I read part of a book entitled, A Life that Matters by Ron Hutchcraft. It's a great book on evangelism. With all the thoughts running through my head on the lives of Black men murdered by police and the lives of police officers lost due to retaliation on this thing...my heart hurts. I'm definitely on the side of #BlackLivesMatter. We have to pray, and we have to act. God has given us all that we need to do both. We have to hold our leaders accountable to changing the systemic injustice within the police culture. We have to pray for God to change attitudes, hearts, and minds. We also must communicate and work towards bringing people together.
This brings me to a point that Ron Hutchcraft made in his book...and one that I keep in mind as I tell people of God's glorious Gospel and share how God wants us to fight against injustice...One thing that I've found to be true...
I'm wanting to become one of those people who "work from a coffee shop." It seems so cool (lol) and would give me a chance to get out of the office during the day. The problem is that I'm often distracted when I go to coffee shops and other places by myself. I would want to become "a regular" somewhere so that I could use those relationships to share the Gospel and the love of Christ with people. In college, I would have dinner at one of the buffets once a week by myself just so I could strike up conversations with other people sitting at the bar alone and share my faith with them during our conversations. God really worked in those times with a guy named Jim.
Ever played "Trump"? If not, don't feel bad, I've never played but I've seen people play and it looks fun. Ha-ha-ha. I'm more of an Uno person myself. But the term trump as a verb, means to "excel, surpass, outdo" (dictionary.com). And that's exactly what my Savior does to all those other gods, leaders, and e'erthang. Keep reading to find out what my conversation with two teenagers about this was like.
As I continue to spend time with the Lord, He continues to draw me closer to Him. I guess James was right, eh (See James 4:8)?? The Lord has been opening my mind to see how everyday events can be used as illustrations to explain the Gospel. For example, I went outside last night to throw some things in the recycling bin and the moon was shining so brightly that I thought an outdoor light was on! When I came back inside, the Holy Spirit reminded me that just as the moon was shining brightly by reflecting the sun's light, my light should shine brightly before men as I reflect the light of the Son.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. matthew 5.16 esv
I plan to use illustrations such as the above as I share the Gospel with people. Gotta be on that urban missionary grind!
What ordinary events help you understand the Gospel more clearly?
'Ello there mates! Ok, so ya got me...I don't actually have an accent. I stated in an earlier post that I'm from the South so that just about rules out that accent in the intro BUT you'd better believe that I have a Southern accent! Anyway, summer is one of those interesting seasons for the missionary front (on my end anyway). It all depends on what outreaches are happening, who sets a date for door-to-door evangelism, what days we are visiting the sick and so forth. You'd think I was busy this summer then, right? WRONG. And ya know what? I haven't nearly been as busy as I'd like to have been. Being a missionary (well, a full-time one) requires money, dough, that green, moo-lah (get my drift?) and right now, I don't have that dolla-dolla bill y'all. So, alas, I've allowed that to be an excuse to hold me back from doing so much and have limited my evangelism efforts to conversations I have with people that I know aren't Christians. But don't judge me! What's YOUR excuse? Have you been sharing that News you call GOOD lately? If you haven't, GET OFF THE BANDWAGON! Open your eyes to the many possibilities the Lord has given us to share the Gospel. Maybe money isn't your excuse (I'm gonna have to stop using it as mine) but EVERYONE usually has SOME sort of excuse. If you are actively sharing the Gospel and have no room for improvement then start your own blog so the saints can be encouraged! Ha-ha-ha. Seriously. Start it and post a link in the comments section.
So, the opportunities we have are limitless. Let's first REPENT for not sharing the Gospel as often as we should. Let's ask the Lord to forgive us and ask for HIS HELP in making changes. Let's also pray that He would open our eyes to the opportunities to share our faith that He presents (eh-hem...pray for opportunities, too). Ok. Now that that's settled. Let's think up some creative ways to share our faith. Feel free to post some here in the comments section so we can all learn something.
1. Find out local hospitals'/nursing homes' policies on visiting patients/residents. Who knows how God can use a simple conversation with someone needing a friend? And offer to pray for the people you visit. Gather the kids to make cards and give those out. And while you're at it, take the kids with ya! They need to be involved in the adventure of evangelism and see adults actively living out their faith (I mean, live it out in every way, not just by sharing the Gospel. Kids can smell a hypocrite...)
2. Colleges all over the country are getting ready to start Fall classes. Why not grab a friend and go share your faith on the campus? Take some cookies or something. College kids LOVE free stuff.
3. A FREE car wash! I know. It sounds erroneous since I just mentioned how money isn't a strong point for me now BUT this could be something for you folks who DO have the resources for it. Or maybe you could talk to someone involved with community outreach or evangelism at your church? You could talk to people as they wait to have their cars washed. Or have a community barbecue? Or have the barbecue AND the car wash and talk to people as they eat and wait. And what's all that without a lil' Christian music playing, huh?
4. Reach out to your neighbors. Maybe schedule a day once a week or bi-monthly to visit your neighbors. Talk, maybe share a meal, get to know them. Offer to pray for them. Build good ties and look for doors to share your faith with them. Commit to praying for them daily.
5. Ok so this one isn't EXACTLY along the same lines but...HELP SUPPORT A MISSIONARY. I mean, my goodness! As they continue to serve locally and internationally they need funds to continue. Whether you make a one-time gift or commit to monthly giving IT HELPS! People overseas need Bibles and bicycles! So please give! These missionaries are taking the Gospel to places we cannot even imagine. And at the very least PRAY FOR THEM! Please :)
I know you can google "Creative Evangelism Ideas" and find THOUSANDS more ideas so don't hold back on doing so! I really like the above ideas. Thank You Holy Spirit for giving me those. I know that the Lord will provide the money I need. While I'm waiting, I will still share His glorious Gospel. Blessed be dat Name.
Til next time,
U.M.
P.S. I embedded this video of this great artist Thi'sl's song entitled Urban Missionary. The 'hood needs the Gospel! Praying about moving there to be a light? I hope the Lord says yes!
Well hello there. Imagine this - you're sent to a foreign land (by God of course. Don't go without His stamp of approval!), you've been fasting, praying, fasting AND praying, sharing the Gospel with the local people you meet, God saves some of them, He sends laborers, you all pray and fast more, you and the laborers share the Gospel with more people, God saves more...the more you depend on Him the greater the work He does using you in the foreign land. People are accepting Christ, gettin' delivered and set free from bondage, people are bein' healed (inside and out)...God is doin' the work! Not you! Ah, isn't that refreshing?
Now before you go runnin' the aisles in your local church over this, think about it...have you even shared the Gospel with people you know? Or people in your community? Hmm...now, the LORD GOD HIMSELF can use you in some (if not all - I ain' tryin' to limit Him!) those same ways described above if you will depend on Him (all that prayin' and fastin' mentioned above). As an urban missionary, it's easy to get stuck in a comfort zone and be satisfied with what it looks like God is already doing. Or even to think that He's not doing very much. But oh, there are always WAYS to be stretched! He is always ready and willing to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). BLESSED BE HE! Will you join me on this journey? To be stretched by the Lord as He uses us to share His GLORIOUS Gospel. To be honest, He doesn't have to use us. But isn't it a privilege to serve Him in this way? It's the least we could do (1 Corinthians 5:20). Ponder that...
