GOD ENCOUNTERS

You just never know where the opportunity to share God's love is going to occur. Recently for me it was in a coffee shop when I was asked how I liked my IPAD. This led into all sorts of conversation ending up with what I did which is of course Christian writing and what I had done in my past before this. One of the things I mentioned was pro life counseling. Well this changed the conversation just a wee bit. Never try to shove something down someone's that but never back down on your convictions either. The person held an opposing view so did not stick around long.

You never know who is watching you or who you may encounter during your day. A simple smile or act of kindness can turn an otherwise gloomy day into a good one for someone. Not everyone in life goes through it all happy and not everyone is a believer. Even some who say they believe sure need to tell their faces at times.

I have had so many of these "God encounters" it would take a couple pages to tell about them. Be on the alert though as you never know when an "inconvenient" moment on your part is an opportunity to share the love of Christ with someone.

Proverbs 3:5-6(NIV) says 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.'

PRAYER: Help me as I go about my day to look for moments to share the love of Christ with those I encounter. Even when I am not feeling 100% great help me to be kind to others and somehow that seems to make me feel good. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HARVEST TIME

Fall is here in most parts of America and other places in the world. Here in my locale there are beautiful changing colors. Harvest is a time when farmers "harvest" their crops as well.

In this world there is a spiritual harvest waiting too. Souls that do not know Jesus as their savior, ripe for the "picking". Being a certain denomination is not the key to heaven nor is the act of baptism. Many people are thinking simply joining a church is all they need to do. Sad to say there may be many surprises in heaven.

It is our job as believers to share Jesus' love and how to know Him with those we come in contact with daily. This does not mean we have to go preach on a street corner but we should be ready to give an answer for the reason of hope that is in us. 1 Peter 3:15(ESV) says '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.'

Also to remember to not be ashamed. Mark 8:38(NIV) reminds us 'If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Luke 10:3(NIV) says 'Go! I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.'

Matthew 9:37-38 (HCSB) says 'Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."' John 4:35 further says the "fields are ripe for the harvest.' 

Are you doing your part to help others come to know Jesus? Could you maybe be one of those harvest workers? 

PRAYER: Here it is the fall season but it is always the "harvest" season in your kingdom. I am one of your workers to help gather more people for the heavenly kingdom. That is a huge responsibility. Help me not neglect sharing your love and how to know you with others I may come in contact with each day. In Jesus' name. Amen.