The Staircase to Selfless Love

The style of the home that I live in is called a tri-level. Both front and back entrances are on the main level of the home. From this level there are eight steps leading down to the den and eight steps leading up to the second floor where the bedrooms are. Because much time is spent on all three levels I spend a lot of time running up and down stairs.

Beamer, one of my lovable dogs, has the habit of choosing one step about halfway up the stairs to just sprawl out and lay down on. He does not have a particular stair that is his favorite, but randomly chooses to lay across one. He does not ascend to the top of the staircase where there are several choices of more comfortable places to lay down. We do not keep our dogs off the furniture, so both dogs have favorite chairs as well as enjoying my bed. Yet Beamer will climb partially up, pick a stair, plop down and lay sprawled across it.

As I run from the den up the stairs to the kitchen, it does not occur to me to stop part of the way up. Neither do I ever consider pausing part way up to the upper level. My goal and destination is at the top of the stairs. In order to reach this destination I must climb every stair. Stopping to wait halfway up will not accomplish my desires.

In his second letter to the churches, Peter gave a list of instructions for spiritual growth. “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.” (2 Peter 1:5-7 AMP) He did not make things easy or give any accolades for qualities already developed. He simply encourages us to keep moving on to greater heights.

In reading this list, one may think, ‘I already am diligent, exercise my faith and I’m doing pretty good in the virtue department. I study to gain knowledge and my self-control is much farther than it has been in the past. These must count for something. Now it is time to rest a bit.’ But Peter does not allow us to stop there and neither does God. We must continue on to steadfastness, godliness and brotherly affection on our way to developing true, others-centered, Christian love. Although this list may seem cumbersome and difficult to attain, there is great benefit in pursuing it to the end. Peter continues the above passage with these words, “For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” (2 Peter 1:5-8 AMP) We must keep growing to be fruitful and meet our goal of being developed into the image of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul touches on the same topic. “Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One).” (Colossians 1:28 AMP) Although we do not see an entire list, as we do in Peter’s letter, Paul uses the terms “all wisdom” and “mature” to indicate that the process will continue on. The word of God is what causes growth in our lives. We allow the Holy Spirit to use the written word to transform our character, step-by-step. We can then confidently agree with Paul when he said, “And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP) We are changing.

If not careful and sensitive to the Lord we can find ourselves, like Beamer, stopped on one of the steps that Peter spoke of. Unwilling to allow God to change our habits we can become stalled on the self-control step. Facing a multitude of trials we may develop an attitude of “enough is enough” and stall on the steadfastness step. Unwillingness to forgive someone will make the brotherly affection step hard to climb. But as difficult as these are, we can continue to climb in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit when we allow Him to control us. And in His strength we can continue to climb to reach the destination of displaying the character of Jesus.

This is a lifelong climb. There will always be more to learn and more ways to grow into that true, God-like love. Even if we have stopped at some point, we can get up and continue the climb. The destination is worth it. 

