Day 37

“ALWAYS BEING READY TO MAKE A DEFENSE TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU” – 1 PETER 3:13-17

Evangelism is a way of life rather than something we do.  As we live life on mission, we strategically position ourselves so that God can use us.  We all have different gifts, interests, and opportunities.  A student has such a different life from a mother of young children.  Despite the various spheres of influence we may have, the command is the same:  “be ready to give an account for the hope that is in you.”  Sometimes we are fearful that we don’t know what to say to others, but Peter tells us we can simply just tell people what God has done for us.  As we prayerfully prepare our hearts in the morning and pray that all through the day we are ready for the opportunities that He sets up, then we will begin to live a life on mission with Jesus.

Are you ready to share your story?  Do you know someone who needs to hear it this week?

Day 36

Read Philippians 1:3-5 

“3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Philippians is known as the book of joy. This seems counterintuitive because the letter was written by Paul while he was in prison. Nevertheless, as you see in these verses, Paul was full of joy and thanksgiving toward God for the Philippian church. Why was Paul so thankful for this church? It was because of their faithfulness to the Gospel. (The Gospel is the good news of Jesus death, burial and resurrection).  Paul had entrusted them with the gospel and explained to them that it was not meant to stop with them. The church faithfully shared the gospel once Paul left them. In the same way, the gospel is not meant to stop with us. We have been entrusted with great news that needs to be shared! If we are faithful in sharing the good news, then we too can find and help others find the joy that only Jesus brings! 

Have you recently shared the gospel? Have you ever shared the gospel? If not, I encourage you to do so! If you are a Jesus follower, the Gospel cannot end with you.  It not only brings joy to other Jesus followers, it brings glory to God!