Charles Brammall on Gratitude, Family Bible Reading, and Mission
Gratitude: Try to train yourself to thank God for everything in life, even seemingly
trivial things, so that you’re more conscious of Him yourself. And depending on who you’re with, more opportunities are likely to come up with non-Christians. For example, give thanks to God if you drop a piece of toast and it lands butter side up instead of the other way round. Why not?!
I recently thanked God because I had a safe car trip. I had a near-miss and wasn’t hit – I successfully crossed a bridge where, six months ago, a guy had smashed into me and knocked off the whole of my car’s front end.
I’m a casual teacher and was given well-behaved classes today, so I thanked the LORD.
This week, I said thank you to Him because I had a significant chat with someone at the dog park. I thanked Him this morning because I had a good sleep last night, unlike sometimes. I often forget to do this when He sends subtle blessings, but I want to start giving Him credit all the time.
Household reading: If you’re married, have flatmates, or live with your family, read a short passage or chapter of the Bible each night together (including with your sibling or parents if that would work). My wife Chiq and I have recently started this and have read through The Revelation (Paul Barnett’s commentary Apocalypse Now and Then was especially helpful); we got halfway through Song of Songs and have just started John’s Gospel.
We start by praying that God will help us understand and obey, read together, tell each other what encouraged, surprised or confused us, and ask each other questions about it. Then, we each share a “take home” message we got from the passage and briefly ask God to help us obey.
Go Away: If your church has a mission trip, go on it! Or go on a Beach Mission. Or Christian camp…They are an excellent opportunity for you to train yourself in introducing people to Jesus, as well as actually introducing them to him.
“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” (1 Pet 3:15).
Going on mission or camp also drives you to rely on God in prayer, as sharing the Gospel can be scary and exhausting.
During my church’s mission to a country town a few months ago, we were due to go door-knocking one afternoon in an effort to introduce people to Jesus. I have done many years of evangelism, and I usually enjoy it and even find it exhilarating. But just before we were due to knock on the first door, I was suddenly struck with utter and paralysing terror. I chatted to our leader, we prayed together, and I was reassured and challenged – I hadn’t asked God to strengthen me for the frightening and tiring task of calling people to repent. I was trying to do it under my own steam. In God’s kindness, we ended up having several Gospel conversations, using “The Wordless Book” Gospel summary. And a few new people came to church that week as a result. I pray that I will learn to rely on the LORD for sharing Him with people he has made and loves.
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