Thought for the day
In one episode from the comic strip "Peanuts", Lucy comes up to her brother, Linus, and tells him that she has "converted" someone in her class to her way of thinking religiously. Knowing his sister, Linus couldn't believe it. "How did you do it?" he asked.
Lucy explained, "I told him everything I believe and asked him if he believed it, too. When we came to something he didn't see my way, I just hit him over the head with my lunch box until he believed it!"
I've seen some instances of "lunch box evangelism", haven't you? It's not very effective. Unfortunately, there are times that the way we talk and the way we act make it difficult for us to share our faith with those around us.
Listen to these words of advice Peter gives to Christian women who are married to non-Christian husbands:
"In the same way, you wives should yield to your husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey God's teaching, they will be persuaded to believe without anyone's saying a word to them. They will be persuaded by the way their wives live. Your husbands will see the pure lives you live with your respect for God." (I Peter 3:1-2, NCV)
Peter isn't saying that we shouldn't talk to people about the Christian life, but he is saying that it is more effective for others to see us actually living that life.
Know someone who needs to hear the gospel message? Put your lunch box away and be careful of the example that you set around them.
Verses
Galatians 6:9
So don't weary of being generous. For unless you throw in the towel, you are certain to reap the harvest that follows the sowing of good works.
Matthew 8:7
And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."
Isaiah 59:21
"As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants," says the Lord, "from this time and forevermore."
Proverbs 13:21
Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as I commit myself to You this day, I ask that You make me a glowing ember of Your truth, Your wisdom, and Your compassionate mercy. I want my light to shine for You so that all glory will be directed back to You, my source of light. If I find myself in the midst of a circle of employees engaged in ungodly conversation help me not to blend in. But rather help me to be the light of Your glory in my conversation, full of grace seasoned with salt, so that I will know how to respond to each person. I ask that You would reveal to me any false motivation for carrying out good deeds. Remind me that it is for Your glory that I do these things. It is neither for the praise of others nor for personal advancement, but the advancement of the Gospel. Lord, help me to reach just one today with an unexpected act of kindness that will direct the recipient’s thoughts toward my Father in heaven. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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