3 Simple, Underrated Ways to Evangelize

1. "God still loves you"
- This statement may seem cliche, but we all need to be reminded of this every now and then.

• You could text this statement to someone, or
• You could write it on a piece of paper and stick it on your car door window, or
• Leaving sticky notes on someone's desk or on their coffee mug is also a winner.

- This statement could also be replaced with an encouraging Bible verse. You take your pick.

2. "May I pray with you?"
- It's one thing to pray for someone, but it's so much more of a refreshing experience to pray with someone.

• It could be a friend who relates their personal struggles to you. 
• If they talk to you via text message, ask them if you could give them a quick call,  at which time you pray for them, or
• If you feel a call is too personal/space-invading (introverts ;) then type out your prayer and send it to them. 

This is a good way to prove to them that you really do care and that you really are praying for/with them.

3. "May I help you?"
- Some people don't like it when you ask them this question. However, some do. You could make someone's day, put a smile on their face, and possibly help them with a heavy task they need to complete.

• Offering your help to an older lady ("with her heavy groceries") would probably seem taboo to do these days. Do it anyway. With a smile on your face and God's love in your heart, let her know that you are only there to help - no strings attached.
• Or, instead of going to the grocery store to look for an old lady, ask your mom or dad, your brother,  sister or friend. Remember that they're also souls that need to be won for the kingdom.

Difficult? No way!

You don't have to be a qualified theologian to share a Bible verse, pray with someone, or go out of your way to help another. You may even take my simple three suggestions and create something even more beautiful and spectacular!

Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God - and not for your own selfish ambition. 

Christ came all the way from heaven to accomplish one goal:

"for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

He accomplished this goal through simple methods (e.g. healing Peter's mother-in-law of a small fever) and through extraordinary methods (e.g. walking on water). Either way, Christ reached out to people's needs first. He befriended them and won their trust with kind deeds. Then only did He bid them, "Follow Me." Christ will not ask us to do to something that He hasn't already done Himself.

Your small, simple, seemingly insignificant methods, may just be the stepping stone that brings someone closer to Christ. So don't stop evangelizing! 

Why Am I Still A Christian?

  Have you ever asked yourself that question? Why am I still a Christian? Why am I still walking down this narrow road? Why am I choosing a life of self-denial, when I am free to choose a life of self-indulgence and self-gratification?

  As mentioned in a previous post, Christianity is not for cowards, Christianity is not for lazy people who are unwilling to deny themselves. Jesus said that if you cannot deny yourself then you cannot be His disciple. This statement is a hard saying. Because who on earth wants to deny themselves? For what reason? There must be a very good reason why someone would want to choose vegetables over meat! Why would anyone want to choose the good over the bad???

💡 LIGHT BULB! 💡

   Now I remember why I am still a Christian! I daily choose to walk the path of self-denial because it’s all for my well-being. The life God calls me to live is all for my benefit and the benefit of those around me. It is not a boring life God calls me to. And for those Christians who make Christianity look rather boring and dull, let’s lighten up and spread the love of God as we should :))

   God would not ask us to give up something that is for our best interest. When He commands that we deny ourselves it is for our own good. When He commands that we eat more healthily, can we question that He is only asking us to do that so that HE can feel good? No! It’s all for our well-being, protection and health that He commands such a lifestyle.

   Remember! Sin comes only to steal, kill and destroy our joy. Jesus came to give you life and to give us life more abundantly! 

Cold Showers

   Winter...
   Winter, where I live, is defined as cold and dry. Everything frosts early hours of the morning. The grass frosts, the cars frost, the water pipes frost!

   One morning, when I happily went for a shower, I was confronted with a very stubborn hot water tap. The knob would not turn as easily anymore, the water would not come gushing out as per usual! But can you guess which tap was working; this tap is ALWAYS working - the cold tap.

