GBC Community Update: Sharing your Faith- look at your motives

 Good morning! It was great to be back speaking on Sunday. I look forward to when we are back in person but in the meantime I appreciate the opportunity to livestream and also appreciate our production team a lot!
We’ve been talking about outreach the last couple of months and has been an area I’ve been working in lately. So, for the next little while, I’m going to share some thoughts on the amazing opportunity we have RIGHT NOW during Covid to share our faith. I hope it stimulates some thought!
 
 
Celebrate Iva Ralston’s 100th Birthday!
While many who are part of the GBC family won’t recognize the name Iva Ralston, for those like me who’ve been around a while you’ll know who I’m speaking about since this incredible lady touched so many lives while she was here.  Due to declining health she moved in with family in Quebec a number of years ago.
Anyways, Iva is turning 100 years old June 5th. I heard from her daughter the family would like to invite those who know her to shower her with the gift of cards and well wishes to mark the event.
If you’d like to do this, her address is:
Iva Ralston
300 Hymus Blvd. #2-710, Pointe Claire, Quebec, H9R 6B3
You’re encouraged to use large print in your notes and cards. Let’s celebrate this milestone!
 
 
Join in Prayer                                                               
The GBC Prayer Group meets in the side auditorium on TUESDAY AFTERNOONS at 3:30pm. We continue to pray as prompted by God’s Word, intercede for our church family and city, and enjoy the encouragement of God’s presence. Please join us!
 
 
Thought for the Day:  Sharing your faith: look at your motives
When I was a younger in my journey as a follower of Jesus sharing my faith felt like a never-ending assignment hanging over my head at all times. I felt like I never did it enough and never did it right. Have you ever felt that way?
Now things have changed and I feel completely different about sharing my faith. It’s become a far more natural part of my life—something that’s motivated by love instead of motivated by fear. So, over the next couple of weeks, I want to share some things that have helped change my perspective, and I hope they can help you as well.
 
First, look at your motives.
It’s easy to approach sharing the gospel out of fear. Here are a few examples:
“If I don’t say something right now and this person gets into a car accident and dies and goes to hell, it’ll be all my fault!”
“If I don’t tell enough people, will I go to heaven?”
“If I tell this person about Jesus, then people at church will think I’m a really good Christian.”
Ever thought any of these?
 
But here’s the thing: When our motivation is fear, the people we’re talking to can tell—and they’ll feel used. It will seem as though we’re telling them about Jesus to ensure our own salvation, appease our own conscience or make ourselves look good.
Ever feel that way?
 
Now the amazing thing is God can use anything, even wrong motives! Anytime we share about Him, He can use that (which is good news because I don’t think we’ll ever have perfect motivations). But for me, it helped to think about why I was sharing the gospel, and I realized that genuine concern and love for the person should be my “why.”
 
Here’s what I mean: Jesus has changed my entire life for the better, and I couldn’t imagine life without Him. So, I really want people I care about to know how He can do the same for them.  I want them to know how much God loves and cares about them too.
 
Can you see how this shift changes not only our approach but also our attitude?  It’s not about being pushy; it’s just sharing what has helped you because you care enough about the other person enough to share what hopefully is a pretty major part of your life.
I think then, sharing your faith with the right motives is not only more effective but also the proper way to do it.  I hope you agree. More to come on this in the days ahead.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris