Have you ever wondered how Christianity could have spread from the small province of Judea in the Mediterranean basin to reach pretty much every corner of the globe by the 21st century? Have you ever marveled when hearing how Christianity survived, even thrived, in harsh dictatorships and totalitarian regimes? Or have you considered how, generation after generation, parents have successfully passed down their faith to their children in countries where believers are a minority within the broader culture? Have you ever wondered how people who are considered hardened criminals can find faith even while locked away in prison?
Amazingly enough, faith in Christ is spread most effectively on a personal basis by individuals sharing the gospel. From the first followers of Jesus along the streets of Judea, to you and me today, God’s plan has always been the same: Simply spread the good news. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” ( John 20:21).
The late Reverend Billy Graham, who led millions of people to faith in Christ through mass meetings in evangelistic tours, understood the importance of the personal touch. After each event, small teams of believers were available to connect individually with those who had accepted Jesus, so they could offer them guidance and support in their newfound faith.
This month’s issue of Activated features testimonies, tips, strategies, and encouragement to aid us in what is often called the “Great Commission,” which is Jesus’ challenge to His followers to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).
Philip Kotler, known as “the father of modern marketing,” once said, “The best advertising is done by satisfied customers.” That’s us, God’s advertising campaign.
Gabriel and Sally García Activated Editorial Team
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Every week I volunteer to deliver food donations to a local charity. I had just finished unloading and went inside to fill out some necessary paperwork. As I was walking down the hallway, I watched a scene unfold in front of me. There was a family of immigrants speaking Spanish, and employees of the charity who were speaking English with a lot of hand motions and gestures. It was obvious that neither understood what the other was trying to say. As I came closer, I could sense the mild frustration of both parties.
CARING GOES A LONG WAY
By Marie Knight
My Spanish is very limited, and although I understand some, I feel quite self-conscious about trying to speak it beyond a few memorized sentences. As I walked up, I made up my mind to do what I could. I smiled and started with the simplest of greetings: “Hola!” That was all it took for one of the charity employees to sigh with relief and exclaim, “Oh, that’s wonderful! Do you speak Spanish?!” I explained that I knew some, and she asked me if I could help them to communicate.
The questions the charity employee asked were simple enough: “How many children do you have?” “Do you
need school supplies?”
“Where do you live?”
The family had an 11-year-old daughter and had been in the U.S. for only two weeks. I helped to explain what they needed. I fumbled with what little Spanish I knew. I used the wrong verb tenses and made many mistakes, but the gratitude that shone in the mother’s eyes was something I will never forget. She said it was hard for them to not be able to communicate.
She was desperately looking for a job. They had no clothes for the winter.
I was able to talk with her for a little while about God’s love and care. She thanked me profusely and there were tears sparkling in her eyes when I told her that I would pray for her and her family.
This small act, though initially awkward and stilted, brightened my day with the knowledge that I had been able to help someone. Because I had reached out in their language, it touched their hearts and was a way of offering them some needed comfort and encouragement.
Marie Knight is a full-time missionary volunteer in the USA. ■
PROCLAIMING GOOD NEWS
As Christians, we have been commissioned and ordained by Jesus to proclaim the gospel and to share the good news about the kingdom of God with others. After Jesus’ resurrection, His final command to His disciples was to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
The book of Acts recounts in vivid detail the rapid growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel to many places as His early followers faithfully proclaimed the good news far and wide. In Acts 8, for example, we read the story of Jesus’ disciple Philip, who traveled to the
city of Samaria and “preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” to the people, which resulted in many people becoming Christians (Acts 8:5–12).
As Christians, each of us has been called to be an everyday witness as we go about our daily lives.
The Bible teaches us that through Christ, we have been reconciled to God—and in turn we have received the ministry of reconciliation to bring others to faith in Jesus. We have each been called to be an ambassador for Christ of God’s kingdom: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:18–20 NIV).
