2013
A new year on the horizon.
New opportunities to live it well….to live it for Jesus, and not for Leah.
I have been thinking and praying about what my guiding word, my focus, for 2013 is to be. 2012 had me focusing on being intentional…in my writing especially, but also in my speaking and in life, in general. I had many occasions to walk that out. At the beginning of 2012, I decided that I would not write for the sake of writing, but rather I would only write what I was certain Jesus was telling me to write. All too often, we writer/blogger types feel pressure to write posts much more frequently than we should just so we can keep readers coming back for more….more of the writer and his or her words. I know that is the ‘thing’ to do if you want to build a platform and grow larger. It works for many, but it was not what God was telling me to do. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I was able to be intentional in my writing most of the year. Only a few times did I slip into that mode of thinking ‘I need to write something so people won’t forget about me.’
2013
What will my guiding words be? I think I know, but let me help you understand.
Recently I read a book (Joel Rosenberg’s Implosion). In it Rosenberg challenged the reader to ask the Lord to provide at least one opportunity each MONTH, not each day or each week, but each MONTH, to share what Jesus has done in their life with someone else. I was challenged. I was convicted. I was scared to death.
What if I don’t say the right thing? What if the person asks a question I can’t answer? What if I speak when I shouldn’t….or don’t speak when I should? What if the person thinks I’m crazy? What if?
Then I remembered that if Jesus tells me to speak a word of testimony to someone….if He opens the door, then He is responsible for giving me the words to speak, AND HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESULTS. I am only responsible for being obedient.
So, in December, I began praying for opportunities to share Jesus with others. Sweet biscuits! Jesus has opened up some amazing opportunities in just 3 weeks. Friends, the days are growing more evil and every day people die without Jesus…die, and go to hell FOREVER. If you were to die today, do you know for sure you would spend eternity in heaven? Do you?
Jesus told, NO, commanded Christians to share about Him. He also said that if we love Him, we would obey Him. So, the rubber hits on the road on the issue of whether I really love Him enough to be obedient to what He asks. No what ifs? Do I love Jesus enough to do what He says?
So, in 2013 my watchwords are JESUS and FOCUS. Keeping my eyes and heart FOCUSED on JESUS and Jesus alone. Being obedient to Him.
I want to challenge you to ask the Lord to give you ONE opportunity each month to share with someone else what Jesus has done in your life. Think of the results if 10 of us are obedient!! Ten people tell 10 others about Jesus each month. In a year each of us has the potential of bringing 12 people to Jesus. Multiply that by 10 of us and you the possibility of 120 new brothers and sisters in Christ in 2013. Then if those 120 tell one person each month about Jesus, there is the possibility of 1440 people coming to know Christ. Wow!! Talk about multiplication!!
So, the question on the table is……Are you willing to be obedient? Do you love Jesus enough to do what He asks and share Him with one person each month? I double-dog dare you!
MEDITATION MOMENT: Are you willing to take my challenge and ask the Lord to give you one opportunity each month to share Jesus with someone? If you are and you are serious about it, leave a comment below with your name times the number 12. Then, share this post with others. Let’s get to work multiplying the kingdom of Jesus!! Here is mine: Leah x 12
