From: "suyento" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
The Evangelism HabitLiving a Life of Sharing Christ
John and Nancy were my youth leaders. They instilled in our youth group the
idea that we don't have the choice of participating in evangelism. They didn't
put us on a guilt trip, like, "If you don't tell people about Jesus, then He
doesn't love you." Instead, they had the attitude of "Why wouldn't everyone
want to hear the Good News, and why wouldn't you want to be the ones to tell
people?"
by Jose Zayas
For most people, engaging naturally in evangelism will take a paradigm shift.
We need to see that we don't do mission, but that life is mission. Evangelism
is about sharing Jesus as a habit-like drinking coffee in the morning. What if
communicating the love of Christ was that natural-like turning the coffeemaker
on? Imagine church bodies coming together and rejoicing because we can share
Christ-rather than saying, "Do we have to do this?" We get burned out on the
doing when the reality is that evangelism is about being.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on
you; and you will be my witnesses" (NIV). The power to witness comes from Jesus
in you. You just need to be you and look for God-given opportunities. Jesus was
with sinners-tax collectors, a prostitute, a woman caught in adultery. The
relentless pursuit to be where sinners are and to love them no matter what,
like Jesus did-that's the kind of lifestyle that needs to be in vogue.
Witnessing starts with common ground. Jesus didn't ask people to come to Him;
He went to where they were. And the Apostle Paul, in his strategy, also went to
where people were. He went to the synagogue, to the marketplace and to where
people were congregating.
What do you already love to do? What are you already involved in? What excites
you? What are you passionate about? Do those things for the glory of God by
finding people who like to do those things and loving them.
Pray something like, "God, give me the time and the resources to get engaged in
this activity, and I will find people who don't know You and establish common
ground." Pray bold prayers.
Common ground leads to conversation, and conversation leads to connection. If
people don't know I care about them, they're not going to talk with me, and
they're not going to connect with the message I believe to be true so that
ultimately they might move to the stage of conversion. Faith often comes in
stages; it doesn't always happen overnight. Stick with your friends through
those stages.
Be inspired by Acts 11:20-21: "Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and
Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the
good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great
number of people believed and turned to the Lord" (NIV).
What kind of fresh vision is waiting for you if you ask God to break your
paradigm, to break your way of doing things? What kind of ministry is waiting
for you if you'll open yourself up to the Spirit of God?
God in heaven, break us from mind-sets that are old and stale. Break us from
traditions that are meaningless. Break us from barriers we've raised to those
who are not yet Christians. We ask You this in faith, believing that You will
stir us as You stirred the early Church. Amen.
Taken from www.billygraham.org
========================================
From: "suyento" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
A Lifetime Resolution: Remodel Your Life
"Into the Word," a Bible study by Anne Graham Lotz, is designed to draw you
into God's Word. Although the study-question format may be more challenging
than one might find in an article that provides all the answers, we believe
that this format will help you to discover a treasure of truths and insights
from God.
by Anne Graham Lotz
We have been remodeling our 55-year-old kitchen. Because of the increasingly
busy pace of my life, I had let things go until there was no practical remedy
except to tear everything out and start over. The project has involved a lot of
research on kitchens to see what is available. I then had to brace myself for
the sound and sight of the old being smashed, torn out and discarded. Now I am
focused on executing the plan that has been prayerfully and painstakingly laid
out, knowing I will need perseverance to see the project through to completion.
In some ways, my life is like our kitchen. And in this new year I have decided
to survey the condition of my life to make sure I'm not letting things go until
drastic change is required! In my recent study of the Book of Hebrews I have
been challenged to research the lives of others as role models for my own life,
to tear out and repent of sin that impedes the effectiveness of my Christian
life, and to refocus on the goal of a life lived for God's glory and honor, a
life that brings Him pleasure as it reflects His own Son.
Isn't it time you surveyed the condition of your life? Then join me in this New
Year's resolution that lasts a lifetime.
