Question and Answer Segment:

Question of the Day: I try to share Christ with some of my unsaved friends, but they don’t seem to understand what I’m saying. I know we are to tell others about Jesus, but it is so frustrating sometimes. Could you give me any recommendations?

     I understand your disappointment. The unsaved person is often in different to the Gospel and occasionally hostile. Let me share something that I think will help explain the reaction you receive and encourage you as you share Christ.

     There are various evangelism tools available to the Christian such as tracts, books, like this blog, and training programs. They are useful, but I am convinced there is one essential part we frequently overlook – the critical role of the Holy Spirit in bringing men and women to faith in Christ.

     Jesus described the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit in John 16:8; “And He (the Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment.”

     Although the unbeliever may seem like everyone else on the surface, the Scriptures tell us that his soul and mind are in a depraved state. (Romans 3:10-18) He is spiritually dead; that is, he is completely separated from the life of God by sin. (Ephesians 2:1-2) He has no desire for God. (Galatians 5:19-21) He is also blind to the truth. (1 Corinthians 3:18-20) He cannot see the kingdom of God.

     The unbeliever sins because he is a sinner by nature. He knows nothing about righteousness, sin, or judgment.

     It is in those areas that the Holy Spirit is able supernaturally to impress an unbeliever’s heart. Without His divine aid in sharing Christ, we are helpless; dependent only on our persuasion or reasoning which in themselves cannot bring a person to salvation.

     Only the Holy Spirit can regenerate a person. Only the Holy Spirit can convict him of the truth about his sin. Only the Holy Spirit can convince the lost about God’s holy standard of truth and of His judgment that awaits all who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior. (John 16:8-11)

     The Holy Spirit points the unbeliever to Jesus Christ. In so doing He brings him to an awareness of his separation from God and need for salvation.

     The next time you share your faith, invest time asking the Holy Spirit to open the eyes and mind of the unsaved person. Then understand that his salvation is not dependent on your presentation alone (although we want to be courteous and scriptural) but on the Holy Spirit).

I hope this helps some of who are seeking to be a more effective witness for Christ! Address your thoughts or questions in comment section of this blog post. Let me know if this has helped.

EARLY LIGHT - Pray for our Nation

Special Devotion

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Proverbs 14:34

2 Chronicles 36:15-17
15) “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:  16) But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.  17) Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: He gave them all into his hand”. 

    

     One of the most terrifying phrases in the Bible is “God gave them over….” That phrase is used repeatedly in the Old Testament to describe God’s dealing with Israel – His faithful people – through His divinely decreed captivity of Israel by other nations.

     In the New Testament the phrase takes on new and traumatic meaning in Paul’s epistle to the Romans: “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts…” (Romans 1:24). “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions.” “…God gave them over to a depraved mind…” (Romans 1:28).

     Today the judgment of God is still expressed in terms of captivity. Although we may not be conquered by invading hordes, we are rapidly becoming a nation enslaved to moral depravity. Pornography, drugs, alcohol, homosexuality, abortion, child abuse, sexual immorality, and other forms of moral corruption have captured and now rule the heart and soul of a nation once founded on the moral principles of Scripture.

     The consequences are devastating. Families disintegrate. Public decency and compassion are neglected. Authority is despised. Chaos and degradation are unavoidable.

     The question is - Can you make a difference?  YES - Pray!

Equipment Malfunction

     On Friday July 8^th Peggy & I attended the East Texas (15 year old) Babe Ruth All-stars State Baseball Tournament in Nederland, TX., to watch our grandson play in the opening game. The announcers asked everybody to rise for the playing of the National Anthem before the first pitch of the game.  However, the music system malfunctioned and the announcer stated; we have an equipment malfunction so let’s just go ahead and play ball. The players went back into their respective dugouts making ready for play and the fans seated themselves.

     However, I immediately shouted from the stands let’s all sing it, and began along with a couple of other folks to sing.  My voice seemed to resonate from the stands with our blessed National Anthem, and suddenly everybody rose to their feet, removed their hats with the ball players coming back out of the dugout standing and paying honor to our flag and nation. Upon completion the people began clapping, whistling and cheering with a demonstration of patriotism not often seen anymore, especially in venues such as this.

     You know folks, this great nation of ours did not become great by giving up when a malfunction occurred. It’s time real true Americans take a stand and let their voices be heard from the Little League fields to the White House. We must get involved, stay informed and contact our government leaders informing them that they work for us and all the bureaucratic malfunctions (i.e. unsustainable national debt, overzealous government spending, programs and waste and poor economy) are no longer acceptable and remind them that the 2012 elections are coming and our vote counts.

     God bless America.