Be Ready To Share the Gospel - Parties in Heaven

 

​ Did you hear a big party in the sky? Okay, we can't really hear angels celebrate. But the Bible says they rejoice if a person comes to repentance. And 11YO Bailey Dillon (as of spring, 2021), who gets these lessons by email, led her friend Izzy to Christ early this month. 

We can be oppressed from outside or inside. Remember self-talk? If we think we’ll fail, we defeat ourselves. It's like Numbers 14 - the Jews refused to go into the Promised Land though Joshua & Caleb, said “Let’s go! God said we could have it. He’ll beat those giants!” Others said it was impossible. People believed the 10 spies who denied God’s power. His people wandered for 40 years then, till Joshua led them into the Promised Land.

Bailey doesn't let anything stop her. But she knows it's not in her strength. God works in her so she can her share her faith, find peace in troubled times (and her home is… wild at times), etc.. We can't go forward in our own strength; the devil can overpower us if we let him. So, it's vital to trust in Jesus and overcome our obstacles through Him.

God shows His will in the Bible. 2 Peter 3:9 says “God is willing that none perish, but that all come to repentance.” So, He’s always ready for us to be part of soulwinning. Remember, though, just like Paul said of the Corinthians, with some he planted and Apollos watered, with others Apollos planted and he watered. But God gives the increase. So, you might not be the one to lead someone to Christ, but you can plant the seeds.

Prayer is important, of course. So is timing. Let’s say you had a fight with your sibling. Just the normal little thing that might be so routine you go from “did not/did too” to “not/too” and soon just “n/t.” (I heard two boys do that at a ball game. Whether they came up with it on their own or a parent suggested it, it’s a great way to defuse things with humor.) They won’t be as likely to listen to you right after your argument, right? The closer you are, of course, the easier it is to get back to normal. If you’re really close, maybe you co-operate easily and it’s always easy to talk. Jesus tells us to use the Matthew 18 principle to talk things out, and some people mature faster than others and do this well. So, learning to get along with others and talk things out will make you more effective as a witness for Je3sus.

Now, think how others see you. Everyone goes through things differently. And with some you only have the one chance to reach them. Remember the boy I led to Christ while a flight was delayed in 2003? I had to be focused, not distracted, and able to listen, take in, and respond to what he said. My whole approach could have been different with a different answer about church after our initial greetings. Also, if I hadn’t been friendly, he wouldn’t have listened. As it was, I may have reminded him of a youth leader back home. Most importantly, I prayed, so the Spirit was working; he was ready to trust Christ to save him.

Going forward means being ready to listen to what others are saying, too. It’s why I share some of the things I do, like about our show on oppression May 25 at 6 PM and how we all have unique talents and gifts. Someone will always be better at some things, and someone will always be worse at some things. But you will always be able to help others with your unique gifts, given by the One who made you. And, we’re all equal before the cross.  People who want everything to be the same in this world don’t realize God made us special by making us unique. And, it’s Heavenly things we should focus on, anyway.

You know how to do this, but so much of the world doesn’t. Bailey saw this. She’s grown in her faith to where she not only knows others need saved, she actively reaches out to them.

Where are you in how you see the lost? God wants to help you go forward reaching others, in your family and in your community. That’s why we encourage you to go to Canton Baptist, so you can learn how to make the most of your walk with Jesus.