Devotional 104 - Witness

 "Backing down or being afraid of speaking out about Christ is like treating the defeated challenger as the champion. Everyone around you has a message, a philosophy, or an input, and so should you."   In the Backyard of Jesus  by Steven N. Khoury

1 Peter 3:15 "You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it."

The two ladies were conversing at the table next to mine. It was Monday and my husband and I were studying our Bibles at a coffee shop. My ears perked up when I heard the two ladies mention their church. I glanced at Rhett but he was absorbed in his reading.

Lady 1: "I just love our church. They never talk about hell or sin. I come away feeling so happy."

Lady 2: "Oh that's nice. What time is your service. I need a happy church."

I felt a nudge to speak.

"But, Lord, they do not know me. I have not been invited into this conversation."

I felt the nudge again.

 "Yes, Lord, I know I have the truth, but they might get angry if I tell them hell and sin are Biblical and that You spoke about it openly and often."

The nudge again.

"Alright Lord. Let me write down my thoughts first and then I can give them the paper."

So while they continued to converse, I busied myself with looking up scriptures to introduce them to the Living God. And then I stalled. The scriptures were written and I sat staring at the paper. The struggle began. You know the struggle. The one that is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6: 12)

As my hands gripped the Words of Life, they rose from their chairs, paid the bill and left.

I had not shared. I felt empty and sorry. I did not love my Savior enough that day to risk. 1 Peter 3 says as I worship Christ as my Lord I will have a joyful hope to share with the world. Those ladies may not have asked for the reason of my hope, but my Lord had asked it of me.

It boiled down to I cared more about my own comfort than their eternal destiny.

I love what Steven Khoury wrote in the quote above. Everyone else has an opinion and so should we! We should be engaging the culture with the marvelous truth of scripture. Don't give ground to the devil. Resist his schemes to thwart the spread of the precious news of the love of Christ for man.

I am sure God will give me another chance to share the reason for the hope within. And He will give you another one. Be ready! Be obedient!