Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Kara Benson, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

We are messengers. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:17-20).

We need to use our tongues. As messengers, we use our speech to carry God’s message of truth, hope, love, and redemption to the world. There is a popular quote that says, “Teach the gospel at all times. And if necessary, use words.” However, at some point, the words have to come out of our mouths. Paul writes in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” We should use our tongues to share the good news with those around us. Living a good, moral life simply is not enough. Being described by our neighbors and coworkers as a nice, hardworking person who doesn’t cuss simply is not enough. If we do not share the gospel, then those around us might not come to know our Creator and His message of reconciliation. If we are waiting for someone to notice our good, moral life and ask us about it before we share the message… that day may never come. We are called to be a city on a hill, the light of the world, and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-14).

Reflection question: Do your neighbors know that you are a Christian? Or could you be confused for a “good, moral person” who happens to be gone on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights?

As messengers, we need to be careful how we use our tongues. Recently, I had an interesting encounter with someone at work. When I approached the front counter, I welcomed an individual to our café and asked what he would like to order. He replied that he was not there to order, but instead handed me his daughter’s uniform. I thanked him and wished him well. “Have a blessed day,” he said before turning and walking out the door. Little did I know that just before walking into our café, he had cursed out someone over the phone. I share this anecdote as an example of the danger of hypocrisy. We should examine ourselves and ask the question, are we silencing our witness with our own words?

James writes, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water” (James 3:9-12).

Many of us may not struggle with profanity or cursing others. But do we struggle with complaining? I, for one, am certainly guilty of complaining. A few months ago, I listened to a sermon on this topic. The world does not need more complainers; it needs more light and joy. Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” In these verses, complaining is contrasted with being pure, unblemished, and shining like stars.

Reflection question: What is the message we are bringing? Are we consistently bringing a message of hope, joy, and peace, or are we frequently bringing a message of frustration, worry, and annoyance?

Let us remember that we are Christ’s ambassadors and we carefully use our tongues to deliver God’s message to the world.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #messenger #tongue #sharethegospel #guestwriter #blog

Written by Ann Thiede, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 

“Insecure” describes me from my childhood through my teenage years, wanting to fit in, becoming a people-pleaser which led to conflicts within and ungodly choices. I craved relationships—people with whom I could be close and share my heart. Unfortunately, many of my contemporaries during my high school and college days followed the crowd. But, praise God, a few helped me walk toward Christ.

Matthew, in his gospel, recorded these last words of Jesus:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

I’m forever grateful for God’s beautiful orchestration through four peers, drawing me to Him and teaching me what it looks like to follow Him. These are some discipleship steps I’ve learned.

The first step involves getting to know Jesus as you read the Gospels with a hungry, teachable heart, and the willingness to let go of preconceived ideas. In searching for what you believe, you will find Who you believe. I encourage you to read through John’s gospel first, taking note of all of the titles Jesus gives Himself. For example, in John 6:35 He says, “I am the bread of life,” and then “…sothe one who feeds on Me will live because of Me” (6:57b). Ask yourself: What would it look like to feed on Christ?

The writer of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb.

Remember my issue of people-pleasing, wanting approval? Jesus wants us to please Him above all others. His desire is to draw us toward His likeness, giving us the courage to talk as He talked, live and love as He lived and loved, and to reach out and share the Good News even as He did.“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). It is the heart of Christ that we who are disciples make disciples by sharing His Good News, studying the Word with those who don’t know Him, planting seeds of faith or watering what others have planted, and watching God bring the increase of souls into the Kingdom.

Discipleship means adhering to God’s Word first and foremost. Spirit-inspired words throughout the Bible embody truth. Luke records these insightful thoughts: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts

Following Christ as His disciple also means walking together in this life with other disciples; encouraging one another, praying with one another, and sharing joy and grief together. Surrendering to Him as Lord and Savior means becoming a part of His Body, the church. Jesus intends for disciples to function together in harmony. I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 and Romans 12:4-8, both beautiful passages about the church and what your part may be, according to the gifts God has given you. Many disciples over the years have enriched my life, encouraging me to be more like Jesus. These relationships go deep as we share life including our spiritual struggles and victories. The Holy Spirit has taught me the value of Paul’s admonition when he says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). If you desire qualities you see in another person that are Christlike, start asking God!

As you’ve read, in what area of being a disciple of Jesus do you desire growth?

• Getting to know Jesus better through the Gospels
• Developing a consistent prayer life
• Allowing Him to make changes in your life
• Making disciples by sharing Christ with others
• Letting the Word be your guide for truth above all
• Deepening relationships with other disciples

Go to Jesus and share with a fellow disciple. And remember, Jesus has promised to be with you, always.