   I figured that I needed to wait. Wait, and leave the tap turned on. I've done this before and usually after two or three minutes we're good to go. But five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes passed - no water! Normally when this happens during winter it is an indication that the pipes may just be frozen for a little while. Or at least that's what I was told.

   I was crunched for time but because it's cold I decided that I would wait a little longer for that warm water that I wanted so badly. I started getting a bit impatient and considered taking a cold shower. However, if that cold pipe wanted to play Mr Stubborn, I was going to play Ms Stubborn. And so I crossed my arms as I waited another few minutes for that hot water.

It then dawned on me...
   This pipe, a nonliving object, with no intellect, was not fulfilling it's intended purpose. In fact, it was doing the very opposite; all because of the cold surrounding it.

   Human beings are sometimes hard and harsh to fellow humans. They have negative attitudes and influence others to have the same. Negative attitudes never made anyone happy. Negative attitudes don't help you fulfil your God-given purpose.

   We often judge these "horrible" humans. We don't take into account that maybe, just maybe, they're cold because of their circumstances, their surroundings, and their upbringing's. This is no excuse for their behaviour, but it is a contributing factor to be considered before you make a conclusion about someone. Negative attitudes stem from all the bad in this world. If all was good, there would be no need for negativity.

   Before sin, God said "It was very good" He spoke of His creation. Yet, even in this "very good" state, Lucifer started indulging negative thoughts, which led to negative feelings and negative actions. So even in a perfect world, the temptation to think negatively was there. But how do we go about overcoming our "coldness."

   We are told in Scripture that we ought not to be conformed to this world - to it's thinking, ideologies and theories. But we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). A renewed mind is brought about by accepting the Holy Spirit into our lives. He gives us new tastes, desires, thoughts and feelings. Positive acts, positive attitudes then follow. (Read Jn 3:1-6) (Jn 4:13-14) (Rom. 8:1) (1Cor 6 (Phil. 4:8)

   After waiting for another five more minutes for that hot water, I decided that I would take that cold shower. That pipe couldn't change unless it's environment changed.

But I could.
 
   I could use my God-given ability of intellect and change my thought process. Those cold waters could be showering down on my parade, I was determined that it would not deter me from my goal to shower.

You can have this mindset too!
   When life throws you with cold showers all you have to do is allow the Spirit to warm you up. That cold shower actually ended up rejuvenating me. I never felt so alive! When people give you "cold showers, " take it. Use that negative energy to drive you towards your goals. Be determined to stay focused and not discouraged. Because you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you! (Phil. 4:13)

   One of my favourite verses advises: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." (Prov. 15:1)
If both you and your opponent is going to be cold and stubborn, that will not help anyone. In fact, coldness and stubbornness will only hurt and hurt divides.

   Next time life throws you cold showers, what will you do?

   You can choose not to remain cold and stubborn, despite your circumstances and upbringing. And God has promised to help you.

An Apologia for Christianity

   Many have an ignorant view of what it takes to be a Christian. Some, out of their ignorance, mock it and mock those who strive to live the life. Many think of the Christian walk as horrible, restricting and boring with no drama or "life." Out of ignorance (and sometimes even out of arrogance), they shun the Christian walk...

   I came across these quotes as I was reading one of my favourite books called "Help in Daily Living" and it sums up perfectly the life of a Christian.
Take a moment to read it and hopefully, if you are one of those unbelievers or sceptics mentioned above, you'll have a different view of what it truly means to be a Christian.

   "The Christian life is more than many take it to be. It does not consist wholly in gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindliness. These graces are essential; but there is need also of courage, force, energy, and perseverance. The path that Christ marks out is a narrow, self - denying path. To enter that path and press on through difficulties and discouragements requires men who are more than weaklings."  (P.41.1)

   "There is in true Christian character an indomitableness (invincibleness) that cannot be molded or subdued by adverse circumstances. We must have moral backbone, an integrity that cannot be flattered, bribed, or terrified." (P.42.2)

Christianity is NOT for cowards.

Christianity is for the Courageous.