I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 4:23-31 (NRSV)
Prayer after Peter and John's release

After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:

'Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers have gathered together
against the Lord and against his Messiah.'

For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

DEVOTION

My friends, there are often challenges to be overcome when we desire to share our faith with others! We will sometimes encounter resistance from people who do not know--or believe--in the love of God revealed to us through Christ Jesus!

When we encounter this resistance, we must not become discouraged! When people misunderstand our intentions, become offended by our witness, or simply shut the door in our faces, we must not grow weary in well doing!

My mother once said to me that “you don’t beat people to the cross, you love them there.” As we love the brothers and sisters in our community, caring for them and serving them in the Name of Jesus, they will become more receptive to our witness.

As we share the GOOD NEWS through servant evangelism, we earn the trust of those who need to know Jesus. As we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, and visit the sick and imprisoned in Jesus’ Name, God softens the hearts of those we seek to serve.

When their hearts are ready, God will open the door for us to share our GOOD NEWS testimonies! God will bless our words--and our ways--romancing the hearts of our non-believing friends! And God will fill us with the Holy Spirit, giving us the boldness to preach, teach, pray, counsel, and heal in Jesus’ Name!

Let us always remember that saving souls, is the work of GOD, and GOD alone!

Our work is to be faith to the call to bare the GOOD NEWS that God loves, gave, and saves! No matter whom you are, or what your spiritual gifts, we are all called by God to declare Jesus’ death and resurrection until he comes again!

Be bold, my friends, as you use the gifts and talents that God has given you to share GOOD NEWS with everyone you meet and then trust God to do the rest!

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!

How will you boldly share your GOOD NEWS testimony today?

God, please fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will possess the Holy Ghost boldness necessary to persevere in my witness to my non-Christian friends! Help me to love and serve them well so that they will experience your love and grow in relationship with you through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus" found at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

We are celebrating with the 11 people who have recently put all their hope in Jesus! Happy Re-birthday!

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Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.

EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.

Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com