Introduction

When we commit ourselves to the Lord's service, we never know where it will lead. For myself, I had always been more comfortable singing than speaking, but God saw fit to send me many places over the years to speak. This has taken much prayer and courage on my part, but it has resulted in much joy, too. Samuel Chadwick said it well; "We can not all be evangelists, but we can all be soul winners. Try it! There is no work so romantic, so enduring! I covet above all gifts to win souls." Charles Tarr has compared it to the Living Water. God's Spirit flows into us, and if we don't allow it to flow through us to others, it becomes stagnant.

How is it with you? Have you lost the excitement and joy you had as a new convert?

Joy

One who had just begun the Christian life attended a religious convention. After a few sessions, a friend who accompanied him asked how he was enjoying it. The man replied, "Let me speak frankly; if I had still been unsaved when you brought me here I would have thought, 'How defeated and rejected this group looks. There is something wrong, isn't there?' Please don't think I want to find fault, but droopy Christians always puzzle me. They do so much harm. I am only a new Christian, but by God's grace I want to always show my praises of Him who called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light!"

A Hindu once asked a Christian native of India, "What medicine do you put on your face to make it shine so?"
       "I don't put anything on it," replied the Christian.
       "Yes you do. All Christians do. I've seen shining faces whenever I've met Christians!"
       Then the Christian said, "I will tell you what medicine makes our faces shine -- it is the joy in our hearts because Jesus dwells there."

JOY is
      Jesus first,
      Others second,
      Yourself last.

Peace

There is peace in witnessing as well. The joy of sharing Christ with others helps to give them and us the peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). Peace for the convert because they have the assurance of salvation. Then there's the peace for the witnessing Christian because he has fulfilled the Lord's bidding and has learned more how to lean on God in faith. God does not ask us to make sure that people accept Him, but He does ask us to tell them about Him.

Peace comes through prayer and obedience. Most of us have grieved for the lost condition of the souls of loved ones. Have you experienced the great joy and peace of God's taking that burden from you? He can give you peace about your problems even before He sends evidence of the answer. Our son had been smoking, drinking and using drugs. The devil taunted us about being in the Lord's service with our own son in this condition. But God spoke peace to both Harv's and my heart the same day and the same hour, but separately! He assured us of our son's deliverence and salvation, Praise His Name.

You can have this peace. John 14:27 -- "Peace I leave with you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." If you are in need, rebuke the devil in Jesus' name and by His precious blood shed for you. Then ask God for His peace.

Power

Power has been promised to us to live as He directs and also the power to witness. Isa. 40:49 -- "He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength." 2 Tim. 1:7 -- "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love." Acts 1:8 -- "Ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me."

Mandate: Go

1 Peter 4:10 says As every man hath received the gift of eternal life, even so minister the same to another as good stewards. Have you received the gift of eternal life> Have you ministered to others? Remember the parables of the stewards & talents, and the vine & the branches. God took from the steward that didn't use his talent. Christ is the vine and we are the branches; branches that don't bear fruit are pruned away.

Our silence can be a form of denial. Our 'tact' may sometimes be indicative of a lack of boldness to share our faith. How many are lost because we have not told them? Are you failing God and the unsaved people around you? I fear in many cases, this is true. Are there loved ones, neighbors, business associates or others whose lives you brush who are waiting for you to bring them the good news of salvation?

Go. Find them. Tell them.