PROCLAIMING THE
The truth of the gospel and the love of God are the greatest need of all humankind. Regardless of ethnicity, social position, belief system or cultural background, every person was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and each will face heartaches and sorrows, sin and failure, pain and fear of death. The hunger people experience for truth, purpose, joy, and peace of mind are God-created, as He seeks to draw all people to Himself ( John 12:32).
The Bible says that God has “set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV). He has given an awareness to every human soul that there is something more than this earthly life, which inevitably will pass away. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” ( James 4:14 NKJV). This awareness causes people to search for eternal truths that will answer their deepest questions and help them to find purpose and meaning amidst the challenges and sorrows of this life.
Jesus said that He came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), and He once walked miles out of His way in the heat of day to reach one foreign woman at a
well. This woman was so thrilled to discover the truth through this stranger that she “left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?’” ( John 4:29).
As a result, “many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony” ( John 4:39–42).
The apostle Paul was a great witness, and the Bible records him sharing his personal conversion story: “This is what happened to me.” (See Acts 22:1–16.) When sharing about your faith with others, it can be helpful to share your personal testimony about how you came to Christ. Most people love a story, and life stories are often an effective witness. If people can concede that it is possible for your life to have been transformed through faith, then a mustard seed of faith has been planted that their lives can be changed too, and there is a possibility for them to come to believe in Jesus.
So, proclaim Christ and tell the story of how He transformed your life. Share with others that the true God is a good God who is kind and loving and concerned about His children, who hates war and deplores the poverty and oppression of the poor, and longs for every heart to be redeemed and drawn to Him. Tell people the story of God’s salvation plan in sending His Son into the world, that through His life and death on the cross for our redemption we can receive His gift of salvation ( John 3:16-17).
Jesus taught that Christians are “the light of the world.” He went on to say that a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, and if men have a candlestick, they don’t put it under the table; they put it on the table that it may give light to the whole house (Matthew 5:14–15). Once you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are then called to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
We may feel inadequate or uncertain about how to go about sharing our faith, but Jesus
We may not always see the harvest ourselves or the impact that our witness has on a person’s life, and many other people may play a role in someone’s journey to faith. One person may sow the seed, another may water it, but it is God that gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6–8). We are each called to do our part to try to prepare the ground, soften it with our prayers, and sow the seed of God’s Word. It’s up to the individual to receive it, and only God can make it take root and grow and produce fruit. (See the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8:4-15.)
promised that His followers would receive an anointing of His power to help them to be His witnesses. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8). If we do our part of planting seeds of faith and pointing people to the Word of God, we can trust that God’s Spirit will work in people’s hearts and lives through the witness we share. Although we are called to be God’s messengers who point the way to salvation, only the Holy Spirit can work in people’s lives and hearts and bring them to a decision to be born again into God’s kingdom ( John 3:3). Whether or not people choose to believe and receive Christ is the personal choice of each individual. Our job is simply to go forth bearing God’s Word and to plant it in receptive hearts.
It is also important to do your part to learn as much as you can over time about the foundations of your faith and to build your knowledge of the Bible to become a “good worker who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NLT). This will enable you to answer people’s questions and share scriptures with them, and “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).
The Bible teaches that “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” ( John 3:16). As His messengers, we are called to share His love with others, so that they too can experience it and know Him. We can always reflect His love to others throughout the day, even if at times it is only with a word of encouragement or an act of
kindness, sympathy or care, so that they can experience God’s love. Saint Augustine (354–430 AD) once wrote that love “has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. It has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy.”
Jesus came “to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18 NKJV). And He has commissioned us, as Christians, to proclaim the gospel in all the world to everyone (Mark 16:15). God’s Spirit will lead you to those who will respond to the message, whether immediately or
further down the road. His Spirit will empower you to tell others about Him and to share His love with them, “for the love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NKJV).
As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to share God’s love with all people regardless of their socioeconomic status, worldview or belief system, ethnicity or cultural background. May we each do our part to share the good news of the gospel and to reflect God’s light and love to others so that they can come to know and receive Him. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” ( John 17:3).
