ABC’s of Parenting Part 3 by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.

As I write this monthly letter to you, I am seated in a library of Christian books and DVDs nestled inside the cozy confines of a church in Texas. Great titles surround me – like The Revelation of Jesus Christ by John Walvoord, Beth Moore’s Believing God, and Reasons for Believing by Frank Harber.

Sadly, most people I interact with today aren’t going to read these amazing books. Some don’t know they exist, and others simply wouldn’t venture into a church to check them out. So how can these “others” know what it means to be saved? Like the guy at the Starbucks window who made my decaf mocha- or the lady at Sam’s Club who offered to help me take my cart to the car. How can they learn about God? How can I share about the great gift of salvation I’ve been given?

As usual, Jesus gave the best answer to these questions centuries before you and I were ever born. Take a look at His suggestion in several different versions of Scripture:

New International Version (© 1984)

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

New Living Translation (© 2007)

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

New American Standard Bible (© 1995)

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

International Standard Version (© 2008)

“This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (© 2010)

“Every person will know by this that you are my disciples, if you shall have love one to the other.”

GOD’S WORD® Translation (© 1995)

“Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other.”

No matter what the version, the message is the same: people need to see the love of Jesus through our day-to-day interactions! Friends, I am becoming more and more convinced that sharing our faith is this simple. No tracts, books, DVDs or sermons are necessary! Sure, these extra texts and tools are awesome, but it’s the straightforward love of the Lord we share with one another that points directly to Him! Like the old Sunday School song reframes it: “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love-They will know we are Christians by our love.”

So, let’s get out and do just that today. Love your brothers and sisters in the Lord-because that’s a fantastic witness to everyone around you! Speak respectfully to the people you meet, whether at the fast food window or in the bank or to the telephone marketer who may be interrupting dinner. Be kind and gentle with neighbors, strangers, and even that cranky driver who just cut into your lane. Why?

Because Jesus said so. Because this is the way others will know you are saved!

May this summer be a time of great blessing for you

and your family. All of us at Sonkist Ministries have you in our prayers!

Thought of the Month

Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters, fear God, and respect the king.

I Peter 2:17 (New Living Translation)

ABC’s of Parenting Part 2 by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.

ABC’s of Parenting Part 1 by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.

I never imagined that a Muslim woman would ask me to explain to her what it meant to be “evangelical.” Yet there I was, on a hillside overlooking the ancient city of Ephesus, and this twenty-something, “Muslim by culture” (as she described herself) looked at me with eyes full of anticipation as she awaited my reply.

Needless to say, I whispered a prayer for God’s help as this verse from His Word echoed in my mind:

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (I Peter 3:15)

And the Lord gave me the right response, with a spirit of love and gentleness that only He can provide. Our guide listened earnestly, asking questions from time-to-time-and in her face I saw the eagerness of someone who is searching for hope.

I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised at this young woman’s interest-especially walking along the same streets where the Apostle Paul journeyed centuries before. He wrote a letter to the people of Ephesus that began with these encouraging words:

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” (Ephesians 1:16-18)

This same hunger for hope could be seen as I journeyed from Barcelona to
Rome, Istanbul to Athens. In every place I traveled, people were no different than those whom you and I interact with on a daily basis. They all want a purpose in life. They all want to connect with others. They all want to be loved and accepted.

And they want hope- hope for today, and hope for tomorrow!

Dear friends, this is exactly what we can offer them-and there’s no better time than right now to let them know that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is the source of that hope they are seeking! In fact, Paul sent this same kind of reminder to the minister he left behind in Ephesus:

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 1:1-2; 2:1-4)

How do you start sharing about the hope that is in you? As Paul urges, begin with prayer for all people! We’ve got a big, big world-and everyone needs our prayers.

Next, live a life that can’t help but draw others to you. Be thankful and peaceful. Don’t be afraid to live a holy life – because this kind of godliness not only pleases the Lord but is also amazingly attractive to others.

Smile more. Give more. Let others see that the Son of God really does make a difference in your day-to-day interactions in this world!

I’m not sure where your travels will take you this summer. You may be somewhere around the globe or just enjoying your own beautiful city-but I can assure you that wherever you are, someone will be watching. People will notice not only who you are but also what you’re really all about. Your job is simply to share about the Hope who lives in you-right now and always!

We wish you the best and brightest summer season yet as you spend lots of time with the Son!

Thought of the Month

“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”

I Timothy 4:10