What about when things are going good? Do we get to hear about that? What do we do when things are going good? That is something you don't hear a lot of talk about. I want to explore this.
What does the Bible tell us about this?
PS 75:1 We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.
PS 107:8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
It says in what we just read that men tell of God's wonderful deeds. That is what we need to do.
God takes care of us and people need to see that. We need to talk about the times that God is doing things for us.
We need to also thank God for what he is doing. This we can do two ways. One, we can do this by telling God thank you and two, we can do this by letting people know what he is doing. This glorifies God.
It is obvious why we should thank God, but why tell other people?
There is a lot of suffering in this world. The Bible says we will all suffer. That's when people need to hear about what God has done and is doing, that way they can learn to trust him. By us telling them about what God has done, he can become a reality in their lives also.
Don't do this by bragging about it. If someone is hurting you put your arm around them and comfort them and when they are ready you share with them what God can do.
People will become encouraged by seeing things can be better and by seeing God at work in your life.
A lot of people have heard what the Bible says:
MT 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
What does this mean?
Jesus explains it himself:
MT 7:9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
So now you have read this and you know this, just give this scripture to people. Should be easy, right? They read it, trust God, end of story.
Its not that simple for most people. Picture yourself being the one that is struggling. How many times does God seem far away? How many times do God's promises not seem real?
That is why we have to share with others, even people that already now Jesus. It continually reminds us of what God can do and will do.
So what's the conclusion?
JER 33:11 "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever."
PS 105:1 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
In other words, let EVERYONE know what God is doing.
What will this ultimately do?
People get to know God as the loving father, instead of just the strict disciplinarian. People get to know that God truly loves us, is real and will take care of us.
This is what will draw people to Jesus Christ. You do not need to be a preacher to lead people to Jesus.
