The Bible tells us in 1 Thess. 5:17 to “pray continually.”  I believe praying regularly for people you know to come to Christ is powerful!  Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China said, “Over the past 40 years, the sun has never risen in China without finding me on my knees praying.”  I want to encourage you to write down 3-5 names of people you know that don’t yet know Christ as Savior and Lord.  Put their names in your Bible, prayer journal, or somewhere that will remind you to regularly pray for them.  As you pray, ask the Lord for opportunities to share Christ with them

1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be “always be prepared to share the reason for the hope that you have.”  How can you prepare to share Christ with others.  One great way is to memorize the Romans Road.  These are verses from Romans that walk one down the road to Christ. Romans 3:23, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:1, and Romans 10:9-10.  I encourage you to take a 5x7 card and write down each of these verses.  Carry them with you in your backpack, wallet, or purse.  As you go through your day periodically take them out to look over them.  Before long, you will have memorized these powerful passages.  Remember to pray as you go over these verses, asking God who He wants you to share them with.

Football is my favorite sport that I played in High School and College.  Before every game our coach would share with the players our game plan.  As a contagious Christian, it is important to have a plan about how you are going to share the Good News of Jesus with you family, friends, peers, and co-workers.  I encourage you to spend some time with the Lord prayerfully considering your evangelistic game plan.  This could be inviting a friend to a church service or event.  It could be asking a friend out to coffee with the plan of sharing your testimony with them.  Pray, plan, and get in the game for God!

Jesus said in Mark 16:15 “Go into all the word and preach the Gospel to all of creation.”  That commission given by Jesus was for YOU!  I remember the saying I once heard in Africa about the importance of presenting the Good News to others.  “If not you then who, if not here then where, if not now, then when?”  The Bible says TODAY is the day of salvation.  How can you present the Good News to others?  One way is to share your story of how Jesus changed your life.  Another way is to present the Romans Road to the person you are sharing Christ with.  Remember you have to earn the right to be heard.  Building relationships is key to earning the right and trust of the people to whom you are witnessing.  (The Romans Road is verses from Romans: 3:23, 5:1, 5:8, 6:23, 8:1, 10:9-10.)  If not you….then who?

Think of it!  God wants to use you to make a difference for eternity.  Philemon 1:6 says “I pray that you may be active in sharing you faith.”  Get in the game for Jesus!  How can you participate in reaching people for Jesus as you actively share your faith?  A. Go on a short term mission. B. Get involved in evangelism at your church. C. share your story with someone.  The bottom line is shining bright for Jesus in this world.  Remember, YOU “Can do all things through Christ.” (Phil. 4:13).

The Apostle Paul often used his story when sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others (like with King Agrippa in Acts 26). Write out your testimony using three parts. BC (before Christ) - Describe what your life was like before you gave it to Jesus. C (commitment to Christ) - Explain making a decision for Christ. WC (Walk with Christ) - Explain how knowing Christ today has impacted your life. Review your story, memorize it, and prayerfully seek the Lord about who He would have your share it with. Here is a challenge for 2010: share your story of how you found new life in Jesus Christ with 5 people.

Remember, you are not alone as a witness for Christ. The Holy Spirit works in and through you to impact lives for Christ! Acts 1:8 says “But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” May God use you for His glory in 2010 to share your story with others as you do it all for Jesus!