Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary Nixon on March 17, 2010 at 5:32pm

Jim Great job on starting this group. Looking forward to adding more. Gary

Permalink Reply by Jim Leman on March 17, 2010 at 6:07pm

I am a solo practitoner and don't often have time to share my faith at work. However, I do share it with clients with whom I have an ongoing relationship and I do promote my faith on my Facebook and LinkedIn sites. I do think we have to remember that many people (all) are seeking something and too often seek out worldly solutions -- wealth, self-esteem, self-worship, prestige and fame -- because they don't know and haven't been told that these are mere copies, not even close to the truth that truly fills the needs of the human heart. I think our witness needs to start there - walking our talk so people know we have faith and are committed to it -- and then being sensitive to movements of the Holy Spirit upon people we work with who the Spirit has been drawing to God; these are the ripe apples at work.

Permalink Reply by Mark Ragsdale on April 28, 2010 at 12:04pm

When the Holy Spirit moves you, it is time to share the Gospel. Period. He directs us to those ready to hear the good news, even if they seemingly shun the message at the time. He will use us again, or perhaps someone else via another divine appointment to carry on His work. He will ask without regard to your fears. To be used mightily by Him we must be stretched to areas of discomfort.

I try to start every day asking Father God to use me in mighty ways. Sometimes that is manifest in His calling to share His word with an unbeliever, or provide words of encouragement to a believer. Sometimes, it is a call for an open-field tackle upon a stranger limping through a restaurant that opens with: "can I pray for you?"

Life is not always easy following Jesus. But I am not going back, ever.

Blessings,
Mark

Permalink Reply by Jim Leman on April 28, 2010 at 12:40pm

Said perfectly, Mark. Was having a discussion with another member of this group last night. We are called to be salt and light. As a seasoning, salt is used to change the flavor of something, and as such as Christians we are called out to be salt -- seasoning -- to the culture as a change force. It is clear that we cannot be salt if we sit with our mouths shut. A Christian is Christ doer -- in action. We can feel Christ-like in our minds all day long but we are of little use to the Kingdom. We indeed are soldiers and we know we will take hits for the Kingdom as we open our mouths. This is where I am encourging myself more as well as others -- to speak out and speak up for our Lord and Savior.

Mark Ragsdale said:

When the Holy Spirit moves you, it is time to share the Gospel. Period. He directs us to those ready to hear the good news, even if they seemingly shun the message at the time. He will use us again, or perhaps someone else via another divine appointment to carry on His work. He will ask without regard to your fears. To be used mightily by Him we must be stretched to areas of discomfort.

I try to start every day asking Father God to use me in mighty ways. Sometimes that is manifest in His calling to share His word with an unbeliever, or provide words of encouragement to a believer. Sometimes, it is a call for an open-field tackle upon a stranger limping through a restaurant that opens with: "can I pray for you?"

Life is not always easy following Jesus. But I am not going back, ever.

Blessings,
Mark

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on May 3, 2010 at 8:33pm

Amen! Mark, so beautifully said. The Living Christ (us) showing sincere care and concern in every positive action we do is a way to live out our faith in a prominent fashion. I try to be an evangelizing Christian by leading through example. I am turned away by people imposing their strong beliefs on others with a degrading or critical approach.

Jim Leman said:

Said perfectly, Mark. Was having a discussion with another member of this group last night. We are called to be salt and light. As a seasoning, salt is used to change the flavor of something, and as such as Christians we are called out to be salt -- seasoning -- to the culture as a change force. It is clear that we cannot be salt if we sit with our mouths shut. A Christian is Christ doer -- in action. We can feel Christ-like in our minds all day long but we are of little use to the Kingdom. We indeed are soldiers and we know we will take hits for the Kingdom as we open our mouths. This is where I am encourging myself more as well as others -- to speak out and speak up for our Lord and Savior.

Mark Ragsdale said:

When the Holy Spirit moves you, it is time to share the Gospel. Period. He directs us to those ready to hear the good news, even if they seemingly shun the message at the time. He will use us again, or perhaps someone else via another divine appointment to carry on His work. He will ask without regard to your fears. To be used mightily by Him we must be stretched to areas of discomfort.

I try to start every day asking Father God to use me in mighty ways. Sometimes that is manifest in His calling to share His word with an unbeliever, or provide words of encouragement to a believer. Sometimes, it is a call for an open-field tackle upon a stranger limping through a restaurant that opens with: "can I pray for you?"

Life is not always easy following Jesus. But I am not going back, ever.

Blessings,
Mark

Permalink Reply by Stephen Gardner on May 10, 2010 at 11:39am

- Specifically ask God's oversight and blessing on all business interactions.
- Pray for open doors of conversation that offer an opportunity to be salt and light.
- Respond to all the open doors He provides to witness to people who do not yet know Christ as Savior and Lord.
- Enjoy the opportunities God provides for fellowship and edification with other Christ followers.

In nearly every business environment interaction in which I engage the opportunity arises to fellowship or witness with people God puts in my path. Under the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit I share things about my upbringing (I am a missionaries kid), or something that involves members of my church family and it almost always initiates some further conversations where God gives me an opportunity to be salt and light. When those opportunities do not present themselves it is usually because I was trying too hard instead of letting God do something through me.

Permalink Reply by Jim Leman on May 10, 2010 at 11:59am

Stephen -- Your comments here are wonderful. I especially like the idea about praying for all business transactions. We too often go our own way and then turn to prayer and God only when we create a mess. Also think praying for open doors to share the gospel is something we should be doing always. I have struck up a conversation with a guy at the gym who has remarked twice about scriptural teeshirts I wear when working out and I realize know that the Holy Spirit has prompted me to pursue this man and share the Gospel with him. God is awesome and Holy! God bless you, Stephen