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Evangelism

Scripture reading: Ephesians 6:12,18-20 NIV).  

The Master Plan.

The overall plan of evangelism is to conduct evangelistic training, pray, rely on the Holy Spirit, go and witness, and leave the results to God.

Leaders Must Train People to Evangelize.

Leaders of the church and pastors should prompt their congregations to evangelize. Leaders set an example by evangelizing. Someone wrote, “Evangelism is more caught than taught.” In other words, persons catch onto evangelism by going to evangelize with more experienced witnesses. It is good to learn the basics of evangelism in a classroom, but most evangelistic skill is learned through practice. When an experienced witness evangelizes together with a less experienced person , the person participates in witnessing when he feels comfortable in doing so. The person  will learn more with each household visited. 

In many places, door-to-door personal evangelism produces many converts. In other places, other forms of evangelism may be more effective.

Churches that have strong outreach and discipleship programs often are the churches that grow. If a church has an insufficient number of people to support the work of the church, and to support the pastor or leaders, that church may be weak in evangelism. So the pastor or leaders may need to concentrate on outreach.

Pray. As with all ministry, the work should be preceded by prayer. Pray before going, while evangelizing, and after evangelizing. The Apostle Paul said that we should put on the whole armor of God to combat spiritual enemies. A key part of that armor is prayer. 

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.   19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:12,18-20 NIV).  -Elder Micheal Stewart

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I Thrist

Jesus was crucified at 9 o’clock in the morning, and He spent the first three hours on the cross in the sunlight. Then the darkness came, and at the end of three hours of darkness, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

Our Lord’s first three statements were centered on others – His enemies, the thief, and John & Mary. But His last three statements from the cross were focused on Himself: His body – “I thirst” (John 19:28); His soul – “It is finished” (v. 30; Isaiah 53:10); and His spirit – “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Body, soul & spirit – all were offered by the Lord Jesus Christ in obedience to the Father.

The shortest of these statements that our Lord made from the cross is the one found in John 19:28, “I thirst.” In the original text, it is one word of four letters. It is the only statement in which our Lord referred to His body and His physical suffering. This simple word, however, tells us three important things about our Savior.

1. Jesus Is A Sympathetic Savior.

While Jesus was 100% divine, He was also 100% human. Because He walked upon this earth as a man, though He knew no sin, He did become very much acquainted with the difficulties of life here below. When He was a child, He probably skinned His knee a time or two. As a teenager, it is likely that He knew what it was like to not be part of the “in” crowd. Learning the carpenter’s trade in His father’s shop, He possibly had a splinter or two, and He also could very well have smashed His finger on occasion with a hammer. As a man, He knew what it was to grow tired, to be cold, to sweat, to be hungry, and, of course, He knew what it was like to be thirsty.

During an airline flight, concern over the heavy turbulence mounted until the soothing voice of the pilot came over the intercom: “No need to worry, folks,” he said cheerfully, “Just remember: these bumps are made of air!” We may wish the bumps we face in life were made of air, but they are not. Life is difficult; adversities are real. Physical trials sting and smart. Emotional trials leave us with unresolved baggage. Spiritual trials drain our souls. 

Jesus felt the “bumps” as He lived here among men. Because this is so, we know that He understands where we are and what we are going through in our struggles in this life.

Jesus Is A Scriptural Savior.

In saying “I thirst,” Jesus fulfilled a prophecy of Scripture.

“They . . . gave me vinegar for my thirst.” – Psalm 69:21 (NIV)

“My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.” – Psalm 22:15 (NIV)

One of the strongest evidences that Jesus can do what He promised in your life is that fact that He fulfilled what was foretold about His life.

“There are in the Old Testament 332 distinct predictions which were literally fulfilled in Christ.” Some object to the assertion that prophecies fulfilled by the life of Christ are evidence of His being Who He claimed to be – the Son of God and the only Savior of men.-Elder Micheal Stewart

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The joy of believing

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. — Romans 15:13 (AMPC)

I remember an evening when I was feeling extremely frustrated and discontented. I had no peace or joy, and I felt absolutely miserable. Then I read Romans 15:13, and it was indeed “a word in season” for me (see Isaiah 50:4).

As I was reading, I realized my problem was simple: I was doubting instead of believing. I was doubting God’s unconditional love, doubting that I could hear from Him, doubting His call on my life, doubting that He was pleased with me. I was filled with doubt . . . doubt . . . doubt.

When I saw the problem, I decided to step back into faith and out of doubt. My joy and peace returned immediately. Ever since, I’ve found the same thing to be true again and again in my life. When joy and peace seem to be gone , I check my believing—usually it’s gone also. But when I choose to believe the truth of God’s Word over my feelings, His joy comes rushing back.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me be mindful to stay in a position of faith. Thank You for giving me the grace to believe truth over my feelings, and for being my hope! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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When God is silent

Today’s Scripture

“…For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow…”

(James 1:3, NLT)

Sometimes when we’re being tested by discouragement, it seems God is silent. We pray and don’t hear anything. We read the Scripture and still come away feeling as though God is a million miles away. It’s easy to think something must be wrong. But remember, this is a test. You have to pass the test of being faithful where you are. Keep stretching, praying, and believing. The next step is coming—an increase step, a favor step, a healing step, a breakthrough step.

When God is silent, don’t assume He’s left you or is mad at you. He is right there with you during the test. His silence is a sign that He has great confidence in you and He has prepared you, and now He is watching to see if you have learned. He knows you will come through the test victoriously or He would not have permitted you to be tested. Keep being your best with what you have.

A Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. Even when I don’t understand things, I choose to put my hope and trust in You. Help me to live in Your joy and pass the discouragement test when You seem to be silent. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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The Love of God knows no boundary

Main Bible Text: Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. As the scripture exhorts us that our father demonstrates to us that while we were sinners deserving of death christ came and died for us, it is in the same way a parent will tell his/her child that he/she loves that child but that child will only know if that is true when that parent demonstrates it in action. God loves us so much that He is saying even though you have done something wrong and should receive the punishment, I will come with a plan to allow my son to take your place so that you can live a life that is peaceful all He is asking is for you to show Him in return that you love him by obeying His commands. We can see clearly that God has a agape type of love for us , one that is unconditional, one that will allow God to do anything for us even if it requires death so that we can live a good life . All is asking is for you to show him that you love him as well by obeying his voice. Will you obey Him today?-Elder Micheal stewart