Category: Prayer

“You act more like a Christian by your influence on the lost, then the saved
people you impress”
~ Dr. Alvin Reid ~

There are passages I have read over and over, but all of a sudden they hit my like a two-by-four. As I was reading the passages Dr. Reid is referring to (John 3 & 4), it hit me how tender Jesus was with the Samaritan woman. Dr. Reid really explained it well in his article ‘Being Like Jesus ~ Part 2‘…

Jesus first talked to her about her physical need of water that will not make her thirsty again, and than pointed to the everlasting life through Him…

I think that I need to approach my witnessing the same way. Meet the physical needs of an unbeliever before I can point to Him. One thing I have always missed — I can’t share the Gospel with unbelievers and expect them to believe what I am saying. I need to bring it to the Lord. He is the One who can soften a hardened heart to receive the message, not me…

As I was listening to a sermon on 1 Corinthians 5 today, I was reminded that there is a difference between pointing out sin within the church and outside the church. Although Paul is talking about sexual sin in this passage, I think that I can apply it to other sins as well (please correct me if I am wrong). Paul says:

“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people– not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.” ~ 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (ESV – emphasis mine)

I guess I have to learn how to apply that in my daily life and to my ‘witnessing strategy’…Meet the physical need first, pray that God will soften the hardened heart of an unbeliever (or even the heart of a prodigal) and than share the Gospel…

Lord of Heaven and Earth. I long to be Your hands and feet. I pray that You give me the wisdom to be a believable witness in this darkened world. It might not be me You have in mind to witness. Let me be quiet and listen to Your leading. Lord, I ask for discernment regarding matters within the church — that I first look at my own shortcomings before I point out the shortcomings of my bothers and sisters. I am trusting in Your mercy and grace. I pray in the precious name of my Lord and Savior, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Will you join me in praying for unbelievers first? Every time you encounter someone, lift him/her up and ask Him to soften their hearts?

Please visit out hostess, Laurel at “Laurel Wreath” to read her and other Christian women’s take on this week’s IOW quote.

Blessings on your day and as always…