They used a battering ram to break down his door. Soon enough, he was standing in his front yard with handcuffs on his wrists and shackles on his feet. This occurred only 20 steps from the house where I grew up more than 30 years ago. It was at least his third arrest.
What had happened to lead to this?
People love to talk about all kinds of things: Sports. Television shows. Movies. The weather. The best singer on American Idol. Why don’t we like to talk about God with each other?
I always encourage my Sunday school class to “inject God into the conversation.” What I mean is that when you’re talking to someone, find a way to talk about spiritual things. Why?
If as Christians we “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” as Paul says in Romans 10:9, then we should want to tell others about something so great as this.
I think most of us are probably embarrassed to talk about God and spiritual things. I think also that we consider these things to be private matters and something we shouldn’t bother others about. But that really isn’t what we see in The Bible.
If you read Acts, you’ll see Christians moving all over the countryside, telling others about Jesus. In Acts 17:17, Paul went to the marketplace day-by-day to talk about Jesus. Our faith should not be a Christian’s best kept secret.
So how do you inject God into the conversation? Here are some suggestions:
Talk About Your Spiritual Life. The best way to move a conversation to a spiritual plane is to talk about how you live your life. Maybe you’re having a conversation and you say that you prayed about something yesterday. Or maybe you talk about something you discussed at church. You can also talk about reading The Bible or other Christian books.
Ask About the Other Person’s Spiritual Life. Maybe ask about what church they go to. If they are talking about a problem in their life, ask them if they have prayed about it.
Mention a Big Question. Ask the person if they believe in God. Ask if they’ve ever thought about heaven or what it might be like. Use these questions as gateways to a spiritual conversation.
Christians shouldn’t keep quiet about our faith! On the other hand, we shouldn’t be pushy and judgmental. Peter says to be ready to give an answer to those who ask why you have hope but answer “with gentleness and respect.”
Have you found other ways to inject God into the conversation?
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You’ve just received the news. Maybe it’s cancer. Or divorce. Or loss of a job. The most important decision you make will be how you respond to the situation.
Of course your first response might be sadness, despair or anger. That’s natural. Even Job, who lost his 10 children, all his property and his health, said he wished he had never been born. The Psalms are full of laments to God, like this one.
What I’m talking about is how will you respond once you calm down; once your emotions are under control. How you decide to respond then will make all the difference.
Business people know how to focus and achieve their goals – thus the tons of self-help books, such as that other “7 Habits of Highly …” well, you know the rest.
To be an effective Christian who completes God’s purpose for your life, you need a solid action plan. You don’t think God’s going to swoop down and tap you with a wand and make you perfect, do you? Nope.
You need to take a step forward and runthe race to win, like Paul says. Start practicing these habits today:
1. Read The Bible. Consider it the manual you must read – like the one at work. But this one is far from boring. It’s even got a talking donkey!
2. Start with the end in mind. Sorry, but you will die one day. Not bad news, if you believe in God. Live with the end in mind and when the end comes, you won’t be disappointed. (When I was battling cancer, I thought I might die. My only regret was that I didn’t live for God passionately each day.)
3. Relate. You need to connect with other believers. Christians weren’t meant to go it alone. They need you and you need them.
4. Fear God. God can split the Red Sea, bring a plague of locusts, control the weather, raise the dead. Don’t forget how powerful he is.
5. Pray. Yea, you’ve heard this before. But do you actually do it? Talk to God every day. (Note: He probably won’t speak back audibly. He does that through #1 above.)
6. Attend Church. Sounds like your Mom talking to you, right? Boring, even? Not if you find the right church that is connected to God and worshiping him in truth and spirit. Read here on how to find a good church.
7. Love. This includes your enemies. People you don’t agree with. People who tick you off. Yes, love them. Don’t judge them. Help them, speak kind words, encourage them.
Is there another one I’ve left off? You can reply in the comments.
(Be sure to check out my new book. You can get updates via e-mail for new posts on this blog by clicking here. Thanks for reading!)
