A young man approached my car as I pulled into the parking lot of a business. I was somewhat wary of him as he apologized for bothering me. Obviously embarrassed, he asked to use my cell phone.
“I’ve lost my billfold and I need to phone my mother.” I was hesitant at first, thinking it could be a scam. But I eventually handed him my phone and he stood beside my car as he dialed a number. “Mom, I still can’t find my billfold. I found thirty cents in my car and I’m going to buy gas with that to get home.”
As he thanked me for the use of my phone, the young man again apologized for disturbing me. As he turned to walk away, I pulled a five dollar bill from my purse and offered it to him, saying, “I give this in the name of Jesus.”
Surprised, because he hadn’t asked for money, he asked, “Are you sure?” “Yes,” I replied. And once again I stated, “I give this in the name of Jesus.”
It was a simple way of witnessing, but I realize God can use my words to point the young man to Jesus, or if he is a Christian, my words may encourage him to grow in his faith. Some may believe I was naïve in giving the man five dollars, but I felt the leading of the Holy Spirit and followed the leading.
Christians are witnesses in the words and the actions we say and display. A smile or a friendly greeting may be what someone needs to encourage them when they’re having a bad day.
When we take time to talk with a person alone and lonely, we lift their spirits because they are aware someone cares. When we send a greeting card and write a simple note to say, “Thinking of you,” and add an appropriate verse from the Bible, that may be the encouragement that person needs to face another day.
Wearing clothing with Christian messages, placing bumper stickers on our cars, and wearing cross lapel pins and necklaces can be good witnesses. But only if our words and actions correspond with them.
Lillian remembers the incident described in my devotion, even though it happened many years ago. People may remember negative messages we send. Let’s be careful that our witness for Jesus Christ is a positive one. We want to point others to him, not turn them away.
A good verse for us to remember is: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus….” Colossians 3:17a (NIV)
“I’ve lost my billfold and I need to phone my mother.” I was hesitant at first, thinking it could be a scam. But I eventually handed him my phone and he stood beside my car as he dialed a number. “Mom, I still can’t find my billfold. I found thirty cents in my car and I’m going to buy gas with that to get home.”
As he thanked me for the use of my phone, the young man again apologized for disturbing me. As he turned to walk away, I pulled a five dollar bill from my purse and offered it to him, saying, “I give this in the name of Jesus.”
Surprised, because he hadn’t asked for money, he asked, “Are you sure?” “Yes,” I replied. And once again I stated, “I give this in the name of Jesus.”
It was a simple way of witnessing, but I realize God can use my words to point the young man to Jesus, or if he is a Christian, my words may encourage him to grow in his faith. Some may believe I was naïve in giving the man five dollars, but I felt the leading of the Holy Spirit and followed the leading.
Christians are witnesses in the words and the actions we say and display. A smile or a friendly greeting may be what someone needs to encourage them when they’re having a bad day.
When we take time to talk with a person alone and lonely, we lift their spirits because they are aware someone cares. When we send a greeting card and write a simple note to say, “Thinking of you,” and add an appropriate verse from the Bible, that may be the encouragement that person needs to face another day.
Wearing clothing with Christian messages, placing bumper stickers on our cars, and wearing cross lapel pins and necklaces can be good witnesses. But only if our words and actions correspond with them.
Lillian remembers the incident described in my devotion, even though it happened many years ago. People may remember negative messages we send. Let’s be careful that our witness for Jesus Christ is a positive one. We want to point others to him, not turn them away.
A good verse for us to remember is: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus….” Colossians 3:17a (NIV)
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