Cool Spring - Online Devotionals

     Are you ready for some football?

     More than a statement of fact than a question, football season has arrived, ready or not. Football fans are certainly ready, and very little preparation is required to enjoy a game of football on television or sitting on the sideline of an Upward Flag Football field. 2007 is the third year of Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading for Cool Spring Church and New Hanover Church. Over time, kinks get worked out, and things go more smoothly. For example, this year, registration for Upward Flag Football took place before the end of the school year and before the end of Upward Soccer, increasing awareness of the fall sports before summer break.

     This is just one act of preparation that must take place before the football season starts, and there are many behind the scenes jobs that must be done before the first game is even played: ordering and receiving uniforms, securing volunteers, forming teams, preparing and marking the fields, and training referees and coaches. The players and cheerleaders practice for several weeks before the season starts – learning the basics as well as running through plays. When the season finally starts, the players and cheerleaders would want to be able to answer the question, “Are you ready for some football?” with a resounding “Yes! I’m Ready!” Even still, the experience gained by actually playing in games further advances the players’ skills, and they are able to progress to more difficult plays as the season goes on.

     The Bible contains a similar command to this familiar football phrase. However, this does not have to do with our readiness to play a sport, but with our readiness to spread God’s Word:

What is our hope, as stated in this verse? This is our own salvation - given to us through faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to cover our sins. This verse tells us to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you.” Are we prepared to tell even one person about our faith in Jesus? Are we ready? As in the arrival of the football season, sooner or later, ready or not, the opportunity will arise for us to tell someone about our faith in Jesus. We become the players, not the spectators. In football, being unprepared will only lead to the loss of a game. In life, our lack of preparedness may become a stumbling block for the person who asked us about our faith. We may have been the one person that could have led that person to Christ. The stakes are much higher.

In a recent informal poll taken at www.onmission.com (and published in the June 2007 “Your Church on Mission with God” newsletter), only 8 to 10 percent of Christians regularly share Christ with others. When asked, “Why don’t Christians share Christ,” several responses were given:

     Basically, all of these excuses stem from a lack of preparedness, and a lack of the confidence that comes from being prepared. A person does not have to be a Bible scholar to share Christ, but they do need to have a basic understanding of who Christ is, His free gift of salvation through faith, and the nature of our relationship with Christ.

     Having a personal testimony about how Christ has impacted your life is also a powerful way to share Christ with others. People often squabble about differing nuances in doctrine, church rituals, worship styles, denominations, and even different translations of the Bible. This division does nothing to glorify God. However, no one can argue with your personal story; your own statement about how Christ has affected your life.

     But what if you do not have a personal testimony, or what if you don’t know the basic information about accepting Christ as your personal Savior? Fortunately, there are many resources and people who can help you with this.

Are You Ready?

First, pray about your decision to become a more effective witness for Christ. The Holy Spirit will equip you and guide your advance preparation. The Holy Spirit will also make your words effective even when you think you stumbled over your words or were not clear.

So that you can accurately explain who Christ is and why He is needed by everyone, know the basics about salvation through faith in Christ, and learn some Bible verses that go along with these points. There is a large collection of Bible Verses on this website. Go to Bible Verses Related to Salvation Through Jesus Christ for a discussion of each step toward Salvation through Christ, and a few Bible verses related to that step.

Memorize the sinner’s prayer – the prayer that is used when one accepts Christ as their personal Savior. I often pray this prayer even though I am already saved. This is because every day is a new day, and His blessings are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:21-23 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.)

This is one version of the sinner's prayer. Pray this prayer with a person who is accepting Christ as their personal Savior:

Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died to forgive me of my sins. I now accept Your offer of eternal life. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sin. Thank you for my new life. From this day forward, I will choose to follow You.

Develop your own personal testimony. This can be about how you came to faith in Christ, or it can be about how you have been blessed by Christ. It can be about how Christ has worked in your life, or how faith in Christ has helped you through difficult times. A personal testimony does not have to be an earth shattering conversion experience, or an impressive rags to riches story. Even if your own testimony seems boring by the world’s standards, it could have a profound, and even life-changing impact on the person with whom you share it. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. If you are not sure how to develop your testimony, I recommend the paperback book “Becoming a Contagious Christian” by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg for guidance. Once you have developed your testimony, practice it and go over it in your mind. Pray to be given the opportunity to share it.