Adapted from an article in Treasures, published by the Family International. ■
CALLED AS CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS
Christians of every era are called to be Christ’s ambassadors. An ambassador is a personal envoy sent from the head of a state. Just as a head of state sends an ambassador on a diplomatic mission, Christ sends us on a mission to represent him in both words and actions. “We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NRSV). …
As Christ’s ambassadors we are key players in the great drama of redemption. God in Christ is reconciling the world to himself and he wants us to join him. He does not need us to carry out his plans, yet he gives us this great privilege. He has invited us to join him in redeeming creation and participating with the Holy Spirit in drawing people to himself. In his infinite wisdom, God ordained that his sovereignty and human responsibility would work together to achieve his purposes. Too grand for our finite minds to comprehend, God calls us to believe this in faith and fulfill our role in his story by making disciples… None of us is equal to the task, but fortunately God is. God’s ability, not our own, is ultimately what gives us confidence in the work of evangelism. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NRSV).
—theologyofwork.org ■
Sharing Our Faith in Challenging Times
By Lilia Potters
As Christians, we are instructed to “preach the Gospel to every creature” and to “make disciples of all nations.”
But that’s often easier said than done in today’s world, especially when sharing our faith directly is discouraged or, in some cases, forbidden.
I spent many years living in countries where openly sharing the gospel was prohibited and could result in arrest or deportation. After moving to the US, sharing my faith met different challenges, as in many places where I worked, talking about religion was discouraged if not frowned upon.
Being a positive example
Thankfully, by doing my best to live out my faith through actions and positive interactions, by building relationships with others and gently incorporating Christian values into conversations when appropriate, while being mindful of the restrictions and respecting the environment I was in, I have been able to reach many.
Whether in a restrictive environment or not, here are some ways we can share our faith with others. These have worked well for me in various situations.
Demonstrating Christian values through our conduct, kindness, compassion, and service to others allows our actions to speak louder than words in situations where speaking directly about Jesus might be discouraged or forbidden. I’ve often been surprised by how small, thoughtful deeds of kindness can lead to deeply personal conversations about life’s struggles and how faith can see us through them. In one such situation, someone I talked to commented afterward, “Thank you for being a gentle Christian, one we can easily accept.”
Listening actively
You’d be surprised how many people need a listening ear, and what a difference actively listening to them can make. I currently have a friend who is going through a difficult time. She often pops by unannounced, seeking a cup of tea and a little of my time. By listening and understanding others’ perspectives and concerns, we can create a safe space for open conversations about God’s love and care without being overly assertive about our beliefs.
Sharing our personal story
As a full-time caregiver of an autistic young adult, I am often asked how I do it. How do I find the strength and the positivity to carry on, especially on tough days? When appropriate, I’ve been able to delicately weave my faith journey into the conversation; without explicitly preaching, I have highlighted how my Christian beliefs have impacted my life positively. Sharing about my struggles and imperfections, and how prayer and faith pulled me through has often encouraged others to recognize their needs and ask for prayer.
Asking thoughtful questions
Engaging in conversations that encourage reflection on deeper life issues can also open doors for potential discussions about faith. This happened recently while visiting an elderly friend in a nursing home who will turn 90 this year. She wondered whether she would make it to her 90th birthday. I asked her how she felt about that. She confided in me that she wondered if she’d lived a good enough life to make it to heaven. It led to a beautiful conversation about the afterlife and how
If you have not yet come to know the Father and His love by receiving Jesus, you can do so by praying the following prayer:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died on the cross for me so that, through Your sacrifice, I can live forever with You in heaven. I ask that You forgive my sins. I open the door of my heart to You. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me live in a way that glorifies You. Guide my life and help me to follow You. In Your name I pray. Amen.
making it to heaven depends not on our works but only on God’s grace and faith in Jesus.
