Have No Fear

Good Morning,

Exodus 4:11-12 (NIV)
The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
Mark 13:10-11 (NIV)
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

When asked why they don't speak up more often about the Gospel message, most people will reply something like, "Well, it's not that I don't want to tell people about Jesus, it's just that I really don't know what to say or how to say it." Now, I full understand not wanting to seem uninformed about a subject that I'm bringing up to someone, whether it be a family member, friend, coworker, or even a stranger that I might meet at the grocery store. I will agree that it is good to know what you're talking about when you broach any point or issue with someone. However, here's a subject...God's plan of salvation; the Gospel message...where we don't have to be experts in order to speak out.

Scripture tells us, I believe, that when we DO open our mouths about Godly things, then God will give us the thoughts and words we need to fulfill our desire to speak of Him. I mean, it's pretty clear that He's done it before, isn't it? He told Moses that He would help him to speak and teach him what to say. He also told the disciples that they shouldn't worry when confronted or arrested because of Jesus and His message. He told them that not only would they be given what to say, but that it would be the Holy spirit speaking through them. Now here's another thing about what Jesus said. It's so very, very important that three of the four Gospels quote Jesus about this. Mark 13:10-11 that we read today; Matthew 10:10; Luke 21:13-15. Now, when I read something in the Bible that is stated not once, not twice, but three times, well, I've got to tell you that whatever is being taught through those sections of Scripture is of utmost importance. Speaking out the Gospel message IS of utmost importance.

So, we are told that we will, truly, be given the words to speak from God and that the Holy Spirit will even speak through us to spread God's message to the unsaved and unchurched. Does that mean that we don't, then, have to read and study the Bible so we're better prepared? Of course not!!! We still ought to read and study God's very Word on a regular basis. It just makes everything we go about doing better...in every way...including speaking out about God's plan of salvation. One thing that Bible reading and study will do is to help give us confidences when those opportunities to speak out arise. Because, you see, the enemy will ALWAYS tell us that we don't know enough to speak out. Therefore, if we're more well read, then the devil's taunts mean so much less.

We ARE to speak up about the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. We ARE to do it regularly. We ARE to do it with peace in our hearts and minds.
Love, peace, and blessings,

David