Earlier today, I was very aware of missing several opportunities to present the gospel...one was quite blaring. The FedEx guy came by the office today to deliver a package and instead of having us sign, just dropped it off at the front and rang the doorbell. I ran to the door and opened it, fully expecting to present the gospel. Well, I ran all the way down the ramp after him asking if I needed to sign (hoping it would give me more time to talk to him). He said it wasn't necessary for this package and he was apparently being trained because there was another person driving and waiting on him. Boo! I bid them good day and I walked away wishing I would have ran over to the truck and stopped both of them for a moment to ask them that all important question about their eternity. But I didn't. For all of the opportunities I seize, there are probably dozens more that I miss. That's why it's even more important for every believer to do the work of the ministry!
I had to make up for the timidity I let out, so I walked over to the park before church this afternoon to invite people with children to our Trunk or Treat event using the invitation cards. I met a couple (even on a rainy afternoon) at the swing set with their four year old, so I invited them to the event. They lived close by and said they were wanting to take her to the Trunk or Treat so she could get some candy. I asked if they needed prayer and they said no. I then asked if they knew they would go to heaven, to which they also replied no. After I shared the gospel with them, I gave them an opportunity to receive Christ as their Savior. The mom declined and walked away and I further investigated with the dad. He felt the same way, so I didn't pressure them. I trust that they will come to the Trunk or Treat event and participate in our Gospel Hayride and their eyes will be opened to the truth.
On my way back to the church, I saw a young man walking home from school. I pulled into the side parking lot and hopped out real quick to invite him to church. After asking him the million dollar question, he said, "I know I'm going to heaven because I'm saved!" I knew what he meant, but clarified whether he had invited Jesus into his life and confessed Him as Lord. He had indeed! It was awesome to meet a teenager who knew he was going to heaven because Jesus saved him!
How about you invite someone to church today and share the gospel with them? If you need a script to help you with that part, you can download it on our church website here. Go give life today!
Showing posts with label silence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label silence. Show all posts
10.12.2011
10.11.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 52
I was at work today when the UPS guy came by to deliver a package. I opened the door and signed for the box and after we made a little small talk, I asked him the million dollar question. I actually chased him down the sidewalk because at first I wasn't going to ask him. I almost chickened out, but then I thought about the prayers I've been praying that go a little something like this: "God, send people to me who need to hear the good news and be saved." I realized that this could be one of those people, so I didn't let the opportunity slip by without doing my part.
He said he knew he was going to heaven because he had a pure heart. After asking what made his heart pure, we got down to the only way to get to heaven - Jesus! He was a fellow believer after all, but I still recognize that I was obedient and know that God can trust me with sharing the gospel with those he brings across my path.
What about you? Can God trust you with sharing the message of His love and goodness through Jesus Christ to those He brings across your path? What did you do with those opportunities that presented themselves today? That's a good indicator of how trustworthy you are with His message. If you missed it today (like I almost did) then get back up and make a change for tomorrow. You'll never know the outcome unless you do.
He said he knew he was going to heaven because he had a pure heart. After asking what made his heart pure, we got down to the only way to get to heaven - Jesus! He was a fellow believer after all, but I still recognize that I was obedient and know that God can trust me with sharing the gospel with those he brings across my path.
What about you? Can God trust you with sharing the message of His love and goodness through Jesus Christ to those He brings across your path? What did you do with those opportunities that presented themselves today? That's a good indicator of how trustworthy you are with His message. If you missed it today (like I almost did) then get back up and make a change for tomorrow. You'll never know the outcome unless you do.
9.26.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 37
Karis and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a birthday card for YaYa. On our way in, we met a lady and invited her to church. When I asked her the million dollar question, she said she knew she was going to heaven because she had already accepted Christ. I asked her if I could pray for her about anything and she told me she needed a job. We prayed together and I believe God will provide! As we continued shopping, we met another family and invited them to church as well. We asked them the million dollar question and they were already saved too.
Make it a point to share the gospel wherever you go! Karis was excited about doing the "shockwave sandwich" with me...that's what she calls the shockwave challenge. It's so important that we don't neglect our mission and teach our children to share the gospel as well.
I've been hearing great testimonies of people doing the shockwave challenge all over the place. One kid in our church is 8 years old and he was so excited when he got to lead 2 of his classmates in the prayer of salvation one day. Another young woman led one of her clients to Christ over the phone today! She told me she felt like she was going to explode because she was so happy! There's no greater feeling than giving life to someone! Go give life today!
Make it a point to share the gospel wherever you go! Karis was excited about doing the "shockwave sandwich" with me...that's what she calls the shockwave challenge. It's so important that we don't neglect our mission and teach our children to share the gospel as well.
I've been hearing great testimonies of people doing the shockwave challenge all over the place. One kid in our church is 8 years old and he was so excited when he got to lead 2 of his classmates in the prayer of salvation one day. Another young woman led one of her clients to Christ over the phone today! She told me she felt like she was going to explode because she was so happy! There's no greater feeling than giving life to someone! Go give life today!