Offering support and encouragement
Offering practical help and demonstrating Christian care in the workplace can have a big impact. While working in a school setting with special education students, one of the teachers struggled to keep up with her large caseload and the accompanying paperwork. I purchased a sweet treat and a card for her. In the card, I expressed my admiration for all she does. I also offered to help her with grading work to ease her load and told her I would pray for her. She later tearfully thanked me for the little gift and especially for praying for her.
By prioritizing love, compassion, and genuine care in our interactions, we allow God’s light to shine through us, often more powerfully than words could ever convey. When we build authentic connections, remain sensitive to the context, and approach others with understanding, we create opportunities for God to work through us in ways we may not even realize. If we are always ready to share the hope we carry—gently, respectfully, and with hearts full of grace (1 Peter 3:15)—we will reflect God’s love and plant seeds of faith that can grow in His perfect time.
Lilia Potters is an author and Certified Autism Resource Specialist who lives in the U.S. ■
The Ripple Effect
By Rosane Cordoba
I was a teenager when a young man I had just met talked to me about salvation. He told me about the power of Jesus to bring joy and meaning into my life, and I prayed with him, asking Jesus to come into my heart. In the next months, my life, my interests, my friendships, and my understanding of God’s plan for my life changed. To this day, I am still growing spiritually and learning about Jesus’ wonderful love for all mankind. I am eternally thankful for that moment when that young man spoke to me.
As a new Christian, I had started to share my faith in Jesus with young people I knew or would meet. Then Jesus nudged me to go talk to a middle-aged man about my faith. I was shy at first, thinking he wouldn’t pay much attention to a teenager, but he stopped what he was doing, and we talked for about an hour. I told him of the changes Jesus had brought in my life. He told me a bit about himself. We talked about the problems of the world.
I offered to pray for him, which he accepted. After praying for him and the challenges he had shared with me, he then prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior.
Then, with a big smile, he said: “Your prayer has just saved two lives!” I was puzzled, but then he showed me a gun he had in his belt under his coat. He said: “I was going to kill my partner! I was filled with anger because he betrayed me in a business endeavor. But after talking to you today, I realized that I was going to ruin my life, his life, and the lives of our families. I have decided to trust God to solve the problem the right way. Thank you so much for the light you have shed on my path today!” I was initially shocked by his honesty about his previous intentions. Then I was thankful that I had obeyed the guidance of the Holy Spirit to talk to him. I never saw this man again, but that experience clearly showed me the positive change the Lord’s love can have on a confused soul. The ripple effects of this conversation will only be completely known in eternity! I reflect on what C. T. Studd, the famous missionary to China, India, and Africa, said: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Rosane Cordoba lives in Brazil. She is a freelance writer, translator, and producer of faith-based and characterbuilding children’s material. ■
YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LOVE
By Marie Alvero
In John chapter 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. He had been blind all his life, and everyone knew that. When Jesus healed him, the miracle was obvious. People were immediately curious, not the least of whom were the religious leaders who had the man come in for a little chat.
Without paraphrasing the whole story, suffice it to say the Pharisees didn’t like the popularity that Jesus was gaining, and they didn’t like the story this “seeing blind man” was telling.
“For the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, ‘God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.’ ‘I don’t know whether he is a sinner,’ the man replied. ‘But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!’” ( John 9:24–25 NLT).
This blind man didn’t know Jesus before, and immediately after meeting Him he was asked to testify. All he could say was, “I don’t know a lot about Him, but I know my life has changed. I was blind, and now I can see.”
Sharing my faith used to feel complicated. I worried about saying the wrong thing or not having answers to the questions people asked. But I’ve learned that
witnessing is as simple as sharing how Jesus is part of my everyday life.
Starting early in my professional career, I made a point to say things like “I am praying for you” or to share Bible verses, not in a preachy way, but in the same ways we casually talk about the other ordinary parts of our lives. This approach has provided me with many opportunities to discuss faith and Jesus, and I continue to learn how to just bring Jesus with me to my workplace.
