27: 50 Days of 3:16

When we think of fear we might think straight to that scary fear. I always had a fear of horror movies, never tempting myself by watching them because I had a fear they would give me nightmares. I never watched Jaws for this reason and compared to what is out there today that movie is pretty tame. But fear can control us. There have been whole studies on phobias and how they control lives. They keep us from moving forward. So why then in the Bible does it continually talk about fearing the Lord?

 

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.

Malachi 3:16

 

This fear that the bible talks about is not the same as the fear that scares us. Well, maybe it is. But it is all in the perspective I guess. Many attributes this fear to reverence and that could be the case. What we have come to understand is that those who have accepted Jesus’s forgiveness now understand the judgement that is coming to all of those who choose not to accept. This fear of the Lord is attributed to one’s knowledge of what could happen walking outside of His grace. In this mindset, we can then work towards sharing our faith as we know what we have been freed from and others should be afraid of what is to come for those who don’t choose life in Christ. This fear reminds us that what we still have a freedom to walk away into the life we lived before but now we know what is there waiting for us. It hopefully keeps us from choosing our fear over life with Christ.

 

We see here in the last book of the Old Testament that the Lord listen to them. This is a promise that the Lord listens to His children when they talk to Him. We see here that they kept a record to preserve who feared God. This reminds us that we need to build each other up. Encouraging one another in the faith and before God. It is not a solo faith.

 

As those who fear the Lord, we also fear for our loved ones who are not walking with God. We pray for them and encourage them to come to church and accept Christ. It breaks our hearts when they reject our offers and ignore us because, in essence, they are rejecting the salvation that was freely given for them. We fear that it will be too late for them to choose life. I loved when I heard in the last couple weeks that a church in Ontario, lead by a former pastor of mine had created a book at the church recording those who needed to know Jesus. I had initiated something similar at the church I am at, a wall of those who needed to know Jesus. I titled mine ‘They matter to God, so they should matter to us.” In both examples, people would write down names some just first names of people that needed to accept Jesus forgiveness. These are ways that the church can work together to build one another up as they pray for family, friends and coworkers to meet Jesus.  I would encourage you if you haven’t already make a list of people who God can use you to impact with his love and keep praying for them. Use the fear of the Lord to empower you to reach others.

 

Father, we thank you so much for what you have rescued us from. When we look back at what we used to live like it is almost unimaginable that you would choose to forgive us, yet you did. Help us as believers to share this with our family, friends and co-worker. We have been called on this mission to spread the love of Christ and if we don’t we are being disobedient. Give us wisdom and knowledge to do this, Holy Spirit guide us daily to someone who needs to hear about Jesus. Use us. Amen

33: 50 Days Freed

The bondage of fear holds us back from sharing our faith. Here in North America, it is not the fear of oppression as much, but the fear of not know what to say when we are opposed in our faith. Currently, there is no fear of going to jail over our faith but there could be a fear in some areas that a lawsuit could be a possibility. We claim in our countries that we have freedom of speech, but it has come to the point of the freedom is only applicable when it is tolerant of everyone else’s beliefs except for Christianity. Paul here in his letter to the Corinthians gave us direction that we each have a way to share our faith, the point is to stand firm and do it.

 

“But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.”

2 Corinthians 1:24 NLT

 

With so many books and programs out there on how to share your faith, it is a wonder that so many Christians have a hard time doing just that. One could question why there is not one sure fire method for reaching the lost, follow this model and people will flock to Jesus. Of course, we know the answer to this question is because everyone responds differently and that over the years different styles of witnessing have popped up and they may have worked for some they didn’t work for all. It will be the same for you as well, what works today for reaching someone may not work tomorrow when talking with someone else.

 

Paul here in his letter tells the people that he wants to encourage them to find their own style. How would one do that? Through prayer and study, learning from what has worked in the past, and what may be working in other areas. Asking the Holy Spirit for guidance in how you share Jesus to those around you is a priority, he will give you wisdom and direction that you won’t find in any book or testimony. The awesome thing is, is that your way of witnessing or reaching one person may only work for that person. The Holy Spirit may give you a formula that works for you or he may work through each situation you encounter uniquely.

 

We need to break free from the lie of the enemy that holds us back from the freedom to share our faith. Maybe we have become too comfortable and don’t want others to think we are ‘religious’. When we boiled it down it is not about us. We have forgotten why we share our faith is not to earn brownie points in heaven. We share our faith so others will come to follow Jesus and the freedom from sin that is leading them death without him for eternity. We should long for them to experience the same freedom we have in Christ.

 

So today I ask are you putting your faith into action? Are you working on fulfilling the mission Jesus called us to, reaching the lost with his message of love? Are you asking the Holy Spirit daily for opportunities and the tools to tell people about Jesus? Ask him right now and he will supply both.

 

Father, we thank you for everything you have provided for us. We want to put our faith into action and work harder at fulfilling the mission of telling others about you. Holy Spirit give us opportunities and the tools required to be successful in the mission. We know that the lost people in this world matter to you and you love them, so we love them and they matter to us. Amen

 

 

Day 7: 50 Days of Passion

Fear can hold back many people. How many are afraid of public speaking, addressing a crowd can be petrifying to some. The medical world has created a whole chapter on this issue of fear and even created words that the classify as phobias. Some have created the terms Evangephobia or Gospelphobia as one who is afraid to share their faith.

 

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

 

There is no medical reference to a phobia on sharing the gospel. These terms I mentioned above are coined from churches or ministries creating buzz words to point out that the fear of sharing the gospel is a real thing. There was a fear in Paul’s time for sharing the gospel. But their reasons are way different then ours, sharing the gospel for us makes us uncomfortable, sharing in Paul’s day could cost you your life.

Paul displayed in jail that no matter the circumstance, situation or his lot in life he was willing to share his faith. He didn’t care who knew he followed Christ but confidently shared it with everyone including the palace guards. This confidence is infections. You see it says, “most of the brothers and sister”, this tells me that not all dared to surpass their fears. Many did and their passion increased, their fears decreased and they were able to share their faith in confidence.

Can this life experience of Paul ignite a passion in your heart to overcome your fear to share the gospel?  Or do you know someone who is confident in sharing their faith? If you do hang out with them, let their confidence infect you, let their passion for reaching the lost rub off on you. Join them and be mentored by them, ensure that the purpose of your time together is on reaching the lost and not distracted by your needs.

Like any fear the first step is to admit your afraid. Once you do that you can work towards overcoming that fear. Trying to do something you are afraid to do is hard, but asking the Holy Spirit to remove that fear will change you from the inside out. Stepping out in faith and doing when he gives you that push will build your confidence.

If you want your passion to be the consistent in your life then fear of reaching the lost must go. There is a certain joy that can only be experienced by sharing your faith with another person who is lost. It explodes in your heart when that person commits their life to Jesus.

Are you ready to let go of your fear?

Father, so many of us are caught in this fear of sharing our faith, we think we will lose friends, family or social standing. We are confused by the way the world says that we must accept all and be open to everything. Forgive us for falling for this trap of the enemy, let us not give into this fear. Holy Spirit we ask for you to remove this fear that is holding us back, give us a confidence and to share the truth. Give us mentors who will disciple us and provide us direction in sharing our faith. We want to reaching others and share your love to this world. I pray encouragement and renewed passion for anyone reading this. Amen