Seven Surefire tips for winning a Soul a Day (Part 4)

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luke 15:10

4. Be prepared to share

Paul charged Timothy to, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season...." (2 Timothy 4:2). Being prepared in all aspects of your being is important in winning souls daily. This is because that is where you derive confidence. You must be prepared spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically.

Spiritually speaking, you must ensure you that you are built up within. In other words, let your spirit be prepared to meet the challenges that come as you preach the Gospel. Your faith must be alive! That's why meditation on the Word and prayer are necessary for daily living. When you meditate on the Word, faith comes to your spirit and you become bold as you perceive spiritual realities. For example, as you preach the Gospel, when you meet people who are afflicted with certain diseases, you needn't chicken out. As a prepared minister of the Gospel, you know from the Word that, '...they shall lay their hands on the sick and they [the sick] shall recover... " (Mark 16:18), and so you will lay your hands on the fellow and declare, "Be healed in the Name of Jesus!' and he will be healed. Glory to God!

Being emotionally prepared means that no matter the kind of reactions you receive from those to whom you preach, you would still have a reason to preach the Gospel. Paul said, '...we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-' (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). People may say hurtful things to you, or about you as you preach the Gospel, and so you must be prepared emotionally for such things- don't talk back or get violent. Just be thankful to God that He has counted you faithful to receive reproach for His Name's sake!
Intellectually, you must be prepared- what do you know about Darwinism, or Islam, or the New Age Movement? Explore in these areas, not to partake in their practices, but in order to hold forth the integrity of the Scriptures even as you refute false views, opinions and religions. However, do not be overly consumed with studying in those areas to the neglect of the Scriptures. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation!

And you must be physically prepared to preach the Gospel. Brush your teeth well, comb your hair well and dress up well. Keep a smile on your face always. Use a good deodorant to ward off unpleasant odour from your body. Remember, you are the light of the world. The way you are dressed determines the way you are addressed. For some people, the first thing they will look at as you approach them is your physical appearance. If that does not appeal to them, nothing you say will move them, except by the intervention of the Spirit.

So, prepare yourself in all aspects, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically!