“…And let us consider who we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:23-25

              This is a scripture we are all probably familiar with.  But in the busyness of life, sometimes encouragement is something we just don’t have time for. 

Two pews up and just to the left is where she was. From my seat I could see she was in deep meditation. The words on the pages lay before her in her lap. She was completely consumed by what she was reading. What was it that had her so drawn in? What was it about the words she was looking at? I couldn't help but notice. She was being affected by what she read. From where I sat, it was a beautiful picture.

When you do anything such as cook, repair something, teach a lesson, or whatever, you must be prepared. You must get necessary tools, ingredients, etc. ready. You must also know what the steps are, or you may even have to learn certain things before you can do the job. The same is true of witnessing or making disciples.

A few Sundays back, I was supposed to work in the toddler nursery, so I wore my church t-shirt.  After church, I went to the grocery store...I won’t say I was over the top friendly and polite, and maybe I was the way I always act in the store, but I know the thought of representing Jesus was on my radar. Later that afternoon, the convicting thought came.  Did I really need to be wearing a church t-shirt to be so aware of representing Jesus? 

We all know the great commission from Matthew 28:18-20, because we have heard many messages and lessons taught from this passage throughout our lives. But did Jesus say how many is enough?

There are so many ways that we each can go and tell but I want to zero in today on just one—one that is near and dear to my heart. Vacation Bible School.

By Cindy Allen

I have a confession to make…I LOVE TO READ…Recently, I reread The Calling of Emily Evans by Oke.  It is about a young girl living in the early 1900s in Canada who feels called to do mission work.  She is sent to a small community to plant a church.  Needless to say, some of the people are not welcoming of her religious ideas…I got to thinking after reading the book about the subtle ways she influenced these people’s lives…She didn’t do anything that we cannot do.  She loved people. 

It was late 80’s. My Mamaw offered to let me pick some greens to cook and have for supper (fyi, supper is currently referred to as dinner). I accepted and went by to pick. She and papaw lived right smack dab in the middle of a very small town with a population about 100. My husband and I lived 2 miles from her.

Arriving at her house I walked in through the side door, as all family and friends did. We grabbed a container to pick the greens. Off to the garden we went.

How do you know when to speak up and when to keep quiet? How do you know which people to witness to? How do you know exactly what to say? Stay tuned to the “right channel” and the Holy Spirit will lead you to say and do what needs to be said and done with the proper recipients. It doesn’t matter if you’re part of an organized visitation or witnessing program with your church or simply taking opportunities as they come in daily life, you should be praying for the Holy Spirit to lead you to the right people and to help you say the right things at the right time.

by Judy Wallace

I slid into my car after running errands, turned on The Message XM station, and started to drive.  The very next song played had the above title, “What Are You Waiting For?” I knew immediately that God had spoken to me with this question and I thought He might to you as well.

How would you answer this question when it comes to going and telling about Jesus? When it has to do with evangelism?  When it deals with sowing seeds of truth?  When it addresses building relationships, etc.?

Does it strike fear in your heart when your church talks about going door-to-door to visit strangers to tell them about Jesus?  It certainly does in mine!  Growing up I remember my dad going on Thursday nights with other men to visit homes of people he did not know.  Times have certainly changed, haven’t they?  Some may still do visitation weekly like that but with the culture today most people won’t answer the door to someone they don’t know. That doesn’t change our mission though, does it?  Jesus said, “Go and Tell.” 

As I think about the theme of Go and Tell, it kind of makes my chest get tight.  I am more of a “Come, and I Will Tell You” girl. Come to Sunday School, I teach that.  Come to Ladies Bible Study, I can lead a session.  Come to Kids Bible Club, I will be there too.  But Go and Tell…does that really mean me? 

As I have read the other blogs, I sense that this phrase strikes a chord with others too.  But yes, it is for all of us.  As Jackie pointed out, the great commission isn’t just for the pastor, or deacons, or missionaries.  It is for the Christians, and guess what?  I am one of them.

My sister was born when I was 11. She came along a little later in life for mom and dad. With two older siblings, and experienced parents, she was destined for an extraordinary childhood. She was a toy for my brother and myself. If a baby could remember events from infancy, she could tell you of the time she was lying in my lap, and somehow slipped off onto the floor and bumped her head.

“The pastor mentioned an outreach program, but who’s he talking to? We don’t even have any other preachers in this church that I know of. Seriously, he ought to change his subject if he wants the members to pay attention. Jesus was talking to the apostles in Matthew 28:18-20. That wouldn’t include the ordinary church member, just pastors. Right?”

Have thoughts like this run through your mind before?

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” This wise saying, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, is one I have always taken to heart. Given an assignment, I always jumped right in and finished it early.  On the other hand, my entire family prefers Mark Twain’s version which says, “Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do day after tomorrow!”  The emphasis of this proverb is to avoid procrastination. Don’t delay in doing what needs to be done. Do it today! That’s what the Lord expects.