Use What You Learn

This morning following my Bible study time and prayer time the Lord impressed upon me that, as Christians, we need to pay attention to people around us.  I mean, really pay attention, to them.   As we get closer to Christmas many of us are getting busier and busier, wrapping up business before a vacation, wrapping up presents for our loved ones, and wrapping up our wish lists.  While we’re getting caught up in and focusing on celebrating our Lord and Savior’s birthday, we may be walking by the person who desperately needs that bit of encouragement, or a smile.  We may be missing the opportunity to tell them that you and Jesus love them, that no matter what is going on in their lives Jesus has it covered.  You see for many people, both Christian and non-Christians, Christmas isn’t the time of joy it should be.  It’s a time of pressure, a time of not having enough, a time of being alone, a time of embarrassment and shame when they feel they can’t deliver even a simple gift.  But as God’s chosen people if we don’t make an effort to pay attention to the people we come across, we will miss the opportunity to use what we study and learn and maybe miss the opportunity to stop that random stranger from going home and blowing their brains out.  Think about it.  What else are you trying to get out of your daily studies?  If it’s only to make your life better you’ve missed the point.  

“And he (Jesus) said unto them (His followers), Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:15-23)

Mark 16:15-23 does a perfect job of explaining why we should be endeavoring to learn the Word, and to spend time in our daily studies, so we can spread the gospel will signs following us.  So what is the gospel we are called to preach to every creature?  Jesus tells us in Luke 4:18 where He says “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” 

Well there you have it.  God’s marching orders for His people: preach the gospel to the world.  Preach deliverance, healing good news for the poor (prosperity), liberty.  Remember, pay attention.  Look people in the face, listen for the Holy Spirit to prompt you and use what you’ve learned.  It may be a challenge at first.  But remember; you are equipped.  “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:16-18) Don’t hide your light, use what you learn.