Evangelism 101

�Nature speaks in a universal language whether we hear it or not. Psalm 19:1-4 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line (law) has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world."� We have no excuse for not believing because Romans 1:20 says "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made ...so that they are without excuse."�����

How does nature speak? By just being what they were created to be, whether it be silent beauty, or thunder & lightening, wind & rain, flowing water, or all the myriad voices of the birds, beasts and insects.�����

We too can speak a universal language that all can see, and come to know God if they observe. How? By just being what we were saved to do. The simplest way is to live a life of Christ-like beauty and share every blessing with every lost soul who will listen. Brag on the Lord!!� Psalm 105 says, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy Name." (NIV)�����

God, You do so much for all of us every day, but so often we forget to share those blessings with those around us.� We complain, gossip and backbite, and talk about everything else but You. Forgive us. Help us develop the habit of sharing every scripture that has spoken to our souls, every problem You have solved, all the big and little things you do for us all the day long. Most of all help us point out to others Your thundering voice that speaks through nature every second. For if they do not hear the gospel from us, who will tell them?�����

Proverbs 11:30� The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

--Rebecca Somoskey�

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I Remember Summer’s Colors

Summer parallels the life of a Christian and fills me with deep gratitude for all I have received from my Lord’s gracious hand. To me, all believers exude color. When I first became a member of God’s family I was a shy baby. My colors were pale because I was not very strong. I was much like the delicate violets of early summer. Even though I was full of joy and enthusiasm I hadn’t had time to grow and develop my faith. As time passed and I learned to love and obey His Word, I entered the mid-summer of my walk with Jesus. My colors became as bright and sunny as the honeysuckle. I was growing and maturing as God’s child.�����

Now I am in late summer, that time when the heat is on. �My Lord continues to put me through the purifying fires of tests and trials to purge me of everything that is not like Him. My colors are changing into deep rich ones, those shades of scarlet and purple. Oftentimes I kick and scream when the heat gets almost unbearable. That’s when He reminds me that He is making my life into something beautiful, a life that exudes color and is nourishing to those who are coming after me.������

Job, in his affliction, reminds me: “But He knows the way that I take. When he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10� “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. We went through the fire and through water; but you brought us out to rich fulfillment. Psalm 66:10 & 12 (NKJV)�����

Let God paint some colors into your Christian walk, dear friends. Embrace the changes with praise and thanksgiving, for that means you are growing.�

--Rebecca Somoskey�

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Finding Pepper�

Late one night Laura heard the faint mew of a kitten near a large tree right outside her window. She called Todd, but by the time they got outside the kitten was gone.��

The next day they heard the distressed cry again, and it wouldn’t stop. So Todd told Laura and the boys, “If you find the kitten you can keep it. They were thrilled.�

They scouted around their enormous yard, checking every where it might be, but had no success. Finally, they heard the pitiful cry coming from across the street in a large brushy area. But when they got to the area there were briars and poison ivy everywhere, and the kitten was right in the middle. But knowing the results of poison ivy and briars, Laura refused to get tangled up in the mess, so she turned away.�

But eight year old Landon refused to turn away. He ignored the briars and poison ivy and waded right into the clump. When he found the deserted kitten it was barely alive. He lifted it carefully and laid it in the palm of his hand. It barely covered one palm. He carried it home gently, and they fed it warm milk until its tummy was fat, and then the little guy fell asleep. Because of Landon’s persistence, the kitten was saved from death.��

Beloved, this reminds me of God, the Holy Spirit. He will take any risk and stop at nothing to find that lost soul if they cry out to be found. Why? He loves lost souls far more than Landon’s family loves their new kitten. So dear lost soul, keep crying out until He finds you. When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13) Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found. Was blind but now I see. (John Newton)

By the way, Landon said, “Because he looks a little like black pepper I’m going to name him Pepper.” And you will be happy to know that Pepper is alive and well. Frisky as a kitten, but now, it takes two palms spread out to hold him.

--Rebecca Somoskey

One Size Fits All 

It’s spring once again and folks are busy shopping for new clothes, especially prom attire, summer clothes and swim wear. They go to great efforts to find the perfect fit and color and particularly for comfort. Clothes, specially shoes, must be the right size or they will be very uncomfortable. Sometimes it gets to be a shopping dilemma. 

I’m not a shopper. I never have been. I do it only because it’s necessary. Nothing could make me happier than purchasing something that says, “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” especially if it’s a fact. 

The truth is that most folks like to shop and that’s fine. But what about our relationship with God and other others.  So often folks shop around for a religion that fits just right, and, sad to say, many never find it so they just give up. 

Good news everyone!  The garment that God has designed for us to wear is truly “one size fits all.” I call it the G.O.P, and I’m not talking about a political party. Let me explain. If a person loves God with all his heart, soul and mind, loves Others as himself, and is fulfilling God’s Purposes for his life, then he has discovered that “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” relationship that everyone needs. 

Beloved, how long have you shopped for that perfect fit in your relationship with your Creator? If you haven’t found it, then try G.O.P. How do you do it? Begin by shopping in His Book. Here are some samples from the New King James Version. 

Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

Luke 11:10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

John 13:35  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (The Lord’s job.) 

1 Thessalonians 3:12  And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you. 

Psalm 25:9 The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way. 

Isaiah 30:21  Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. 

Happy Shopping Dear Readers!! 

--Rebecca Somoskey