20TH FEBRUARY
1 Thessalonians 1:5
“…because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”
Don’t try to share the gospel with people in your own strength!
Recognise that you can’t change a person’s heart. Call on God to work with power through you and the gospel as you share Christ with people!
Sharing the gospel is not only about giving people the words of the gospel. It’s also about the power of God at work through those words to break down barriers, open people’s hearts, and stir up saving faith in them.
In Romans 1, Paul says that the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to all who believe.” In Acts 1:8 Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came upon us he would bring us the power to be effective witnesses for him in the world. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the time when he shared the gospel with them, he said, “My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
When you really understand that your words are just words without the power of God at work, you make prayer a much more important part of your life.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
As you head into this day, stop and pray. Make sure you ask God to give you boldness to talk with people about him today, and call on him to fill those conversations with his power.