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For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. - Acts 4:20
To witness = to evangelize = to share the gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. When compiling a list of disciplines for Christian women to engage in, this one needs to be at the top. It is not optional. God does not say, “Will you please let other people know about me?” No, here are his words for us:
Testifying to what Jesus has done is a direct command upon our lives. Yet it isn’t always easy. Here are a few reminders when it comes to witnessing and some encouragement too: First, remember that you must use the Word of God (great reason to memorize scripture). His words are the way that God has ordained that his salvation will take root in hearts. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17. You may not feel totally equipped - get over it. Even the blind man Jesus healed in John 9, testified to what God had done for him without first receiving years of instruction on how to go about it. “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” v. 9. If God has redeemed you, there is at least “one thing” you know too. That God saved you from the sinful wretch that you were and made you his own. You are able to testify that his word is true and that he is great. However, do not allow the feeling of being unequipped to linger, get yourself equipped! Secondly, realize that God doesn’t call everyone to stand on the street corner to preach the Good News (though he does some!). God has made each of us unique. He wants you to use the gifts and skills he has given you to reach others. Your ways and methods of gospel proclamation will be compatible with your personality. For example, those who have the gift of hospitality should use that gift to love on others with the purpose of it providing opportunities to share Christ. Thirdly, realize that successful witnessing does not equate to souls being won to Christ. That is God’s job. Successful witnessing is the act of sharingthe message of salvation in Jesus. When you share the gospel in a clear and complete way (using God’s Word), you have evangelized. Fourth, most people hear the gospel many times before actually coming to Christ. This is a good reason to share continually and repetitively. Even to those you have shared with before (like family members). Do not become discouraged, God will call those who are his when he chooses. Author Donald Whitney likens sharing the gospel to handing out lightning rods in a thunderstorm. You don’t know when or who the lightning will strike, but you do know that it will strike. You don’t know who God has chosen or when his gospel power will strike, but he promises it will strike. Finally, witnessing must be an intentional discipline for us. We can live most of our lives hanging out with our own families and other Christians. We need tomake gospel opportunities, not just wait around for them. There are legions of people dead in their sins in this world. We have to go to them, they do not know to come to us. They do not know that we have the cure to death and damnation within us...but we do. We know that Jesus is the answer, we know they need to repent and believe in the Savior. We must go to them! We must tell them that their only hope is Jesus Christ. She was full of good works and acts of charity. - Acts 9:36
If someone had to describe you in one sentence, what would that sentence be? The one above it pretty darn good. It was said of a woman named Tabitha and was written down as scripture for us to read over the centuries - including today. Tabitha is a great example for us of the impact a life of good works has upon others. Tabitha was a disciple of Jesus, she became ill and died. Her friends mourned deeply for her. So much so that two men, also disciples, went to get Peter. The scripture says that “Peter rose and went with them.” When he arrived the widows were weeping and showing him the garments that Tabitha had made for them. Peter put the mourners outside, prayed and Tabitha was brought back to life. Because of this many believed in Jesus. This true story is found in Acts 9:36-43. This blog coordinates with chapter 14 in Barbara Hughes’ book, Disciplines of a Godly Woman. How important are good works in the life of a believer? Exceedingly. As James says, “I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18. Good works flow from the inside out. They are what is produced when a heart has been redeemed by God and is consumed by the truth of his Word. If you have true faith, you will have good works. Before going further let’s make this clear: you will never be saved by anything you do. Ever. No amount of church attendance, communion consumption, baptismal dunks, mission trips, millions donated or copious good deeds will get you even an inch closer to acceptance by God. You can’t even choose Jesus without him first calling you. This is because God says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Eph. 2:8-9. God alone gets boasting rights of grace given as a gift. Take God at his Word and do not twist it. Yet, God has great things for us to do once we are his. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10. The Ultimate Creator not only handcrafted each of us but also the tasks we are to do while here on earth. Our job is to walk forward and be actively involved in what God has planned. We do this all for the glory of God. “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.” Matt. 5:16. When we serve others, we do so while speaking our love for our Savior. When we help the hurting we do so while sharing the reason for our hope - Jesus Christ. “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” Ps. 115:1. Where do we start? Right where God has placed you. Let your good works overflow within the sphere of influence God has assigned you - your family, your neighbors, and your community, but especially to the Church, local and worldwide. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10. Ladies, the intentions of God are upon your life. Walk in the good works prepared for you long ago, knowing God designed you for them. Like Tabitha, let it be said of us, “She was full of good works and acts of charity.” All for the glory of our great God. The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.- Genesis 3:20
No one can nurture like a woman. Sure men can care for others too, but not with the same touch a woman has. Nurturing is a gift of feminine nature tucked deep within our hearts by God. Who do children run to when they are hurt, sick, or hungry? Mom. We care. We love. We provide. We encourage. We nurture. Adam even “called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” Gen. 3:20. Adam knew his beloved wife was set apart for something unique that he was not capable of. From her womb would come forth more likenesses of God that would eventually fill the earth. In her name was the image of a nurturer. We women were made with the pattern of Eve. Our bodies were designed by the our Creator to nurture life from the very beginning. Though many try to deny, distort or even destroy this fact of life, it remains true. Our physical body reminds us of this uniqueness each month. When God grants conception, our bodies care for that delicate life until birth, then our female bodies are equipped to provide the food the young life needs to survive. Women were chosen to produce and sustain life! That is amazing! Today’s society may downplay this incredible gift, as if it is some menial task to put up with, endure or even disdain. Don’t you agree with them for a moment. It is an incredible gift from God. Nurturing is essential for the well-being of everyone. The world would not survive or thrive without it. Nurturing goes well beyond the physical into the spiritual. In the Bible, Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, were credited with nurturing him spiritually. Nurturing includes the teaching and training up of our young ones to know and honor the Lord. Cultivate this trait in your daughters and other young women. Teach them to refute the claims that loving and caring for their families and homes is old fashioned and oppressive. Teach them to hold up all claims made by the world against the truth of God’s Word. The discipline of nurturing is not limited to motherhood. It is a gift to be used by all women in all seasons of life. There are many in need of care all around us. We should serve as Jesus served: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15. Pay attention to the sphere of influence God has placed you in, including family, friends and neighbors. We should be especially attentive to those in our church family (Gal. 6:10). We women provide the gentle caress that all lives need and even long for. Don’t allow the world to cause you to deny what you know within to be true. It is why we feel for others like we do, it is why we care for people we don’t even know. It is the longing inside of us to help the hurting, to fix the broken and to care for the neglected. It is a Christ-like call upon your life, listen to it and cherish it. |
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