A few weeks ago, I was speaking with one of the heads of my department, and after our talk she messaged me to say that she always feels so encouraged after we talk, and it gives her hope and peace. We had talked about several topics, some personal, some work related, but Jesus and faith are always a part of it, because that’s how I live.
The things you love should come up in your conversations. People will want to hear about a Jesus that excites His followers so much that they can’t help but talk about Him.
Marie Alvero is a former missionary to Africa and Mexico. She currently lives a happy, busy life with her husband and children in Central Texas, USA. ■
Finding My Purpose
By Iris Richard
I was born in the summer of 1955, in a steel-producing city in the industrial region of Germany, to a family of bluecollar workers. During the tumultuous sixties, I was a young girl, happy and carefree, until a serious health issue altered my view of life in a profound way. My physical condition and my defiance against its grim prognosis devastated me and was perhaps the starting point of my attraction to rebellion.
By the time the seventies came around, the blossoming hippie era spread like wildfire throughout Europe and our village was engulfed in it. All around me, I saw signs of a new style of life and an invigorating liberalism. I was nineteen when my training course as a nurse came to an abrupt end because of the worsening scoliosis I had been struggling with since early teenhood.
In the midst of the emotional turbulence that came with passing through my teen years, I felt a strong desire to leave home in order to chart my own path. I stumbled
along at first, fumbling my way into the counterculture movement. To cope with my disappointment, drugs offered an escape from pressure and criticism.
I had just turned twenty, when my boyfriend and I ventured on an unforgettable journey, travelling in an old refurbished camper. Our search for higher values and something deeper took us over 20,000 kilometres, through parts of Europe, the Middle East, and onward in a pilgrimage for peace and purpose. It was an adventure that often led us to the edge, where we experienced loss, sickness, and danger, which left deep imprints on our hearts.
During various instances along my journey, I sometimes remembered the religious lessons in my last year of school, and a treasured song, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Martin Luther. Each time I sang that song, my heart warmed and lifted my soul. God was knocking on the door of my heart. I recalled how, as a young teenager, on my confirmation day in the old stone chapel, I received
30 years of missionary work on the African continent
Jesus in my heart and had pledged to follow godly principles. But, in the throes of this new type of freedom and nonconformity, this pledge was all but forgotten.
After two years of travelling, still yearning for a purpose that would transcend earthly pursuits, I came to a crossroad in my life. Empty, disillusioned, and worn by drug use, I felt that I couldn’t keep living our droppedout lifestyle much longer.
It was 1978, when after an all-night drive from the border of Nepal, we stopped for a rest at a small hostel. My life was about to change. Entering the canteen, I noticed the only guests were a group of missionaries having breakfast. As it was a rare occasion to meet foreign travelers in a town way up in northern India, a lively
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
If you are renewed by grace, and were to meet your old self, I am sure you would be very anxious to get out of his company.—Charles H. Spurgeon
A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life.—Author unknown
conversation soon began. Their kindred spirits and simple explanations of Bible verses led me to dedicate my life to Jesus, which marked a new beginning and renewal for my restless, searching soul.
Some years later, I decided to become a missionary, and I found great satisfaction in service to poor communities in a variety of developing countries. This chosen path was a direct result of the kindness of selfless and dedicated folks, like the missionaries I’d met on my life-changing journey to India.
Throughout more than 40 years of community outreach, including three decades working in Kenya, I have experienced unexpected provision at just the right time, protection in the face of danger, as well as Jesus’ favor, grace, and strength in seasons of hardship. As a missionary and mother of seven, I have learned, and am still learning, to rely on God’s strength rather than my own. Since I met Jesus, I have become more aware of how every task, challenge, struggle, and experience is a steppingstone, shaping me into the person I am meant to be.
When I look back on all that has taken place, I realize that the presence of God was woven into the tapestry of my life from the beginning. At times the threads were obscure and unnoticed, until the moment His presence moved into the forefront and I found my purpose.
