Well, recently I’ve been very convicted about putting Jesus first in my life and not being afraid of sharing the Gospel. You may have noticed I put the Gospel page on the homepage instead of my About Me page – I really felt the Holy Spirit’s conviction to do that so that it’s the first thing people see! At least if that’s the only page someone looks at, hopefully they will get some truth of the Gospel that will sit in their hearts and minds, and God will use that to bring them to Him! Speaking of which… go read that first!!! Just click on “The Gospel” in the navigation bar above.

When you ask the Lord for courage and boldness and opportunities to share, He’s going to give you ways to practice! Are you ready to ask Him for that? I feel like sometimes I need to ask the Lord to help me want to ask Him for boldness – anyone relate? It can be super scary and discouraging to think about sharing the good news of Christ with the world as it is right now. Everyone seems so hostile and jumpy when you start talking about the sinfulness of humanity and how there are certain things we can or can’t do. For example, homosexuality is a blatant sin (Leviticus 18:22, 1 Timothy 1:9-11). Pornography/adultery is a sin (Matthew 5:27-28, Deuteronomy 5:18). Abortion at any stage after conception is murder – it’s a sin (Psalm 139:13-16, Deuteronomy 5:17). Premarital sexual relations is a sin (Hebrews 13:4, Ephesians 5:3). Idolizing our careers or families or self-satisfaction is a sin (Ephesians 5:5). Obsession with money leads to sin (1 Timothy 3:3). We must forgive! We must surrender to God! We must submit to His will and not our own! This kind of stuff reaaally goes against today’s culture. We might not want to rock the boat or be seen as that Christian. But friends… we can’t keep hiding. We can’t keep trying to conceal this wonderful grace that has been given to us through Christ!!

This world can be cold and bitter
Feels like we’re in the dead of winter
Waiting on something better
But am I really gonna hide forever?

Over and over again
I hear Your voice in my head
Let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see

Verse 1 and Tag 1 “Start a Fire” by Unspoken

Are you hearing God’s voice in your head? Are you feeling the little twinge in your heart? Are you pushing aside your conscience because you’re uncomfortable with what God’s calling you to do? Let’s not be afraid anymore (2 Timothy 1:7)! Let’s ask God to start a fire of passion for Him in our hearts! Let’s be so invested in living the way He calls us to live that everyone just knows there’s something different about us. Our light should shine so brightly that it illuminates the truth of God’s Word without question.

Start a fire in my soul
Fan the flame and make it grow
So there’s no doubt or denying
Let it burn so brightly
That everyone around can see
That it’s You, that it’s You that we need
Start a fire in me

Chorus “Start a Fire” by Unspoken

Jesus said it only takes the tiniest bit of true faith and trust in Him for INCREDIBLE things to happen (Matthew 17:20). Our faith can be used so greatly by Him to demonstrate His amazing grace and love and power. We’ve got to stop resisting Him! He is our Creator and Father. He knows what is best for us and ultimately how everything is going to pan out in the end. We don’t have to travel overseas or go to a different country. We can start in our friend groups, our workplaces, our communities. Ask someone if you can pray for them. Invite them to church. Set an example in the way you speak and act that you are a follower of Christ! People will notice. When God’s light shines through you, it is contagious (Matthew 5:14-16). God can use your boldness and faith in crazy amazing ways. Others need to know about this wonderful Good News!! Pray that the Holy Spirit would fill your heart with the desire to serve Him and be a witness to others.

You only need a spark to start a whole blaze
It only takes a little faith
Let it start right here in this city
So these old walls will never be the same

Over and over again
I hear Your voice in my head
They need to know
I need to go
Spirit won’t You fall on my heart now

Verse 2 and Tag 2 “Start a Fire” by Unspoken

Oh friends, we need to truly seek God and try to live like Jesus lived. He is the ultimate example of how we should treat others. The whole Bible is His Holy Word, which gives us so many teachings on how we can serve Him and live out our faith! He is the One Who freed us from our sin and gifted us with eternal bliss in Heaven with Him. He is the only One Who can provide this gift of salvation to others, too.

You are the fire You are the flame
You are the light on the darkest day
We have the hope we bear Your name
We carry the news that You have come to save
Only You can save

Bridge “Start a Fire” by Unspoken

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NLT

If we pray for boldness, the Lord will give us boldness. If we pray for courage, the Lord will give us courage. If we pray for wisdom, the Lord will give us wisdom. If we pray for an opportunity, the Lord will give us an opportunity. Believe He will provide you with the requests that you ask Him for in Jesus’ Name (John 14:13)!

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

James 1:5-7 NLT

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:29-31 NLT