Bible Verse: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Scripture Reading: Acts 16:1-40
Wayne Gretzky took 5,088 shots in his famous NHL career. He scored a record 894 goals.
He famously said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
If we want to see more people respond to the Gospel of Christ, we will have to share it. People cannot respond to a God they don’t know or a Gospel they haven’t heard (Romans 10:13-14).
What if we committed to praying for chances to speak the name of Jesus this week and dared to take one or two small steps?
Two retired men in the church I serve just returned from a trip to Ukraine. They worked with Ukrainian churches to provide emergency food supplies to refugees. They were impressed by how often Ukrainian Christians spoke kindly and candidly about Jesus and came home inspired to do the same.
Some of you long to be like that, but you fear saying the wrong thing.
I bet every one of you could recite the complex plot and characterization of your favorite TV shows and movies. Some of you know how to design a website, build a shed, and/or replace the shocks on a car.
There are plenty of complex topics you’ve mastered over time, and this will be no different.
Peter tells us always to be prepared to give a reason for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). So, let’s begin sharing and preparing. Our hope is not in our perfect delivery of the Gospel; it’s in God and the content of the Gospel.
Speaking about Jesus is far more important than Gretzky’s renowned career. We will miss 100% of the chances to share that we don’t take.
Pray for an open door, look for it, and then take a step. When you get asked a question you can’t answer, say so. Do a little research to prepare for next time. Leave the results with God.
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:13-14)
Prayer: Lord, show me where I can share the hope I have in You, and give me courage to do it. I’m afraid. I often don’t want to see those doors. I have doubts, too. Increase my faith and empower me to speak Your Name with boldness and courage. Amen.
Reflection: What are the biggest barriers holding you back from talking about Jesus a little bit more? Is it fear? A sense that you shouldn’t do this at work (it’s not politically correct)? Is it a sense of inadequacy? Whatever the biggest barriers are, talk to God about them and ask Him for His perspective on your perceived weakness.
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