REFLECT: How did today's reading impact you?
"Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15-16 -TEV)
"For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message He has given to us to tell others." (2 Cor 5:190 NLT)
- Your life message contains your testimony.. Your testimony is the story of how Christ has made a difference in your life... it is His story in your life. Shared stories build a relational bridge that Jesus can walk across from your heart to theirs. Write down your testimony to be prepared (I Peter 3:15 above...)
- What my life was like before Christ
- How I realized I needed Jesus.
- How I committed my life to Jesus
- The difference Jesus has made in my life.
- Your life message contains your life lessons. YThe second part of your life message is the truths that God has taught you from experiences with Him... faith stories... These are lessons and insights you have learned about God, relationships, problems, temptations, and other aspects of life. Write down the major life lessons you have learned so that you can share it with others: Here are a few questions:
- What has God taught me from failure?
- What has God taught me from lack of money?
- What has God taught me from pain or sorrow or depression?
- What hasa God taught me through waiting?
- What has God taught me through illness?
- What has God taught me from disappointment?
- What have I learned from my family, church, relationships, small group, and my critics?
- Your life message includes sharing your godly passions. God is a passionate God. He passionately loves some things, and passionately hates other things. As you grow closer to Him, He'll give you a passion for something as well. It could be a passion about a problem, a purpose, a principle, or a group of people. Whatever it is, you'll feel motivated to speak up, invest your energy or time to make a difference in this area. Others will not have the same passion, but recognize He has wired us all differently.
- Your life message includes the Good News. We must care about our friends who don't know Jesus. Love offers no choice. As long as you know one person who doesn't know Christ, you must keep praying for them, serving them in love, giving to meet their needs, and yes, even verbally sharing the Good news of God's love.
In this 40 day journey, we've learned God's five purposes for your life on earth. He made you to be a member of His family, a model of His character, a minister of His grace, a magnifier of His glory, and a messenger of His Good news to others. The fifth purpose will not be necessary in Heaven, all the more reason to fulfill His mission here and now.
"Gracious Father, thank You for His Story in my life. Give me courage, boldness, and a sense of Your purpose today, so that I break out of my comfort zone and lead me to someone today with whom I can share my personal story with them. Amen
How did you realize you needed Jesus? What difference has Jesus made in your life? Who would God want you to share this with? Are you ready?
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Colossians 4:5 (NIV)