Iris Richard is a counselor in Kenya, where she has been active in community and volunteer work since 1995. ■
Be hospitable to one another without complaint. Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].—1 Peter 4:9–10 AMP
WORKPLACE SAINT
By Josephine Kind
The minute you enter the restaurant, you can’t escape her warm smile. I’ve known her for over 20 years, but she still looks the same. She’s small, unassuming, always running around tending to the countless emergencies a big restaurant like hers encounters every day. She seems to know everybody; but most of all, she always has a smile and a word of encouragement. Every time I visit her, I’m in awe.
Life hasn’t been perfect for her. She’s had some family problems and serious health problems. At one point, she started having migraines that were so strong she couldn’t stand up. The doctors discovered a large tumor in her brain and had to operate. It took her a few years to get back to normal, but she kept coming to work and, despite the discomfort and pain, she missed very few days.
I think a lot of people come to her restaurant just to get one of her smiles and a simple word of encouragement! But there’s a lot more that goes on in the life of this woman.
She often offers food to the needy. Thankfully, more and more restaurant owners have started doing that, and much of the food that otherwise would be thrown away gets served at homeless shelters.
She employs former drug addicts and jail inmates. It takes a sizeable amount of faith and trust to give some of these rough characters a chance, and many have been touched and even redeemed, as to be trusted once again is a valuable and priceless gift.
Also, she offers hospitality to single mothers and their children. I call this Christianity at its best, when you open your life and share with your “neighbors” in need. It can get tiring, messy, and possibly even a bit risky. On a few occasions, she was instrumental in saving someone from overdosing. I was shocked when I heard that, and the first question that came to my mind was, Would I have that much love?
To me, she’s a modern-day saint.
Josephine Kind has been active in humanitarian projects in Southern Europe for the last three decades. ■
Points to Ponder
PLANTING SEEDS
You never know what part of your story will be part of someone else’s healing. Jennifer Williamson
We can’t change people, but we can plant seeds that may one day bloom in them.—Mary Davis
The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.—Leo Buscaglia
You never quite know what you do in life that leaves a seed behind that grows into an oak tree.—Michael Portillo
An ordinary favor we do for someone or any compassionate reaching out may seem to be going nowhere at first, but it may be planting a seed we can’t see right now. Sometimes we need to just do the best we can and then trust in an unfolding we can’t design or ordain.—Sharon Salzberg
Planting seeds of faith perpetuates the growth of God’s kingdom, as people become followers of Jesus. It perpetuates lifestyles that honor and obey God. It perpetuates
goodness, kindness, and love in our homes, our neighborhoods, and the world. … So, each time you see a flower bloom, let it be a sweet reminder of the tremendous privilege and responsibility we have to plant seeds of faith in the lives of people we know. Why? Because it matters! Eternally.—Roxanne Drury
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.—Robert Louis Stevenson
You plant seeds every single day, in the world and in others, with every thought you think and word you speak and action you take. You have influence.—Jennifer Williamson
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14–16 ■
From Jesus with Love
EVEN SO I SEND YOU
As I have loved you with an everlasting love, even so I call you to be a living example of My love to the people you interact with throughout your day. As the Father sent me, even so I am sending you to the world around you ( John 20:21). My Spirit in you will give you a heart of compassion for the poor in spirit and a desire to reach those who hunger and thirst for truth and justice (Matthew 5:3–6).
As you step out to share the good news with others, you will be My hands reaching out to those in need. You will be My eyes to weep for those who are weary and sad. You will be My feet to walk the extra mile to reach people with My message of love, hope, salvation, and forgiveness.
My first disciples were everyday men and women like you. After I returned to heaven, I sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them, and I commissioned them to go into all the world to proclaim the gospel (Matthew 28:19–20). As they fulfilled My commission, My church grew, and the world was changed forever.
Each of My followers has been given a mission and a calling to be an everyday witness and a living example of My love. My disciples are the salt of the earth, and I sprinkle them freely across the nations that they may bring out the flavor of My love and truth and make My name known to the nations (Matthew 5:13).
