“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Tim. 4:2 NASB)

You never know when an opportunity to share the good news about Jesus will come along

You should be prepared to share your faith at all times, whether you feel like it or not. Jesus did so with a woman he saw drawing water at a well. He had stopped there to rest and to get a drink of water. He was hot, thirsty and tired from a very long journey, yet he recognized the opportunity and took advantage of it, to tell her about “living water.” (John 4:4-26)

Do you know how to share Jesus?

If someone handed you a Bible and said, “Show me what it says I must do to become a Christian.” What would you do? Unfortunately, most people cannot because they don't know how. That's unfortunate, because God’s followers should be prepared to share the good news at all times, “In season and out of season”. (2 Tim. 4:2)

You can share a Gospel Tract

Even if you aren’t able to show someone the way to Jesus by turning to verses in the Bible, you can give them something printed that has it spelled out for them.

That’s how I first heard the good news

I learned how to become a Christian from a little gospel booklet (gospel tract) I found in someone's glove box one evening. I was out partying with my buddies and we stopped at a liquor store. While waiting in the car for them, I looked in the glove box for matches to light a cigarette. I didn't find any, but I found a little booklet called, “This was your life”, by Chick Publications.” I don’t know who put it in there, my friends weren't Christians, but I’m grateful that someone did, because it told me how to receive Jesus. It explained how we are all sinners separated from God by sin and that Jesus had died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. It told how to pray a simple prayer to receive Jesus. I prayed that prayer and my life was forever changed! You can get gospel tracts like the one that helped me at www.chick.com/gospel-tracts, or from your Bible book store, or online from the American tract society. www.mwtb.org/pages/tracts. There are lots of different ones to choose from.

By the way, I created and printed a gospel tract a few years ago with the title, “People Can Be Recycled, Too!” Many thousands of them are printed and distributed each year. Some businesses even pack one in every shipment they send out. Who knows where they will end up, maybe even in someone's glove box! If you want a free sample of one, email me at [email protected], and I will mail you one.

You can also see an electronic version of it online

Feel free to send this link to anyone you wish to share Christ with.

www.mikefrench.com/recycledpeople

 “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:2-3 NIV)

Asaph just about slipped  

In Psalms 73, Asaph tells how he looked around at the prosperity of the wicked, compared his situation to theirs, and it greatly distressed and discouraged him. In fact, it just about caused him to slip, until he came to his senses and turned back to God’s truth.

The wicked seem healthy, prosperous and strong!

“They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for. They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.” (Psalms 73:4-9 NLT)

It is distressing and confusing to watch

“And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. ‘What does God know?’ they ask. ‘Does the Most High even know what’s happening? Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply’”. (Psalms 73:10-12 NLT)

It can cause you to doubt yourself and question God!

“Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?  I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.” (Psalm 73:13-14 NLT)

Wrong thinking is not good!

“If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.” (Psalm 73:15 NLT)

Remember the destiny of the wicked

“So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.” (Psalms 73:16:17 NLT)

They are headed toward destruction and terrors!

“Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.” (Psalms 73:18-19 NLT)

God sees and knows the truth about their silly ideas!

“When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.” (Psalm 73:20 NLT)

We belong to God and have a wonderful future with Him!

“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. (Psalms 73:21-24 NLT)

God is the strength of your heart!

“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.” (Psalms 73:25-27 NLT)

It makes you want to share about the wonderful things He does!

“But as for me, how good it is to be near God!  I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” (Psalm 73:28 NLT)

“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” (Col. 1:11 NIV)

God helps us do all things!

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13 NIV)

When trials come, be hopeful, patient and faithful in prayer

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12 NIV)

And, have the same attitude of mind towards each other that Jesus had

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” (Rom. 15:5 NIV)

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 37:23 NLT)

Looking backward is easier than forward

Looking backward over the past usually enables you to see how God had directed you along the way. But, it's not usually so clear looking forward. So, It helps to remember how God had led you in the past and understand that He will continue to do so in the future. It also helps to understand what God’s Word says on the subject and then stand firmly on those promises by faith.

The Lord establishes your steps

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:9 ESV)

The Lord directs your steps

“The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (Prov. 20:24 NLT)

The Lord lights your path so you can see where to go

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:195 NLT)

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts 20:24 NLT)

My pastor died suddenly last winter!

No one saw it coming! He was a devoted, gifted man of God with great vision. But suddenly he was gone in an instant. It was a shocking reminder that we should be doing what God has created us to do because we don't know when suddenly we will no longer be here to do anything more. The verse of Scripture At the top is now printed on his gravestone.

Before your time is done here…

Is there Someone you should be sharing the good news with? A family member, or a friend? Perhaps, there is a neighbor you need to speak with? You don't know how much time you have left here, or for them. Don't wait any longer to speak with those you care about. Do it now!

How will they hear the good news if you don't tell them?

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Rom. 10:14 NLT)

Now is an acceptable time

“For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.’” (2 Cor. 6:2 NLT)

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 2:3-4 NKJV)

All have fallen short because of sin!

There was a problem called Sin! And no matter what we do to try to reach God, we still come short of God’s glory because of it!

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23 ESV)

The wages of sin is death but God gives us the gift of forgiveness and eternal life!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23 NIV)

God has provided a Mediator between God and man

The good news is that God has provided a way to bridge the sin-gap with His Son, Jesus!

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 2:5  NKJV)

We now can come freely to God through Jesus!

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30 ESV)

Yes, this means everyone who calls on His Name!

“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Rom. 10:13 ESV)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 ESV)

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7 NASB)

Practice the presence of God

The Practice of the Presence of God is a book of collected teachings of Brother Lawrence (born Nicholas Herman), a 17th-century Carmelite monk. He didn't do all the normal religious things most monks did, but instead practiced thinking about God and including Him in all the little things he did. He realized the simple truth that God is always present and you should look for and recognize Him everywhere.

God is continually present, whether you realize it or not. The Bible says so!

“I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20 NASB)

God never leaves you! 

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5 ESV)

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalms 139:7-10 NIV)    

 “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalms 50:1-6 ESV)

Happy 4th of July!

This is the day that Americans celebrate their independence! It's all about freedom and being happy about it!

There are times we should celebrate!

“A time to weep, “and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecl. 3:4 ESV)

“Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.” (Psalm 148:5 ESV)

Do it to the Glory of God!

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31 ESV)

This is God’s gift to you!

“Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.” (Ecl. 3:13 ESV)

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 ESV)

What if my desires are wrong, then what? 

When I first saw the above verse in the Bible, I was shocked at what it said, that you'd get the desires of your heart by simply delighting yourself in God. I thought, “What if my desires are selfish? What if I desire something sinful? Would God still give them to me?” Then, I  discovered something very surprising about this promise. When you truly delight yourself in God, something miraculous happens. God changes your desires and you end up desiring what He desires for you. It's a wonderful process.

It's an often mentioned subject

The Bible has a lot to say on the subject of delighting and pleasing God. According Baker’s Bible dictionary the idea of delight occurs approximately 110 times in Scripture in various forms. The related concept of "please" occurs about 350 times.

Jesus, as our supreme example, took great delight in honoring and obeying his Father

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." (John 8:29 NIV)

And what pleases (delights) Him, should also delight us as well!

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” (2 Cor. 5:9 NIV)

And it makes us joyful!

“Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.” (Psalm 112:1 NLT)