The New Will Be Better Suited

We have recently had to replace our clothes dryer. Although the unit still produced heat, the barrel no longer tumbled to allow the clothes to circulate and dry. It was very old dryer that had been given to us by friends. At this point the cost to attempt to repair it would have been more costly than to purchase another used dryer.
At first we were little frustrated with the need to replace this dryer. We are not prepared to purchase a new washer/dryer set at this time. Finding another used dryer was our best option. To look and pay for another used dryer was not something that we were excited about. To not have access to a dryer in my home that was available to use was even less pleasant.
And so the search began. After locating what sounded like a good dryer at a good price, we loaded the old dryer into the back of our vehicle and headed for the store belonging to the gentleman I had spoken with on the phone. When we arrived we found the dryer had an extra-large capacity, It can dry larger amounts of clothing at any given time. This dryer would be more convenient than either of our last two dryers.
The washing machine that we own is also an extra-large capacity. For many years now, I have washed loads that were too large to be put in the dryer at one time. For nearly every load I washed I dried two. This was a time-consuming process that was repeated several times each week. After washing and drying the first two loads of clothing in the new dryer, I found myself liking it very much. I almost wondered why I had been upset when the other dryer broke.
At some times in our lives, we will find ourselves needing to make a change. This can result from a loss of friends, a change in life’s direction or simply a word from God. The time for things to remain the same comes to an end. It is easy to become upset over what we consider a loss in our lives. Instead of looking to the blessings ahead, we may longingly attempt to cling to what must be left behind. During the time that the old is being cut away, we may find it hard to consider and believe that what our loving Father has for us is far better.
The Bible is full of stories where people have faced change. Abraham was called to travel to a new land. The Israelites were brought out of Egypt into that same promised land. The early Christians were scattered from Jerusalem to fulfill the command of Jesus. “But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 AMP) Change is an inevitable part of growth and obedience.
When the change requires us to give up something that is harmful, we can more readily understand it. We know that we are to lay down sin and grow in godliness. “… let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1b AMP) Although it may hurt to set aside old ways we can see the purpose.
Sometimes we must leave behind something that has been good. Even in these times we must know that God always has the best plan for us. We cannot continue to yearn for that prior time in our lives.
“Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 AMP) The new thing that God has planned is more perfectly suited to us at this point in our lives than any former thing that we may be missing.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to make the necessary changes in our lives, we will find that we do not greatly miss that which is left behind. The door that God is opening ahead of us will be far better. We will one day look back and wonder why we were ever attached to what we left. Just as my washer and dryer are the right fit for each other, God’s plan is the right fit for us.

So whatever you may be leaving behind, look with joyful expectation toward what God is bringing in its place.

A Good Night’s Sleep Is Coming

We have just experienced the first thunderstorm of the spring season. The flashes of lightning and booms of thunder began around 11 PM. From that point on my sleep was interrupted for the rest of the night and into the morning. Amid the thunder and lightning came the howls and whines of our precious ‘scaredy’ dog, Kari. Even with her thundershirt on, Kari paced and made strange guttural noises that only occur only when she hears thunder.

In order to allow my husband to sleep, I spent the night in the den with my two dogs. David had a long day at work ahead of him, but I had the morning free to catch up on sleep if weather allowed. (It didn’t.) The radar showed that we would be in for several short-term storms for a 12 to 15 hour. And so went my sleep. Short spurts were interrupted by attempts to console an inconsolable dog.

At times during the night, especially when the storms had not stopped by morning, my tired body began to wonder if I would ever sleep again. Of course I knew that the storms would pass and that many uninterrupted nights of sleep were ahead for both my dogs and myself. But in the midst of holding and whispering, “It’s okay, Kari,” my overtired mind and body were not able to see that future repose.

Do you ever feel that way when you are in the midst of one of life’s storms? We cry out to God for deliverance and He answers. It seems the answer comes in pieces and one trial after another occurs before we can even enjoy the peace of the initial deliverance. During these times of repeated hardships it may seem that complete rest in God will not come. We must not forget His great promises. “For You have been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the ruthless ones is like a rainstorm against a wall.” (Isaiah 25:4 AMP) We have that shelter.

The difficult thing with Kari’s behavior, was that she kept wanting to go out the back door and into the storm. Our den, which is on the lowest level of our home, was the safest place to be. Kari just wanted to escape the noise of the storm. Led by that desire to escape, she was actually attempting to run right into the worst of it.

Much of what we experience during the trials of life appear worse than they actually are. When we trust in Almighty God we have a great promise. ^“Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, there shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.” (Psalm 91:9-10 AMP) This does not mean that there will be no battles to fight. Often the sound of impending trouble is louder and farther away than we realize. Resting in the presence of God is the safest place for us to be. Attempting to run out and solve our problems in our own strength, is like Kari running out into the violent downpour. Even though we feel we must do something to improve our situation, we are actually leaving the safety of God’s will to run headlong into the storm. This is never good.

The best plan of action is to enter and stay in God’s rest. “For he who has once entered [God's] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own.” (Hebrews 4:10 AMP) In this place we can allow this storm to rage outside and yet sleep peacefully. Fully trusting God we have this promise. “When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24 AMP) Then we can say, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” (Psalm 4:8 AMP)

If these promises are not enough to calm the anxious spirit, the Scripture provides even more. “GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (Psalm 46:1-3 AMP) Remembering these we can say, ^“I lay down and slept; I wakened again, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.” (Psalm 3:5-6 AMP)

If a storm is currently interrupting the peace and rest in your life, remember that many full night’s sleep are still ahead. The storms do not continually rage. And even when they do we can rest in God’s promises.

