I don’t know how many of you may remember the old song, “Excuses, Excuses.” It was the biggest hit of the Kingsmen quartet in 1981. Since I don’t have the rights to print it here, I’ll just try to explain it. The song was about all the excuses that people give to keep from going to church. The same could be said about telling others about Jesus. It seems that we always have excuses. Here’s my “mock off” of the song.

How many of you garden? I’ve tried my hand at it, but I’m not very good. I still plant morning glories every year, but that’s about all. I seem to kill every plant that I touch. However, I look around at the beautiful world and realize that God takes care of many plants without my help at all. In fact, the results are always up to Him. The same is true of our witnessing. God tells us to go and tell, but He is responsible for the results.

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.

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.

“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?

“You may be the only Bible someone reads.” “Actions speak louder than words.” Sometimes we hear these things and take them a little too literally. At least, I know I do. For years, I knew I was saved, and I tried to live as best as I could, so I thought my example was enough to show the world that they all need Jesus. Then several years ago, someone said, “If you never explain that you are only able to live that way because of Jesus and what He did for you, then the world just thinks you’re a goody two shoes and can’t see Jesus in you.” That was like having ice water thrown in my face. It woke me up; however, I still forget sometimes. So, what does that mean we should do?