A Magnolia's Heart Beats

Sunny, from A Damsel No Longer In Distress, is hosting a giveaway! Click the button up top or the one on my sidebar for more information.

She asks some good questions. Her questions are in blue, my responses in red.

At what age did you recognize you were in need of a Savior?

I was 8 when I realized I needed a Savior.

Who shared the Gospel with you (you don't have to share names unless you just want to)?

I grew up in a home where the love of God was taught to me at an early age. I grew up in church, so my answer is Sunday School teachers, youth group ministers, the Preacher, retreat leaders...I was blessed with going to a church that was Bible-believing and preached the Good News!

What was your first reaction when you heard the Gospel for the first time?

I really can't remember a time when I had not heard the Gospel message, but when I really "listened", I felt broken, then light as a feather as I accepted Christ.

How long did it take you to understand Jesus is the only Savior, repent and trust Him with your life?

I didn't make a true committment to Him until I was in my teens, though. He has been my Savior since I was 17, and I came to know Him as my Lord in my 20s. Sound confusing? What I mean to say is that although I was saved early on, I didn't walk with Him and talk with Him until a few years later. Now we are steady!

How often do you share the Gospel with others?

Not often enough. I am intimidated, afraid I will say the wrong thing. It's easy for me to email or blog about it, but face-to-face? Help! Am I alone in this? It's not that I want to keep Him all to myself. I don't. Once, when we were hosting a crusade, I was a counselor. I was a senior in high school. The girl I counseled heard the message and came down, and even though I talked with her at length about Christ and what He did for us, she chose not to make a profession of faith. I was heartbroken. Crushed. I felt as though she had rejected me, I think, looking back, though I didn't realize it at the time. I pray for her when she comes to mind. My sweet grandmother told me that at least a seed was planted and we prayed that would be watered and grow. I do leave tracts in places when I have them - restaurants, restrooms, desks, etc.

What plans do you have to become more committed to sharing salvation in Christ with others?

I pray daily that God would place people in my life that I could share His love with. Then I freeze up when the opportunity arises. For example, the other day, a vagrant walked into our parking garage begging for money, and I should have told him about Christ, but didn't. Part of me was scared of him (eyes glazed over, holding a big box, scraping cigarette butts from ashtray) scary! I'm going to do some research this weekend to see how I can overcome the freeze-up.

What scares you the most about sharing the Gospel and what Scriptures have helped you overcome those fears?

Rejection. Not being clear about the Message, wondering if I should seize an opportunity, timing. Some Scriptures that have helped:

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." ~ Mark 16:15 (NIV) - This is a commandment. Must do!

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." ~ Matthew 4:17 (NIV) - I realize we are living in the last days and I want to lead as many to the Lord as I can.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." ~ 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) - I'm not ashamed of the Gospel and need to just get over myself. I want to handle His truth correctly.

See how short I fall in sharing? I need to learn more. I'll do some researching on this topic this weekend and see how I can be more bold in sharing the Gospel.

To view my testimony, click here.