It was a normal Friday and Fridays for me! Are usually my Date days after-work. I have made it a routine to treat myself by eating at nice Restaurants with good food. So, on this particular day two young ladies happened to join me at the table I was sitting. It’s totally normal for people to join you while eating at a restaurant however, it’s absolutely a different ball game when they engage you in a long conversation .I was busy minding my own business reading a book while drinking my cup of coffee, when one of the ladies inquired of the Book I was reading. While explaining to them about the book, God created an opportunity for me to let them know about their Value as God’s gift to this generation. I totally felt refreshed by the fact I shared with them about my faith and Love for Christ. As we concluded our conversation, one thing I knew for sure is, positive seeds were deposited within them.
I believe God creates different avenues that we can share the gospel of Christ, with people from all walks of life. At times It can be scary to share the gospel. We may be ridiculed, mocked, dismissed, and abandoned. But we take that risk because we love God. To love God means we must love people, even the unlovable, unpleasant, and disrespectful ones. Matthew 22:37-39-Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ‘God promises to provide us the power, the words, and the grace to do it unto Him with excellence.
God calls us as believers to tell people about Jesus Christ. It is a believer’s life purpose and mission to go out and share, but God never sends us out alone. The Holy Spirit goes before us to pave the way and lives within us to empower us to speak boldly, effectively, and humbly.Acts 4:29-31 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
Acts 14:1 The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers.
Matthew 10:20 For it is not you who will be speaking it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
God in His sovereignty, places us in the right place at the right time to share with those who need Him. This is what He says in Deuteronomy 31:8- Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” and Psalm 139:5 – You go before me and follow me You place your hand of blessing on my head. All we have to do is be prepared in and out of season to share the reason for the hope that lives within us .1 Peter 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
When we share the gospel of Christ, we follow the example of Paul in Acts 26. Paul was bold but maintained his humility when he shared the gospel. Paul shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, but he also shared his own personal testimony. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide all of our conversations, He will open up opportunities for us to share our faith. Revelation 3:8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.
God divinely placed Paul in a position to share his faith and testimony before King Agrippa. Rather than give in to fear, Paul said he was happy not only for the opportunity to defend himself, but also for the opportunity to share the gospel with the highest royal officials at that time.
In Verses 1-23, Paul shared the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation and reconciliation with God. Notice that Paul also shared his personal testimony of how he specifically came to salvation.
Our personal testimony is important because it is our unique story of how God transformed our lives.
Our personal testimony is important because it is our unique story of how God transformed our lives.
Our testimony is simply this: What my life was like before Christ and how has it changed since salvation. Although people may argue about specific points in the Bible, no one can refute our personal story of God’s miraculous work in our lives.
Notice in Acts 26 :24-29 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad! “But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe. “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian. “And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Paul was mocked and ridiculed. It is not our job to persuade, bully, or guilt anyone to accept Jesus as their Savior. All we do is boldly and humbly share, then we allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
Oftentimes we fail to see that God has divinely planted us where we are so we will provide fruit for those around us. John 15:16 – You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you .You and I are nourishment for our family members, neighbors, coworkers, and even our social media followers. We have to ask ourselves, “What are we feeding them?”
Love ReinaBeaty.