Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

We are Sent to Speak Up!

Dear Friend,

There is a time to let your life and your deeds be the way you bear witness go God’s love. There is also a time to use words.

People like to quote Francis of Assisi as saying, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” as a way of lifting up good deeds and minimizing speech.

Except Assisi didn’t say that!

Perhaps your life has such a vitality that people are drawn to wonder why.

However, it is only with words that they will learn the why.

For them to learn that your life centers on the reality of God and your trust in the person of Jesus takes words.

We are sent to speak up. While people speak in public ways in church gatherings, only you may be the person others will hear at home, in your neighborhood and with others.

So, see yourself as sent. Think about what you might say when opportunity arises. A place to start is to think what to say in just five sentences about why you follow Jesus!

Joy to you – Stan

© Copyright 2023 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

1. If you find yourself talking with some one and realize speaking of your own faith would be a natural thing to do - what would you say about why you follow Jesus - perhaps how you came to do that and the results in your life. See if you can write your story very simply - in just five sentences. Then try them out on someone, perhaps in a church group - because we learn to talk by talking.
2. Who are some people in your life - family - friends - neighbors - others - with whom you would like to share the joy of knowing Jesus?
3. Will you begin to pray regularly for an appropriate door of conversation to open?

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