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?
9.22.2011
9.21.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 32
I hit up one of my favorite dining establishments for lunch today with two Jesus Freaks - Jason Netzler and Cullen Grady. While talking about evangelism and the Holy Spirit, we were all fired up! I had it on my heart for some time now to share the gospel with one of the employees there because every time I go in, he always serves me up right...but I had a feeling it wasn't because of his Christian character and attitude. Every time I've been in before, the restaurant has always been so busy that I haven't gotten an opportunity to talk with him. Well, we were there so long that I noticed they weren't very busy at the time. I quietly prayed under my breath, "God, give me an opportunity to share the gospel with him today!" And no sooner had I said the prayer than it was answered. The guy came out from the back into the dining room and gave me the "pez" - the "what's up" head nod. I jumped out of my seat and walked over to him thanking him for the excellent service and deliciousness he had once again whipped up for me. I then asked how long he'd been working there. He said he'd been there for a couple of years. I told him I saw him in there all the time and he laughed and said, "Yeah, you come here a lot!" We both laughed.
I then told him that there's been something I've been wanting to ask him for a long time, but never had the chance. I asked him the million dollar question and he said he would probably go to heaven. Then I asked him why. He said he was a good person and that he believed in God. I shared the gospel with him and then I told him that even the demons believe in God, but what gets you into heaven is believing in the resurrection of Jesus and confessing Him as Lord. I asked him if he'd like to do that and he said, "Of course!!" So we walked out behind the restaurant and I led him in the prayer of salvation. After we prayed, I asked him if he meant it from his heart. He said yes and that he was feeling good! He pulled his hand out of his pocket and said, "my hand's not even burning anymore!" He had burnt two of his fingers earlier and God healed him as soon as he said the prayer of salvation!!!! Ha! I explained more about salvation to him and how it included deliverance, healing, preservation and a whole slew of other benefits that are now available to him! You should have seen the smile on his face. He said, "That made my day!" As I was telling the fellas about the conversation later, Cullen said, "You didn't just make his day. You made his life! You made his eternity!"
After we prayed, his boss came out and when he found out what we were doing, he jumped right in the conversation and shared a number of testimonies about God's provision in his own life. When I invited the employee to church, his boss said he has about 5 or 6 to choose from because of all the people that have been working on him and praying for him. He said that he kept telling them he wanted to get his life right and be pure before he came to church. This was another chance to share another facet of the true gospel that God isn't so much concerned with perfect people as He is about perfecting people through the sacrifice of Christ. As we walked back in so he could get back to work, I told him that he was a new person now, that his spirit was made new and he won't be satisfied with the things that he used to do.
It's so amazing to be a part of God's mission and seeing Him do work in people's lives. What an honor to take part in the great commission!
How about you? Are you taking part in God's mission? Are you giving Him something to work with as you open your mouth and present the good news to people? If not, then start today. It just might make someone's day, life or eternity!
I then told him that there's been something I've been wanting to ask him for a long time, but never had the chance. I asked him the million dollar question and he said he would probably go to heaven. Then I asked him why. He said he was a good person and that he believed in God. I shared the gospel with him and then I told him that even the demons believe in God, but what gets you into heaven is believing in the resurrection of Jesus and confessing Him as Lord. I asked him if he'd like to do that and he said, "Of course!!" So we walked out behind the restaurant and I led him in the prayer of salvation. After we prayed, I asked him if he meant it from his heart. He said yes and that he was feeling good! He pulled his hand out of his pocket and said, "my hand's not even burning anymore!" He had burnt two of his fingers earlier and God healed him as soon as he said the prayer of salvation!!!! Ha! I explained more about salvation to him and how it included deliverance, healing, preservation and a whole slew of other benefits that are now available to him! You should have seen the smile on his face. He said, "That made my day!" As I was telling the fellas about the conversation later, Cullen said, "You didn't just make his day. You made his life! You made his eternity!"
After we prayed, his boss came out and when he found out what we were doing, he jumped right in the conversation and shared a number of testimonies about God's provision in his own life. When I invited the employee to church, his boss said he has about 5 or 6 to choose from because of all the people that have been working on him and praying for him. He said that he kept telling them he wanted to get his life right and be pure before he came to church. This was another chance to share another facet of the true gospel that God isn't so much concerned with perfect people as He is about perfecting people through the sacrifice of Christ. As we walked back in so he could get back to work, I told him that he was a new person now, that his spirit was made new and he won't be satisfied with the things that he used to do.
