Photo by Jason Betz on Unsplash
written by Teddy O'Farrell
The Most Exciting Time to Live For Jesus
Why, this could be the most exciting time to live for Jesus! The world has gone crazy! With the spread of the Covid-19 virus, with “stay-at-home” orders in effect, with social distancing being practiced, it may be hard to think this is the most exciting time to live for Jesus Christ! I believe it is and here are some reasons:
Sharing Jesus with others on the internet has become “main-stream.”
I mean, the internet is now one of the most effective ways people are communicating. Churches are posting their worship services via Facebook Live, or through their web-streaming service on their websites. Pastors are communicating via You-tube and/or Vimeo. People are reaching out using video conferencing tools like Zoom, or Webex, or “Go-To-Meeting.”
I could watch a pastor friend of mind and catch up with others in their ministries, whom I haven’t spoken to in years! Amazing!
These tools are allowing the church to grow and proclaim the gospel in new ways.
Sharing Jesus with others through writing is an effective way to communicate the gospel.
It is exciting to write about Jesus and share insights from God’s Word through the use of “blogs.” The power of the written word is still very effective. I am encouraged by others who are discovering the truth of God’s Word and writing about it. We can glean from others in their experience and learn from their examples. As we write and share our stories, others will benefit and grow.
The church is to be about teaching and instructing. Think about what they did in the book of Acts! The believers gathered together. They shared each other's needs, meals, and what the Lord was teaching them. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and prayer (Acts 2:42). There is no greater time to be teaching about Jesus from God’s Word than now! There is no greater value than praying for one another. There is no greater time to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God is allowing the church to use modern tools to spread the saving message of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. How wonderful it is to have the Lord transform our lives with His truth. How amazing it is that He gave His one and only Son to save man from eternal damnation. How powerful it is when one accepts Jesus Christ by faith—forgiveness, cleansing, being rescued and adopted into God’s family. How adaptable it is, that the Holy Spirit gives the church the ability to use these tools to share God’s truth.
We should take advantage of the tools of technology and use them to make disciples for Jesus Christ. This is not “selling out” to the world or becoming “consumer-driven.” No, it is “fishing for men.” It is becoming as the apostle Paul states, in 1 Corinthians 9:19-21,
“19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law, I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.” (NIV)
I believe the intent of what he is saying is; he used whatever methods or tools available to him to win people to Christ. He did not compromise the message. He did not water-down the truth. He adapted and used the tools before Him, his heritage, his culture, his trade, and his knowledge and skills — all to live totally, wholly for Jesus Christ. His motive was a love for God and a love for others. He committed himself to being a servant “to win as many as possible.”
Sharing Jesus with others through an email or notes grabs people’s attention.
It used to be that TV commercials were the primary way of getting the “word” out. Not any longer, email, texting, Twitter, Instagram, Snap-chat, and other “apps” are all in use. College professors have had to instruct students not to use “emoji’s” or shortened words like “lol” in their writings. Communication has changed and is changing. The old way of mailing a letter is still in use, but email has taken over.
Lindsay Patton-Carson states there are at least six advantages of email. Her topics suggests help in writing better, keeping track of contacts and improve one’s spelling of words. I believe it is a great way to share prayer requests and share invites to video-conferencing meetings or just wishing someone a “happy birthday!”
Writing an email is a great way to share your testimony — what Jesus has done for you in your life! You can write a brief note and still communicate how Christ has met and changed your life. For me, I invited Christ in my heart at age eight and knew from that moment that I was God’s child. You can read about my testimony here.
Why not ask the Lord to help you use the technology tools of today to share your faith with someone? Why not even write a postcard or email to a friend and let them know you are thinking of them? Take the time, be courageous, be brave and share your faith with those around you. You’ll discover it is the most exciting time to live for Jesus as you do!
I would love to hear your stories of you using modern technology to share Jesus. Let me know in the comments section below or through an email.
Growing together,
Teddy
2 Timothy 1:7