Witnessing

What does it mean to you to be a witness of your Christian faith? As I read the last chapter of Rachel Olsen’s It’s No Secret I remembered what I used to think of when I heard of someone witnessing.

Flash back to one morning in college… It wasn’t yet 8:00 in the morning, and I was on my way to stop for coffee before getting to class. I encountered a man standing in my path waving a miniature sized New Testament Bible, yelling something about my going to hell. (See, if I’d already had coffee I might remember what he said.) But it didn’t matter. His approach was so offensive, he could’ve told me my hair was on fire and I wouldn’t have listened.

So, whenever someone said I should be a witness, I immediately thought there was no way I could stand on a corner somewhere yelling about Jesus. However, I’ve since learned that’s not what witnessing means.

From my NLT Study Bible…

witness, – a person who gives testimony (NLT Study Bible Dictionary/Concordance)

testify – to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief; to give evidence or proof (NLT Study Bible Dictionary/Concordance)

Witnessing is telling what I know to be true. I know that Jesus Christ was crucified, died on the cross and buried; He conquered death when he rose from the grave. I know what Jesus has done in my life and how He continues to be with me daily. And I know that His life-saving grace is for everyone.

That’s how I can witness. I know I don’t always have the perfect words to say, but God uses them anyway. God will give us the confidence to speak boldly about His Son, Jesus, and then He does the work in the other person, and in us.

If you’ve been studying It’s No Secret by Rachel Olsen with me, thank you for joining me in this journey. I pray it’s been a blessing in your life.

In Christ,

Laura

Wisdom and Faith

wisdom (n) – knowledge, insight, judgment (NLT Study Bible Dictionary/Concordance)

This week’s reading in our study of It’s No Secret by Rachel Olsen starts with Chapter 11 about wisdom. Tucked into one of the Bible study questions at the end of the chapter is to read James 1:5.

James 1:5 (NLT)

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

I continued to read…

James 1:6-8 (NLT)

“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”

I also like how The Message reads…

James 1:5-8 (MSG)

“If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”

Think about this for a moment. God wants us to come to Him and ask for wisdom. He promises to give it to us, and even says he won’t look down on us for asking. But when we ask, we are to have faith in Him alone. We are not to ask for His opinion among others and then choose the answer we like best.

How often have I asked God for wisdom…

-but then took matters into my own hands?

-or acted out of emotion instead of wisdom?

-or thought, “I still don’t know what to do?”

Has this ever happened to you? Someone asks you for help or advice. Maybe it’s a family member or a co-worker. You take time to listen to what that person needs and then give the help or advice asked for. But when you finish, you find out the person is not going to take your advice, but do it the way she’d planned to all along. I’ve had this happen to me and it’s more than a little annoying. It makes me not want to give my time if asked again.

I wonder if God ever feels that way. Do I give Him reason to think, “Why are you asking me when you choose to go your own way?”

I’m afraid the answer is too often yes.

In Christ,

Laura

It's No Secret Study - Week 6

It's hard to believe this is the last week in our study of It's No Secret by Rachel Olsen. What did you think? Did you like the book? What will stay with you after our study ends?

Please share your thoughts by posting a comment. I'd love to hear how God has blessed you through this study!

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,
Laura

Week 6 – Aug. 21- Aug. 27, 2011

As you read each chapter, underline, highlight, or take notes on any points you want to remember.

Monday & Tuesday

• Read Chapter 11 “Diversify Your Portfolio: Revealing the Secret of True Security.” Complete the Bible Study at the end of the chapter.
• Visit Laura’s blog at www.laurarath.blogspot.com for the beginning of the week post. Leave a comment with your thoughts from the reading. 

Wednesday & Thursday

• Read Chapter 12 “Become a Recording Artist: Revealing the Secret of Disclosure” and complete the Bible Study.
• Visit Laura’s blog at www.laurarath.blogspot.com for the mid-week post. Leave a comment to the post with your thoughts from the reading. 

Friday

• Read the Epilogue and catch up on the week’s reading, if you need to.
• Spend some personal time with God and reflect on this week’s reading. 

Confession and Forgiveness

I apologize for posting late this week! If you’re studying Rachel Olsen’s It’s No Secret with me, I’ve been reading Chapter 10 about confessing our sins.

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:34b (NIV)

I love this verse! God promises us in His Word that when we confess our sins to Him, we are washed clean by the blood of His Son, Jesus. He doesn’t remind us what we’ve done; He doesn’t keep score, or hold it over our heads. No, God forgives…and He chooses to remember our sins no more.

I have no reason not to confess my sins to God. He already knows them. He knows how my sins eat away at me. He knows the baggage of guilt and remorse I carry with me. He knows how my sinful ways separate me from Him.

God wants us to come to Him and lay our sins at the foot of the cross so He can restore our relationship with Him. He knows our hearts and wants to hear our confession.

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Our loving God forgives, and He allows us to start fresh with Him…every day…every hour.

To God be the Glory!

Laura