Reaching Out

James 5:20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Evangelizing is part of our Christian walk. Sharing what God has given us is part of receiving more from God. Showing His compassion, sharing His grace, shedding His love abroad is a witness that is hard to dispute.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Telling people where they are wrong is not a profitable approach for the most part when you first meet them. The type of life-changing information we can share is the type that is best received through relationship. We have to invest our time and energy into building a relationship with someone before they can see that we value them more as a person than as a tally mark on our "life-time evangelism achievement list." As is so often said, "People don't care how much we know until they know how much we care."

One of the best ways we can share what God means to us is to let our life be an open book. When God leads us to, we can be honest about our mistakes and transparent about our shortcomings, explaining how God has met our needs, rescued us from disaster, lifted us out of the things that had caught us.

2 Corinthians 11:30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Following God's leading about what to say and when to say it will always allow us to walk in wisdom and ensure God receives the glory, and no one else.

Being willing to lay our pride down when talking to someone else will give an opening for God's Spirit to lift up Jesus in the mind and the heart of the one listening. The things from which we have genuinely repented and for which we have experienced God's forgiveness can have the most telling effect on another person. Only what comes from our heart will be able to touch someone else's heart, but that is what can bring eternal changes to another's life.

Father God, thank You for touching our lives in such a personal way. Your judgement was looming, but Your mercy was available. When we accepted Your love, You removed the penalty that we deserved and by Your grace gave us life, love, and liberty from the debts and chains that had trapped us. Walk with us, Lord, as we go through the day and bring us to divine appointments where we can share what You have given us with someone who needs what You have. Let us be Your hand outstretched to grow Your family and rescue those who have been kidnapped by the enemy. We commit ourselves to Your work, Lord, and listen for Your directions daily.

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