I need to go to Samaria (John 4:4), which is practically everywhere, especially where no one wants to go and be with people no one wants to be associated with. The gospel is for everyone.  If they don’t hear about Jesus’ love, they’ll be going to hell.  I have to overcome my prejudices and biases.  Everyone’s the same in the eyes of the Lord.

I need to be tactful. Evangelism is about a dialogue, not a monologue. I have to do a lot of listening. Everyone’s favorite topic is himself or herself.  I must need to learn how to respond, with tact.  The objective is to win the soul, not the argument. For example, Jesus was using the well and its water as a metaphor for her life (John 4:13).

I need to adapt to the situation.  People might try to change the subject (John 4:20), but I have to keep trying to go back to the main issue.  There is no one way to evangelize. Sometimes I have to answer a question with a question – it’s for those who just want discredit what I know.  Asking questions engages the other person, creating a bridge to a dialogue.

I need to use my story.  It’s a way to preach to a person without actually preaching.  Many people will believe as a result of my testimony (John 4:39).  A real story is a powerful message, as real as I experienced it – not exaggerated.  It’s not about me, it’s about God.

I need to faithfully deliver the word of God, giving everyone the true gospel. The truth is, the way to heaven is through Jesus Christ.  Jesus died for my sins. He’s the way, the truth, and the life.

I need to let God work through me.  He’ll give me the strength to deliver the Good News to anyone – everyone.  I need to let God direct me.

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In 2 Corinthians 1:12, Paul wrote that we must oppose to wordly wisdom.  This world has so many contradictions and “gray” areas, in terms of morality and conduct.  But I know my direction comes from the bible, and it can be as simple as black and white.  I must seek the simplicity and sincerity of God’s wisdom.

Jesus said I must have the attitude of a little child when seeking the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-3) A child is simple and straight to the point.  A way to God is simple and straight to the point.

I must give freely and simply. (Romans 12:8)   I must cheer for all acts of kindness.

In Proverbs 21:11, God promised to make the simple as wise.  I need to make myself less complicated.  I need to have an instructable heart, mind, and spirit to receive the knowledge. 

Lord, thank you for your saving grace. I come to you now with a child-like attitude, longing for your help and safety.  I don’t need this complicated world.  There’s only one way and that’s your way, God.  Guide me to you and steer me on. By your grace, Amen.

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A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:1

In this short life on earth, I must have the reputation in bringing the Jesus’ love to the rest of the world.  It’s the focus of my life to be kind and loving to others.  It’s not about the accumulation of money, nor about my net worth.  It’s about God’s worth.

I need to build a reputation of good character.  I need to live a life that’s pleasing to God.  When others see me living a Godly life, others will want it and bring them closer to God.

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This obsession to have more is unhealthy.  All of this “stuff” that I have is merely on loan.  My God, the master of the universe, is the owner (Luke 16:12).  I don’t take my possessions to heaven.

I need to be different from this world.  I need to be transformed (Romans 12:2).  My thinking about money is to be directed towards bringing people to God.  It’s the way to store up my “treasures” in heaven (Matthew 6:20-21).

I need to be investing for eternity.

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Luckily, the bible has some encouragement for me:

Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.

Philippians 4:8

Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

Proverbs 4:23

Fix your thoughts on Jesus.

Hebrews 3:1

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It’s tough to love others, especially when they don’t love me back.  But it is commanded (Galatians 5:14).  It’s what God’s love is all about.  God uses others to mold my character and to test my faith.

How I behave around others is important too:

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive  so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Colossians 4:5-6

It’s all about love – loving God, and loving others.

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But are they suppose to be mine?

The bible tells me my father is suppose to be my role model:

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

John 5:19

I love my Dad and I look up to my biological father because he’s my closest example of what a man should be.  But I do have to remind myself that he’s only human, with all the fallacies of this world.

There is a heavenly Father.  God is my source of life and inspiration.  I need to fix my eye on Him.  He will show more greater and more amazing things (John 5:20).

God is my ultimate role model.

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It’s important that I show it!

In the morning, I wake up to a challenge with my family, constantly testing my patience.   I drive to work and constantly testing my ability to be kind and calm.  I get to work and constantly testing me holding together my Christ-like behavior.

And the recycle repeats every day.

It’s hard to compartmentalized my spiritual life.  I can’t just put it aside.  It IS my life.  I need to spend more time praying.  I need to spend most of my waking hour talking to God.

I can’t let go of Jesus because He’s the reason I have a spiritual life.

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The bible tells me that my “life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15). This world is fleeting.  It will come to pass and I’ll be with God after all of my days here.  Accumulation of possessions will be meaningless in heaven.

I need to accumulate love.  Love for my family, others, and that of the Father in heaven.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If you love the world, love for the Father  is not in you.   For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do—comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17

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I have to figure out why I’m feeling angry.  Is it for selfish reason?  Is it my ego or pride being hurt?

Or is it because injustice is happening to other people?  Other people’s rights are being trampled?  Others are hurt, secluded, discriminated, or extorted?

There’s the difference: It’s not about me.  If I think it’s going to benefit many people that I speak up, then I must do that.  But I must do so in truth, kindness, and gentleness.  I must not succumb to fear and anger, because it’s not what God wants me to do (2 Timothy 1:7).

I speak up to represent God’s light – to lead the world to Christ.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

James 1:19-20

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:8-10

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