WHY ARE YOU STANDING THERE?

 How often do we shy away from sharing the gospel? An opportunity arises and we simply overlook the door of opportunity to share the gospel. Why? Are we not prepared? Is it fear of rejection?

I have been there. I will never forget that day because of the guilt I felt afterwards. God placed a lady in my path for me to help. I froze. She drove away. I went home and prayed for forgiveness. Yet, it was one who needed kind words from someone who cared. I cared, but didn't act on the opportunity. 

Now, as I am reading the book of Acts, I wish we all could have the boldness of those disciples. They boldly obeyed the call to share the gospel to all nations. Many were beaten, bond in chains, and thrown into prison. Then, as soon as they were released, they boldly proclaimed the gospel. Can we have that same boldness?

In Acts 1, the disciples watch Jesus go up into the clouds. Their Savoir was gone. Two men in white apparel came to the disciples and said, "You men of Galilee, why stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven." (1:11)

They had work to do. They go into Jerusalem. Peter, the fisherman, preached a sermon that touched hearts and impressed the officers of the temple. Peter quoted Joel 2:28,29, Isaiah 44:40, Ezekiel 11:10 and Ezekiel 36:27. He finishes his sermon: "Repent, be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) In verse forty one, it is recorded that three thousand souls were saved. Again, in chapter 3, Peter and John preaches again. They are taken to prison. They are released and continue to preach. 

In our country today, we have the freedom to share the gospel. Yet, how often do we not take advantage of an open door to do God's work? How often do we fail to share the gospel? How often do we shy away when a conversation leads to showing kindness or simply sharing the gospel? 

If only we all can be like Peter and John boldly sharing the gospel. Let's start each day preparing and praying for doors to open to share God's love and God's gospel. Let's not be the ones being asked, "Why are you standing there? Let's get to work preparing ourselves to serve and be bold like Peter and John.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gift of the Light

Image
  As the Light of Day rises, the world awakes for a new day with new beginnings and new hope. As the sun rises, nature comes alive with the sound of birds singing and the rustling of all life awakening. From the darkness of night, the Light of Day gives new hope with new beginnings in the day to come. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness  And the darkness comprehends it not. John 1:4,5 John describes Jesus as the Light, the Creator, the Son of God, and the Lamb of God. Matthew and Luke begin the life of Jesus as the baby in a manger. Mark starts with John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. Then, we have the gospel of John. John begins with the reason God sent his Son.  Jesus came to give life. Yet, they did not understand. They expected a majestic king but got a baby born in a simple manger. They expected a ruler leading them to defeat their enemies but got a humble man teaching the way to God and healing bodies and souls. In ...
Read more

What Christians Should Do

 The USA just celebrated its 250th birthday. What a celebration! I have enjoyed seeing how everyone celebrated this milestone in our country. Over and over in the last few months, the United States has been proclaimed to be a Christian Nation founded on Christian standards. This has caused debates, and I'm not going to join the debate. However, many of the first arrivals from Europe came to live out their Christian faiths. There are churches in almost every town. Go for a drive along the country roads of America, and you will see old church buildings along the way. The Christian faith has grown across our country. Yet, how many of us live out our Christian faith? Just how many of us are dedicated to living out what Christians should do? As I read Paul's letters recorded in the Bible, I see where he reminds the churches how they should live and what they should be doing. Paul repeats the message of salvation through faith. God sent His Son, Jesus, to be our sacrificial Lamb. Jes...
Read more

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY

  In the gospels, Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23 ESV)  In this lent season, many give up something as a sacrifice. They deny themselves pleasure for forty days. Then, after the season of lent, it ends. Considering Jesus' words, 'take up your cross daily.' There is no end date in Jesus' words to the disciples. Matthew extends Jesus' words, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosever will save his life shall lose it, and whosever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange of his soul?" (16:24-26 KJV) Strong words. Consider your sacrifices. Are you following in the steps of Jesus? What are you sacrificing? After the disciples received the Holy Ghost, they completely...
Read more