Enjoying the Fruit of Previous Labor

Several months back we did a remodeling project on our laundry room.  As I mentioned in a prior post (Do Not Forget the Finishing Touches – 3/30/2015) we shortened shelves and rearranged other storage units to make room to bring a refrigerator from the garage. The reason for bringing the refrigerator inside was because Wisconsin, winter temperatures have a tendency to freeze anything left in an outside refrigerator. The undertaking was successful and we we did not lose any more food to freezing this winter.

This past weekend we entertained a small group people at our home. Wanting to focus our time on our guests, we opted to make several salads the day before. Having a space to put all of the salad in the downstairs refrigerator was very convenient. We no longer have to run outside to the garage, simply down a few stairs to retrieve the prepared salad and bring it up when it was time to eat. All we cooked on the day of our dinner was the meat. This provided the opportunity to relax and enjoy time with our company.

 This was an opportunity truly enjoy the fruits of our previous labors. On the weekend of the project, it was necessary to invest considerable time and energy. The sawing and moving things around was not particularly fun. This past weekend we were able to save time and energy and enjoy the convenience of having the refrigerator nearby. The work of that earlier weekend was very worthwhile.

 In many ways, growing in our spiritual walk reflects this same concept. Our project was to prepare a place for the refrigerator in our home. King David placed great value on preparing a place for God’s presence. “For the Lord has chosen Zion, He has desired it for His habitation: This is My resting-place forever [says the Lord]; here will I dwell, for I have desired it. I will surely and abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.” (Psalm 132:13-15 AMP) David made great preparations for his son Solomon to perform the work of building a temple for the Lord. At the dedication of the temple, King Solomon invited the presence of God to enjoy a resting place among His people. “So now arise, O Lord God, and come into Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength and power. Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your saints (Your zealous ones) rejoice in good and in Your goodness.” (2 Chronicles 6:41 AMP)

 We who are believers are God’s temple. “Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 AMP) He has made His place to live within us. We must allow Him to remodel our lives to welcome His presence?

 This preparation will take some sacrifice on our part. It will mean setting aside some of our own wants and plans, leaving us open to God’s desire and plans for us. The more we study the Scripture and obey what it tells us, the more comfortable we will become in our relationship with the Lord. Although this takes both time and effort, the results will truly be worth it. We will greatly enjoy the fruit of our labor. “Blessed (Happy, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. For you shall eat [the fruit] of the labor of your hands; happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) shall you be, and it shall be well with you.” (Psalm 128:1-2 AMP) We must worship the Lord, walk in His ways and guide our lives according to His commandments. For someone who loves the Lord, this is an enjoyable form of work and the benefits of well-being are great.

When we first planned to bring the refrigerator into the house, I knew that it would be a more convenient location. Running out to the garage was never pleasant and rainy or cold days. Snowdrifts sometimes blocked the path altogether. Although we have been using the refrigerator as a backup for weeks, the true benefit was not obvious until this weekend. Likewise, the time spent learning and serving God will have benefits right from the beginning. Love, peace and joy always accompany time with God. But the great benefits of growth will become evident after time when we see that God’s presence “… is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]” (Ephesians 3:20 AMP)

 Enjoy the fruit of previous labor to make your temple a welcome place for the presence of God. Continue to cultivate a lifestyle that is a welcome resting place for the Holy Spirit.

Study the Character to Best Portray Him

When an actor is cast in a role, it becomes his responsibility to study the character he is playing. The actor must not only deliver the lines from the script, but also the emotion and motivation that are behind those lines. My husband and son have just finished playing the parts of disciples in this season of a long-running Passion Play. They have been practicing for months for the performances of the last two weeks.

