Gospel News — Jan-Apr 2013

8

bringing love and hope to a hurting world.

We, as God's people, are to be clothed with compassion. What are you wearing today? Are you wearing clothes of compassion? Some of us, from a tender heart, see the trouble of others. We may think we are too far away or too powerless or even afraid to help but that is not true. Our prayers are powerful. They transcend time and space. We can be praying for someone in our living room in Jamaica for someone in Canada or other distant place and our prayer is answered.

Nehemiah was an unselfish man of prayer who looked beyond himself and his needs. His example shows us what we need to do to be powerful intercessors for this world. Like Nehemiah we need to find out what is happening outside the sphere of me, myself and I. When Nehemiah met Hanani, one of his brothers who had recently come from Judah, Nehemiah asked for the names of Jews in Jerusalem, Neh 1:1-3. As soon as he heard of their situation, Nehemiah sat down and wept. He felt compassion and his heart mourned. The Bible says he fasted and prayed asking God to hear him, remember His promises to His people and give him success, Neh 1:4-11.

What wall can you rebuild? What need do you see outside yourself?

When we hear of distress in the world, your heart should respond with compassion. We should pray with persistence and, if so led, take direct action. Take direct action, be filled with confidence that God will work in the situation.

In this world Jesus says we will have trouble. When things seem hopeless, we must be confident that Christ will meet us in the fire, so to speak, as the angel met Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When terror seems to reign on every side, continue faithfully onward remembering that if we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it and He will because of His compassion. We will not be consumed. See Lamentations 3:22.

I can speak for myself. My life is a perfect

example of what it is to suffer in the truth and God has restored me from the enemies that tried to take my life. God was by my side and He stopped them. I have much to thank God for. Because of his unfailing compassion, I was not consumed.

These verses will confirm what I have said: 2 Cor 1:3, 1 Tim 2:1-2, James 5:11, John 17:15- 18, John 16:33, Phil 2:1-2, 2 Cor 10:4, Matt 5:14, 1 Pet 3:8, Eph 6:12, Dan 3:17, 1 John 2:17 & Col 3:12. May God be with you.

Best Way To Preach

The best way of sharing Christian faith is through relationship, according to new research from the Evangelical Alliance. Its survey showed that 81 per cent of Christians have seen `friendship evangelism' work effectively.

The survey, `Confidently sharing the gospel' set out to find out whether Christians in Britain are still evangelising in the 21st century, but found changing patterns in the way that Christians speak about their faith.

It also revealed that today's Christians are unlikely to be found preaching in the open-air, with only nine per cent feeling that street preaching is an effective way to talk about Jesus. Eighty per cent find the intimacy of a group of friends is a safer and more effective place to share their beliefs.

Krish Kandiah, director of churches in mission at the Evangelical Alliance, said: "It's no surprise that the good news about Jesus is best communicated in friendly conversation. Jesus modelled confident graciousness to his Church. He was not afraid to explain the gospel, but he did it in a winsome, engaging way. Let's continue to walk in his footsteps."

Other results from the survey:

—

48 per cent feel too scared to talk about their faith to non-Christians

—

57 per cent believe it is their