"Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Why then, are you now testing God by putting on the disciples’ necks a yoke that neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way they are.” Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles."
Acts 15:6-12 (NIV)

I’m heading to Irvine, California for U.S. Swim Nationals to serve as a female chaplain next week. In the past few months, I’ve been studying God’s Word to prepare me for the trip. All I’ve been able to think about lately is the role God’s Spirit plays in how we as Christians communicate to non believers. 
To be quite honest, I do not possess the gift of public speaking. I can speak on what I’m passionate about, but I lack the skill of communicating to large numbers of people and “drawing them in.” In fact, if I were really honest with myself and others, any real effective ministry activities I’ve ever participated in or conducted have strictly been out of God’s will and power. Sometimes I think that God just blinks, or He’ll have a thought about something---something that is impossible for us to do as humans--- then suddenly, it happens! 
I like this passage in Acts because it reminds me that if I don’t have God’s Spirit to give me favor in the eyes of “Gentiles” (a.k.a. for this day & age…unbelievers), then I’m toast. Everything that comes out of my mouth is just fluff without God’s truth. The Gospel is a powerful story, and when it is communicated with sincere passion and faithful service, that’s when God blinks. Look out! There’s no telling what could happen in the hearts of the people hearing about Jesus Christ!