December 2, 2010
No One is Beyond the Reach of Truth
Lysa TerKeurst
"…I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me…" Romans 15:18a (NIV)
Devotion:
I'm more convinced than ever that people don't care to hear about our Jesus these days until they meet the reality of Jesus in our lives.
Don't skim past that last sentence too quickly. Our history with Jesus is our most effective salvation message to share with others.
If you look at the word ‘history,' it's interesting to break it in half and see the words, "His story." That's the thing this world is dying to hear- how His story has been woven into our story. People can debate and argue theology all day long but they can't argue what Jesus has done personally in our lives. Truth lived out is the best sermon.
And while I find people are a little more receptive at Christmas to talking about Jesus, I still find it stressful sometimes with friends and family members. Do you? I think it's important to think about. We've all got people in our lives who need us to break past our hesitations and share the reality of Jesus.
I was profoundly reminded of this a couple of weeks ago when I spoke at a Pregnancy Care Center dinner in Florida. At the end of the night, the center's director asked a board member to come forward and close the evening in prayer. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this board member was a guy I'd known in high school.
Well, let me clarify that. I knew who he was. He didn't have a clue who I was.
He had been in the uber popular crowd - star athlete who dated the beautiful girls. I was one of those girls in high school who was easy to miss. I felt sort of invisible back then. And judging by the blank look on his face when I made the connection we'd graduated the same year, my assessment was pretty accurate.
He apologized profusely for his wild behavior in high school and acknowledged that he could have been voted, "Least likely to grow up to be a pastor." I agreed. But then again, I wasn't exactly on the fast track toward ministry back then either.
After we chatted for a few minutes, he got a very serious look on his face. Then he said something I won't soon forget.
"You know what is really odd, Lysa? All those years of high school and college, I was a very visible person. I had lots of friends. Then I got a college scholarship to play basketball at a major university and there were even more people who knew me. But no one - no family member, no peer, no girlfriend, no teacher, no coach, no professor, no fan - no one - not one person ever told me about Jesus. All those years, all those people, and not one time did someone try to tell me the truth. Finally when I was 21 years old, someone took that chance to share with me how they met Jesus and it radically changed my life."
His statement startled me. And I hope it startles me the rest of my life.
No one is beyond the reach of truth.
Not the wispy, invisible girl who thinks of herself as nothing more than a little background noise. And not the star athlete revered by thousands.
Everyone deserves to hear about Jesus sooner rather than later.
And we must never assume that surely someone else would do a much better job than we would.
Who is in your sphere of influence that needs to hear a bit of your HIS-story this week? Don't let Satan whisper that this message is meant for other people. It's not. If you read this, it's meant for you sweet sister.
And don't fret trying to figure out how to arrange the perfect situation to connect with that person that came to mind. Just tell Jesus you are willing. He's very capable of handling all the details. Our job is obedience. God's job is results.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me before I even knew You. Give me Your eyes and Your heart to be able to see anyone who needs to know about You today. And give me the right words and the necessary courage to share with my friends and family members. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For helpful hints on sharing Jesus through your life story, visit Lysa's blog by clicking here.
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
If you are looking for a non-threatening, but eye opening book to give to your unsaved friends and family members Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst would make the perfect gift.
This book is also a great resource to use in a group Bible Study along with the Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set- click here to order.
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Application Steps:
Who could you share your story with this week?
Pray. Seek God for the right words and the right opportunity. Take a step of faith. Trust that God will be glorified.
Reflections:
Don't let Satan tell you that this message is meant for other people.
Power Verses:
Philippians 1:27a, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (NIV)
Romans 10:20, "And Isaiah boldly says, ‘I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.'" (NIV)
Philippians 2:4, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Thursday, 02 December 2010.
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