Thanks for joining us for today's encouragement from the Our Daily Bread Devotional.

Our reading titled A Friendly Conversation was written by Jennifer Benson Schultt.

Catherine and I were good friends in high school.

When we weren't talking on the phone, we were

passing notes in class to plan our next sleepover. Sometimes we rode horses together and partnered on

school projects. One Sunday afternoon, I started to think about Catherine. My pastor had spoken

that morning about how to have eternal life, and I knew my friend didn't believe the

Bible's teachings the way I did. I felt a burden to call her and explain how she could have a

relationship with Jesus. I hesitated, though, because I was afraid she would reject what I said

and distance herself from me. I think this fear keeps a lot of us quiet.

Even the Apostle Paul had to ask people to pray that he would fearlessly make known the mystery

of the gospel. There's no getting around the risk involved with sharing the good news yet. Paul

said he was an ambassador, someone speaking on behalf of God. We are too.

If people reject our message, they're also rejecting the one who sent the message.

God experiences the sting along with us. So, what compels us to speak up?

We care about people like God does.

That's what led me to finally call Catherine.

Amazingly, she didn't shut me down.

She listened.

She asked questions.

She asked Jesus to forgive her sin and decided to live for him.

The risk was worth the reward.

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