In Morning prayer over the last couple of weeks we have read speeches by sinful, weak men that through their trust and faith in our sovereign God, they were given the strength and words needed to reach out to thousands.
In the book of Acts chapter two, we read Peter's speech at Pentecost. In chapter seven, we read Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin. Peter delivered his in front of thousands of strangers, while Stephen gave his speech while his life was at risk, being accused of blaspheming.
For many of us, we hear the word, dare I say it? EVANGELISE, there I said it. We are filled with terror and do anything to hide away from it. The word fills us with images of people standing on soapboxes shouting "repent you, sinners, the end is nigh". While passers-by mock and ridicule the preacher. There's a fear that when we share our faith we will have people laughing at us, friends and family disowning us or even not being confident in what we are saying and end up looking foolish.
We can be so aware of our own insecurities that we can become paralysed and make up many excuses of why we cannot accept God's calling upon our lives, like Moses when he encountered God through the burning bush and received his calling. Have a read and count how many excuses he came up with about why he could not free God's people. Also, see how God spoke into those insecurities and enabled Moses to accept the plans God had for his life.
We are not being asked to save a nation, but to speak to and connect with those around us. Start with the one, allow God to be strong in our weakness' allow His glory to shine through. We can only bear fruit while we remain in Him.
In our bible reading this Sunday we read of the great commission and the promise that, when we are obedient to Christ's will, all we do is in His authority and that He is with us to the very end.
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So brothers and sisters, trust in the one who has called you. Trust that He will equip you for all the works he has prepared for you. Maybe start with one of those you have prayed for over the past few weeks. You don't need to prepare a huge chapter-long speech, you can speak of how God has been at work in your own life or how His grace has affected you and brought you to where you are now.
The Ramblings of the Curate
The 'E' Word
In Morning prayer over the last couple of weeks we have read speeches by sinful, weak men that through their trust and faith in our sovereign God, they were given the strength and words needed to reach out to thousands.
In the book of Acts chapter two, we read Peter's speech at Pentecost. In chapter seven, we read Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin. Peter delivered his in front of thousands of strangers, while Stephen gave his speech while his life was at risk, being accused of blaspheming.
For many of us, we hear the word, dare I say it? EVANGELISE, there I said it. We are filled with terror and do anything to hide away from it. The word fills us with images of people standing on soapboxes shouting "repent you, sinners, the end is nigh". While passers-by mock and ridicule the preacher. There's a fear that when we share our faith we will have people laughing at us, friends and family disowning us or even not being confident in what we are saying and end up looking foolish.
We can be so aware of our own insecurities that we can become paralysed and make up many excuses of why we cannot accept God's calling upon our lives, like Moses when he encountered God through the burning bush and received his calling. Have a read and count how many excuses he came up with about why he could not free God's people. Also, see how God spoke into those insecurities and enabled Moses to accept the plans God had for his life.
We are not being asked to save a nation, but to speak to and connect with those around us. Start with the one, allow God to be strong in our weakness' allow His glory to shine through. We can only bear fruit while we remain in Him.
In our bible reading this Sunday we read of the great commission and the promise that, when we are obedient to Christ's will, all we do is in His authority and that He is with us to the very end.
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So brothers and sisters, trust in the one who has called you. Trust that He will equip you for all the works he has prepared for you. Maybe start with one of those you have prayed for over the past few weeks. You don't need to prepare a huge chapter-long speech, you can speak of how God has been at work in your own life or how His grace has affected you and brought you to where you are now.
Unsure where to start perhaps pray:
"God use me to reach one person today."
Rev Darren Dalton
St Andrew's, Kinson Bournemouth