My husband, David, played the part of Thomas. Only a few verses are written in Scripture concerning Thomas. These verses state the fact that he was not with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared to them after the resurrection. Thomas refused to believe unless he saw Jesus and felt His wounds. This description of that one encounter has earned him the moniker “Doubting Thomas.” In order to properly play this role, David needed to consider the man behind the doubts.
Thomas was a man who was not in the right place when Christ reappeared after the resurrection. Even though the other disciples tried to tell him that Jesus had risen, Thomas needed visual and tactile proof as to Jesus’ resurrection. To understand Thomas, David considered how he must have felt being left out. He was upset, hurt and disillusioned. Could he have thought something was wrong with him that Jesus appeared to the others but not to him? Did he feel cheated that Jesus did not come in power to overthrow the Roman government and give him a seat of power in the new government Jesus set up? Did he simply feel that he had spent the last three years of his life believing in something that just really was not true? The anger, hurt, insecurity and reluctance to believe again were all rolled together to create David’s performance on stage. (He did a really good job at bringing all these out.)

“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players…” William Shakespeare's words are often quoted. In many ways it is true about our Christian walk. The term Christian itself means “little Christ” and was given to followers of Jesus who were acting just like Him. “... For a whole year they assembled together with and were guests of the church and instructed a large number of people; and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:26 AMP) The difference in these disciples was apparent to those around. They were living the message that Paul and Barnabas were teaching. As followers of Christ, we also are living out a role before those around us. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17 NLT) As ambassadors represent the country they are from, we also represent Jesus in all we do. “So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 AMP) Do our actions make His appeal clear?

Many people know very little about Jesus Christ. They may have heard a few Bible stories. Unfortunately many have heard the name of Jesus Christ used more as a curse word, then the Son of the all-loving God who created this world and all that is in it. We must receive and give out the love of God in a manner that others will see the true nature of Jesus in our lives and wish to know more.

So how can we adequately become a representation of Jesus Christ to those we encounter every day? We need to consider and study His heart and motivation for all encounters with man. We know that love is not only behind the actions of Jesus, but is actually His very nature. The apostle John makes our role very clear concerning this. “He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.” (1 John 4:8 AMP) We are to live our lives loving and giving, just as Jesus did. Forgiving, caring for the poor and downtrodden, and being full of thanks and praise are all pieces of the nature of Jesus Christ that is in and must come through us.

Jesus also considered each person He encountered in a manner that was unique to that person’s need. We need to take time to get to know the people we encounter. A host of emotions may have mixed to make Thomas the man he was on the day he refused to believe that Jesus had risen. There are experiences, backgrounds and beliefs that make each person respond a little differently when the gospel is told. We must take the time and put in the effort to get to know our audience. “…I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ].” (1 Corinthians 9:22 AMP) We do not compromise our portrayal of God’s truth and love, but rather we tailor it to the unique individual with which we are sharing.

As you walk onto the stage that today’s activity places you, portray the love of Christ to the best of your ability. Know the character of Jesus and present it well.

Too Good to Be True?

There is a saying, “If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.” Get rich quick schemes, newest weight loss breakthroughs and ‘look year’s younger’ creams often fall in this category. When you can get something of value, without putting in any personal effort, it often leads to another common saying, “Buyer Beware!” Modern advertising often makes claims that the products cannot accomplish. The disclaimer “not all will receive the same results,” is found in the small print of the packaging.

As we celebrate the resurrection on this Easter weekend, we contemplate the greatest claim ever made. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for sin. “For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 AMP) He offers the gift of this payment to any and all who will simply come to Him and receive it. “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.” (John 1:12 AMP) We do not do anything to earn the salvation. We simply believe and receive the gift.

This amazing claim is not always readily accepted. Many believe that we have to get our lives in order to receive this gift. Surely we have to do good works. But the apostle Paul addressed this issue. Salvation is for those of us who were powerless to do anything on our own strength and will. Jesus did not wait until we cleaned ourselves up, because he knew we could not. His great sacrifice was a display of God’s love for us. “While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.” Romans 5:6-9 (AMP)

So often we attempt to do things to earn God’s favor. We feel as though we need to do enough good deeds and avoid enough bad deeds to score high enough to attain heaven. Receiving this free gift of salvation without any payment from ourselves does not seem possible. The apostle Peter also stressed that it was not for good people that Jesus died. “For Christ [the Messiah Himself] died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous (the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty), that He might bring us to God. In His human body He was put to death, but He was made alive in the spirit,” (1 Peter 3:18 AMP) We are all guilty of sin. Only Jesus walked the earth innocent of any wrongdoing.

