Education........

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, The more I read of the Bible and the more I read Left Behind (no, I am not obsessed with the end of the world, it's just very interesting) the more I understand the verse above. But what really got my attention was a section in Left Behind about how a man who use to be a non-believer, finally came to the conclusion that he was not scared to share his faith anymore. He wanted to tell people how they could be saved because he loved them and wanted them to know the Truth. He said he didn't mind offending anyone anymore. SO, what is on my mind is how to do that. I am not ashamed of my faith and I won't keep my mouth shut about it anymore. I want my friends and family with me in Heaven. I like hanging out with my Christian friends. Who doesn't like hanging out with people they share something so passionatley about? We are comfortable there. We aren't nagged at or made fun because of our faith. We know how they love and it is with Christ. But how do we go out and "make disciples" of others who do tease us (and say "oh, I'm just joking)? How do we get to those who do not have Jesus in their lives, but do know who He is and His story? But they don't have Jesus in their hearts. They don't think anything is wrong with their lives the way it is. I use to be that person. And the more you preached to me the faster I ran from it. The normal answers I know are to treat them with love, the way Jesus treats us. To not get on my high horse, but be humble and remember I was one of them too. But, sometimes the normal answers don't work. That's why PCC was started, to approach people differently, to show God's love. But how do you approach the ones you love that are fine without Jesus in their hearts or lives? How do you say "I love you and want you to be saved" without sounding like a a religious crazy person? How do you not sound like you are better than them, cause I'm not..........I am different because I am saved. I have started to pray, I mean really pray to God about these people. And it's hard sometimes, cause they have mocked me for my faith and change in my life. It's like they don't really get Christianity........they don't get that we don't think we are perfect and we screw up all the time and we go to church to learn and to come back to humbleness. I feel so judged lately. So I always have to remember that Jesus said we will be persecuted by others for being Christ Followers. That "carrying our cross" is part of the journey. But it's still hard. No one wants to "make trouble" or cause awkwardness between friends and family. But the one Bible verse that always sticks in my head is :But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:33 So I won't shy away anymore. The warning is out there. :)