“HOW ARE YOU?”

{A Practical Way To DAILY Share The Gospel}-

I have found over the years many opportunities to share the Gospel with people through the words. ‘How are you?” when meeting others, or at a store speaking to a cashier. The conversation may go like this. When it is my turn to be served I walk up to the cashier and may say “Hi, how are you?” and they may respond with words such “as “Fine,” and then without knowing they are about to give me an opportunity to share the Gospel when they reply,”… how are you?” With that I may say something to the effect depending on how painful my muscle disease is, “To be honest with you, I’m having a tough day , but do you know what I was thinking of earlier? { or “do you I was reading this earlier?}…” and with that share a Bible verse… with them. At that stage they may respond positively and you would be surprised how many people open up and share their hurts and struggles. Once while at a store I had shared in response to “how are you?” and the lady began to share and tears filled her eyes and she shared her hurts and I then shared of Him and His comfort from 2 Cor 1:34.

Another time in a DR.’s office a nurse came into the room to take my vitals and I saw a Bible on a table and I asked her if I could show her what I had read earlier and she said I could and with that I read the verse and with that she began to cry and open up and I got to share with her of the LORD Jesus.

So often, we can want to share but feel we do not know how, or be intimidated or thinking we have to have some big sermon or hide behind “I’m waiting for the LORD to tell me…” How often has He “told” you then? Perhaps judging by the amount of times you’ve shared, not very often?  And to be honest we are just fearful, not knowing will we say the right thing or what will they think of me and then conclude, “well, I don’t have the ‘gift’ to share’ and retreat back into the safety of”fear!” And then experience condemnation because you didn’t share. And the evil one has you trapped in a lie! “God has given yo EVERYTHING pertaining to life and Godliness… I CAN DO ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me.”-{Read 2 Peter 1:3;Phil 4:13}. Don’t believe the lie, the Holy Spirit in you is powerful enough to overcome your fears and fill you with boldness and compassion to share!

“How are you?” has worked for me, giving me opportunities “in the circumstances I have found myself in to advance the Gospel.” {Read Phil 1:12}.Two ways to do so is through evangelizing v 13 or encouraging other believers- v 14. And the LORD has helped me have these opportunities to share simply in response to being asked which people may do, not because they care about how I am doing but as a social response, good manners, a habit by responding “… and How are you?” They may not even be looking at me when they say it,as it is such a habit ingrained in people, Get the niceties out of the way and move on to the next person, “But God…” has opened up a door of opportunity to share. And why do I tell them If I am having a tough day? BECAUSE it is true and people often can identify with others who hurt for they too hurt, maybe not physically, but emotionally, spiritually. You identify with people. My illness I have found is an opportunity to share the Gospel that I can use! What can you use from your circumstances, be they good or difficult by way of sharing?

Ask God for favor with those you come in contact and be ready to give an account of the hope that is within you when someone asks, “… and how are you?” But what if they respond negatively and cut you off? No problem for He says, “ So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. “-{Isiah 55:11}. You have left them with a verse and the Holy Spirit can use that and bring back to their mind that night, a week, month ten year later and use to meet their need! That is why I initially try and share a verse because of the power of His Word

Paul used his difficult circumstances, imprisoned to share. Your difficulties need not be a hindrance but a springboard to engage in conversation as an entrance to sharing the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ!

In the circumstances you find yourself in there are opportunities to advance the Gospel, through evangelizing or encouraging a fellow bother or sister in the LORD with His Word!

PRAY FOR me to have continued and fruitful opportunities…to speak with clarity, compassionately His Word..

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”-{Phil 1:12} –