9.22.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 33
Last night while I was preaching for Overflow, we were talking about friends and family members that we need to reach with the gospel. I was suddenly convicted because several years ago while we were doing the Impact meetings, God had brought a couple of uncles to my mind to pray for them. Well, I prayed for them at the time, but did nothing to reach out to them. You see, we don't really have a current relationship because they live out of town and we just aren't very close. But they are still family and God wants them all to be saved!
During the service, while the students were in their small groups, I texted my mom to get their phone numbers. She replied with one phone number and I immediately went to my office to call my uncle. As my heart was racing and I anticipated what I might say, the call went straight to voicemail. I left a message and said I would try to call again tomorrow. My heart sank because I wondered if I might have been too late. I kept thinking, "What if I didn't share the gospel with them and they died tonight?" Then I was reminded about 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Thank God for His patience and all of the chances He gives us to respond to Him.
I made the phone call again today. I got to talk to both of my uncles and found out that one of them was already saved and gave his life to Christ a few years ago before he was about to be operated on to remove a tumor from his throat! The other uncle laughed when I asked him the question and said, "That's the reason you called me?" I was sincere and shared the gospel with him. He wasn't ready to receive and said he was set in his ways and didn't want to change. He grew up in a children's home and learned about the Bible and he believes in the Bible and in Jesus, but wasn't willing to confess Jesus as Lord. He said he'd had religion shoved down his throat too many times. I tried explaining to him that religion isn't the way to heaven and that the people who had forced it on him were wrong. While he didn't pray the prayer, he did let me pray for him before we ended our call.
I hate religion. It has warped the view of God for so many people and well-meaning believers have turned people away through their tirades about people getting their lives right before they come to Christ.
Nevertheless, I was finally obedient and made the call to share the gospel with those family members whom God had placed on my heart. I know I've done my part and I believe God will continue to work in the lives of my uncles.
Do you have some family members or friends that you are unsure of whether they will go to heaven or not? How about you ask them right now? Go look up their phone number and give them a call! What's stopping you?
During the service, while the students were in their small groups, I texted my mom to get their phone numbers. She replied with one phone number and I immediately went to my office to call my uncle. As my heart was racing and I anticipated what I might say, the call went straight to voicemail. I left a message and said I would try to call again tomorrow. My heart sank because I wondered if I might have been too late. I kept thinking, "What if I didn't share the gospel with them and they died tonight?" Then I was reminded about 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Thank God for His patience and all of the chances He gives us to respond to Him.
I made the phone call again today. I got to talk to both of my uncles and found out that one of them was already saved and gave his life to Christ a few years ago before he was about to be operated on to remove a tumor from his throat! The other uncle laughed when I asked him the question and said, "That's the reason you called me?" I was sincere and shared the gospel with him. He wasn't ready to receive and said he was set in his ways and didn't want to change. He grew up in a children's home and learned about the Bible and he believes in the Bible and in Jesus, but wasn't willing to confess Jesus as Lord. He said he'd had religion shoved down his throat too many times. I tried explaining to him that religion isn't the way to heaven and that the people who had forced it on him were wrong. While he didn't pray the prayer, he did let me pray for him before we ended our call.
I hate religion. It has warped the view of God for so many people and well-meaning believers have turned people away through their tirades about people getting their lives right before they come to Christ.
Nevertheless, I was finally obedient and made the call to share the gospel with those family members whom God had placed on my heart. I know I've done my part and I believe God will continue to work in the lives of my uncles.
Do you have some family members or friends that you are unsure of whether they will go to heaven or not? How about you ask them right now? Go look up their phone number and give them a call! What's stopping you?
9.16.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 27
I went out today to meet a guy I was buying a wireless router from on craigslist. I knew there was a greater purpose for our encounter than just an exchange of goods, so I began praying before he showed up that God would give me the words to say and the boldness to say them! Even after almost 4 weeks of doing this challenge everyday, I still deal with fear! With my heart racing and my invitation card in hand, I posed the all important question to this gentleman about his eternal destination. He said that he wasn't sure there was a heaven. He told me that in his younger years he was a devout atheist, but now was more of an agnostic. After my brief conversations with a few agnostics, I knew I should share the truth of the gospel with him. So I did. He said he believed Jesus was the son of God but wasn't willing to say the prayer of salvation. I did ask if I could pray that God would reveal Himself to him. He agreed and so I prayed and believe that God will open his eyes to the truth.
Whether the seed was planted or watered, I know God will continue to work on his heart.
How about you? Could there be a "chance" encounter today that has a greater purpose? Remember, silence is selfish. Open your mouth and share the gospel with at least one person today.
Whether the seed was planted or watered, I know God will continue to work on his heart.
How about you? Could there be a "chance" encounter today that has a greater purpose? Remember, silence is selfish. Open your mouth and share the gospel with at least one person today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)