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In the last "Comfort Zone" I pointed out that there are three motivation factors for Christian Outreach. First; that we care about people. Example:

At the end of the Korean War, Bobby was embittered by the physical and emotional wounds he received there. But through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, his life was transformed. Twenty-one years later, Bobby returned to Korea to find the houseboy he befriended during the war and share the life-changing message of Christ. (*)

That brings us to the second thing that needs to be said. Not only must we love people, we "Also Must Believe the Gospel." We must believe the greatest gift we can give our neighbor is Christ. We have something to share that the world desperately needs - we have the key to eternal life.

A man was having trouble sleeping at night - things were not going well in his business - family problems. He had a friend who was a lay leader, and told him of his problem; "I can't sleep at night. . I count sheep ... doesn't help." His friend said, "I don't count sheep, I talk to the Shepherd." Do you believe the Savior is worth sharing? No. 1: You have to care about people. No. 2: You have to believe that the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ can meet their need. And there is a third matter of importance.

Before you can bring a friend to Jesus, "Jesus Must Live In Your Heart." The world has a desperate hunger for people - people who truly live out that which they profess to believe - people who witness to something real that has happened in their own lives.

Some years ago a commuter on the Lond Island railroad was know to every regular patron on the five o'clock local. He was well dressed, a soft spoken young man. Every evening after the train left the subway, he would arise and go down the isle of the car. As he walked, he would speak to every passenger: "Excuse me, but if any of your family or any of your friends are blind, tell them to consult Dr. Carl - he restored my sight." (*)

That is evangelism. He did not argue, he testified. He had good news, and he told it. Andrew told his brother. He cared enough about this brother to share with him something real that had happened in his own life. More than that, he was willing to offer his own life to the Master.

PRAYER Rx --- February 10

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to see the "nowness" of my Christian faith. The past is past, and put aside, and the future is in Your hands, Lord, but the "now" is up to me. This is where I either reflect You or not - in how I live today. ... Fill me with Your Spirit, enable me to be more than I am, that I may seize this precious time that will not come again, and live today to Your glory.

In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

© 2000 by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted for noncommercial use.