Ecclesiastes 1:9 English Standard Version (ESV) What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

One of our human traits is forgetfulness. Yesterday I said we need to be consistent in maintaining contact with lost souls God has placed in our lives. Consistent behavior means making a commitment to our ministry. Naturally priorities need to be set and our time divided but we should not neglect our duty to witness. What goes on our list of priorities is important. That list can get long.

A doctor of theology repeated in every teaching, “Repetition if the price of knowledge.” That term knowledge would best be defined as memory. What value can be gained by reading only Paul’s epistle to the Romans? There is much to be learned there but there is so much more to learn. The more we read a thing the better it is for us to remember. The older I get the trickier my memory is in getting the facts right.

How high up on the list is reading the bible? How high up on the list is group bible study? How high up on the list is accountability counseling? Mentoring? Discipleship? Now it seems our time is being measured by Kingdom duties vs worldly chores. It is up to each of us to make priorities and to schedule our time. The difficult part is not losing contact because of priorities.

Reading Paul’s epistles you will note names of men that were faithful to help Paul in his duties. It might seem that they served Paul but in reality they served our Lord Jesus Christ. The lesson there is that we should not think that we have to do all the work of the ministry by ourselves. Introduce your salvation candidates to Godly people that can heighten their experience. Then they will have someone to turn to if you are out of town, sick, or tending to immediate critical needs.

Isaiah 59:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

²¹ “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

It has been nearly 2000 years since our Lord rose from the grave. While there are written accounts from a variety of sources speaking to the events of that day, nothing beats an eye witness. I understand that all the first century Christians are long gone but a witness remains alive today. This verse from Isaiah speaks to the long line of believers that share with others that which abides in us all.

We each had an encounter with God which is personal and real. It is our truth about the God that has saved us in this present time. Was your encounter dramatic? Was it subtle? Was it personal in a way that leaves no doubt? Did you change? Did people notice? Do you praise God for the change?

We should formalize our thoughts about our first encounter. It is our witness about the goodness and mercy of God. Others in need of our Savior just might relate to what we went through. At least they will have something to ponder when their time comes.

First we must establish some creditability with those people. Stories become more creditable from a trusted resource. Some level of trust on a human level needs to be established. Nothing does that better than to show an earnest interest and a consistent behavior.

“Let me get back to you!”

If you have not gotten back to them in five years, how creditable is your word? Actions speak louder than words.