Witnessing - God’s business to be done God’s way - Acts 16v1-15

How often I need to be reminded that the business of converting a soul remains with the owner of the soul - the Lord God alone!  As the bearer of the gospel, my singular responsibility is to tell it as it is.  Present the facts, let the truths of the word be evident in my life, in my daily walk.  If I am faithful in doing my part, the Lord would never fail to “add to the number daily those who are being saved.” (Acts 2v47).

It is also instructive to note the two specific roles of the Holy Spirit as  touching on the ministry of the witness - one from within and one from without.
i.    The role from within - Acts 1v8
When the Holy Spirit takes up residence in my life as a witness, I am equipped with all that it takes to be a witness to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
-    He brings to my memory all that I have learnt from the Lord and will teach me new truths about my relationship with my Lord and Master (John 14v26).
-    He emboldens me to present the gospel in the face of opposition (Acts 4:31, Acts 28v31).
-    The fruit of the Holy Spirit would always ooze out of any life inhabited by the Spirit. (Gal 5v22-23.)

ii    The role from without  - v6
The Holy Spirit continues to provide direction for the spread of the gospel through witnessing.  This may be:
in the call of the witness as was the case with the call of Barnabas and Saul to undertake the first missionary journey (Acts 13v2)
in the places to witness – While the Spirit prevented Paul from witnessing in Asia and Mysia, He directs him to Troas in present day Europe (Acts 16v7-
the person to witness to - The spirit instructs Philip to go on the road to the south which eventually led to the salvation of the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8v29)
This form of leading however is only available to those filled with the Spirit, those already and constantly tuned to the Spirit’s wavelength.  Think of the efficiency of resource allocation when I am walking in obedience to the promptings of the Spirit as it touches witnessing?

Lord I pray for the daily, total filling of the Spirit of the living God to enable me to be effective in my witness. I pray for a sensitivity to His promptings and a willing to respond promptly and rightly as He directs my energies to areas and assignments that fall into His priorities.  I pray through Jesus Christ my Lord.  AMEN.