Louise M. Gouge – Devotion – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Louise M. Gouge shares a devotion, plus a chance to win a copy of her latest Historical Romance two in one with Bonnie Navarro, Cowboy to the Rescue & Instant Prairie Family. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. US only. Deadline: Jan 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Louise:

Do you ever get stopped cold in your tracks by a familiar scripture, as though you’re hearing it for the first time, but not?

Here’s one that jumped out to me from a Facebook post by Randy Alcorn: “also he hath set the world in their heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a, KJV).

I had just finished listening to a message by a young missionary, Trenton Livingston, who was speaking at my church. (I watch online these days.) This young man doesn’t know it, but he is a sort of spiritual grandson to my late husband, who taught his mother in Sunday School forty years ago.

Trenton made the point that the work of salvation is not ours but the work of the Holy Spirit. He went on to show that this does not absolve us of responsibility, because our Lord’s Great Commission charges us to go into the world and spread the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Now, I don’t know about you, but witnessing is really hard for me. I’m a writer and very much an introvert. Okay, I’ll confess. I’m a hermit. In fact, I was a hermit before it became the thing to do because of Covid-19. In addition, when I do go out, I find it hard to talk to people, not just about the Lord but about anything. So how am I supposed to witness to others about the Lord? How do I obey the Great Commission?

Let’s go back to the part about my being a writer. Although I write made-up stories, I infuse them with true-to-life elements. Further, since beginning my writing career, I have made sure the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ is in every book I write. In one way or another, my characters who are Christians voice the message of salvation to another person. This is my response to the Great Commission. This is my witnessing. That’s my obedience.

I used to think I wasn’t doing enough, that when people I witnessed to didn’t accept the Lord, it was somehow my fault. But my responsibility is to share Christ with others through my writing. Convicting them is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit. Believing and accepting Christ is the responsibility of the hearer of the Word. After all, God has put ETERNITY in our hearts! We, meaning all of humankind, know that this world is not all there is. Even if you are an atheist, at some point in your life, you knew, yet you rejected it.

If you haven’t examined the claims on your life by Jesus Christ, your Creator, you’re not only missing out on a blessed life here on earth, you’re also missing out on eternal life after you die. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16 KJV. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” John 1:13 KJV. God had put eternity in your heart because He wants you to be with Him in heaven!

Salvation is a free gift. Why not just reach out and receive it from the hands of Jesus Christ? You didn’t turn down any of your Christmas presents, did you?

About Louise: Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical romance fiction. She received the prestigious IRCA in 2005, was a finalist in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2017, and placed in the Laurel Wreath contest in 2012. Louise earned a BA in Creative Writing from University of Central Florida and a Master of Liberal Studied degree from Rollins College. She taught English and humanities at Valencia College for sixteen and a half years and has written 27 novels, fifteen of which were published under Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical imprint.  Learn more & connect:

Louise’s Blog               Louise’s Facebook            Louise’s Twitter

About the book – Cowboy to the Rescue: 

Love finds a home out West. Though Georgia belle Susanna Anders agrees to accompany her father on a silver prospecting trip to Colorado, her heart belongs to the South. Then charming cowboy Nate Northam saves her father’s life and gives them shelter at his ranch. Feeling gratitude is only natural, but falling for a Yankee? Both of their families would be outraged. While Susanna’s father recovers at the Northams’ home, Nate can’t help being drawn to the sweet Southern beauty…and wishing he were free to think of courtship. That is until shocking revelations compel both Nate and Susanna to choose where their loyalties lie—fettered to the past or to the promise of a bold new love…. 

Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win?

Get your copy now!

               Instant Prairie Family & Cowboy to the Rescue – Kindle

Instant Prairie Family & Cowboy to the Rescue – Print

Question for Readers: Are you like me, glad to see 2020 fading into the rearview mirror of the past? What one thing in your own 2020 life can you be thankful for?

Come back Jan 12th for Delores Topliff!