apathy to evangelism

Have you experienced someone has approached you with a small booklet on gospel sharing?  How about seeing people on the streets with banners in their hands proclaiming about God? 


I had and still do until now.  But my response or reaction to these people today has changed compared to how I respond to them before. You see, I was indifferent to these people. I thought these people and even the people I see in the television sharing about God are all the same, false teachers or evangelists.  So, I didn't give interest. 


But when I started walking seriously with God, my perception has changed. As I learned about evangelism and missions through God's Word and other people, God changed my heart.  (Well, God gave me wisdom too. Not all "evangelists" are genuine.)


Tonight, I was watching a video of volunteer missionaries of Campus Crusade for Christ who were called to share the gospel and love of God to university students in Manila. I felt a prick in my heart knowing how I reacted before when I see students like them who were passionate in sharing the gospel. I never knew how much it took for them to volunteer and go.  And, I never gave them a chance.


Now, when I see students like them or people on the streets, I admire them. Because they have the courage to go out and share the gospel to the world. They carried out the mission we all should be doing.


Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)


When you bump into one of them, give them a chance. They really don't want to convert you and make you a member of something. They just want to share a good news that is very worthy of your time.


:)

it's not yet the END!!!

       When I checked my Facebook this morning, most of the posts were about the tsunami in Japan. It was waking up in the morning not with a bad dream, but a sad reality. 
       
       I, myself, skipped my reading for today's quiet time and instead opened my Bible to Matthew 24. I just want to be reminded again that the events that have been happening in different parts of the world are bound to happen. 


"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." (Matt 24:6-8)


      The truth is - our prayers can never change the things that were already prophesied.  Instead, let the events that are happening remind us of the things that we should start changing in ourselves. And when we pray, let our prayers be for people to come to know Jesus.  We can never escape all of these events. But, we can always be ready. 


     I know some of us are getting anxious if the end of the world is coming.  Well, we really don't know. But I think... it is not yet coming today or tomorrow.  Why? 


"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matt 24:14)


    God is gracious and merciful. Only through His Son, Jesus Christ, that we will truly be saved not from the calamities of this world but from eternal pain and suffering. That's why the world will never end until everyone has heard Jesus' Name. 


    So instead of worrying about the end of the world or about the coming earthquakes or tsunamis, let's start putting our faith in Jesus and allow Him to make us ready.


:)

[Journey on Waiting 1] While I'm waiting...

I dedicate this blog to all my single girlfriends who are waiting for their God's best. :)


As I write this blog, I'll be speaking about waiting in a perspective of a woman.  Well, I can never speak for men. :)


We (meaning single women) have different reasons why we want to wait for the "right person".  It could be because some of us had been from past relationships that didn't work and we just want the next one to be the right and last one. Or, some who haven't been into any relationship would have the same reason as I have - I want to wait on God because He gives the best. 


This verse always remind me of waiting.  This is about the wedding that Jesus attended and He turned the water into wine.  (John 2: 9-10)


When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”


The application we can get from this verse is not just on waiting for the right person.  It can be about anything that we are waiting from God. We can taste all the different wines this world has to offer but we must remember that not all wines taste good. Some could just give a bitter or weird taste to our tongue.  That's the best thing about waiting.  God spares us from that bad taste for something that is not even worth it - it's a cheap wine! God always have kept the best wine. And He will serve it when the right time has come. And if it comes from God, anything will be worth it. :)


And then, the next question that would pop up would be - How would you know that he is the one that God has given to you? Well, I can't speak for all because God works in our lives differently. And to be honest, I can never answer that question until that time would come. 


We really don't have to focus on the waiting itself.  Because it will come, short or long wait. Maybe the question that we should be asking to ourselves is - "While I'm waiting, what should I be doing?"  I truly believe that being single is a blessing.  There are just a lot of things we can do more for God, for our family, for our friends and to other people and sometimes, for our selves because we all have the time and resources. 


These are  just some of the things  that I could suggest (some based from my experience, others - things I want to do):
 - serve God through a ministry in a church or through other volunteer organizations
 - be a part of a women's fellowship group
 - join activities for singles like retreats or camps 
 - get a hobby and share it with someone
 - travel and visit relatives or friends or meet people
 - make time for family
 - have a career that you really love
 - of course, make friends with the opposite sex, get to know them (but always remember: Do not awaken love until it so desires - Song of Songs 8:4)


I can just give a very long list on the things that we singles can truly do and enjoy. And you know what, while still single and waiting - how about a deeper relationship with our Creator? That would be the bestest of the best.  And don't ever miss that! :)

xoxoxo