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The True History of Thanksgiving

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism
Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
Happy Thanksgiving! Have you heard the history behind this celebrated day? Well, in the fall of 1621, when their labors were rewarded with a bountiful harvest of food—and this is after a year of sickness and scarcity!—the Pilgrims gave thanks to God. And in seventeen eighty-nine, our first president, George Washington, established Thanksgiving as a national holiday, and it was celebrated for the first time under this new Constitution. Two hundred and thirty years later, we too have many reasons to be grateful to God as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day today. I know I am thankful for His grace and mercy. And even though I’m a sinner, He died to take my sins away. And now I have a fulfilling life through my relationship with Jesus. So let’s be praying and looking for opportunities to share the true meaning of Thanksgiving and our gratitude for Jesus. For help in getting started, visit our website at sharelife.today.

Thankful Prayer

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
When you woke up this morning, did you thank God? You know, we as Christians don't thank God enough, do we? As Christians, we're of course thankful for the life God has given us, but we probably take a lot for granted. It's easy to get into a routine and go through the motions without thinking, "hey! God gave me this day, this life!" Prayer and thankfulness are incredibly important in our Christian walk. Let's be more intentional to tell God how thankful we are for who He is and what He has done! I have a challenge for you. Every day this week, before you get out of bed in the morning, take a couple minutes to just thank God. First, thank Him for who He is. Thank Him for His grace and love and for giving you eternal life. Focus on how good He is at the start of everyday and watch how that will change your outlook — and your life! For more on thankfulness and how you can use that to share your faith, visit our website at sharelife.today. That’s sharelife.today.

Faith and Thanksgiving

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
Faith and thanksgiving go hand-in-hand. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for families to remember the many blessings that God has bestowed upon all of us, especially God’s grace through Jesus Christ. This special holiday provides natural opportunities to share the Gospel. Here’s a few ideas as you prepare for the holiday: first, invite family members to a Thanksgiving service at your church. Or when you ask others what they’re most thankful for, share how you’re thankful for your relationship with God. This would be a perfect opportunity for you to share your testimony of how He has impacted your life. If you dine out for Thanksgiving, ask your server how you can pray for them before saying grace over your meal. Then you could leave a Gospel tract with your tip. Use Thanksgiving as a natural way to share the Good News. Along with enjoying pumpkin pie, you can help others “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Need help? Visit sharelife.today.

Thankful Right Now

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
In a year full of twists and turns with uncertainty abounding, I am so thankful for the certain hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Are you thankful for that, too? Instead of focusing on what’s gone wrong and how many things have changed, fix your eyes on Jesus, who never changes. Hear this reminder from Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Did you hear that? In EVERY situation, yes even right now, we can be thankful and Jesus will give you the peace you need. So, as we go into the holiday season, be thankful in all the circumstances that you’ve been given the free gift of eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ. And out of gratitude, pray for an opportunity to share the Gospel with another! For more tips and resources on how you can share your faith, visit our website at sharelife.today.

The Power of Prayer

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
All throughout Scripture, God calls us to pray for others. James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” And in Ephesians 6, Paul urges believers to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions... with all kinds of prayers and requests.” When we pray for others, we’re partnering with God in His redemptive work. We lift up their needs, their struggles, and most importantly, their salvation. God hears our prayers and answers them — softening hearts, changing circumstances, and opening doors for the Gospel. So this week, make time to pray intentionally for someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus. Ask God to reveal His love to them in a personal way—and to give you the courage to share it. Because when we pray, God hears us and moves. And then, we get to see - and be a part of! - what God does in their lives transforming them. For help, visit our website at sharelife.today.

Alaska

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
How often do you pray for, by name, your loved ones who don’t know Christ? Every summer, Steve travels from North Carolina to Alaska with a mission to bring people to Jesus Christ! He’s taken the time to be trained to share his faith through EE and on his very first trip, Ricky stuck out. Steve would try to talk with him about Jesus, but he just didn’t want to hear it. Steve was faithful, though! He prayed for Ricky. Steve kept asking God to show him opportunities to love him. Every time Steve saw Ricky, he’d say, “I’m counting on spending eternity with you.” On Steve’s eighth trip, he led Ricky’s wife, Tracy to Jesus. He was prompted to call Tracy later, and when Ricky answered, Steve went through the Gospel again, and Ricky accepted Christ! These salvations are a result of fervent prayer and a heart that’s open to be used by the Lord! Who do you need to pray for? For resources, visit our website at sharelife.today.

Time to Pray

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
Are you taking time each day to pray? Now, I’m not talking about before meal times or at a church service. I mean how much do you intentionally take time to pray? The Bible is full of verses urging us to pray – to pray without ceasing, at all times, for every need! You know, most Christians say they rely on prayer in their daily lives, about 63 percent, according to Pew Research. Truthfully, that’s not enough! Each person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ should rely heavily on prayer – just as Jesus did! Scriptures tells us He often took time away from His disciples to pray. In John 17:20, Jesus prays, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for all those who will believe in Me through their word.” Did you catch that? Jesus prayed for you! So let’s thank God for the access we’ve been given by Jesus to the Father in prayer! For resources on prayer, visit our website at sharelife.today.

Prayer for Family Gatherings

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
Is this the most wonderful time of the year or does the holiday season produce anxiety for you? I know that November and December can bring both feelings of wonder and hope as well as dread. Oftentimes, family gatherings can cause stress. But you know what? We have a joy greater than any season of life! We have the Living Savior who draws us near to Him, if only we’ll come! Think about eternity – is there a family member you’ll see that needs Jesus? Let them see your joy and pray fervently for this person before you see them this year. Ask God for an opportunity to share what Thanksgiving and Christmas are really all about – thanking Him for His grace. The Holy Spirit is in the business of saving people, so just make yourself available! Don’t be scared to share the love of Jesus – cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you! For resources, visit our website at sharelife.today.

Prayer Challenge

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
The Bible tells us, we don’t have because we don’t ask. So, today, I’d like to pose a challenge. Let’s find out what God will do when we ask Him to intervene and draw people you and I know and love to faith in Jesus Christ. This week, we’re focused on praying for those in our circles of influence over the holidays. The challenge is this: write down the names of ten people you know who need Jesus. Whoever they are – family members, friends, colleagues at work, neighbors – I urge you to write their name down and then begin to pray regularly for them. If you’re already doing this, wonderful. But too often you and I pray in general. We ask God to reach the unsaved millions across the world. And while that’s important, my challenge for you today is to be intentional and specific with God, and then watch what He will do! For resources to help you share your faith, visit our website at share life dot today. That’s sharelife.today.

The Result of a Thankful Heart

Hi, I’m John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you’re listening to Share Life Today.
According to a popular survey last year, 83% of Americans celebrate Christmas. That’s really amazing when you think about it! And even more shocking: many of the people celebrating Christmas don’t know the Savior who it’s about. This gives us an incredible opportunity amidst all the Christmas songs, shopping, parties, and festivities to tell those around us about the true meaning of Christmas—that in the city of David, a Savior was born, which is Christ the Lord. When we talk about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection, we’re giving them an opportunity to respond to what Jesus has done for them. So let’s share the Gospel and ask our friends and family if they want to accept the greatest gift that was ever given—forgiveness through trusting in Christ alone. It can be as easy as asking them if they know what Christmas is really all about! For help getting started, visit our website at sharelife.today.