This episode discusses what we can learn from the principles of gardening when it comes to sharing our faith.
Get more from Greg Koukl at www.str.org and check out his book: Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions.
Short video from Greg Koukl: Want to Share the Gospel? Start with This Question.
This episode highlights the importance of living as an example of Jesus for others to follow.
This episode talks about how to share your faith by simply being a witness to what God has done in your life.
On this episode, we’re talking about how you can share your faith by simply being a witness.
You’re listening to Your Faith At Work with Dr. Ryan S. Howard, a podcast to inspire and equip you to partner with God in your daily work. Visit your YourFaithAtWork.org to learn more and download your free copy of 21 Days to a New Workplace You.
Well, if somebody asked you to tell a story about something that happened to you or some experience that you had, you probably wouldn’t hesitate too long. In general, you would just share what happened. You would just be a witness.
And a lot of times when it comes to sharing our faith or when we think about evangelism or when we think about sharing Jesus with others, we really start to overthink it and we really start to think about, well, we don’t know enough or I don’t know what to say or what what about what they say.
But really we are called to be a witness. And what that means is just talking about what God has done in our life. Now, many times we have opportunities to do a lot more of those other detailed things, but everyone can be a witness to their own experience. There is no reason why we couldn’t do that.
So do you have a testimony? Do you have some things that God has done in your life?
You know, I heard a story once about a man who was sharing with his neighbor about Jesus every day for months and months and months, or every week at least. And the neighbor wasn’t really hearing it and wasn’t really interested.
And something came up in this man’s life. Then he started sharing with his neighbor about what God was doing in his life and how he was interacting with God and how he asked God to engage in something. And then God did.
And he was talking about interactions back and forth and it was like a light switch. The neighbor became very interested in what was going on.
You see people have enough to add onto their already busy and full lives. They don’t want just another thing, another requirement.
And the thing is, many times when they think about following Christ or being a Christian, that’s what they think it is. But it’s not. It’s a full life giving relationship. Something that we are enjoying together with God.
And when we talk about our experience in that and how God interacts with us in our life, that is what is intriguing to people. That is what is interesting to people.
And you know what? When we really actually have to have that kind of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We really have to have that close relationship and have given our lives to him.
When we do that and we really are seeking that and making that a priority in our life to keep that relationship fresh and to stay close to Christ, well then He can really form us and give us peace and joy that’s overflowing.
And people can see that hope that’s in us and they will ask about it.
So I want to encourage you, I mean, if you’re a little dry, if you feel dry spiritually, just get back on track. Don’t let the enemy beat you up over it. Don’t beat yourself up over it.
Just make the change. Whatever’s in your heart and your spirit right now that you need to do, make the change. Get back on track and think about it.
Take some time to think about what has God done in your life. How have you seen Him move? I know you’ve got some stories, and if you don’t, ask Him for some. Ask Him.
Get specific about what you want Him to engage with, and then you’ll have something to share.
So take some time this week to think about how you can share your faith by simply being a witness and sharing what God has already done in your life.
Thanks for listening to Your Faith At Work with Dr. Ryan S. Howard, if you enjoyed this podcast, we’d love for you to subscribe, share, and leave us a review. Be sure to visit your YourFaithAtWork.org to download your free copy of 21 Days to a New Workplace You. And remember, God wants to partner with you in your work every day.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect on the past year and plan for the year ahead. Whether you are the type to set goals or not, these easy tips will help you ensure that 2020 is your best year yet.
Below are 7 simple tips to help you get the most out of 2020.
It is great to set goals for what we want to achieve, but I have found it to be much more effective to also set goals related to process. We want to have our larger goals and outcomes in mind, but we can’t forget about what it will take to get there.
For example, if I wanted to publish one article per week this year, I would make a process goal of writing for 25 minutes at least three times per week. That would give me the PROCESS that would help me to achieve the OUTCOME.
Making lasting change can be difficult. But if we put our focus on the right area, we can make true changes that will last.
Micro-habits are tiny commitments that will take very little motivation or effort to complete. They can even be so small that they are almost embarrassing to mention.
Micro-habits are a great way to make small changes that will lead to lasting results.
The idea is that there will be no mental resistance to getting started. Then once the ball is rolling, we can continue past what we planned. Plus if we only do the small commitment, we can move forward guilt free.
Here are some examples:
Each of these can be used to create new habits that can be built on over time.
If we want to have the best year we can, we must set goals and priorities. Take some time to think about the last year and what you want to be the same and different for this year.
Take time to actually write out your priorities and goals for the next year. Then review them daily for at least a week and then whatever interval is helpful after the first week.
When you review them, make small commitments that can move them forward.
While it is great to keep the bigger picture in mind, when planning your progress, it is best to think about the exact next step you need to take.
Be sure to break larger projects and goals down into smaller more manageable tasks. This way you can identify the exact next step you need to take to move everything forward.
This will help you to keep from getting stuck and keep the ball rolling.
For example, when my goal was to organize the garage, my steps were the following: 1) separate all trash and cardboard, 2) cut up old boxes, 3) put up wall racks for tools, 4) organize tool boxes, 5) organize tool bench, and so on.
You can see that the larger goal of organizing the garage can seem overwhelming, but the smaller steps can be addressed individually to make progress quickly.
As you review your goals each day or week, strive to make consistent progress on each of them. You don’t have to finish everything at once, but if you can consistently move things forward, you will stay motivated and will achieve great things.
Whatever you commit to, make it small commitments and focus on one thing at a time. The consistency builds motivation and can keep you going.
Don’t let yourself get bogged down with over-complication. Just keep it simple.
Consider using a hyper-focus on one task or goal you want to accomplish. This is a “sprint” where you focus on one thing intensely for a week or two.
For example, when wanted to finish a video course quickly, I spent all my time on it for a week until it was ready.
Another smaller examples were to create a webinar slide deck. I gave myself one week to have a product ready to go. No matter what, I had to have SOMETHING ready.
My desire to “perfect it” had to come only after the first draft was completed.
Two powerful ways to get real commitment from yourself is to write things down and to share them with others. Share your plans with others and talk about your progress.
Writing and talking about what you what to accomplish will help you to gain much needed clarity on your goals and priorities. It also helps you establish what needs to be done next.
These simple tips have helped me to accomplish a lot over the last year. I certainly didn’t always apply them perfectly, but they are always easy to come back to.
Don’t be too hard on yourself this year and don’t let your big goals overwhelm you. If you find yourself off track, just hit reset and get right back to it.
So what will you do to help ensure that you have a great year ahead? What else will help you to focus on having a great year in 2020? Be sure to let me know!
This episode reviews 3 simple tips to help you create new habits.
