There is no formula for sharing our faith with people. And you just never know where you’re going to meet someone in his or her journey of faith. You might meet them on day one where they are just beginning to get curious or on the day they’re ready to jump in with both feet and follow Jesus. It’s for that reason that we must be listening to what the Lord is saying as we encounter people. The founder of the Vineyard movement John Wimber called it “power evangelism”.
In my early days of ministry, I had a counseling appointment with a woman who showed up only because she had to. As part of her probation, she had to receive counseling and admitted that the reason she came to the church was because she thought she could get counseled for free. Though she wasn’t really interested and just wanted me to sign some papers so she could show her probate officer, I listened to her story for a few minutes before the Lord showed me some things about her life.
As I began relaying to her what the Lord was showing me about the cause of pain in her life, she fell on the floor and began weeping. A few minutes later, we prayed together and she accepted Christ. In the weeks and months ahead, she then began her journey of following the Lord.
Being attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit in my life gives me the opportunity to be used in such a way. It’s sheer joy to meet someone where they are at and tell them about the good news of Christ. And allowing God to use you to do it in such a way that God’s love is obviously revealed to the person is incredible.
For today’s discussion, take some time to answer the following questions:
1) How do you listen to the Lord for opportunities to share your faith in a powerful way as you’re going about your day?
2) What experience do you have to share where God used someone to reveal something about your life that you thought maybe no one or very few people knew?
3) How open are you to seeing the Holy Spirit move through you in such a way? Are you bold enough to challenge someone with something you think the Lord is telling you … even if it could be offensive or embarrassing or shameful?
8 responses so far ↓
Marcus // December 10, 2008 at 11:25 am
When we speak there are many moments of silence. Those moments add to what we say. Linguists say that 90% of our communication is non-verbal; that means only 10% is verbal. If we think in these terms how limited is our communication with God if we are simply speaking to Him in our prayers. We are only experiencing 10% of the realtionship.
So how can we pray to tap int the full relationship, the full power of grace and forgiveness, the full power of love that is always accessible to us. Psalm 46:10 advises us to “Be still and know that I am God.” In the infinite silence we can experience and find an infinite wisdom; an infinite source of renewal hope and goodness; but we can also feel the great sorrows and pains of our Heavenly Father.
These moments of prayer are so deep and profound that I have no words to describe them, it is beyond my comprehension or intellect.
Marcus // December 10, 2008 at 1:45 pm
During the first Desert Storm (1991) I was in Cote D’Ivoire in Africa. Seeing the inceredible poverty and suffering of the people and also their genuine friendship, generosity (when they had nothing yet still they gave) I felt so deeply how God has blessed America, yet how much deeper is his love for Africa. I felt unworthy of the respect and care they gave me (and indeed I was unworthy). It was such a blessing.
In such an environment reaching the tearful heart of God seemed easy in my prayers. I felt their was so little I could do, all i could pray for was that i could have the grace to serve.
i have found that when you serve others they are drawn to you and in serving the person you are drawn closer. Through this method God has given me the way to teach everything.
Just before Thanksgiving I went to Seattle. The afternoon I arrived home my elderly in-laws had come and were staying the night – that meant in our bedroom. Because Dad is very almost deaf they had the TV on really loud. By the evening i felt so much tension I was about to boil over. I went into the garage, into my car, breathed a few dep breaths and just had a one on one with God. i just told Him out loud how I felt.
One word came into my mind -serve.
I went back and offered my in laws some candy. Somehow everything changed. The next morning I cooked them an English breakfast and we had a really good day together. My wife was proud of me too!
In witnessing the problem is us. I have to have the faith that witnessing is not for myself but for them. How much energy can i use to save that person, how much will i give to reach that person?
I think of Jacob who suffered for twenty one years in Haran and gave everything to his brother before he was able to win Esau’s heart and bring him back from satan’s realm of revenge to God’s realm. That required both faith and love. Even then he had to wrestle with the angel and persevere till he won. He laid the model course for Moses, Jesus and us.
Mike // December 10, 2008 at 10:57 pm
If I had been one of the panelists last Sunday I think my final comment would have been,” I haven’t forgotten where I came from and I know how I got to where I am today.” Freely I received, freely I should give.
Sometimes I feel like we are talking pseudonyms. As if we are aliens in this world. Like we have never walked on this earth. Being birthed into the kingdom of God didn’t erase my memory. But it gave me a deep appreciation of his kingdom on earth and what this world will eventually become, and a healthy concern and compassion for those who don’t let him into their lives.
I think we can and should bring salvation to all men. We are Christs hands and feet. He has given us the authority to do just that. I perceive him to have come for one thing – truth. Who knows what truth the Spirit is speaking into the hearts of our friends and acquaintances. Therefore, if we don’t speak truth, it aint gonna mesh with the Spirit of truth working in the hearts and minds and daily routines of others.
For question number 1,”How do I listen?” The spiritual disciplines and I know who I am In him.
