’re not sure what a witness does, let me share these seven habits with you.

            First, WATCH for opportunities.  The Apostle Peter wrote: But always in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.  Today at work someone might ask you, “Hey, what did you do this weekend?”  That’s the perfect opportunity to tell them about your day at church, what the pastor preached about or what you learned in Bible class.  Don’t forget – God uses us to extend His church by telling others about Jesus.

            Next, INVITE family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers to worship and Bible study with you.  The psalmist exclaimed: I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”  I’ve read a number of times that people who don’t go to church would go if they were invited.  Who can you invite to church this Sunday? Pray about it.

            Third, pray with THANKSGIVING! The Apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians to: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Paul didn’t let a little matter like being thrown in prison keep him from giving thanks to the Lord for the blessings of salvation and eternal life.  We, too, can pray with thanks to the Lord for His blessings and promises.  And we can keep praying for those to whom we are witnessing.

            Next, beware of your NEMESIS! Paul advised the Ephesians and us all to: Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  Satan is never pleased when you and I are testifying about the forgiveness and salvation we’ve received as a free gift from our Lord and Savior.  Ask God to give you strength so that you might resist the tricky methods of the devil.

            Fifth, exude ENTHUSIASM.  The Gospel writer, John, tells us: 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).  The Jewish people had been waiting for thousands of years for God to keep His promise to send a Savior to His people.  Andrew had spent the afternoon with God’s promise – Christ Jesus.  He couldn’t wait to tell his brother.  Tell your family and friends about the Lord with the same kind of enthusiasm.  People will want what you’ve got.

            Next, SOW the seeds of the Gospel.  How is this done? Paul explains to the Corinthians: I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  You see, it is not your job to convert another person to Christ.  You are to be a gospel gardener, your testimony about Jesus is like a seed that goes in the ground with the hope that it will grow and produce a bountiful crop.

            Finally, let the Holy SPIRIT do His work! Paul wrote to the Romans: I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.  I remember a time when I witnessed quite strongly to a fellow.  However, he seemed to be indifferent to Jesus’ love and salvation.  But later he came to me and made a confession of faith and told me that he had embraced Jesus as his Savior and Lord.  I had given up on the fellow.  The Holy Spirit did not.  When we think our efforts have failed to accomplish anything, we need to sit back and let the Holy Spirit do His work in that person we’re witnessing to.  The Holy Spirit does good work.

            So there you have it, my friends.  Practice these habits, be faithful and watch what God does.  And then, give Him the glory for His might and salvation.

Spring Traning - Too Expensive!

 I grew up in Tucson, Arizona which, at that time, was the spring training home of the Cleveland Indians.

I remember the good old days when my Dad would take me to Hi Corbett Field for a spring training game.

To see in person ballplayers like Willie Mays and Willie McCovey and Rocky Colovito was like living a dream.

Tickets were cheap, food was inexpensive and parking was free.  As far as my Dad was concerned, life couldn't get much better.  And I had to agree with him.

That's not the case today.

It seems that spring training has priced itself out of the realm of the average family's budget.  Unless you're a die-hard fan of your team, how can a family of four afford tickets (no longer five bucks a piece), a hot dog (no longer a buck a dog) or park the car (I believe I paid 15 dollars at Peoria a couple of years ago).

So I'll stay home.  I can sit out on my back porch, out of the sun, and listen to the Diamondbacks on the radio.  There won't be any vendors selling peanuts, pop corn and Cracker Jacks.  I'll have to get up to get my favorite liquid beverage.

But I won't pay $15 for it.

The Friday Punny!

 There's a story of a painter who is hired to whitewash a nearby church.  Unfortunately, he thins the paint too much, causing it to wash away entirely during the first rain.

The minister calls the painted to voice his grievances.  "What do you want me to do about it," asked the painter.

The minister said firmly, "Repaint and thin no more."

It's Friday, Let's Praise the Lord!

 I really appreciate this prayer:

Sing unto the Lord a new song.  Sing unto the Lord, O earth! Sing forth the honor of His Name.  Let day proclaim unto day the salvation of our God.  O come, let us sing unto the Lord our God a new song,  May He bless and preserve me - The Father, Who created me,  The Son, Who redeemed me, The Holy Spirit, Who sanctified me.  Amen.

J K Wilhelm Loehe, from "For All the Saints" page 875

God Never Grows Tired Of Hearing From You

 

God never grows tired of hearing from you

Author John Fischer writes: I have a bad habit.  When my children tell me something they've learned for the first time, I often act as if I knew that.

When my wife hears something "new" from the kids, her mouth drops open and her eyes widen.  It's as if she had never heard this kind of thing before.  The kids' faces brighten, and they feel as if they have actually enlightened their mother.

I used to think my wife wasn't just acting and sooner or later the kids would find out and feel lied to. Then I realized it isn't an act at all.  Though she may already have experienced what they are trying to tell her, she's never experienced it through them.  Their personal "revelations" are entirely new.

It's the same with God.  As all-knowing as He is, I'm sure He's still eager to hear our prayers because He has never heard it quite the way we say it.  We are all unique.  We have our own signature attached to all we do and say.  Our lives, our experiences, and our faith expressed to Him are never old.

We've all had a time or two in our lives when we've prayed and prayed to God about a problem with which we're struggling.  In fact, we've prayed so often that we're convinced that God has heard just about enough from us on the subject.

Not so! Instead, we have this promise from the Psalms: "I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me."  (Psalm 120:1)  So pray, my friends.  It doesn't matter if you've offered a particular prayer petition 50 times.  Pray it again.  Tell God your troubles.  He never grows tired of hearing from you!

Every Good Thing

Here's a Bible verse for you to chew on today: I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.  Philemon, verse six.

It has been said that the six hardest words to say are: "I was wrong.  Please forgive me."

Many find it difficult to say these four words in return: "Yes, I forgive you."

One of the lessons the little letter of Philemon can teach us is the importance of practicing forgiveness.

I call it "practicing" because a forgiving nature doesn't come easily.

We can be hurt by the wrongs committed against us.  We might suffer loss.  We might feel pain.  We can be abandoned.  Our reputation might take an unjust hit.

The person inflicting such damage may come to their senses.  With sincerity of heart they approach you to seek reconciliation.  They speak to you the six hardest words to say.  They ask for forgiveness. How do you respond?

One thing you can do is to remember "every good thing (you) have in Christ."  You remember the humiliation of Christ: His immaculate conception and humble birth; His unjust suffering and His cruel death and burial.  You think of the price your Savior God paid so that you might receive forgiveness for the wrongs you've committed against the Holy God.  You remember the grace of God in your own life.  You think on how the resurrected Christ reached out to those who failed Him during His passion.  Then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you extend grace to the person who seeks forgiveness from you.

Reconciliation takes place between you and a friend, just as it did between Philemon and Onesimus.

Grab some time today and read Paul's letter to Philemon.  Check it out and let the forgiving love of your Savior heal your hurts and give you strength to extend God's grace to others.

I'm back!

 Back by popular demand (Ok, it was just a few people), I've decided to resume blogging.  Check back to find posts on just about anything that captures my attention, tickles my fancy, or any other cliche you might think of.

Have a blessed day!