Day 1: Show and Tell

Ephesians 2:1-10


We were not just saved from sin (Satan and death). We were also saved from his purposes here and now. Paul says in Ephesians that we are rescued from something and rescued for something. The rescue from, in verses 1-9, speaks of our salvation from sin and death. Verse 10 talks about being rescued for a purpose, our calling to share the story of our rescue to the world. Our story of our redemption is our most precious possession to show and tell the world what Jesus has done for us!


Jesus didn’t ask us to contain the gospel, but to spread it to all the world, to show the world what God is like.


1 Peter 2:9 & 12: 9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” They were called to live as God’s chosen people who loved others like family, just as God the Father loved them while they were still his enemies. They were his royal priesthood, sent into the world by the Spirit to help people be reconciled to God and to one another through Jesus.”


So are we. This is our identity, our calling. We are to show the world what God is like! We are to be ministers of the gospel where we live, work and play! You don’t need to be a Pastor or work in the church to do this! You and I are the church, it is not a building, it is not a degree or title. It is our role as a believer.


A few years ago I was given this illustration as an example of how I am to be the CHURCH wherever I live, work, and play. I think it is a great picture of how we are not to compartmentalize our life as believers, but live it wherever we are in all aspects of our lives.


Reflection:

Take some time to look at the illustration above through your own set of lenses.


Where do you see yourself?


Ask yourself, “How am I living out the Gospel in all the places I go?”


Challenge:

This week, try to take one of the places where you will find yourself and think ahead of how you might spread the gospel there. Then add the next place, and the next place until it becomes natural for you to do this in all the places you find yourself.

Day 2: Don't Be Afraid

You don’t have to do this alone, you and I have a helper called The Holy Spirit.


“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said.” - John 14:26 NIV


The Holy Spirit is there to help in showing you who, when, and where to engage someone in the gospel. We are to testify to Jesus’s work in our lives, tell our story, while also listening closely to others so we know how to bring the truth of Jesus to them. Jesus slowed down and listened. He engaged the people with whom He was trying to reach.


Pray for the power to be a good listener and to focus on others, not yourself.

We need to bring people to Jesus so he can meet their unique needs.


” When people really grasp the good news of Jesus, satisfying the deep longings of their souls, it’s hard to keep it to themselves”, states Jeff Vanderstelt in Gospel Fluency.


The “Helper” which is also translated as “Counselor” gives you the ability to hear the heart of the person you are to influence with the truth of the gospel.


Reflection:

ASK for God to reveal who He might want you to listen and talk with?


Then INVITE, the Holy Spirit to be in the midst of this conversation and for him to be the primary counselor, not you. This will give you confidence you didn’t know you had!


PRAY for him to provide the wisdom as to how to share the truths of Jesus in such a way that they will be good news to the other person.

Day 3: Fruit That Is Sweet

In Galatians 5:22-25 we are taught by Paul about the Fruit of the Spirit, which is the result of living the way we were designed to live. When we grow, help others to grow, fruit is produced in your life and in theirs. God’s spirit goes ahead of us, preparing the way for us. But we have to make space for others. They have to believe that we really care. As we depend on the Spirit to work in and through us the fruit pours out in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Our job is to be present, filled with the Spirit, and ready to listen, then open to speak as the Spirit leads. We are not the Savior, He is, so we don’t need to feel that pressure. We just need to do our part.


Paul also tells us to ask for wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge applied so that we do the right thing, at the right time, with the right motive, in the right way. The soil has to have the right conditions.


I read in the book, Chasing the Vines by Beth Moore about the right conditions for growth. She notes that Terroir, pronounced Ter War, is the vitaculture’s word for sense of place. Terre, as you see in our English word terrain, is about the earth. Having the right condition of the soil. These two combined, right place and right condition of the soil, create the atmosphere for new growth to take place. Pray for the wisdom to know the right time, place, and people. Wisdom is likened to being seasoned with salt because it is healing, life-preserving, and taste enhancing. It makes life better, not worse! Wisdom is a gift, and all who have it are a blessing.


James 1:5 tells us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.”


Ask God to give you wisdom when people do ask you to listen to their problem. I know I cannot lean on my own wisdom. So often I would find myself ill-equipped to be listening to or ministering to people in situations I had no experience with myself! By praying for wisdom and the power of the Spirit to work in and through me, the words that seemed right for the time would come. God wants to use us to help people and to lead people to Him through sharing the truth of who she is in our lives.


But to get wisdom we need to get with Jesus! In other words you can’t know someone if you don’t spend time with them. Do you seek Jesus daily? Do you spend time with him? Is he first in your life? We cannot give what we do not possess. We must have Jesus in us to share Jesus! It is from the overflow of Jesus and the fruit that comes from that relationship that pours out onto others and will have lasting impact.


Reflection:

What does my daily time with God look like?


Where and when do I need to get Wisdom from Jesus right now?


What are the places (terroir) where the soil might be ready to receive Jesus?


Write down what Jesus is showing you. Be prepared when the time comes.

Day 4: The Stories They Tell

Who has been sharing stories about their lives with you?

Who seems to need someone to listen to them?


Write down names as they come into your mind. Sometimes a person will pop into my head and stay there for a few days. I’ve learned to pay attention to this and reach out to that person. Usually they have been going through something and will share. I like to call this my “Who List”. The Holy Spirit is great at placing people on our minds and hearts that he knows needs us and ultimately, we need them too!


Take a few minutes to listen to the following song, praying for the one God brings to your mind:

For the One by Brian & Jenn Johnson