Tag: ready

Markethive

Are You Ready to Share Your Faith?

Don't let the moment pass you by.

Written by GodLife on 25/09/2018
Series: Weekly Devotional
Tags: Evangelism, Love, Witness, Sharing
…, pray also for us that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…

Colossians 4:3
Following the Spirit of God includes having conversations about Jesus. How do we go about having a conversation about spiritual matters with someone we do not know? When we bring up the subject, we are using a bridge to open that door. Have you ever missed an opportunity?

One summer at my teenage son’s ball game, I noticed a friend I had not seen since college. As we sat together and visited, I was urged in my spirit to bring up the subject of Christ and to present the Gospel to her, but fear of rejection kept me silent. Later that winter, she was involved in an unfortunate accident that resulted in the death of her and her daughter. 

Are you willing?
In Acts 8:26-40, Philip was instructed by an angel to go south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza in the desert. As he traveled, the Spirit told Philip to approach an Ethiopian Eunuch who was reading. Philip obeyed and asked the Eunuch a question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Eunuch replied, “How can I, but that some man should guide me.” Philip was then invited to attempt to guide him. Philip was willing, following, trusting, and ready. He already knew the subject, and he didn’t go in his own power. Finally, he had a divine appointment. If God used Philip, it makes sense that Jesus would use you too and empower you.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:9)

In our daily interactions with strangers we should be willing to follow the Spirit, who will lead us into situations to share our faith. Are you willing? 

How can I do this? 
How can you move into a conversation about Jesus? A good start is by being helpful to others. Make their job easier and be appreciative. Be friendly. Reaching out to people in the service industry that help us or that check us out at the store can be very easy! But first we must pray.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Why not ask questions or make comments with a smile? For example: 

How can I pray for you today? Or If there was one thing I could pray for you, what would it be? 
I was wondering when you attend church, where do you attend? 
The Bible says a workman is worth his hire. You have done a great job. 
You are an answer to prayer (if they really were). I believe in prayer. What about you?
I can only find peace in one place when I am stressed out. 
Be ready and be on mission like Philip wanting all to be saved and none to be lost. Jesus prayed for us that the love the Father had for Him would be in us (John 17:26), and we must allow it to propel us out of ourselves and our fears to be spent on others. We must remember that hell and the wrath of God are real, and Jesus is the only way to escape. Love like Jesus. 

Dealing with Rejection
If your words are rejected — it’s not you who were rejected, but Christ (Luke 10:16). Either way, you have been obedient. The results of your efforts are up to the Lord! He alone gives the increase, but he tells us all to plant and to reap. Do not forget to thank the Lord for the opportunity to be used, pray for that person and thank Him for more to come. 

“And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear; hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23)

I encourage you to love others more than yourself and be obedient to the leading of the Spirit. Pray to be bold and to be filled with love for the souls of others.

Pray this week:
Lord, Please, guide me and use me. I will love, and I will go, and I will speak. Amen.

God loves you. Are you ready to love others? How can you do this?

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Markethive

Why Should We Run from Sexual Sin?

The proper place for sex is between a husband and wife. Outside of that relationship, sex is destructive to you and to others, just like an out of control fire.

Written by Dan Lee on 22/02/2015
Series: Weekly Devotional
Tags: Love, Lust, Marriage, Pleasure, Relationship, Sex, Sin, Temptation
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

A fire provides warmth, light and comfort. But if a fire gets out of control, it can destroy your home, your possessions and even your life. Sex is a lot like that. The proper place for sex is between a husband and wife. Outside of that relationship, sex is destructive to you and to others, just like an out of control fire. Here are 3 important reasons to avoid sexual sin.

1. Sex Affects Our Body, Mind and Spirit
God created us with a body, a mind and a spirit. These parts of us are completely woven together. When we use our bodies to do things outside of God’s will, we not only impact our body, but our mind and soul as well.

2. It Offends God
God wants us to avoid sexual sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.” When you came to know Christ, His Spirit came to live in you. When we sin sexually, we are, in a way, “taking Him along for the ride” — to a place He tells us not to go. After King David confessed his sexual sin, he addressed God, saying “Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4).

3. It Hurts Others
Jesus said, “If you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6) The Lord uses very strong language here, because our responsibility as His followers is to teach others godly behavior that glorifies Him. Leading another believer into sin is the exact opposite of what we should do.

When we are tempted to lead someone we believe we love into sin, we have to question if the feelings we have for that person are really love. After all, God reveals to us that love is patient, not selfish, and that it does not take pleasure in evil. Instead, love waits patiently with the best of intentions toward the other person. (1 Corinthians 13:5-7, Ephesians 5:25-28)

How do we leave sexual sin?
God always gives us hope and a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). Whatever you have done, know that God is always ready to forgive (1 John 1:9). Are you ready to accept Jesus and leave sexual sin? Click here to start a new life with Jesus.

Pray this week:
Lord, thank you for reminding me that because you have bought me with a price, that I am not my own. Help me through the power of your Holy Spirit to glorify you with my body and in every aspect of my life. Give me the courage to seek the help I need.

What reason is most effective in helping you avoid sexual sin — affects your body, mind, spirit; offends God; hurts others? Talking to someone is vital in overcoming this area of sin; don't wait to get help.

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member