Every Christian an Evangelist

I’ve been listening to a lot of sermons by Adrian Rogers lately. If you have never heard him, please check out his website, http://www.lwf.org. Love Worth Finding ministries was founded by Rogers in 1987. On their website you can listen to sermons, both audio and television and you can download his sermon notes/outlines as well.

Rogers was so passionate about winning souls to Christ and it showed in every one of his sermons. I came across a particular one titled “Every Christian an Evangelist.” that really struck home with me. I’m going to share the link so you can watch the sermon. I think it’s very beneficial.

As Christians we are called to evangelize. According to Rogers, “We can’t all be preachers but we can all be reachers.” It is our duty to win souls to the Lord.

Spiritual Gifts

Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts test to discover what your spiritual gift might be? As believers we are all gifted in one way or another. We all have that God given gift when we become believers.

Well I took one the other night and according to this test I have the gift of exhortation. People with this gift have the ability to encourage others through the written or spoken word and Biblical truth. I don’t pretend to know everything but I do hope this blog reaches out to those searching for the truth.

When I first started this blog I wasn’t where I needed to be with the Lord. I had backslidden pretty far. But in the summer of 2017 I finally got right with the Lord and started blogging for Jesus.

I discovered the other night that God is using my natural ability to write to reach out to the world and hopefully encourage whoever takes the time to read my blog.

I never put the two together. Not until last night.

Philip, the Evangelist

In the book of Acts, chapter 8 verse 26, we read about Philip. Philip was one of the first to take the Good News of Christ to those outside the borders of Judiasm. He was a strong and effective evangelist. He was directed by an angel to head to Gaza and there, he met an Ethiopian eunuch who was reading in the book of Isaiah and had questions about what he was reading.

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, ” How can I unless someone instructs me. And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

Acts 8:29-31

Philip told the Ethiopian man all about the Good News of Jesus and the man accepted Christ and immediately wanted to be baptized!

Philip exemplifies early Christian evangelists, whom the Holy Spirit empowered and guided. He was obedient and followed Jesus, telling others about Him.

The Great Commission

You see, God has a plan for each and every one of us. Every Christian is to be an evangelist. We need to be endeavoring to bring souls to Christ.

We don’t know what opportunities God may have in store for us but if we are obedient and follow his will, He WILL make them known.

Who knows? Maybe the next person you reach out to will turn out to be the next Billy Graham or D.L Moody! According to Adrian Rogers, in “1885 a Sunday School teacher led an uneducated shoe clerk to faith in Christ who became the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody. God used Moody to inspire the British pastor F.B. Meyer whom God then used to inspire Wilbur Chapman. Chapman was then used in the life of W.A Sunday, who preached revival meetings that spawned prayer meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina seeking God to send a revival to Charlotte. A revival did come to Charlotte and a 16 year old named Billy Graham was saved.“

I find that so awesome!

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

Fibro Flare Up

I’ve been feeling off lately. My body just doesn’t want to cooperate. Costochondritis (An inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone.) reared it’s ugly head last week which almost ALWAYS indicates a flare up is in my near future. And yes, it started showing up earlier this week.

It also doesn’t help that there are not one but TWO systems moving in our direction. Whenever it gets rainy and dreary, my body practically screams at me. I woke up this morning and immediately knew it was going to be one of those days. I felt it in my bones before I even got out of bed. I had to call out at work because there was no way I was going to be able to stand on my feet for 5 hours.

Have any of y’all heard of Adrian Rogers? I had heard the name before but I recently have really gotten into his sermons that you can find at www.lwf.org He has really great sermons, including a series he preached on the book of Revelation. He sadly passed away back in 2005. But he has left a legacy!

This particular sermon really stepped on my toes and got me to thinking about how I’m living.

Check it out!

19 Years Ago….

September 11th. I remember it like it was yesterday….as I’m sure all of you feel the same. I was taking classes at my community college. I had Psychology that day at 11 so I was so excited to be able to sleep in. However, my mom called me from work around 8:45 or so and told me to turn on the TV. I literally had just turned it on and was in shock at what I was seeing and then I saw the second plane hit. I was rendered speechless! I didn’t know what was going on!

I got to my class and the professor sort of hesitated before speaking and then just told us “class dismissed. I can’t teach you while our world is under attack. It’s too surreal.”

I haven’t written a poem in quite some time….I used to write them all the time. I could pop them out round the clock! But then I stopped. I guess I lost my creativity for awhile.

So please don’t be too harsh with this poem. I wanted to write….to express my feelings about the anniversary of September 11th. #neverforget

19 years ago our world was forever changed
19 years ago nothing would ever be the same
19 years ago we watched in horror
As the buildings came tumbling down

Thousands of people
Going about their morning
Unaware of was what about to happen
Unaware of the evil about to take place

So much evil
so much hate
When will this end
or is it too late?