RESEARCH YOUR PROJECT ... By Remembering the Saints
Read Hebrews 12:1
From the following Scriptures, list one or more outstanding characteristics
of each of these saints named in Hebrews 11 that serve as an inspiration and
example for your life: Abel-Hebrews 11:4 and Genesis 4:1-8; Enoch-Hebrews
11:5-6 and Genesis 5:21-24; Noah-Hebrews 11:7 and Genesis 6:5-22;
Abraham-Hebrews 11:8-19, and Genesis 12:1-5; Isaac-Hebrews 11:20 and Genesis
22:1-14; Jacob-Hebrews 11:21 and Genesis 32:22-32; Joseph-Hebrews 11:22 and
Genesis 37:23-28, 50:15-21; Moses-Hebrews 11:24-28 and Exodus 4:1-12;
Joshua-Hebrews 11:30 and Joshua 3:1-8, 10, 14; Rahab-Hebrews 11:31 and Joshua
2:1-14, 6:20-25.
What one characteristic did each of these saints have in common? Give the
phrase from Hebrews 11 that emphasizes the importance of this characteristic.
What do you need to do to make it a defining characteristic of your life ?
What do you think was the motivation for these saints to live as they did?
Give phrases from Hebrews 11 as the basis for your answer.
TEAR OUT THE OLD ... By Repenting of Your Sin
REPENT OF HINDRANCES
From the following verses, list things that can hinder you from living out
your commitment to Christ: Matthew 6:24; Matthew 6:25-27; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2
Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:16, 23; 2 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 1:6; 1 John 2:15-16;
Revelation 3:15-17.
What other specific things are hindering you?
What will you do today to "throw off everything that hinders" you from
living a life pleasing to God this year?
REPENT OF ENTANGLEMENTS
What sins are tripping you up now and will continue to do so this next year
as you seek to live for Christ? List the sins named in Galatians 5:19-21;
Ephesians 4:25, 31; Ephesians 5:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Revelation 2:4. Which of
these sins are entangling you? Ask God to reveal any other sin that is
preventing you from living a life pleasing to Him.
What similar command is given in Hebrews 12:1; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians
3:5, 8-10? Describe practically how you will obey this command.
FOCUS ON THE GOAL ... By Refocusing on the Savior
Read Hebrews 12:2
REFOCUS ON HIS PURPOSE
What phrase indicates how long your "remodeling project" will last?
What do you need to build into your life to make sure that you see your
project through to the end so that you finish well?
What phrase indicates that God has a specific, unique purpose for your life?
How does Ephesians 2:10 confirm this?
What is God's ultimate purpose for your life, according to Ephesians 1:5?
Romans 8:29?
What do you believe is the specific race God has marked out for you that
enables you to fulfill His ultimate purpose?
REFOCUS ON HIS PERSON
What evidence do we have that Jesus, as the Author of our faith, lived by
faith when He was on earth? See Matthew 4:1-4; John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:6-7;
Hebrews 2:10, 4:15.
How does Jesus' own experience of living by faith give Him credibility in
your eyes as you seek to do the same?
How does Philippians 1:6 encourage you that He is not only the Author but
also the Perfecter of your faith?
How does Hebrews 13:7-8 encourage you when you reflect back on the saints in
Hebrews 11?
REFOCUS ON HIS PERSEVERANCE
What was the ultimate purpose for Jesus' life, according to John 17:1, 4?
What was His specific purpose, according to Matthew 1:21; John 3:16, 14:6,
17:2-3? Was this purpose easily accomplished, according to Hebrews 12:3-4?
What are some of the obstacles Jesus faced as He ran His "race," according
to Matthew 4:1-2, 8:20, 11:2-3, 12:22-24; John 8:56-59; Matthew 16:21-23,
26:1-5, 26:14-16; John 18:12; Matthew 27:26, 27-31; John 19:16-18?
What are some of the obstacles you face as you seek to fulfill this
resolution for a lifetime?
What was Jesus' ultimate goal that enabled Him to persevere? Compare Hebrews
12:2 with 1:9.
What do you think His joy was? See Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 13:44, Luke 15:7.
Having surveyed the "kitchen" of your life, are you long overdue for ...
a major overhaul? a clean sweep? a limited remodeling? or simple, minor repairs?
After doing the "research," would you begin today with the tear-out, keeping
your focus on the end result, which is a fresh, more efficient and effective
lifetime commitment that brings God glory as it reflects His Son, Jesus?
Anne Graham Lotz
Anne Graham Lotz is the daughter of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham. She is the
founder and president of AnGeL Ministries and the author of several books. She
and her husband, Daniel, are parents of three grown children and live in
Raleigh, N.C., where they attend Christ Baptist Church (Southern Baptist
Convention).
�Anne Graham Lotz
from the January 2004 issue of "Decision" magazine
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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