azheis

The absolute fastest way to grow, and to learn to walk with God is really quite simple……….. yet most people are reluctant to do it
in a word it’s………………
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Witness~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am not talking about the “my life is a witness wherever I go� that statement is just a righteous mouthwash people use to justify, for not witnessing…….. in today’s vernacular….. It’s a copout
In the least common denominator there are two reason people do not witness; either the Word is not living and real to them {i.e. they don’t believe it}, or fear …….and the funny thing is, witnessing conquers both of those reasons.
The criteria for witnessing is not determined by how much or how little you know, as Christians it should be determined by our calling according to
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19: To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
If you want to grow and grow fast …..witness
If you want to go far with God ……...witness
By deliberately going out with the intent to witness, and then doing it, you will conquer the fear the holds many Christians back from truly enjoying the abundance of life.

Do you want the Word to become living and real, then speak the truth in love. If you do this you will see how God backs up his Word. You will see how the Word cuts through all the façade and gets to a persons heart. You will see the transformation and the healing in people’s lives, as you speak the Word …it will become real, not just words on a page.

By witnessing Gods Word to people you will learn how to walk and talk with God, because now God has a reason to talk to you. Word of knowledge word of wisdom discernment of sprites …healing …….all of those manifestations of the spirit come into play when witnessing.

I have never seen a personal problem that witnessing didn’t fix. ………seriously
If you’re depressed, feeling worthless, feeling inadequate, unworthy, broke, broken hearted …the list goes on ….. try witnessing …. there is nothing like it. Yes, your intent is to spread the Word, but the benefits to your own life are phenomenal.

No one is ever worse off because of witnessing ….. (starting with yourself and moving on to the person your witnessing to) even if they are not interested, if they reject you it doesn’t matter no one is ever worse off because you spoke Gods Word ………. His Word does not return unto him void.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
If you are waiting for people to come to you, you may have a long wait. The sowing of seed is an action, which involves movement. People are generally not going to come to your door, to ask you, if you would tell them about Jesus. The bumper sticker on your car does not speak, it’s the words that come out of your mouth that make people free.

What is your goal

For some reason, maybe it’s a picture I have seen someplace, when I think about sowing seed I get the mind picture of a boy walking along with a seed bag casually casting seed to the ground. But if you have ever planted anything that is not how it’s done. It is done systematically, because the goal is to get the seed to grow. Which means tenderly planting that seed, the right depth, in good fertile soil so when the watering takes place it can be rooted and grounded.
I think of the verse in I Corinthians 3:6 Ihave planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. I am pretty sure that Paul didn’t just walk up to people and say “Hey bro Jesus loves you ….God bless……read this track and hang tight, Apollos will be along shortly to do some watering�
The planting of seed is bringing people to the point where you give them enough to make a decision; and a desire to want more …..Our goal in planting seed should be getting people to want to come to Church or fellowship where Apollos can do some watering; and God can give the increase …………….that’s what witnessing is about.
Witnessing is just selling what you believe in you’re your heart, and selling is just getting people to see how this will benefit their lives, but there is nothing like selling a person on eternal life. The one advantage you have is …..well it’s almost like insider trading in the stock market, only legal. Because when you’re witnessing and you’re tapped in (walking by the spirit) God is telling you what to say, which is exactly what that person needs to hear at that time. You may not know it because your just speaking what God is putting on your heart, and sometimes it may not be what you would normally say to anyone else because everyone’s needs are different.

To give you an example: One time I walked up to this girl at an open meeting and told her “she was beautiful, and that I loved her, but I didn’t want to sleep with her. But because God loves her so much, I wanted her to know I loved her with the love of God�………… not the normal thing to say to someone …In fact, I was thinking, what just came out of my mouth. I think I was about ready to run and hide when she broke into tears…… {Pretty much the normal reaction I get from all women} oh boy, what did I do now. Turns out she had been a hooker, and the only love she ever knew was sleeping with guys
For me to say that I loved her with the love of God but didn’t want to sleep with her…. just melted her heart ………….Again I want to strongly emphasize that is not the normal thing to say to someone……… and guys, this is not a clever pick-up line either.
To quote from a song “If the Words going to move we need someone to move it …..and it ain’t gunna get done now….. if no one will do It� ……………
Lets be that someone……… lets change peoples lives with our love ….lets change our lives with Gods love…..

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God Bless
azheis

Boanerges

There are many different styles of witnessing- all do not use words. We should however share with everyone the Spirit leads us to- we must be open to His voice. Truley if you want to grow in Christ you must reach out in love- touch someone, share the love of God with them, pray with and for them. As you reach out in faith God moves thru you. The vessel is filled as God is flowing thru you and you will find yourself being touched by Him also. The anionting on your life increases, you grow in faith and boldness and you began to see Jesus manifest in your own life. God is not in the business of anointing the pews for us to sit around in. Reach out in His love and you will know His power.

Dusty

azheis .... Thanks for that . Obviously , Holy Spirit led you to say that to the girl and that is the bottom line to be obedient to the Holy Spirit and what you have been led and how you have been led, might be different in my life.. So we have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading.

As we grow in the love of Jesus, He will direct our paths. It's an awesome journey brother.

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Trials prove a Christian

Love confirms a Christian

But death crowns a Christian

Boanerges

Dusty I know what you are saying but I also understand where azheis is coming from. Many people are afraid to open their mouths but it gets easier each time you do it . Soon it becomes second nature- but the first step is to do it. I knew the presence and glory of my God since I was a young christian butthat was magnified hundreds of times as I reached out in His love to others. This is His will for us and this is how we fulfill the great commision- one life at a time! Many blessings- Larry

Dusty

Amen ,and be blessed brother Larry.

__________________

Trials prove a Christian

Love confirms a Christian

But death crowns a Christian

azheis

I include myself in on this……… maybe not afraid but comfortable …..
I am busy traveling around the country teaching, and I become apathetic about the simple things like witnessing, so I think I write this as much for myself, as for anyone else.

When I lived in Chicago I use to intentionally go out at least twice a week with other believers ….we had a blast. It was always an awesome powerful experience.
Yes I am busy ….everybody is busy.... but I never want to loose sight of the simple blessings and great miracles that take place witnessing Gods Word

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God Bless
azheis

Boanerges

I am the shyest person on God's green earth by nature but after going to Bourban Street New Orleans and witnessing to a couple of hundred people in one night I got over it-

Boanerges

I had a friend who was afraid of heights, he couldn't drive over the highrise bridge in New Orleans. He could but he couldn't- but after some encouragement he decided to try- guess what? It wasn't so hard after all- just do it!

Dusty

Oh no, now that you said that , I have a fear of driving to the airport as I have a poor sense of direction and panic when I get lost and I will not drive downtown Toronto and take this certain parkway or I guess you call it expressway.

__________________

Trials prove a Christian

Love confirms a Christian

But death crowns a Christian

Boanerges

Pray and buy a GPS!- thats a faith/works combo!