Wednesday 23 January 2019

Be Not Afraid

Scripture: Acts 18 v 9 - 10: "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city."

Many people fear to share their faith in Jesus because they cannot handle arguments and confrontation, nor ridicule or teasing.  Many assume that their peers don't want to hear about salvation.

Over the years of this ministry, the Lord has revealed to me that people are hungry for truth but are afraid to let anyone know.   They scoff and create arguments to learn what you know in a more obscure way.  Were you not just like them? And how eager were you when Jesus opened your heart?

Why did you respond to the gospel of Jesus?  Because people were praying for you!  And on the day that you were ready to know Him, He was knocking at the door of your heart.  So pray for your unsaved family and friends for the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin, righteousness and judgment, and on the right day Jesus will send a believer to save that soul.

Never be afraid to state your faith in Jesus to those around you.  Religion is usually thought of as private and unmentionable, but Christianity is not a man-made religion, it is a way of life like no other.  It should be shouted from the rooftops - the wonders of our God!  Only Stan and his demons want to silence the Gospel.

He has many people in your city or town so no one will hurt or physically attack you.  His people are praying for the Word of God to spread and sinners to be saved.  Therefore anyone sharing the truth comes under God's anointing and protection with the Holy Spirit giving power to your words in the ears, minds, hearts of those who are listening to you.

You do not have to be an eloquent, confident speaker, you just have to make Jesus real to them.  Satan has tried to erase Jesus from this Earth and many have agreed with his lies.  Your task is to lay down some truth from your own experience of Jesus and His blessings.  

Share your testimony of how He has changed you, and how much He loves us.  If they scoff or argue it's because they want more information from you.  Ask questions like 'If you died today, where would you find yourself - heaven or hell?'  If they answer heaven, ask them if they meet all the t's and c's.  They are sure to ask what those are and that's your opportunity to tell them the whole truth about the terms and conditions of God's salvation.  When the discussion is over ask if anyone wants to be born again as you can pray with them to receive the salvation of God right now.

Be not afraid, not everyone will respond positively, but you will have sown a seed that the Lord will use like a grain of sand in an oysters shell.  Hopefully it will become a pearl like you did before too long.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your love extends to every person Jesus died for, but how will they hear without a preacher?  Help us to be ready to share this salvation message to everyone and trust You to do the miracle that changes their direction.  In Jesus' name. Amen.