Father, I call on You as I sit to write. Things are rattling through my mind that are distracting me from what I need to be doing. Help me to focus squarely on You! Amen.
Acts 7:54-60 (<<click here to read the passage)
A lot of us struggle with sharing our faith. I’ve heard some more modern vernacular that phrases it as sharing our “story”. What we call it is not nearly as important as doing it.
I remember years ago, my dad setting up an outreach program founded on a very popular book at the time entitled, Evangelism Explosion, by Dr. D. James Kennedy. It involved receiving hands-on training and the faithful in many churches found it to be a great asset in spreading the Good News of what Jesus did for us in His life, sacrificial death, and resurrection to the world around them.
I truly believe that our biggest hindrance in sharing our faith…is ourselves. We fear rejection. We fear persecution. We fear the possible repercussions of doing so. I realize that throughout history people have literally died because they felt sharing about Jesus was worth any risk they could take. And as we can see when we read today’s passage, that’s exactly what happened to Stephen. He is counted as the first Christian martyr. That wasn’t his goal. He didn’t wake up that day and think that he was going to share Jesus’ story and the end result would be his own death.
My Life Application Study Bible states, “People may not kill us for witnessing about Christ, but they may let us know they don’t want to hear the truth and try to silence us.”
It goes on to set forth the challenge, “Keep honoring God in your conduct and words; though many may turn against you and your message, some will follow Christ Remember, Stephen’s death had a profound impact on Paul who later became the world’s greatest missionary. Even those who oppose you now may later turn to Christ.”
I live my faith for all to see, and I feel that that alone has impacted many of those I have worked with side by side over the years. But – and I will be honest with you – beyond writing this blog five days a week for the past 7 years and preaching from behind a pulpit for the last 20 years, I don’t say a whole lot…and I really feel that I should be more active in the area. I don’t shy away when questions are asked of me. But I struggle to initiate that conversation.
Lord Jesus, I pray for myself and for so many others who are true believers in You and what You have done for them and continue to do for them every day. May we take note of the opportunities right before our eyes. May we hear the prodding of the Holy Spirit and then may we be given a boldness to step out on faith and speak what is on our hearts. Fill us…use us. People need to hear the life-giving words You have given us. Amen.
Mar 1st, 2022, Tues, 5:11 pm
