July 10.97: Light For The Day - "Church-Evangelism" The witness of the church on earth Must shine with brightest light To all who need the second birth And strength to live aright. (J. David Branon) ------ The world won't go to the church, so the church must go to the world. (Anon) ------ " WHAT KIND OF CHURCH WOULD MY CHURCH BE IF ALL ITS MEMBERS WERE JUST LIKE ME? " (Anon) --- * --- Acts 8:4 (NIV)  "Those who had been scattered Preached the Word wherever they went." --- * --- Life Application Bible's Notes : Persecution forced the believers out of their homes in Jerusalem, and along with them went the Gospel.  Sometimes we have to become uncomfortable before we'll move. We may not want to experience it, but discomfort may be the best thing for us because God may be working through our hurts. When you are tempted to complain about uncomfortable or painful circumstances, stop and ask if God might be preparing you for a special task. --- * --- "THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD" I recently saw a photograph of people leaving a church after a service. They were carrying Bibles and smiling. As I looked at those men, women, and children, I thought, there goes the church. The building will stay, and it will be referred to as "a church." But those bricks can't preach and those pews can't witness. Only people can do that. Author R.C. Sproul wrote, "Where the people of God are, there is the church - under the lordship of Christ and indwelt by the Spirit." This is the essence of the commission Jesus gave to His disciples just before He left them (Mat 28:18 -20). He promised then power from the Holy Spirit, and said they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). And when the first-century church of Jerusalem came under persecution, that's what happened. They were scattered and proclaimed the gospel wherever they  went (Acts 8:4). When believered in Jesus Christ leave a worship service, the building stays, but God's people - the "church" - fan out into the community. Throughout the week, they continue to be the "church" wherever they are in the world - in shops, universities, restaurants, and homes. I wonder, is the world hearing the gospel from the "church" ? Author: David C. Egner --- * --- Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22) O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as Thou wilt, and when and where, Until Thy blessed face I see-- Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.  (Havergal) The church is like manure. Pile it up, and it may stink up the neighborhood; spread it out, and it may enrich the world.  (Luis Palau)