Speaking For Jesus


Before I recognized the call of God on my life, I studied a lot of self-help materials while attempting various business opportunities and sales jobs. One author I gleaned from was Zig Ziglar who died this past Wednesday at the age of 86. Zig was famous for exhorting the importance of having a “check up from the neck up” to get rid of “stinkin’ thinkin’.”

Growing up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Zig had Christian values instilled in him by his mother who made sure the family went to church three times a week. However, Zig didn’t become born again until he was 45 years old. Worldly people advised him not to talk about his faith claiming it would hinder his success as a public speaker. Zig had a clever way of witnessing during his speaking engagements. 

Ziglar pointed out a key to success in sales is learning how to ask questions. A book that can help one in this area is the Holy Bible. Jesus was the greatest sales and marketing manager who ever lived. The Lord responded to questions asked of Him with a question or a parable. So read the Bible and learn how to ask questions. 

Ziglar would go on to say, “…and as long as you’re in there, you might as well read the answer. Because one of these days He's going to ask you a question, and if you get it right, you get to stay!”

Whether you are a minister or a layperson, all of us can benefit from motivational materials based on Biblical principles. Two books by Zig Ziglar that I recommend reading are “See You At the Top” and “Confessions of a Happy Christian.” In another Zig Ziglar book I paged through while browsing at a library, I learned one couldn’t succeed in sales unless he promotes a product or service he strongly believes in. For two decades now, I have marketed the most important product of all: eternal life through Jesus Christ.

“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” - Luke 14:23

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe...
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of ...
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Hallowee...
Read more