Go here to read our introduction for spreading His Word.
What Holds Us Back
We can be pretty selfish.
Have you ever seen a t-shirt or bag that boasted the phrase, “It’s All About ME”? Sometimes we tend to warm up to that idea quickly, don’t we? Did you ever think that one reason we don’t share the gospel with others is for fear that they might actually show interest? We get so wrapped up in the things we want to do and places we want to go, that we don’t like the idea of changing our plans to coincide with His plans. When we become so entwined in ourselves, how can His Spirit work in us? In the passage of Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus says that those who are truly great are those who put themselves last, and serve the needs of others. Do we read anywhere in there that “it’s all about me”? No, of course not; that’s the world’s view, and we can’t love the things in this world! (I John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2) Jesus Himself “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). We must follow our Lord, and be willing to lay aside our plans at any time to help someone better understand the gospel, or to help them when they are in need.
We feel we don’t know enough.
We so frequently inhabit this excuse; and yes, it is nothing more than an excuse! Just like Moses in Exodus 3-4, we know the feeling of reluctance, the feeling of low confidence. When it all boils down, it’s easy to spot that these feelings are due to our lack of study, prayer, and meditation on the Scriptures. We’re told to be ready; we can’t say we didn’t know: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15). “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). If you have a small Bible (or if a larger one will fit), bring it wherever you go in your bag or car. If you don’t have a small Bible, ask for a pocket one for Christmas, so it will easily fit in even a small purse. It’s also a good idea to keep a reference notebook of where to find scriptures concerning certain topics. Be prepared to humbly and carefully explain answers to people who ask questions. Even if you are asked a question you don’t know the answer to at the moment, assure them that you will seek an answer and get back with them. It may help to write the person’s name and their question down in a notebook so you won’t forget to find the answer.
Whenever your fear of loneliness, tendency of excuses, and feelings of inadequacy plague your thoughts, take a breath, say a prayer, and remember—you have the power of the Holy Spirit to help you. Share the things you know with people, direct them to the Bible with their questions, and God will take care of the rest! (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
My Duty
Consider deeply the two words that head this paragraph: My Duty. One thing that I am constantly reminding myself of is that if I know of someone who needs to know the gospel, it’s my duty; I am a child of God, a servant of Christ. Also, we realize it’s our duty. In Luke 17:10, Jesus says to His apostles, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” After all He’s done for us, it truly is the least that we can do to give our lives completely to Him, and do what He asks of us. We’re not always going to do what He asks of us. We are imperfect servants. But God is so merciful and forgiving, that as long as we are pushing along, giving our best to obey Him, Jesus’ blood continually cleanses us from our shortcomings and sin. (1 John 1:6-9; Romans 7:15-8:4) Study the Scriptures, pray for forgiveness when you fail, and pray for strength and courage to fulfill the great duty He’s given you!
Pass It On
As we close, let us read the words to a devotional song by Kurt Kaiser called “Pass It On.” It is a great reminder of what we have to share with the world:
It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up to its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s Love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it.
You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.
I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I’ve found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you’re bound,
I’ll shout it from the mountain tops;
I want the world to know–
The Lord of life has come to me
I want to pass it on.
By Hannah Smith
Stress is such a big part of our day-to-day lives. No matter what stage of life you are in, there is often some type of stress that you deal with. Stress can build up, leaving us to worry about how we are going to get everything done that we need to get done. We begin making lists of things that need done, and then the list spills over into tomorrow, adding anxiety and guilt over what could not be accomplished and what still needs done. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (NKJV). So what can we do in order to live like Jesus has instructed us? We must learn to manage that stress in a godly way!
You will feel so much better if you can find ways to de-stress. You can come up with your own, or use some from the list below. Think about what makes you feel better and what you enjoy doing. Different things work for different people. No matter what you choose, make sure you try out a few things to see what works best for you. As always, consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen. 
Is it ok I like older guys, as in 2-3 years older, while I’m 14? I have always liked older guys and it seems older guys are the one’s that notice me, (no, I don’t ask them to notice me). Is this ok?
Dating at a young age may be the cool thing to do, but it’s generally not the most godly, whether dating someone a few years older or the exact same age. Why set yourself up for temptation when you could be having carefree fun with your friends instead, without the heartache?
Many people have differing views about Halloween. We have a few articles about this holiday, including one on the 
October, with the cooler air and beautiful fall foliage our Creator designed, is here! With school in full swing, it’s assumable we’re all involved in various activities: school clubs, community service groups, after-school jobs, sports, church retreats, and maybe some college classes—not to mention being with family and friends! But let’s stop and take a few minutes to ponder on our theme for this month: “Pierce my heart to spread Your Word.” “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” – I Thessalonians 2:4. Amid all the activities we fill our schedules with, do we realize that none of these compare with the great duty that God has entrusted us with?
Do you think you’ll lose friends if you spread the gospel instead of gossip? Even if you do, you know that (1) those aren’t really the best friends you have, and (2) “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Job said in Job 19:19, “All my close friends abhor me, And those whom I love have turned against me.” But how did things turn out in the end for Job? “And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). Even though Job went through more loss than most of us will, we still feel hurt when our friends desert us. Pray for the people in your life, and also pray for the courage to tell them about our Father and our Savior! Truly know that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Even before I got married, I had my own insurance through my job. Choosing which insurance option was right for me was difficult enough without having to make the best choice for a family. Although some employers may not offer more than two plans, usually those plans have extra options.
Before making the decision, make sure your primary care physician (PCP) (and any other physicians your family may use on a regular basis) is covered by the plan you choose. Most employers provide websites with the plan information to verify that your doctors are covered under the plans.
I tend to think that I obey God most of the time. I try not to do the things that are wrong, and even though I often fall short, I also try to do the things that are right, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in me. But one thing I don’t do as often as I should, which He commands, and which is most important in the lives of those I know, is share His Word. Is it really possible that for over five years I can live near and talk to someone who is lost, and never share the amazing gift God has given me and offered them? And I really do believe that I care about their salvation! How many people do I see—talk to—every day who never hear God’s Word from me? How many conversations do I have where God’s name is never mentioned?
opportunities to share the gift He has given us.
Life is truly a crazy ride. There are great highs and then sometimes the lowest of lows. It’s unpredictable and wild. But with all the big things that we go through, it’s really the small stuff that counts. When we examine our pasts we all remember big events that happened, but with those events we recall the small things that impacted us. For example, when my brother gave his life to Christ, 
When they were married, they were different ages and different maturity levels. So because they were apart so often, I asked them if they ever struggled with growing in opposite directions from each other. Grandmommy looked at me and said, “Of course we did!” That response immediately had me ask how they handled it and she gave me the simplest and smartest answer, “We worked at it.” A very sincere and great response from a very wise woman! She told me that in every matter of life the way to get through it is to never give up and continue working at it.
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