When finals began for me this December, it was probably the first time I wasn’t looking forward to my ever-so-close Christmas break. This fall, I started my freshman year at MSU-Moorhead. I am transferring to South Dakota State this spring, so when finals were over, it was the last time I would see many of the friends I had just made in Moorhead. This was hard for me not only because I wouldn’t be around them anymore, but also because God had opened up doors for me to share the Gospel and become a Christian influence in their lives.
As I made friendships this school year, I was looking for ways that I could be a witness for Christ. Having a daily devotional time provided guidance and understanding for things going on at school and in friendships. A couple verses in Psalms recently caught my attention. The first is Psalm 97:11 which says, “Hate evil, you who love the Lord, who preserves the souls of His Godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” A second group of verses are Psalm 116:5-6 which say, “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.” Also Proverbs 2:20-21 stuck out to me, which says, “So you will walk in the way of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land and the blameless will remain in it.”
Psalm 97:11 has been encouraging for me to not allow sinfulness to take over my life, and to live a Godly life as an example to my friends. Psalm 116:5-6 is encouraging in times where I need to repent of sinfulness and reminds me that I am forgiven by my Savior. Proverbs 2:20-21 is motivation for me to follow the commands of God in order to receive the prize which He has for me.
When I figured out in the middle of the semester that I would be transferring in the months to come, I started to pray that the Lord would open up opportunities to share my faith with my friends. Even though I haven’t shared what God has done in my life with them yet, in the time that I was able to spend with these friends I was able to build on those personal friendships. I continue to pray that the Lord would work in these friendships and open up an opportunity for me to share how I have been blessed. As I think of this chance to share I am reminded of the Apostle Paul speaking of how the Lord works through human hands in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, which says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” I receive comfort from these verses knowing that the Lord has the power to work through me.
My favorite Christian rapper, LeCrae, released a new album titled Rebel this fall. Part of the message in the title track said “I know in our day rebel means sinner. But everyone is sinning, so it is no longer rebellious to sin. Jesus was a rebel who was counter-cultural… If you really want to be a rebel, read your Bible, because no one is doing that. That’s rebellion; it’s the only rebellion left.” I know that my devotional life has been instrumental for me to remain positive as a Christian. It also remains the number one source of knowledge and learning in my Christian life. When thinking of it, it is easy to dislike the view of LeCrae, that it is rebellious to read the Bible, but it is also easy to agree that is what our world has come to. I would like to
encourage you in your reading of the Bible, and pray that it would sharpen your knowledge and ability to share with others. In the friendships that you are given, ask the Lord to provide times to share about your life, encourage fellow believers, and show Christ’s love.
by Dan Warner
originally posted January 2009
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