It's so amazing to be a part of God's mission and seeing Him do work in people's lives. What an honor to take part in the great commission!
How about you? Are you taking part in God's mission? Are you giving Him something to work with as you open your mouth and present the good news to people? If not, then start today. It just might make someone's day, life or eternity!
9.20.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 31
We had to take some books back to the Columbia County Library tonight and as we were on our way out, I shared the gospel with a lady. She said she hoped she would go to heaven. As I probed a little more, I discovered she had already accepted Christ as her Savior. It's amazing to me how many believers apparently don't believe Christ's sacrifice was enough. (That's another subject altogether!)
Later, we took Karis out to the park behind the library. I spotted a group of young people sitting at the ampitheater so I walked over and invited them to church. I asked them the question and one of them very enthusiastically said he knew he would go to heaven. It turned out that he was being sarcastic because his next statement was that Jesus would stand next to him and they'd both decide who would get to come in. Wow! The rest of the crew were equally as friendly as they told me, "no comment." After a few more minutes of enlightenment, I realized that they weren't ready to accept Christ so I excused myself from the conversation and told them to have a good night. As I walked away, I continued to pray for them and commanded satan to remove the blinders from their eyes.
Regardless of the outcome, we have a responsibility to share our faith and trust God with the results. So go ahead and share your faith with someone today. You can't lose!
Later, we took Karis out to the park behind the library. I spotted a group of young people sitting at the ampitheater so I walked over and invited them to church. I asked them the question and one of them very enthusiastically said he knew he would go to heaven. It turned out that he was being sarcastic because his next statement was that Jesus would stand next to him and they'd both decide who would get to come in. Wow! The rest of the crew were equally as friendly as they told me, "no comment." After a few more minutes of enlightenment, I realized that they weren't ready to accept Christ so I excused myself from the conversation and told them to have a good night. As I walked away, I continued to pray for them and commanded satan to remove the blinders from their eyes.
Regardless of the outcome, we have a responsibility to share our faith and trust God with the results. So go ahead and share your faith with someone today. You can't lose!
9.19.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 30
We took Karis to the Kroc Center this evening and had a blast! While we were there, I met an older lady and began talking with her. After a few minutes of conversation, I kept wondering how I could fit in the million dollar question. Finally, I got the conversation to turn in the direction of church and I took my chance. I asked her if she knew she was going to heaven and she assured me she had already accepted Christ when she was younger.
I have found that it is so much faster and easier to simply approach someone with the intent of inviting them to church. But if you're in your swim trunks, a soggy invitation card won't do! You have to make it your priority to steer your conversations toward Christ.
Afterward, we ate some grub at Taco Bell and before we left, I invited a young man to church and asked him if he needed prayer. He said no, so I asked him the big money question. He said he didn't think anyone could know for sure. After I shared the gospel with him, he was ready to accept Christ and asked his girlfriend to get out of the car and pray with us! We stood there in the middle of the parking lot and they both called upon Jesus to be saved.
Who can you engage in conversation today with the express purpose of leading him or her to Christ? What about inviting someone to church, offering to pray for them and THEN asking the million dollar question? Pick the approach that fits your situation and go for it!
I have found that it is so much faster and easier to simply approach someone with the intent of inviting them to church. But if you're in your swim trunks, a soggy invitation card won't do! You have to make it your priority to steer your conversations toward Christ.
Afterward, we ate some grub at Taco Bell and before we left, I invited a young man to church and asked him if he needed prayer. He said no, so I asked him the big money question. He said he didn't think anyone could know for sure. After I shared the gospel with him, he was ready to accept Christ and asked his girlfriend to get out of the car and pray with us! We stood there in the middle of the parking lot and they both called upon Jesus to be saved.
Who can you engage in conversation today with the express purpose of leading him or her to Christ? What about inviting someone to church, offering to pray for them and THEN asking the million dollar question? Pick the approach that fits your situation and go for it!
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| Karis loved the slide!!!! |
9.18.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 29
Karis and I were at the park today and I met a couple and invited them to church. The lady said she had been to the church a few years ago and had heard me preach before! Ha! I didn't assume she was a Christian and asked her the million dollar question anyway. When asked if she knew she would go to heaven, she said, "Let me put it this way, I believe in God." So I asked if she believed in Jesus and the resurrection. She said yes and so I continued with the road to salvation script and shared Romans 10:9. I asked if they had ever prayed a prayer to confess Jesus as Lord and she said no and then looked at her boyfriend and asked if he had. He never had either, so I led them both in the prayer of salvation right there! I know that if she had heard me preach before, I gave an invitation to accept Christ. But some people won't respond to any altar call. That's why it's all the more important to be willing to ask people one-on-one about their eternity.
