March 21
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wonderful week we had both in Your presence and our individual ministries and careers. We thank You for Your divine guidance and provisions. We also thank You for persevering us from the evil ones and turning our weakness to strength and casting out every fear that held us bound. Thank You Lord, glory be to Your Name Alone. Amen!
Beloved, I hope you are blessed with the resent series we had by the help of the Holy Spirit, taking us back to our foundation as children of God and the reminding us need to cohort more people into the kingdom of God. However, we will be bring your way today an effective way to win your friends, families and colleagues to Christ. Come along to have some tips that will help you to have a happy fishing experience:
Want To Win Your Friend To Christ?
Here’s a simple but effective approach:
Christ called us to be “Fishers of men“ (Matthew 4:19). In order to fish, we need a “N-E-T.”
N = Nerve ending: Identify the area of pain in their life – the “nerve ending”.
E = Empathize, as well as you can, with their pain.
T = Teach them how Christ can heal their pain.
And what are the “nerve endings” in people’s lives these days? Well, according to The Barna Research Group:
Financial – 39%
Work-related – 16%
Personal health – 12%
Time and stress – 8%
Parenting – 7%
Educational attainment – 6%
Fear of crime – 3%
Personal relationships – 3%
Key Scriptures on:
Finances: Deuteronomy 8; Matthew 6:19-33; Philippians 4:12, 13, 19; 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19; Hebrews 13:5
Work: Proverbs 10:4; 12:11, 24, 27; 13:4, 11, 23; Ecclesiastes 5:18-20; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
Below is also another cue on how you and I can make this business of SOUL WINNING more effective:
The Business Of Discipleship
Recently, a friend called and asked me HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS BUSINESS OF DISCIPLESHIP.
Following are excerpts of my letter to him and now share with you:
“Beloved, it seems to me that the essence of discipleship is this:
(1) Select people to disciple who have F-A-A-T qualities: (Faithful, Available, Able [to teach others], Teachable.) (See Luke 6:12, 13; 2 Timothy 2:2). Understand that in shepherding all are included (See 1 Peter 5:2; Romans 15:1, 2). But here the discussion is discipling, and that involves selection.
(2) Spend quality time with these people:
- · Developing friendship and trust (See Proverbs 17:17)
- · Encouraging them in their walk (See Hebrews 3:13)
- · Modeling what they need to become (See 1 Corinthians 11:1; Proverbs 23:26)
- · Listening to them in order to learn who they are and what they need (See James 1:19)
(3) Help them rearrange their priorities in order to develop the discipline and desire for consistency in the quiet time, Scripture memory and Bible study. (See 1 Timothy 4:7)
(4) You can pretty well count on the fact that they have unresolved problems in at least one of the following areas which you will need to address with them:
- · Financial – Greed, debt, co-signing, fear that God won’t provide for their needs
- · Sexual – Pornography, sexual fantasies, unfulfilled expectations in marriage, etc.
- · Relational – Unresolved anger toward God, parents, spouse, siblings, friends, etc.
(5) Keep in mind that behind everything we do must be Compassion and Intercession:
“Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who goes out weeping, and carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.“ (Psalm 126:5, 6)
Oh yes… One more thing, beloved, Remember that God uses clean vessels:
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.“ (2 Timothy 2:20-21)
So be sure to focus first on the quality of your walk with God. Then seek to help others!” (Excerpt FOTM)
Beloved, know yea that God is not looking for who to use but He is searching daily who to bless both here and eternity. (1 Cor 9:17; 1 Cor 1:26-29; Rev 2:7; 11) Engage with a willing heart not grudgingly and see the goodness of God. (Rom 7:4; Matt 24:13; 2 Thess 3:16).
Happy fishing!
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Evang. Ifeoma Ohondu
