Issue 4 - Summer 2018

A friend of ours in Michigan had a husband who
drank and ran around with other women. She prayed
for a long time that he would be saved because she
couldn’t take it much longer. One time the Lord spoke
to her heart and made her realize that she was praying
for his salvation not for his sake but for her sake. She
started praying with a true concern for his soul, for his
sake, and soon he was saved and quit his drinking and
carousing. He later became an elder in their church.
When we learn to have a true burden and pray with
an unselfish heart, then God can answer our prayer.
Our burden should be greater than our complaint!
OUR OBJECTIVE
Jesus didn’t come with a mission to straighten out
the world. He came as a loving Savior and Shepherd.
He says, “come unto me…and I will give you rest.”
(Matt. 11:28) “I am come that you might have life and
have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Do we try to be friendly with someone in order to
convert that person? We must place our faith and trust
in the love of God that resides in us; then, we will see
results.
Are we trying to “convert” someone or do we
desire to lead someone into peace, joy, security, and
forgiveness? We must present the benefits of salvation
in order to create a hunger for Jesus.
In John 4:14-15, the first thing that Jesus did while
speaking to a woman of Samaria at a well was to create
a desire in her for that water to drink “that I thirst not.”
He didn’t point out her sin until He created a desire
for what he had to offer her. Emphasis on the “cure”
will bring “life,” while emphasis on the “sin” will bring
“death.”
OUR APPROACH
We must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy
Spirit. In Acts 8:26-40, we read of Philip and the
Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was in tune with Lord enough
to be led by the Holy Spirit. Philip was led one step
at a time. Sometimes we try to accomplish too much
without being led. Philip was told to go toward the
south and take a certain road from Jerusalem to Gaza.
After he arose and went, then he met a eunuch. Next,
the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and join yourself to
this chariot.”
OBEDIENCE
What would have happened if Philip had passed
by instead and didn’t obey the leading of the Holy
Spirit? “Philip ran to him.” Philip adapted himself to
the situation and totally depended on the leading and
ability of the Holy Spirit.
THE WORD OF GOD
Before Philip preached to the eunuch, their
conversation was a two-way conversation. He didn’t
bombard him with scripture. The Word of God is
needed in witnessing but only at the proper time. Life
will only come from the scriptures if they are given by
the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are to be “wise as
serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matt. 10:16)
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God.” (Rom. 10:17) Only if the Word of God finds its
place in one’s heart will it create faith. How wonderful
it is when we sense that we are speaking to someone’s
heart! On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached to the
Jews, and they were “pricked in their heart.” (Acts
2:37) Then they were ready to accept the Lord and be
saved.
OUR EQUIPMENT AND POWER
We have been commissioned by God to reach the
lost. Jesus said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so
send I you.” (John 20:21) He also said, “Follow me
and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17)
We are equipped with the Word of God. Paul said,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it
is the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom. 1:16) The
gospel itself has the power of God behind it and in it.
We are also equipped with the Holy Spirit: “You
shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come
upon you, and you shall be witnesses…” (Acts 1:8)
OPPORTUNITIES FOR WITNESSING
Always remember, your life is your most important
part of witnessing. Your actions speak louder than
your words. Always be in a spirit of prayer, and be
ready to reach out in love and concern. There are many
situations when you cannot speak to a person about the
Lord due to circumstances and time. However, there
are countless salvation tracts and booklets that can
reach a person’s heart. Carry some good tracts in your
car or purse. You can also write your own testimony
and make copies of it for distribution to your friends
and co-workers.
Sometimes an adverse situation can be used
effectively for witnessing. A worldly party where no
one knows the Lord can be changed into an opportunity
instead of a dreaded obligation. Always remember
that you have something wonderful for them that they
need. You are a child of the most-high God. You are an
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