Week 18 - Sharing the Good News
Day 1 - Are you faithful?
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” 2 Timothy 2:2
Once you make a decision to stand for the right, it is important that you get equipt for the work ahead. Get to know Christ as your personal Saviour, make him your friend. Read the bible, pray and ask for guidance, where possible find someone who knows the Lord well, who can help you on your journey. Someone who can encourage and uplift those around them and teach you many things.
The bible says that the good news that was being spread around by many people should be told to faithful men who would be able to teach others. Paul had spent a lot of time with Timothy, teaching about Jesus and his love for everyone and he wanted Timothy to go out and teach others what he had learnt. He believed that Timothy was faithful, he was trustworthy, zealous, on fire for the Lord and rearing to go.
Can others say of you that you are trustworthy, that you are passionate to do right, that you are wiling to make a stand for God and that you ready to spread the Gospel. Today one must ask the question : Am I Faithful?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 2 - Solo not always needed
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Ecclesiates 4:9,10
Salvation is a personal thing but witnessing to others about God and his love, works so much better when you have the support of other like minded people around you. Many people especially in western society have no clue who even lives on there road let alone what others believe or what they are going through. Many people go to church and sit in the same spot and don't know the people who come in through the church doors week in and week out who sit more than two rows away. Many of whom, given the opportunity, may have skills to complement each other, or may be in need of help. It is important that we begin to reach out to others, showing them the love of God.
Humans were made to have company, even Jesus had companians in his disciples, how much more us. We need to encourage one another, be there for others when they are weak and when we are we they will be there to pick us up. The more we work together the quicker the work of sharing the gospel of Jesus can be finished and the sooner it is till we can go to heaven.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 3 - Get on your knees
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much James 5:16
The road of faith is hard to travel alone, everyone needs support at some point and what better way to support someone than to pray with them. As people we should look at for others and try to offer them a helping hand. Sometimes we can offer them physical help, or emotional and financial help, but many a time when trying to spread the goodnews of Jesus, the power of pray can never be to effective. God knows whats best, he knows when we should move and when we should sit still he will help us to take the right road and choose the right paths. James 5:16 is correct that when we get rid of the guilt and burdens we have we start to heal, when we heal we can pray unhindered to the father, he will never cast us aside, he will always come to our aide.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 4
Get Serious
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. psalm 37:5
Class clown, always joking around, never taken seriously and the first to be in trouble. Not really the best attributes one can have. I remember growing up and going through a giggling stage and everything that happened was absolutely hilarious. During lessons I would giggle, I would only have to look around the room and already something would be funny, the teacher would stand up to begin teaching and I would be on the floor in stitches. Let's just say I wasn't teacher's pet at this stage of my life, I also found that whenever something would go wrong, or a laugh could be heard - my name was the first to be called, even when I was in a different class. I started to realise that this was not fun, neither was it good for my reputation and on top of that I didn't think it was fair. So I got to thinking that things needed to change. I had to get serious if I wanted a good chance at life and if I wanted to be seen in a good life. I needed to change for the better. I had to commit to staying focused and not losing sight of the end result, no time for giggling continuously but instead I had to behave appropriately to my environment.
When I started to think about sharing the goodnews, I started to realise the same principles should apply, yes it's good to have a laugh and a good time but if my laughter is getting in the way of me being a good example to others, or my blaze attitude is turning people away from me and not taking me seriously, how can they take my God seriously. Commit to God, trust him and he will do the rest, but you have to GET SERIOUS!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 5
Full-Time employment
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5
All day, everyday - never deviating from the plan, stealth like movements towards one common goal, working silently without request of recognition or show. Inching closer to the prize, but yet letting others share the reward teaching them how to run the race that you run, in the best way they can.
Full-time employment.
The drudge of the 9-5 day seems to be all that is associated with the above phrase. The working mum whose day never seems to end, the couple who's bills grow daily but money decreases monthly, a hopeless situation.
Only one type of employment promises a retirement plan that cannot be matched by any others, a life insurance without no hidden charges or loop holes, all terms and conditions set out clearly, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus". The character of God, given through faith by grace and all we have to do is adopt the mindset of Christ, he will help us every step of the way, to complete our employment quota and in life's time rota, so that we can share the goodnews with others, whilst living with Christ in our minds, working to gain our eternal prize
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 6
Love conquers all
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
There are always those people that no matter how many times you help them or try to be kind to them they just seem to dislike you. Many a time we choose to do nice things for the people around us we get on with, or that do good things for us, those we consider to be our friends.
To give up ones life to save someone elses, that is the highest sacrifice one can make. Many times we here many people say they would give their life for another person they love but what about total strangers. Jesus came and died for everyone, those who called him friends and those who didn't. Imagine this, he even died to save those who nailed him to the cross, love doesn't get more perfect than this.
He calls you friend will you make Him yours and share his love with others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 7
Forever isn't that far away
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2,3
A place to be prepared for me, sounds like a hotel advert. We journey through life, packing our bags with the esentials for the final journey to heaven. No extra weight allowed, only life experiences and stories of battles fought and victories won, the Prince of peace is hotelier, preparing rooms made to measure for the weary travelers arrival. Each guest pass being prepared with paycode,covered by the blood check out date not applicable. Name - reedemed child of the King, Gift - starry crown, luxurious robe and harp, window overlooking river and tree of life.
VIP stay in Hotel Heaven for eternity, there is no limit to the number of guests as Jesus has paid it all. He asks that we share the good news and get ready for the mansions prepared for us above.