Boldly Share the Greatest Message in the World!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.    Romans 1:16   NIV

    

    The Gospel is the greatest message in the world. The King of kings is making peace with his enemies.  The loving Heavenly Father is inviting his wayward children to come home.  The Savior of the World is rescuing the lost.  He who formed life is transforming lives. The Great Physician is healing the hurt and the broken.  The Giver of all gifts is generously sharing his extravagant goodness.  The All-Powerful One is overcoming evil and injustice.  The Judge of all mankind is granting forgiveness. The Creator of the universe is restoring his creation.  Through Jesus Christ we can have peace with God and live in his kingdom now and forever. Embrace this message and share it with joy!  

What will you do THIS week to live and share this message of infinite hope?  What will you do THIS week to represent your King and his kingdom?  Here’s some help.

1.Set aside some time to reflect on the first paragraph above.  As you do, consider how the Gospel has impacted your life.  Has God healed your hurt?  Have you felt the Father’s love?  Have you experienced God’s goodness?  Have you found peace?  Write a paragraph about how God has changed your life through the Gospel.

2.Ask God for an opportunity to share a 30 second story about his goodness and power in your life.  Ask God to make you ready for the opportunity and to help you speak with confidence.  Be bold!  This is a great AND powerful message.  The Gospel has the power to rescue everyone who puts their trust in Christ and restore them with the goodness of God.

A Simple Step to Living Life with God Now

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.      1 John 1:3   NIV

   Fellowship sounds like a religious word but it simply means “communication” and “partnership”.  In the verse above, John is inviting those to whom he is writing to “partnership” with him and other Christian leaders.  Then he says that their partnership is with God the Father and God the Son.   We shouldn’t miss the idea that John is inviting people to have the same kind of partnership with God as they have with humans.

   This is the great news of the Gospel!  Through his death on the cross and his resurrection, Christ  makes it possible for us to be reunited with our Heavenly Father so that we can live our everyday lives WITH him now and also spend eternity in the new heaven and earth he is preparing.  Christ has broken down the wall between us and God so we can live in peace with the God who made everything and who is present everywhere.  If you have not received this amazing gift, you can change that simply by returning to him as your God and King and humbly receiving the forgiveness he offers you in Christ.

   Once you have received this peace with God, you can begin living a “with God” life.  He is always everywhere we are.  It’s not about asking him to show up, but about learning to acknowledge his presence in all places and  at all times.  It’s about living with a conscious awareness of his presence. 

   This week, start each day by acknowledging to God that you know he will be with you everywhere you go today.  Then ask God to help you remember his presence throughout the day so that you can live in “partnership” with him.

Strengthening Your Faith Through Praying the Gospel

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” -               

                                                                                                        Galatians 4:6 NIV

    

   One of the ways that prayer helps us is by deepening our relationship with our Heavenly Father and building our confidence in him.  Jesus instructed us to begin our prayers with “Father in Heaven” so that every time we pray we are reminded  that we are dearly loved children of our Heavenly Father. Our Father loves to share his gracious provision with us.  He loves to give us everything we need for abundant life. 

   One of the ways we can strengthen our confidence in our Father’s goodness and in his love for us is by reviewing basic truths of the gospel as we pray.  It is good to begin our prayers by thanking our Heavenly Father for making us his children; for fully forgiving and accepting us; for hearing our prayers; for  promising to meet our needs and guide us with his wisdom; and for guaranteeing us a home in his presence in the new heaven and new earth.

   This week, when you pray, be very intentional in reminding yourself of the blessings of being God’s child.  Begin your prayer time by reviewing these and many of the other blessings God gives you as his child.  These passages may help you reflect on your Father’s blessings.  Romans 8:35-39; Hebrews 13:5; James 1:5; Ephesians 1:3-14; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 4:10; Ephesians 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 1:9-2:2; Colossians 3:12-13