Where were you
when our nation was attacked?
Where were you
When our freedom was threatened?

Were you sitting in a classroom
Confused at what you were seeing?
The horror of it all unraveling
As you tried to take it in?

Or perhaps you were at home
Maybe sipping your morning coffee
You turned on your TV
Just in time to see the second plane…

The world stopped moving
That Tuesday morning…
But it also brought us together
Determined to pick up the pieces
Determined to rise up

September 11, 2001
Forever etched in our minds
Forever in our heart.

Reblog: To My Non-Christian Friends — Onword and Upwords by Dennis Brady

In my heart of hearts I truly believe that Jesus is returning for His Church soon and it burdens me that you will be left behind in the resulting world. You’ll still have a chance to repent and accept Christ during the following tribulation days, but it will be unbearably hard to keep the faith […]

To My Non-Christian Friends — Onword and Upwords by Dennis Brady

Spiritual Warfare

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after every battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:10-18, NLT)

Let Your Light Shine

***I’ve never had so much trouble writing a post. But Satan knows this message is meant to be shared and he tried everything, and I mean, EVERYTHING, he could to prevent me from writing this. But God wins. Every time, God wins.***

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16, NLT

What does it meant to be a light in the world?

As believers, we are called to be the light in the darkness of the world. But what does it mean?

Jesus is the light of the world. It says so in John 8:12! “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me you won’t have to walk in darkness because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Don’t hide your testimony or be ashamed to take your Bible to work. Don’t be afraid to pray over your lunch at school. Let others know that you love the Lord Jesus.

Adrian Rogers, “Bright Lights in a Dark World”https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/love-worth-finding/articles/bright-lights-in-a-dark-world-.

“For God who said “Let there be light in the darkness” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6, NLT)

We can be a light in someone else’s dark world. By letting Jesus be our example, we can reach out.

Maree Dee, https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/

Living Compassionately

There is a movie called I’m Not Ashamed that I’ve mentioned before but it’s such a powerful movie that I want to talk about it again.

The movie is based on Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim in the Columbine shootings back in 1999. Her story is so uplifting and moving.

I don’t understand this but for some reason I’ve always been drawn to her story. Her legacy has brought so many people to Christ. I have a couple of books that were written based on her journals she kept. She kept many journals. And guess what? She struggled just like anyone else.

She wasn’t perfect, not even close. She had her share of struggles with all things that most teens struggle with. She just chose to stay close to Christ in order to fight her demons.

Rachel genuinely had a love for others and was so compassionate towards them despite the way they treated her. She showed her love in many aspects of her life and worked hard to be the person God created her to be.

Rachel made the decision to “love people with a heart of compassion and see and love people as Jesus does.

Colossians 3:12-13 says “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.” (ESV)

I want to live a life like that. A life devoted to Christ and serving His people. I want to be able to show compassion towards those that don’t necessarily show compassion towards me.

I don’t want to be ashamed. I want to be that light that shines so bright that makes people ask what is so different about me.

Living Like Jesus

There is a song called Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns that I absolutely love. I feel the lyrics say it all.

“The world is on their way to You
But they’re tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up
I’m so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands”

How can we live like Jesus if we’re stumbling blocks to unbelievers? How will they see Jesus if we’re not living a life pleasing to Christ?

We must live like Jesus. Truly live for Him, living in such a way that oozes the love of Jesus and His light. So what does living like Jesus look like?

Romans 12:2 tells us “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT)

By copying the behavior and customs of this world we aren’t living as a light in this world. We aren’t living like Christ. We are to let God transform us into a new person so that we can shine God’s light wherever we are.

Being a light in this hate filled world won’t always be easy but we owe it to unbelievers everywhere to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

Loving Others

Further in Romans 12 Paul tells us “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. When Gods’ people are in need be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. (Romans 12:9-13 NLT)

People notice our actions, our words. And by living as a light we have a chance to speak God’s Word without even saying a single word. People will take notice of the way we are living our life and it’s going to make them question what exactly it is that makes us different.

We must love like Jesus.

The light of the world we share is Jesus. As they see glimpses of Him and His truth, they are drawn to Him.

Barbara Harper, https://barbaraleeharper.com/

Shine your light for all to see!

Living in the Past

I have a bad habit you guys. (Don’t we all?)

I don’t know about you but I have a really bad tendency to focus on my past. My regrets. My heartache. My disappointments. My failures. You get the picture. I find myself wallowing in what could have been, in what I should have done or said. But what’s the point?

Why do we do that? Why do we look at our failures and mistakes and live in them? What’s that going to do? Absolutely nothing except make us miserable and depressed.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

It’s hard to forget the past sometimes. I get it. I have so many regrets. We all do. But I have to believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without those regrets. I have learned from those mistakes. And it’s made me a better person. Does that make sense?

Read what Paul has to say in Philippians 3:13-14, “No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

When we become Christians, our new life begins! We shouldn’t be looking to our past!

