Jamacia
      Several years ago, I had the privilege of going to Jamaica as a song evangelist. The living conditions for most folks there are deplorable by US standards; much worse than for most of our poor. Even so, many of the people are openly hungering to hear the word of God. How can we not heed God's call to minister to those who are aching, lonesome and hungering to hear the good news, of the eternal bliss our Lord holds out to them and to all.

I wish you could see and hear the enthusiastic testimonies of those who have found Christ. These folks have met Jesus because someone answered God's call to minister to them. Is it the Lord or the devil who makes us think that it is useless for us as individuals to share the good news of the gospel of Christ with others outside the church?

Surely God loves our neighbors, our unsaved loved ones and others with whom our paths cross...And he is counting on you and me, yes, even us laypersons, to spread the gospel. Romans 10:14 "How shall they believe in HIm of whom they have not heard?"

Granville of the Carribean
      On another island at a later date, I was sitting at a picnic table on the beach, watching people dancing around a live calypso band. I asked the Lord for an opportunity to share the gospel with someone; when the band broke for an intermission, one of the guitar players came directly to the table at which I sat. I had particulary noticed this fellow, whose name I learned was Granville. As he played, I was reminded of my son who was about his age and build. As I watched Granville in this worldly setting, I asked the Lord to minister to the spiritual needs of my rebellious son and I trusted God to answer that prayer.

Now here was Granville, smiling down at me with his pearly white teeth shining out from behind a beautiful black complection. "Do you enjoy the music? he asked.

"I love music," I told him, "but inside I have great sadness because do many people here don't have Jesus in their lives."

"You know Jesus," he exclaimed. "My mother loves him very much, but I am a backslider."

"Why are you a backslider?" I asked.

"Because I love my friends and my music too much to give them up," he replied.

"Granville, have you heard of Johnny Cash or Andrae Crouch?"

"Oh, yes, mu'm," he responded.

"They love Jesus and are able to use their musical talent for Him. If I sent you books of these men's biographies, would you read the books and pray about your music and God?"

"Oh, yes, mu'm. My mama's been praying for me and this will make her so happy," he exclaimed and wrote down his name and address for me before running off toward two straw huts labeled Bahama Mamas and Baham Papas.

Straw Booth
      A little further down the beach, some other locals had set up a booth for sales of straw items such as purses, hats, souvenirs and toys. Making a purchase, I asked the woman waiting on me if she knew Jesus. "Oh yes, mu'm. Two years ago a lady from a boat gave me this Bible." She pulled a well worn New Testament from her pocket.

I was aware of the man standing nearby. He seemed intent on our conversation. I wanted to ask him about his relationship with the Lord, but other customers were coming so I turned to leave. I felt such a heaviness in my heart for his spiritual welfare that I knew God wanted me to speak to him. So I turned back to him and asked if he wanted to be a Christian. He was so eager that together we went through scriptures on the plan of salvation and he accepted Christ into his life. It was such a pleasure to give him and the woman brand new Bibles.

God Speaking to You
      Did you ever hear God talking to you? I imagine most of you can say yes! 1 Peter 5:10 says, "The God of all grace...hath called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus Christ." If you have accepted Christ as your savior, you have heard God calling you.

If we maintain a close relationship with Christ, we will hear God continuing to speak to us and call us to his work. At the beginning of 1 Peter, we see that he is writing 'to the elect'...the people of God. As we continue to read verses 9-11, we find that we are called to be 'a royal priesthood'. When you think about it, it is rather awesome that God would assign each of his born again subjects a priesthood!

Is this title in name only, or does the Lord have work for each of us to do for him? Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Sometimes I think we become confused and think the Lord exists solely to do our bidding, when actually, we are here to do his bidding.

Vine & Branches
      It is true that Christ died for each of us and that he gives his sheep eternal life, and that works without faith in Jesus is for nought. Let us listen to Jesus' words from the 15th chapter of John. "I am the vine, ye are the branches, he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit."

Jesus did not say that only the bold and brilliant should bear fruit. He tells us that he has a purpose for each of our lives and that each of us are to bear fruit for him. John 15:4, "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine. No more can ye, except ye abide in me."

Ah! There is the key to bearing fruit. It is to abide in Christ, not near him, but so close that we are in him and he is in us. Then we become his tools. He leads us and empowers us from on high.

Talents
      Do you remember the parable of the talents that Jesus told? It's found in Matthew 25. The lord gave a different number of talents to each servant. Did you notice that each servant had at least one talent? The lord expected each of his servants to use these talents. One servant did not use his talents, and the lord called him a 'wicked and lazy' servant. Then the lord of the parable continued, "Throw that worthless servant outside into darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Yes, we are each expected to bear fruit for Him. He realizes our talents and limitations. He has promised that we "can do all things thorugh Christ which strengthens us" (Philippians 4:13)

Are you afraid to be a witness for Jesus? 2 Timothy 1:7 say "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love." Praise his name, if we wil put forth the effort to share the gospel, He has promised us the power to do it. His power, through the blessed Holy Spirit.