They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love

The Lesson

This is a plea from an evangelist. People wonder why I write so much about the Great Commandment to love God and people. It’s because it is the secret to evangelism. If we love God with our entire heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves, nothing could stop us from sharing that love. When we don’t, no training can make us share the Gospel. When people know we are Christians by our love, we will share that love and people will follow that love anywhere.

I am in the unique position of visiting different churches. Lately, I’ve been burdened by what I see. Recently, I attended a Bible Study on a Proverb written by a father wisely teaching his son about dangers in the world. Our teacher encouraged us to write the names of sinners we knew next to the scripture containing the sins they committed. Over the next hour, she indicted all young people, those who watched two particular television shows, an entire race, and a segment of society. The worship service was the same. As the animated preacher worked up a head of steam, he even began belittling other Christian denominations and Christians exercising Biblical spiritual gifts. The hateful sermon and lesson were rants about non-believers and believers who interpreted God’s word differently. I wept for unsaved people who crossed their path and for members missing the joy of loving the lost and the benefits of reading scriptures for their own edification.

Gospel means good news. God is love. God’s word warns that Biblical words are foolish to the lost. Most Biblical instruction is to believers so shouting condemnation about and to nonbelievers does grave damage. Scriptures warn believers about the temptations and wages of sin, teaches us how to live in love, and tells us why and how to share the sweet Gospel. Jesus was firm with religious people and gentle with unbelievers trapped in sin. When we give the Biblical Gospel, demonstrate love, and invite people to meet Jesus, the Holy Spirit convicts them of sin. Once people know Jesus, the Bible changes them. When you read the Bible, allow it to change your heart. Don’t cheat yourself by using it to judge others. Certainly, like Jesus, hold believers accountable but understand that lost people act like lost people. When you see sin in the world, if you become enraged rather than broken hearted, my plea is to keep your mouth closed until you feel the life changing love and compassion of Jesus. Life is sweet when people know we are Christians by our love.

 

The Scripture

He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." Luke 10:27-28

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:16-17

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Matthew 23:13

 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:24

Let Them Know We Are Christians

Love God with our entire heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Love our neighbors as ourselves.

Believe that Jesus came to earth because He loved sinners.

Jesus did not come to condemn the world and we should not either.

Don’t shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in men’s faces.

Love the way Jesus loves.

When you see people sinning, pray as Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”

Evangelism Tips

Share the ABC Gospel with Children

A: Admit that they are sinners. Explain sin and ask them to give examples. Quote: All have sinned and fallen short. The wages of sin is death.

B: Believe with their heart that God sent Jesus to earth for them and that Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead. Quote: The gift of God is eternal life.

C: Confess: Confess Jesus with our mouths. Lead them in a prayer confessing that Jesus is Lord, that He came to earth and died for their sins. Lead them in asking for forgiveness of their sins and inviting Jesus into their life as Lord and Savior. Quote: All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Evangelize America

Inviting people to meet Jesus works. Over the last week, I’ve found out that three children met Jesus last Saturday where I was the guest speaker at North Jacksonville’s Pirate and Princess Party. Heaven is throwing a party that is even more fun that that Pirate and Princess party and I’ve been celebrating too. I’ve heard that children are sharing the ABC’s of becoming a Christian. Pray for me as I plan my evangelism schedule. For now, I’m grounded as I wait on a small but slow healing wound to heal. I am not diabetic but the doctor says that sometimes this just happens. I need to be patient and follow directions. I’m not contagious but can’t lift so camping is impossible. I feel good and am still speaking, writing, and coaching. Major events start in June so pray for healing. I would love to come to your children’s event and share the ABC’s of becoming a Christian.

By Cheryle M. Touchton

Pocket Full of Change Ministries copyright

Intercessory Prayer Is Hard Work

The hardest work I do is intercessory prayer. I’m not talking about prayer requests like those I keep on my iPhone prayer app. That list is long and I pray for the list daily during my morning time with God. I rejoice in answered prayer and move it to “answered” in the app. I’m talking about being a true intercessor. I enter these situation emotionally and spiritually, walk their road metaphorically, plead and even wrestle with God, celebrate when God says yes, and weep and struggle to accept it and even rejoice in it when God says no. It shouldn’t surprise me that intercessory prayer is hard. After all, didn’t the Biblical Jacob end up with an injured hip socket? Jesus sweated blood and poor David cried before God on behalf of his dying son, only to receive a no to that prayer. Serious prayer isn’t for wimps. In the last week, friends have suffered great loss and/or are facing serious health concerns. In this day of instant information, I can text prayers, encouragement, and scripture and receive updates, which meals I ride the roller coaster even more. Unbelievably, it is easier for me to minister to people physically because it deceptively feels like I’m more in control of the outcome. As an intercessor, I’m required to fully trust God on someone’s behalf. I must rejoice in the situation even if my human side wants to surrender to the relief of despair. I must guard my thoughts to think on what is lovely and admirable in the person and situation. When I pray at that level for someone, I fall in love with them for a lifetime even if I’ve never met them. Fortunately, I have people willing to prayerfully cover the situation and care for me when I enter this season of prayer. I must pray Jesus’ prayer, not my will but yours be done while having faith that God answers prayers and can bring good out of anything. Yes, intercessory prayer is hard but it is also a privilege to be trusted as an intercessor.  

