The Daily Devotional of The Upper Room in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Shine Like Stars" for Tuesday, February 28, 2017 with Scripture Philippians 2:12-16

The Daily Devotional of The Upper Room in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Shine Like Stars" for Tuesday, February 28, 2017 with Scripture Philippians 2:12 So, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey now when I am away from you: keep working out your deliverance with fear and trembling,[Philippians 2:12 Psalm 2:11] 13 for God is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases him. 14 Do everything without kvetching or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure children of God, without defect in the midst of a twisted and perverted generation,[Philippians 2:15 Deuteronomy 32:5] among whom you shine like stars in the sky, 16 as you hold on to the Word of Life. If you do this, I will be able to boast, when the Day of the Messiah comes, that I did not run or toil for nothing.
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You will shine among [a warped and crooked generation] like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.[Philippians 2:15-16 (NIV)]
My church has offered our members a course that encourages us and equips us to share our faith with our friends and neighbors. I usually avoid situations where I need to voice my faith to others, so this is quite a challenge for me. As I was considering the course and my feelings about evangelism, my dear friend Brenda came to mind.
Brenda was big in spirit and faith. She loved Jesus so much she shone. I was with her when she was diagnosed with cancer and was amazed when she told the medical specialist that she wasn’t afraid to die because she loved Jesus. Wherever she was, especially in the nursing home where she spent the last few weeks of her life, Brenda was ready and happy to share her faith and love of Christ with anyone willing to listen.
I’ve come to realize that I’ve made things far too complicated. Evangelism is not about having the right words at the right time. Sharing my faith is a matter of drawing alongside others, showing them what Jesus has done in my life, and letting them know that he would like to do the same for them.
The Author: Mandy Slade (Somerset, England)
Thought for the Day: I can share my faith by being present with others.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to accompany others and share with them the love and new life that Jesus offers. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone recently diagnosed with cancer

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