The Fear Factor

Let's be transparent, shall we?  Does fear and anxiety well up in you when you think of speaking Christ and the gospel to others?

I've been thinking a lot about Stephen in Acts 6 and 7, and now Philip in Acts 8.  We know that Stephen unequivocally declared the Lord Jesus Christ and was killed because of it!  And I'm sure that Philip's obedience in carrying the gospel to Samaria was risky, too.  These were bold men, very bold.  What made them so?  How can I get some of that boldness?  How can you?

In his highly recommended book, Marks of the Messenger, J Mack Stiles wrote, "Boldness is not a lack of fear.  It is faith in something bigger than our fears so that we appear fearless.  Confidence in something bigger than our fears gives us strength to do the right thing in spite of opposition or persecution."

That helps me.  Fill up on God and His Word.  Pray hard.  And trust Him.  Take Jesus at His Word when He says, "When the time comes for you to speak, I will give you words." ("I will give you a mouth and wisdom..." Luke 21:15)  Do we believe Him?

Going hard after Jesus and praying for boldness, with you,

Pastor Carey