These days, we use the word “hope” all the time. “I hope this year will be better than last year and I hope the market goes up and I hope my stocks do better.” Let’s “hope so.” But, real hope isn’t about hoping things will go better. The hope I’m talking about is reality – a living expectation – squarely based on God’s revealed promises.

When you open your heart to Christ, God actually comes into your life. That’s real! Suddenly, you know God for yourself. And it isn’t a religious thing. It isn’t just doing the proper thing on Sunday or Christmas or Easter. Now it’s a deep, personal relationship with the Living God. You become a child of God. Suddenly you have peace with God. You know you’re loved. You have the Holy Spirit. You’re a new person.

The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” And your hope keeps on growing as you get to know God more and more each day.

The miracle of Christmas is hope. Christ came to earth as a baby to bring us this hope. He died and rose again so we might have real hope, not just “hope so.” Who has God placed in your path who needs to hear of this hope? Pray, and ask the Lord for the opportunity to lovingly, respectfully, share His hope with your friends and family.

For many years, Bob Tebow and his family preached the message of Jesus Christ throughout the Philippines. They planted churches, ran an orphanage, and educated pastors. Even today, no matter where they go, the Tebow family is committed to evangelism.

This recently came to light for the rest of the world when Bob’s son, Tim Tebow, accepted the Heisman trophy in New York City. It’s college football’s biggest honor, and yet Tim didn’t take the credit for his amazing talents.

The first words out of his mouth were: “I’d just like to start off by thanking my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave me the ability to play football.”

Isn’t that great? Tim Tebow grew up with parents who modeled a passion for evangelism. And now their son has a huge platform to speak up about his own relationship with Jesus Christ.

Paul says in Philippians 6, “Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” This verse should be the cry of our heart! Remember, our children are watching us. And as they do, they’ll be learning how to reach their world with the Good News Gospel. Isn’t that exciting to think about?

Second Corinthians chapter 2:14 and 15 is a super verse. It starts with this: “…Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.” Triumphal procession: that means thrilling, successful evangelism that only comes from Christ’s power. Jesus is the one who does it. He leads us in it. You and I just need to follow His ways, His Word, His voice.

The next part of the verse explains how the Lord leads us in evangelism victory. It says, “Through us [Christ] spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” That’s really what evangelism is – “spreading around the perfume of Jesus Christ.” That’s what you and I are doing – as we walk in the power of Jesus Christ living inside us.

As we talk to people, chat with them, even joking, playing, and working. We are spreading the fragrance of Christ. We are showing our world real love, true joy, inner peace and lasting hope — the blessings that are found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

So ask the Lord to help others see Him in you – through the words you speak, the smiles you give, and the reactions you make. Christ takes the lead – and asks you to follow. As you do, you’ll be spreading His aroma to the people in your world.

The indwelling, living Holy Spirit longs to lead you and I in successful evangelism. Romans 8:14 tells us this. It says these fabulous words, “…those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” There you have it – the Holy Spirit of God leads us in every situation, every day. Isn’t that awesome?

Now, being led by the Spirit takes some practice. As we learn more about the Lord, and grow in our relationship with Him, we begin discerning His voice. In fact, God’s Spirit is calling you today – right now! Do you recognize His voice?

If you feel Him prodding you in a certain direction, do what He says. When the Spirit puts a thought in your heart, do it as quickly as you possibly can. Don’t delay. Don’t start analyzing and wondering where the thought came from.

Just do it and see what will happen. When you obey, you’ll experience exciting results in your evangelism efforts. And you’ll also realize that you can, indeed, hear the Lord’s voice!

As you spend time in the Word, and in prayer, you’ll be more conscious of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Then, when He leads you to share God’s love with your world, you’ll know what to do! And the results will be changed lives!