Recipe for Radical Change (Part 3 of 3)
“Come, see
a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They
went out of the town and were coming to him. – John 4:29-30, ESV
This is the 3rd and
final post in the Recipe
for Radical Change series. In Part 1 (John 4:27), scripture showed us
that Jesus is waiting to speak to us privately, personally and passionately; if
only we would acknowledge and engage with Him. In Part 2 (John 4:28), scripture showed us
that hearing a word from Jesus may require us to adjust our plan. In
Part 3, scripture teaches us that when Jesus speaks we need to announce his word to others.
Recently I had lunch with
a girl, “Leslie”, whom I’ve known for approximately 20 years.
I KNEW Leslie because we regularly attended the same church. She sat with her family generally in the same
location as I sat with my friends or family in another location. For 20 years, I’ve known…her name. I’ve known…. where she was on Sunday
morning. I’ve known people well who knew
her or her family well. However, until I
had lunch with Leslie I did not actually know her.
Friends, it was a special
lunch. Until I spent time privately with
Leslie I had no idea how many common interests, beliefs and experiences we
shared. In the process of making these personal connections the scheduled
one-hour lunch extended beyond the time intended. As soon as we parted, I immediately called my
husband to announce, “I’ve made a new friend today; like one of the Anne of
Green Gables ‘bosom friends’!”[If you’ve not seen the 8-hour mini-series of
Anne of Green Gables it’s a family must see. End of commercial.]
And that’s exactly what
the Samaritan Woman did. When Jesus
revealed His knowledge of her PERSONALLY, she went to find others to tell. How
incredibly encouraging that she did not “grow up in church”, does not have a
seminary degree, no evangelism training and hasn’t been soaking the teaching of
an outstanding preacher; yet when she told others about her encounter with
Jesus others came to Him. Her message was not from intellectual knowledge but
from a PERSONAL, PRIVATE AND PASSIONATE encounter with Jesus Christ Himself.
What has jesus done
that you can’t wait to tell someone else?
Friends, if you’ve not
experienced a mighty personal word or experience from Jesus since the day you invited
Him to be your Savior, then SPEND TIME WITH HIM THROUGH THE PAGES OF HIS WORD. Oh and when you do, one day that scheduled
20-minute personal Bible study is going to go way past the deadline and you’re
going to be so thrilled; you’ve got to announce
his word to others.
That’s called EVANGELISM.
I’m exhausted. I have 3 school-age sons, a part-time job and
help teach a Sunday school class. I’d
love a pedicure, a Groupon facial, and & time to hunt for a new outfit or
trinket for my house, but those “fun” things are only temporary. I experience change EVERY MORNING when I get
up to sit at His feet.
You, too, will experience Radical Change no matter your life stage or age by
Acknowledging Jesus daily
Adjusting your plans to His vision
Announcing what He’s doing to people in your circle.
Blessings,
Nancy
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