January 8 – Devotional

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-22

Key Verses: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. – 1 Peter 3:15-16, CEB

The fifth and final component of the membership vow is to support the church with our witness. For many church members, this part of the membership vow is the scariest. Witness? Share my testimony? What would I say? What if I say the wrong thing? You want me to speak or pray in public? Relax! Take a deep breath. Think about what God has done for you. Then in just a few sentences, share that story. Blaise Pascal, a 17th century French mathematician and philosopher, described a “God-shaped vacuum [hole] in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, only by God, the creator.” How has God filled that hole in your heart? The answer to that question is your witness. May God give you the willingness and courage to share your story.

Pray:

• Why does the call to witness scare so many Christians? Does it scare you or make you uncomfortable to talk about your faith?

• What is your witness? How has God filled the God-shaped hole in your heart? Relax, trust God to give you the words, summarize what God has done for you in just a few sentences, and share your story.

• Every church witnesses to the gospel in its own way with emphases and flavors unique to that church. What is unique about the way God is calling our church to witness to the faith?

Listen: With open eyes, ears, and heart, listen for God to speak to you now and throughout the day.

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