my word: BOLD

(this kitty follows me around everywhere, anytime I step foot outside)

I was reading through 1 Corinthians in the last part of the month of December. Chapter 9 truly spoke to my heart and I knew what my word would be for 2017 after reading it, as well as other verses pertaining to being bold and unashamed of the gospel.

"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"

"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."

"To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one recieveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

"...they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."

- 1 Corinthians 9:14,16,19,22,24,&25

But then as I moved on and discovered Galatians 1:10 I was deeply convicted.

"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

How often I give a short and easy answer to people's questions when they notice a difference in me compared to the other people out there! I don't want them to think that I'm weird so I "sugar coat" it and may try to make myself sound like I'm not that different than them. I'm wanting to change that. I want to stick up for my beliefs even when in a crowd of young people all making fun of my "old fashioned" ways. Instead of being afraid of what they will think, I should be thinking about what the Lord would want me to do and say. I should be jumping on the chance to go further than the answer even and share more of the Lord with them! When I don't let Christ and the difference He has made in my life show to those around me, I am ultimately wanting to please those people instead of wanting to please God. This is SO wrong.

I know I need to share Jesus more with people totally on my own without waiting for other people to start a conversation as well. Those I come face to face with should hear about the King of my heart. Why do I not speak of Him more? He has saved my soul from Hell by taking all of my sins away when He gave His life for me. I need to be sharing His glorious gospel to as many people as I can. Ray Comfort uses the illustration of a person's house being on fire in the middle of the night. What would you do? You would run and pound on their door, warning them by shouting that they need to move fast! People without the Lord are in such a predicament. They need to have their eyes opened to the judgment that is yet to come. It is loving to be bold and to share the truth with them. I need to not let fear and nervousness get in the way of being bold and warning people. I need to develop an attitude of strong confidence in the Lord, so that I can say and do Godly things openly, without fear of the consequences (see quote in first photo). I need to be more "bold to speak the word without fear." -Phillipians 1:14.

Ways to help me have boldness:

Buy and hand out tracts

If anyone asks a question in which I can give an answer speaking of the Lord, answer fully and unashamed

Look for opportunities to share the gospel with others

Pray with people, not just for them

Another goal I have this year is to read through Living Water's School of Biblical Evangelism study book. It is full of witnessing help and I believe it will be a huge motivation for me, as well as push me to go past my comfort zone and share the Lord in ways that I've never done.

"And for me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

-Ephesians 6:19&20

*I know it is the end of March, but I still wanted to share my word for this year with you all! It really helps to have accountability!*

*I've had this post saved for the last couple months and haven't been able to finish it until now. It made me a little sad as a wild animal killed Snuggles, the kitty pictured in the second photo of this post, around two weeks ago. She was such a sweet kitty. Like her name, she was always wanting some snuggling time.*