How do you witness when you don't want to offend or make enemies. How do you reach others when you are too busy for conversation sometimes? What do you do in your daily work day that could bring others to Christ?

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

Sometimes simple things we do or don't do say more than all the words in a dictionary.

While driving over the road, I had a simple habit of asking a blessing over my meal, even in a truck stop.

I didn't think anything of it, burt several times someone would pat me on the back and say 'Keep up the good work'.

People watch us. So we witness just in our behaviour.

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What is popular is not always right.
What is right is not always popular.
Gerry B.

There is a person at work who trusts me to even watch over her purse at times.

Some are also careful of their language around me.

Sometimes we even get a chance to discuss things a little.

The question remains, however, whether they see me as a Christian or a religious person.

How do people see the rest of us at work?

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

'Christians' live what they believe, religious people ( at least any I knew while younger) 'preached' a good thing bit didn't live it themselves, or were to busy making sure everyone else was living right to do it themselves.

Most christians I know, now, are to busy living their beliefs, they don't have to preach.

My opinion.
Gerry B.

This daily devotion came in my mail this morning.
As usual, sister White says it better than I can:

Hid with Christ in God

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a
cedar in Lebanon. Ps. 92:12.
See the weary traveler toiling over the hot sand of the desert, with
no shelter to protect him from the rays of the tropical sun. His water
supply fails, and he has nothing with which to slake his burning thirst.
His tongue becomes swollen; he staggers like a drunken man. Visions of home
and friends pass before his mind as he believes himself ready to perish.
Suddenly he sees in the distance, rising out of the dreary, sandy waste, a
palm tree, green and flourishing. Hope quickens his pulses; he presses on,
knowing that that which gives vigor and freshness to the palm tree will
cool his fevered blood and give him renewed life.
As is the palm tree in the desert--a guide and a consolation to the
fainting traveler--so the Christian is to be in the world. He is to guide
weary souls, full of unrest, and ready to perish in the desert of sin, to
the living water. He is to point his fellowmen to Him who gives to all the
invitation, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."
The sky may be as brass, the burning sand may beat about the palm
tree's roots, and pile itself about its trunk; yet the tree lives on, fresh
and vigorous. Remove the sand, and you discover the secret of its life; its
roots strike down deep into the waters hidden in the earth.
Thus it is with the Christian. His life is hid with Christ in God.
Jesus is to him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life. His
faith, like the rootlets of the palm tree, penetrates beneath the things
that are seen, drawing life from the fountain of life. And, amid all the
corruption of the world, he is true and loyal to God. The sweet influence
of Christ's righteousness surrounds him. His influence elevates and
blesses.
The humblest and poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing
to others. They may not realize that they are doing any special good, but
by their unconscious influence they may start waves of blessings that will
widen and deepen, and the blessed results they may never know till the day
of final reward. They are not required to weary themselves with anxiety
about success. They have only to go forward quietly, doing faithfully the
work God's providence assigns, and their life will not be in vain. Their
own souls will be growing more and more into the likeness of Christ; they
are workers together with God in this life, and are thus fitting for the
higher work and the unshadowed joy of the life to come (Signs of the Times,
Aug. 6, 1902).

See what I mean?

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What is popular is not always right.
What is right is not always popular.
Gerry B.

"Let your light so shine before men" It's a wonderful rule!

Daryl, I know what you mean, there are people at my work who also watch their language around me, others know that I am a Christian, many know that my diet is far different from most of theirs, etc.

However, does there not come a time when we are asked to witness to our friends, coworkers, etc. How do we know when God is telling us that it is time?

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

If you pray for an opportunity, then you had better follow it through as the opportunity will come quicker than you think, and you will know it.

I know, from experience!

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

The opportunity is what matters, I guess sometimes, I just don't know how to approach people. How do you invite them to attend church or to accept Christ at that crucial moment - what if you let it pass? Will God give you another??

I think that Gerry's story in the Fellowship Room says a lot also, check it out - he's entitled it "What is important? To You?"

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

If we approach people as a friend they find they can see us as being different from their other friends, they will soon approach us with some questions which will then be our opportunity to give an answer.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl Fawcett

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited September 22, 2000).]

There is a line in a childrens song that goes like this:
Don't you know oh Christian, you're a sermon in shoes?

Our every day demeanor will say more about who ands what we are than anything we could say.

The best way to witness at work?
Just be who you are in Christ Jesus.

When they use coarse language, don't.
When they tell off color or racial jokes, leave.
When you sit down to eat, say a prayer over your food.
When a co-worker is hurting, offer sympathy and let them know you are there to help if possible.

Every thing we say, every thing we do is looked at under a microscope.
If our walk corresponds to our claim, it will say more than anything else.

Do you ever, though, feel a need or desire to do more? to say more? Sometimes I just feel as if it is not enough to go my quiet little way, praying for those around me and letting my light shine.

I suppose that without a light bulb the world would be a dark place and we would see nothing, but who truly appreciates the work of the lightbulb?

Without salt our food would be tasteless, but how many truly appreciate the value of salt?

Perhaps my desire to do more stems not from Christ but from self.... Having said that, how do I know?

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

Christ suggested to his intimate 12 friends how others would know they were followers of His. It had to do with unselfish love and concern for others. The same applies to us. It is good to do the things suggested, but the way to really show our relationship to God is by true, active Christian concern for the needs and feelings of others. Emphasis on active. Its easy to say that I'll pray for you. But Christ said that prayer does not cloth a person who needs clothing. Nor feed someone who needs food.

Practical Christianity, exhibited through loving actions will do more to show the personality of Christ than anything else. Anyone can love his friend. A Christian will sacrifice for an enemy.

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And the second is like it . . .

[This message has been edited by DrD (edited March 10, 2001).]

I agree DrD, the best example we have is the life and ministry of Christ while here on earth.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.Mt.22:39 last part.

How better to love thy neighbor than to help him/her when they are down?

I read about a series of meetings that wrere presented in the inner city.
Not many came.
When a minister asked a young person why, this was his response:

We get all kinds of preachers downnhere preaching about the 'LOVE' of Jesus.
They preach and pontificate for a few days then leave thinking how they done so much.

we don't need that kind of love, show us some love with skin on.

Love with skin on, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, doing what needs to be done, not just praying about it and thinking that your work is done.
Praying is just the first step.

When you get the impression to speak to sonmeone, do it.
Start out on neutral ground, find out where they stand and then start sharing as the Holy Spirit leads.
Remember, God enables the called, he won't ask you to do something withoout providing the necessary tools.

Ms.Sarah, Truly the best witness and the greatest impact on witnessing there is, is how we live our lives. I have found that people have a tendency to be attracted to something they see or hear about someone. They feel either comfortable or irritated and approch accordingly. Thats where studying and reading comes in soo handy. Don't get envious over those street corner people that walk up or knock on the door. There is a place for them, but If you study Christs life, people came to Him, He didn't seek people. Thats who we should pattern ourselves after. God Bless lisa