Our presence in the world should inspire gospel conversations. The life of a person transformed by Jesus simply looks different. Our hopeful, non-anxious presence stands out in a world marked by hopeless existentialism.
READ
...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15
REFLECT
-Do people who know me ever ask me about my faith? How do I respond?
-When my friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc talk to me about their struggles and questions about life, do I take the opportunity to connect them to the good news of Jesus?
-What does it look like for me to share my faith with gentleness and respect?
GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT
Lord, I thank you for the hope I have in you. Your gospel has redeemed my sinful, selfish existence and given me a promise and a purpose. Help me to think missionally and strategically in my community and neighborhood involvement. Give me opportunities to speak boldly of the hope I have found in You. In Your name I pray, amen.
Day 20 - we speak...in the city
Day 15 - we speak
When the story of Jesus takes root in our lives, we are naturally compelled to share it. The power that has accomplished our salvation is offered freely to anyone who would believe, and God’s plan involves us sharing this good news boldly. READ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 REFLECT -What does it mean for the gospel to be the “power of God for salvation?” -Have I practiced putting into words the ways God’s power is transforming my life? Can I articulate the redemptive story of Jesus? -What does it look like for me to live unashamed of the story of Jesus? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, I recognize your great plan and power in my own life. Give me eyes to see the places where your gospel is at work, and deepen my awareness of how my life is being transformed by You. Help me to trust your saving power and give me the strength and boldness to share Your power with others. In your name I pray, amen. ___ We SPEAK in 3 places: the home, the church, and our city. We will spend the next 6 days looking at speaking in each of these contexts.
Day 16 - we speak...at home
The gospel shapes and gives purpose to our speech. We are called to use our words to graciously encourage others, beginning with those in our home. READ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 REFLECT -What is the type of speech that builds up? What is the type of speech that corrupts? -How do my words reflect the ways God has been faithful and gracious to me? How can I testify to His faithfulness in the ways I speak to my family? -What are some ways that I can graciously encourage my family today? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, thank you for being gracious to me. Help me to recognize, in humility, the ways you have poured out your kindness on me. Lead me into thankful praise for your salvation. Guide my words to be a humble reflection of what your grace is accomplishing in my life. In your name I pray, amen.
Day 17 - we speak...at home
Our words are an indication of our heart’s treasure. Jesus tells us that the things we say help us measure the condition of what’s inside. When we invite the gospel to shape what we love and desire, that will manifest itself in our speech. READ The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 REFLECT -What does it mean to have “good treasure” in your heart? -Examine the conversations you’ve had over the past 24 hours with your spouse and/or children. What do the things you’ve spoken indicate about the condition of your heart? -When discussing how Jesus is working in your life with your family members, does it feel natural? Or awkward and forced? -Where can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring growth in this area? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, I praise You for your goodness. Because I trust You, I commit the desires of my heart to You. Shape my affections and turn my passions to align with Yours. May my words be an ongoing reflection of the ways You are convicting me of sin and assuring me of Your salvation. In your name I pray, amen.