So why would anyone who was innocent die for the guilty? As is stated above, this was a display and proof of God’s love toward mankind. The apostle John wrote these words that have become the most commonly quoted verse from Scripture. “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.” (John 3:16 AMP) Every person ever born has been greatly loved and dearly prized by God. So Jesus Christ, the son of God, endured a painful death to pave the way of man into the presence of God. “…He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2b AMP) He was joyful even in the pain and shame!

The offer of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus is true and waiting for everyone. Jesus is the only one who could ever be called good. He also is the truth. “Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP) This offer of salvation comes from goodness and truth Himself to give us life and show us the way to the Father. Instead of ‘Buyer Beware’ we can say ‘Receiver Rejoice!’ All who believe will receive eternal life in the family of God.

So if you have never before received the gift of eternal life, call now and take Jesus up on His offer! If you are already in the family of God take a moment to remember when you received this Truly Good gift and rejoice! 

Triple G – God’s Glorious Gospel

The other evening my husband and I were watching one of the food shows we enjoy, Guys Grocery Games, commonly referred to as “Triple G”. This is a competition between four contestants who are chefs. The competition involves 30 minutes to shop, prepare and plate a creation for the judges. At the beginning of each round, Guy will give a basic criteria for the item to be prepared. The contestants will have a few moments to begin considering the dish they will create. Just as they are about to begin shopping, a twist will be revealed that will cause the contestants to need to adjust and rethink the menu they had been planning. There are any number of categories for which these adjustments may need to be made. Two examples of these categories include all ingredients beginning with the same letter or one item from each aisle. With the addition of these twists, the contestants must begin rethinking their plan just as the word ‘go’ is spoken.

Jesus Christ is the bread of life. “Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).” (John 6:35 AMP) Our hurting world is waiting and needing to receive this bread. We have been entrusted with a greater Triple G - God’s Glorious Gospel. We who know Jesus are to take this bread to the hurting, hungry masses. He commands us to, “Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19 AMP) This assignment, given to each believer, delivers a delicious, nourishing meal to all who will listen. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7 AMP) We are to regularly tell others about the amazing love of God and the sacrifice of His Son that provides salvation to all who receive.

The contestants on the television show are often accomplished chefs who know how to be creative and prepare food. Likewise we are to study and learn how to not only live in the presence and knowledge of God, but also how to share it with others. There are books and Bible studies on how to share the basics of the gospel. We can also know and practice telling our own story of knowing Jesus. The apostle John began his letters to the churches stating that what he shared, he knew from personal experience. “What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).” (1 John 1:3 AMP) To be genuine, we must also share our personal experience with the Lord. We may not have lived when Jesus lived on this earth, but we do walk through our daily lives knowing His presence. We are not required to share the gospel with our own strength and power. God provides all that we need. “But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 AMP)

As prepared as we may feel to share our faith, an encounter with someone can quickly go far differently than planned. A comment or question can initiate a new direction to the conversation. The intent of the conversation remains the salvation of Jesus Christ. The words that we use and direction that we take to relate this message is what changes. We do not need to fear these twists. We have the same promise that was given to the disciples who would be led before rulers. “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour and moment what [you] ought to say.” (Luke 12:12 AMP) The planned conversation may change and the presentation be a little different, but the Holy Spirit will help us share the message of the love of God.

We are sharing God’s Glorious Gospel. This is our spiritual Triple G. It is not a game show, but an important mission. Whatever surprises change our plans, we present a delectable creation. “For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:” (2 Corinthians 2:15 AMP) The flavor of the presentation may vary, yet the message remains the same. Jesus Christ is the bread of life and salvation for the world. We present Him and the world will, “O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8 AMP)

 Share the love of Jesus today. Many are hungry and waiting for this wonderful food.