Paul reminds us of this in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Don’t let your past define you. It’s not who you are. You are much more than your past mistakes. You are a child of God and you are LOVED!

Satan LOVES to drudge up whatever he can to make us miserable. Don’t let him.

Don’t allow Satan to rob you of your future by making you live in your past.

Intermittent Fasting: Thoughts?

I have decided to try intermittent fasting to try to lose weight. If you’ve never heard of it, check out this link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-guide

I’m looking at different ways to do the fast, such as the 16/8 method where you have a window of time to eat (8 hours) and then you fast the other 16. So if I was to try this method, I would eat between the hours of noon to 8PM and then fast from 8PM to noon. This method is probably the easiest since you are asleep for a majority of the 16 hour fast.

My weight has reached a number that I am NOT happy with. I haven’t been happy for the longest time.

My medications (at least 4 of them) cause weight gain so losing this weight is not going to be easy but I’m going to give it my all. I didn’t put the weight on overnight and it’s not going to come off overnight, you know?

How about you all?

Have you tried this?

How has it helped you?

The Single Life

I have been single since 2008 (wow, 12 years?) I haven’t even gone out on a date.

(eh, don’t feel sorry for me! I’ve embraced the single life and I’m content. If God chooses to send someone my way, then okay! But if decides I am to remain single then so be it.)

As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7, “So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows–its better to stay unmarried, just as I am.”(1Corinthians 7:8, NLT)

Paul was saying that it’s better to remain single because of the opportunities it provides to serve Christ with no distractions.

I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Not being married, I’m able to do things without the distraction of a husband and children and taking care of them. I can devote more time to serving the Lord.

I am 37 and I’m single. 10 years ago this would have bothered me. But as I grow closer to the Lord I have realized that I don’t need anyone BUT God.

12 years ago I was in a relationship that didn’t end well. He essentially broke up with me because of my bipolar disorder. He said he couldn’t handle it anymore. I remember looking at him and crying, “You don’t have to handle this. I have to deal with this the rest of my life. I just need you to BE there for me.”

Nope, he ran. But you know what I said? Fine. And I moved on without him. I haven’t had a relationship since.  Honestly, I have moments, small moments when I wonder if I’ll ever find someone but then I spend time with God and it all goes away. I am content being single. God fills that void.

If I’m being honest, I will say this: I am very self-conscious about my appearance. See, I have very bad dental problems due to my medications causing tooth decay. Fibromyalgia also contributes to my dental problems Half my teeth are falling out. Therefore, I don’t smile much and when I do it’s a closed mouth smile. (One benefit from wearing a mask these days, LOL) If something makes me laugh I cover my mouth with my hand. I WILL NOT take pictures anymore because I just can’t stand to look at myself. I have to get dentures but I can’t afford them since I don’t have a job or dental insurance. (Anyone wanna start a GoFundMe page? I’m KIDDING!)

I think that’s the biggest reason why I don’t put myself out there and try to find someone.

I’ve accepted that this is how I am, this is how I look and everything else doesn’t matter.

GOD is all I need and I’m going to spend as much time with Him as I can and in the meantime, if He has someone planned for me, and I meet him, then so be it! But I’m not looking actively for anyone because I want God first in my life. Maybe I’ll be single forever, like Paul was. Maybe I’m not meant to have a significant other because it’ll be a distraction for me. And as we all know, I get distracted pretty easily. (Stupid ADD)

I will say this again: God has great plans for me….for YOU….for everyone! If only we would stop, be still and listen to His voice. He’s calling for you and for me……NOTHING can change God’s love for you. 🙂

In Person or On Paper?

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Okay so I am not the best when it comes to confrontation. I tend to avoid it like the plague. I just hate it. I get all flustered and red faced, my anger rears it ugly side. And I don’t know about you but my anger seems to be hardwired to my tear ducts. Seriously! The minute I get super frustrated or angry, here come the waterworks!! Dude, seriously…stop. So if you ever see me bawling my eyes out….it’s probably because I’m angry not sad. LOL

SOOO…with that said I have a question for you all. To avoid confrontation and to hopefully diffuse a situation before it gets worse, would you rather write them a letter?

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I am the type of person who expresses my feelings much better through the written word. When I’m forced to have a super serious talk in person, I clam up, I get flustered and turn all red in the face. (Plus it doesn’t help that in the past couple of years I’ve developed this…..I have no idea what to call it…..a tic when speaking? When I am talking, sometimes it’s as if my brain and my mouth have decided to stop communicating and I get flustered and my voice “catches?” on a certain word…. Y’ALL I CANNOT EXPLAIN IT! I don’t understand how to describe it but it’s just annoying as heck. )

So let me ask you all….how do you deal with confrontation? Especially if you, like me, are an introvert and can’t stand confrontation?

Also, could you share some bible verses or quotes that help a person get through confrontational times?

On Paper?

In Person?