On another note, we had a "bug guy" come out on Thursday and spray our house for German cockroaches. Yuck! He wasn't our usual rep and after talking with him for a while, Kristen found out that his kids had been to the church because they live very close as well. During their conversation, she figured that he was already a Christian. Well, she had to leave for an appointment but after she left, she texted me to ask him the question before he left to make sure. I didn't get her text before he left but I prayed with him about his job and I felt really convicted about not asking him the question. I prayed and asked God for another opportunity to share with him. Tonight, I got my chance! As I was walking home from the park, I saw his kids out in the yard playing. So, Karis and I walked over and started talking to them. The guy came out of the house and invited me inside the fence. After we spent some time talking, we had to leave and he walked us out. Before we left, I asked him the question and sure enough, he was already a believer! However, he did say that they hadn't been to any church in a while and that they'd see us Sunday! Needless to say, my conscience was eased and I thanked God for answering my prayer and giving me another shot to share the gospel! By the way, the roaches are gone, too!
In four weeks of sharing the gospel with at least one person a day, I've had the privilege of leading 36 people to Christ. What kind of impact can you have if you'll give God just a few minutes of your day to work with Him in seeking and saving the lost. Are you seeking people out or are you content to live in your little bubble of selfishness? There's still time today to complete the challenge. Go seek out someone that Jesus wants to save!
On another note, we had a "bug guy" come out on Thursday and spray our house for German cockroaches. Yuck! He wasn't our usual rep and after talking with him for a while, Kristen found out that his kids had been to the church because they live very close as well. During their conversation, she figured that he was already a Christian. Well, she had to leave for an appointment but after she left, she texted me to ask him the question before he left to make sure. I didn't get her text before he left but I prayed with him about his job and I felt really convicted about not asking him the question. I prayed and asked God for another opportunity to share with him. Tonight, I got my chance! As I was walking home from the park, I saw his kids out in the yard playing. So, Karis and I walked over and started talking to them. The guy came out of the house and invited me inside the fence. After we spent some time talking, we had to leave and he walked us out. Before we left, I asked him the question and sure enough, he was already a believer! However, he did say that they hadn't been to any church in a while and that they'd see us Sunday! Needless to say, my conscience was eased and I thanked God for answering my prayer and giving me another shot to share the gospel! By the way, the roaches are gone, too!
In four weeks of sharing the gospel with at least one person a day, I've had the privilege of leading 36 people to Christ. What kind of impact can you have if you'll give God just a few minutes of your day to work with Him in seeking and saving the lost. Are you seeking people out or are you content to live in your little bubble of selfishness? There's still time today to complete the challenge. Go seek out someone that Jesus wants to save!
9.17.2011
.shockwave challenge - day 28
We were at the Arts in the Heart festival downtown and shortly after we walked in, a couple of guys were walking behind us playing ukulele and singing. After commenting on their music, I invited them to church and asked the million dollar question. Neither of them knew if they would go to heaven, so I share the gospel with them. After my presentation, I asked if they believed in God. This is when I learned that one of them was agnostic and the other was a Buddhist. I shared with them about how Jesus went about performing miracles and then shared a miracle story of my own. This got their attention and they were willing to let me pray for them that God would reveal Himself to them. Another seed was planted and watered and I believe God is good for His word.
A little while later, I met a guy at the children's area while waiting for Kristen and Karis to do the craft tour. We spent some time talking and after I invited him to church, he told me he and his family were talking about going back to church. I shared more about our church and then asked him the question. He assured me he was already a believer and then shared an incredible testimony of God's saving grace and power. He said he'd definitely be at church soon!
If you're out and about this weekend, be on the lookout for your chance to share the gospel with someone!
A little while later, I met a guy at the children's area while waiting for Kristen and Karis to do the craft tour. We spent some time talking and after I invited him to church, he told me he and his family were talking about going back to church. I shared more about our church and then asked him the question. He assured me he was already a believer and then shared an incredible testimony of God's saving grace and power. He said he'd definitely be at church soon!
If you're out and about this weekend, be on the lookout for your chance to share the gospel with someone!
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.
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