Here’s a thought…how many people do you impact every day? At first you may think that you are not impacting many if any on a daily basis, but I would like you to consider a different thought. You are impacting hundreds of people every day! How you may ask? Well the answer to this question is found in Luke 6:43-45…the Bible says this:
Luke 6:43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
Did you know that you are actually a witness to every single person you come into contact with each and every day? Your words, your actions, your attitude, your demeanor, your overall look and appearance, everything! So the first step is understanding that you have an audience! This audience is around you wherever and whenever you are around people. This audience believes many different things. They are Atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, Agnostics and everything else that I don’t have the space on this blog to list. They are from all different countries and different backgrounds and beliefs. Your audience is big!!
So, what do you do with this audience? You can either ignore them, or you can boldly step into their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. Here are a few key things you can do to reach people that are total strangers…
1.Prepare
Be prepared to connect with people by always having a Bible or Christian book in your possession. This will help you as you want to open a door of conversation.
2.Love
If you want to reach people, you have to genuinely love them! You have to desire that ALL people go to Heaven and not just the select few you would like to see. We must pray to have the attitude that Christ did in that He loved the whole world and died for all no matter what the sin, race, background, or demographic may be. Let’s not be judgmental but let’s be full of the love of Jesus that looks beyond the exterior “mess” and into the beauty of could be in Jesus!
3.Listen
Engage in natural, normal conversation with any person you have the opportunity with. Don’t push any agenda, just learn about this person by actively and whole-heartedly listening to their story.
4.Respond
Take what you just heard from them and now respond. Talk to them and if possible, based on what they just said, encourage them. Try and incorporate the book or Bible you have in your hand to now dive into your testimony. Before you know it they will listening to you because you respected them by listening!
5.Be Bold
This is your opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to use you by praying for them, asking if you can help them in their problem and/or even asking if they know Jesus and leading them to glorious salvation through Jesus! The key is not to miss this part. If you have had a good engaging conversation with a person, don’t miss “the moment” when you could potentially be used to change their life!
Your fruit talks…
Smile, have patience, be kind, help people, set good examples, don’t swear or “cuss”, speak good things and just be full of love for others!
Remember what Paul wrote to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
God Bless You Today!
Pastor Aaron
BagwellBlog.com 