Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Good names. I know several people with those names. Pretty good people too. Writers of the four gospels in the New Testament. Very similar narratives with some different perspectives. Focused on the life and ministry of Jesus. The teachings. The healings. Death and Resurrection. His promises to us. All of these are contained in these four books.
The word gospel has been translated "good news". This was the point of the books. To spread the good news of Jesus, what He represents, and what He did and continues to do for us. The stories told within apply then, today, and into the future. Jesus speaks to and on many things within these pages. He deals with issues that are relevant today as they were back when Jesus walked on the Earth. They apply equally to each person.
We all experience the good news of Jesus in our lives. We write our own stories based on what we have gone through. The highs and the lows. The good times and the bad. In our times of trials. When we mourn. When we experience boundless joy. Our lives are the tapestry upon which God writes His story. Each story is unique because it is our own personal story. Most of the themes and messages are relatable to others - yet applicable to each individual. Our experiences allow us to build empathy for others going through something similar. Others can relate and join in our happiness or be a comfort when we are sad.
For each of us, our interaction with Jesus is a deeply intimate personal journey. What stories do we write in our own individual gospels? The things that we have learned. What we have dealt with. Maybe, it is a moment of great revelation or a rescue from the pits of despair. For others, we might not have a dramatic wild ride of a story. Some do, and that's OK for both. The point is that we all have a story. Lots of similarities, some variances, but the same God.
Each journey takes us on different paths. On that journey, we will experience many highs and lows. Moments of walking through deserts and at other times resting and being refreshed by tranquil rivers. For those of us who are followers, we know where the journey ultimately ends. It is, however, the route we take in arriving to that place. A unique path for each of us. We each have a story to share.
What has God done in your life? What ways have you grown? Where have you struggled and stumbled? Where has life taken you? What adventures have you been involved in? How have you responded when God called you? If you are like me, you will respond differently at times to each question.
These are all questions for our lives. How we answer them paints the story that is our evangelism to the world. We are all evangelists whether we believe in God or not. Our lives and stories paint who we are, where we have been, and where our hearts and hope reside. The good news we share is what is happening in our lives. We can quote the bible, that is vitally important, or even preach well (also important). Yet, it is in the individual stories where we definitely see God in action.
We are given many tools and opportunities to share our stories. Many outlets to get our stories out. Social media is one way. Talking and relating to others is another way.
Plus, the subject matter is one we are very familiar with. Who doesn't enjoy talking about themselves? It's a comfortable subject for each of us. We know ourselves pretty intimately and can relate our thoughts on any subject at hand. We are experts on the subject of ourselves. Don't have to have a master's degree to talk about the events of our life. The main thing, though, is where to place the focus of the story on. The main character of our individual stories if you will. That should be on God.
We all come from different backgrounds and experiences. We all have different reactions, potentially, to the same things. We all have a unique perspective that we can share. Our stories can deeply impact those around us.
If you are still reading this, then know our individual "gospels" are still being written. They have not yet ended. There are still many journeys and adventures we have yet to go on. Some of us will have similar journeys, others quite different from us. Yet, the same God is guiding us on those paths. That remains the same.
Evangelism can be a scary thought to some of us. But, sometimes all it takes is to share our story. Our own personal "gospel" to others. Maybe that's all we need.
The word gospel has been translated "good news". This was the point of the books. To spread the good news of Jesus, what He represents, and what He did and continues to do for us. The stories told within apply then, today, and into the future. Jesus speaks to and on many things within these pages. He deals with issues that are relevant today as they were back when Jesus walked on the Earth. They apply equally to each person.
We all experience the good news of Jesus in our lives. We write our own stories based on what we have gone through. The highs and the lows. The good times and the bad. In our times of trials. When we mourn. When we experience boundless joy. Our lives are the tapestry upon which God writes His story. Each story is unique because it is our own personal story. Most of the themes and messages are relatable to others - yet applicable to each individual. Our experiences allow us to build empathy for others going through something similar. Others can relate and join in our happiness or be a comfort when we are sad.
For each of us, our interaction with Jesus is a deeply intimate personal journey. What stories do we write in our own individual gospels? The things that we have learned. What we have dealt with. Maybe, it is a moment of great revelation or a rescue from the pits of despair. For others, we might not have a dramatic wild ride of a story. Some do, and that's OK for both. The point is that we all have a story. Lots of similarities, some variances, but the same God.
Each journey takes us on different paths. On that journey, we will experience many highs and lows. Moments of walking through deserts and at other times resting and being refreshed by tranquil rivers. For those of us who are followers, we know where the journey ultimately ends. It is, however, the route we take in arriving to that place. A unique path for each of us. We each have a story to share.
What has God done in your life? What ways have you grown? Where have you struggled and stumbled? Where has life taken you? What adventures have you been involved in? How have you responded when God called you? If you are like me, you will respond differently at times to each question.
These are all questions for our lives. How we answer them paints the story that is our evangelism to the world. We are all evangelists whether we believe in God or not. Our lives and stories paint who we are, where we have been, and where our hearts and hope reside. The good news we share is what is happening in our lives. We can quote the bible, that is vitally important, or even preach well (also important). Yet, it is in the individual stories where we definitely see God in action.
We are given many tools and opportunities to share our stories. Many outlets to get our stories out. Social media is one way. Talking and relating to others is another way.
Plus, the subject matter is one we are very familiar with. Who doesn't enjoy talking about themselves? It's a comfortable subject for each of us. We know ourselves pretty intimately and can relate our thoughts on any subject at hand. We are experts on the subject of ourselves. Don't have to have a master's degree to talk about the events of our life. The main thing, though, is where to place the focus of the story on. The main character of our individual stories if you will. That should be on God.
We all come from different backgrounds and experiences. We all have different reactions, potentially, to the same things. We all have a unique perspective that we can share. Our stories can deeply impact those around us.
If you are still reading this, then know our individual "gospels" are still being written. They have not yet ended. There are still many journeys and adventures we have yet to go on. Some of us will have similar journeys, others quite different from us. Yet, the same God is guiding us on those paths. That remains the same.
Evangelism can be a scary thought to some of us. But, sometimes all it takes is to share our story. Our own personal "gospel" to others. Maybe that's all we need.
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