A Prayer for Good Feet

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is

written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 10:15 NIV

Lord, wherever you send me today, whoever you put in front of me today, use me to bring the good news. Open a door, open a heart, open my mouth at the appointed time for someone to hear of your great love in Jesus Christ the risen Savior. Praise be to you in us today!

God Uses You As You

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Acts 26:28-29 NIV

Wow! What an incredible statement! Paul's passion and commitment are both inspiring and intimidating to me. Inspiring in that I want to have that kind of relationship with Christ that I can tell someone that I want them to become like me. Intimidating because I feel that I so often fall short of that ideal. Do you know what I mean?

The truth is that while we may not be Paul we are who God created us to be. Ourselves. We may not stand before kings but, we stand before our family, co-workers and friends and that is who God has called us to be a witness of his love and forgiveness in Christ. 

My father thought God could not use him when he first gave his life to Christ. He firmly believed he was not worthy and was not good at witnessing and didn't know the Bible well enough and didn't know how to pray and... You get the point. God thought differently. What was funny was there was this string of people who basically asked him, "What must I do to be saved?" I knew some of those men. They would of never listened to a pastor or preacher or set foot in a church. They saw a change in his life and wanted some of whatever had changed him. 

My point is that God calls each of us to be a witness to different people. He calls us first to who he puts before us. So, who is God placing before you? 

DOES YOUR ANSWER OPEN A DOOR?

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 

I Peter 3:15-16

Up against the fear of suffering for doing what is right Peter tells us to set apart Christ as Lord. That means trusting him with the outcome of our faith. If you chose to act in accordance with the love of Christ, you will find yourself on a different path than those around you. Some people will be really bothered by that. Be ready to gently explain why your faith in Christ leads you to chose to do some things and not others. 

I have been asked to go places and do things that I know would not honor God or my wife. So, I have to say no. Sometimes people want to know why. There is a difference between answering with gentleness and respect while telling the truth (calling sin sin) and condemning people without the offer of hope. If I respond in gentleness and respect a door is opened that the Holy Spirit uses. I guess you might say it leads to a redemptive conversation and there is nothing like seeing someone open up to Christ. The opportunity to see someone come to Christ is truly awesome. 

Father, help us to live by faith and respond in gentleness and respect to those who need you. Provide a redemptive conversation today! Praise be to you in us today!