Bible Study

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:4-9

Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome. Genesis 32:28

Then David got up from the ground. (this is after his beloved son died) After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 2 Sam 12:20

Being an Intercessor

• Rejoice in the Lord
• Refuse to be anxious
• Offer God your prayers and petitions with thanksgiving
• Be willing to struggle with God and allow the pain of that
• Only allow yourself to think about what is “lovely, pure…” about the person and/or situation
• Enlist others to join you in prayers and personal support
• When you receive your answer, regardless of the outcome, worship and return to normal life.
• Enjoy the peace of God which transcends all understanding.

Evangelism Tips

Make Evangelism a Family Affair

When children share faith alongside their parents, they know that the faith of their parents is real. When they see the Holy Spirit enter a life, their faith in the power of the Holy Spirit grows. Statistics prove that a child seeing their parents share and live out their faith with others is the single biggest thing parents can do to assure that their children will raise their grandchildren in faith and church. The tip this week is to do it. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be giving specific tips on how to evangelize as a family.

Evangelize America

Princess Abgaile (yes - my granddaughter) Shared the Gospel With Over 200 Children and their Parents

 Donate to Help Us Share Jesus With America

In South Carolina, Bob and I had the privilege of leading our server to Jesus. Sweet Jasmine believed in Jesus and knew she was sinner. She was terrified she wasn’t “good enough” to go to heaven. We shared the only way to heaven and she joyfully asked Jesus to be her Savior. On Saturday, I had so much fun at North Jacksonville Baptist Church. It was their annual Pirate and Princess Party and I was asked to share with over 200 parents and children how to evangelize as a family. You didn’t have to ask me twice. It was a thrill when the parents and children truly listened. I’ve been busily planning evangelism trips to the Bonaroo Music and Arts Festival and Freedom Fest in DC. They will be here before we know it. I invite you to join us. Email me, Cheryle

I Believe

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV

“How long have you been in this country?” I asked.

“Twenty years,” she said.

“Has anyone ever invited you to church?” I asked.

“No,” she whispered. “I would be afraid. Everyone know Bible. I would not know how to act.” Jody was from China. She was my nail tech when I was in Raleigh, North Carolina. In China, she had been Buddhist but she knew the difference between Christianity and Buddhism. She told me that Buddhism was a way to live and Christianity was about God. Guiltily, she added that she supposed Buddha a “kind of god.”

“Do you believe in Jesus?” I asked.

“Of course,” she said. “How could so many people believe and it not be real?”

“Have you heard the story of Jesus dying on a cross and being raised from the dead?”She nodded. I quoted John 3:16, stopping to explain the harder English words. Her eyes lit up.

“Do you know the word sin?” She shook her head. I explained that it was doing wrong things and making mistakes.

“I try to be good person,” she said quickly. “But I not so good. I do bad things.”

“We all do. In fact, the Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” I took a moment to explain what "glory of God" meant. She nodded eagerly.

“Do you know what the word wages means?” I asked. She did. I went on. “The wages of sin is death. The gift of God is eternal life with God. We do not do deserve it – it is a gift. Do you understand?” She nodded.

“My favorite line in the Bible says, ‘all who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.' Do you know what Lord and Savior means?

“Lord means God,” she answered.

“Exactly,” I said. “It also means you are agreeing to let God be in charge of your life.” I went on to explain what Savior meant. She was fascinated. We talked about heaven and hell.

"Would you let me lead you in a prayer asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? I will tell you what to say.”

I have no words for her eagerness. For 20 years, people in America had talked about Jesus. She had read about Him. She knew many of the details. She walked by churches but was afraid to go in. No one had ever told her how to meet Jesus or invited her to church. She already believed and really wanted to know him. It was so easy –it always is when the Holy Spirit has prepared the heart. All I had to do was tell her what to do. She boldly prayed to receive Jesus – confessing her sin emphatically and asking for forgiveness. She asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and beamed at me because she knew what that meant.

I tried to get her contact information but Christian literature being mailed to a Buddhist home is not well received. We talked about Chinese Bibles and she knew how to get one. She even knew where to find a Chinese church. She was still afraid to go but now, she had the Holy Spirit to give her courage.

Pray for Jody. Invite people to church. Be aware of how frightened so many people new to this country are about going to church. Make it easy. Do not be afraid to explain Jesus to someone where English is a second language. Go slowly, speak scripture, explain the hard or confusing words, and trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

Donate so people like Jody can meet Jesus.