Queston #2. Just tonight a great friend called just to see how I was doing. I was very real. He was then able to give me some insight into a difficult time I am experiencing, and man, the heaviness lifted off me like a cloud. I no longer felt misled and hurt.
cheri // December 11, 2008 at 12:22 am
one of my favorites studies was Experiencing God, it really opened my eyes and awareness that He is at work around me. It also helped me become aware when he gave me an invitation to join Him in His work. I started to pray and wait for opportunities for Him to work through me. It was wonderful to learn how to develop the skills to truly experience God in an intimate personal relationship.
Most of the time I find myself with people and suddenly there is an opportunity where I feel led to share because of something that was said or felt. For me, it only happens when I am walking with the Lord daily, consistently in the word and willing to be of use …spending time in prayer and meditation on what he might be doing around me.
the art of discernment is important because I am fearless in speaking my mind, thoughts and opinions and call it like I see it which can be great but I need to make sure I do it out of love, honesty can be hurtful to others when I am not mindful about why I am saying it and how.
Jessie // December 11, 2008 at 1:15 am
How do I listen? I still need to grow in this area. I always have to remind myself that relationships (love God, love people) are the most important thing.
And I’m so clueless about what to DO with the above statement, that I have to remind myself constantly to dwell in God’s presence. Because God loves folks more than I ever could, and he knows what that person needs to receive or hear on that day. I don’t know.
So I try to “practice his presence” no matter where I am, whether out running errands or busy at work or with my family at home or anywhere in-between. Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence has taught me so much about responding to God.
In this time-run culture of ours, it’s easy to forget about the eternal destinies of others. When we breeze by an opportunity to minister to someone who is lost and hurting and confused, that opportunity is gone forever.
In his book The Importance of Being Foolish, Manning had a moment of epiphany and shame. He was so busy showing off his social status (he was conversing with some tuxedoed high-rollers) that he’d treated a cashier worse than a vending machine, with impatience and contempt. And she had only wanted to ask him a question about God.
There is a story about some unfortunate seminary students. Man, were they set up. Individually the students were assigned to walk across the campus to another building and present a speech. The topic: the Good Samaritan parable. They only had a few minutes to prepare and get to the other building. On the campus sidewalk, right in their path, sat a person who appeared injured and distraught. Most students passed right by. Well, would you sacrifice your grade to help a stranger?
Hey, am I being graded on this? You bet.
Liana Potter // December 11, 2008 at 12:56 pm
A — I’ve had several times in my life where I’ve followed the HS and it turned out very well. I wish I could say I had several times a week where that happened…
B — I have had a few times where people have ministered things to me that were secret in my heart between me and God — things from my childhood, a secret unspoken deal I made with God, etc., times of severe hardship in my life — and I was so blessed and moved when God spoke through someone else to essentially let me know He really is paying attention! Are you like me? Where you know the truth, grew up in the church, read all the scriptures, and yet are still suprised to find out God is really paying attention? LOL! We shouldn’t need that, but I think sometimes we all do. And I want to be in a position where I can return that gift more often than I do. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.
C. I flat out do not feel brave enough to confront someone yet with something potentially embarrassing or convicting, and thankfully have never felt moved that way. It takes all the courage I have to share something positive — yet it is so rewarding when I do. Why oh why do I not allow Him to work through me more often, I don’t know? Shyness? Habit? Resistence to change? Living in my own little myopic world? Not truly understanding the full nature of God and how He is there for me, to guide and lead me moment by moment? Not understanding how He LONGS to be there for me, guiding me moment by moment? Knowing in my head and knowing in my heart are two different things. It’s about trust — not only trusting Him, but trusting that I am capable of hearing his voice — without messing it up.
Liana Potter // December 11, 2008 at 1:56 pm
OK — Here’s one example of how I was blessed —
Our first child, the one now with autism, was 4 months old. I was a nursing mom at a women’s retreat, and an aquaintance gave me a scripture. But first some background…
My hubby had graduated college the year before. He had a great new job, we finally started a family… then I miscarried. We tried again, I was pregnant… and got laid-off shortly after. Then Jeff (husband) was laid-off a couple months later. Then I had pre-eclampsia and was on bedrest. Then Joshua was born — and was colicky. He didn’t sleep well. And he had a giant mole on the back of his head. (cancer risk, lots of hullabaloo) And I was so very tired… that’s an understatement. People kept trying to encourage me by saying I should “claim Jeremiah 29:11.” Well, that sounds very sweet. But I happen to be aware that being a Christian doesn’t mean everything will turn up roses — people die. Car accidents. Cancer. Missionaries are murdered. Bad things do happen to good people. The scripture, in context, was referring to the Israelites in captivity. So I told God secretly in my heart that I can’t simply “claim Jeremiah 29:11″ unless He wants to give it to me specifically. I had a good childhood. Maybe it was my turn now to be Job… (Remember, I was tired)
Fast forward to the retreat. It was the last session of the last day and I was in the last row.
The speaker called everyone sitting second seat in of each row to come forward for prayer — which ended up being me, and yet a another story that I won’t get into right now. But afterward an aquaintance caught me and said that, while I was up there, she felt the Holy Spirit prompting her that He had a scripture He wanted me to know He was giving to me specifically… Jeremiah 29:11.
Dan // December 13, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Marcus- You made me think! Maybe our actions are louder than our words in our relationship with God.
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