Tag: evangelism

They’re Everywhere

by Dale, posted in Discipleship

Yesterday after the service, we did something that I am grateful does not happen very often.  Since Andrew and Allison wanted us to look at an apartment with them, we ate our Sunday dinner at a restaurant.  We usually eat at home which is our preference. Nevertheless, on this Sunday, I’m so glad we ate out.  There they were, everywhere . . . people.  One that stood out in the crowd was our server.  She had a most pleasant personality and a ready, “ . . . and I’m here to take really good care of you.”  And that she did.

When our meal arrived, I said to our server, “All of this has come from the good hand of the Lord and we are going to thank Him for it by prayer.  How can I pray for you?”  After a moment of silence and tears starting to well up in her eyes, she said, “I’ve made some bad decisions and messed up. . . I need prayer.”

Yes, you see, they are everywhere; people.  People who are hurting.  People who need the Lord.  People who need someone to listen to them.  People who are so empty.  They come in every form and fashion.  They come with baggage from their past.  They have broken hearts, broken homes and broken lives.  They are everywhere.

As we were so vividly reminded last week in our revival meetings, people bring people to Christ; people point people to Christ.  Who’s serving you at the restaurant?  Who’s scanning your groceries? Who’s standing in line with you at the checkout?  Who’s taking your payment for your gasoline?  Who’s next door?  Who’s sitting next to you at the ball game?  People.  They are everywhere.

This dear server listened as we shared Jesus with her.  She acknowledged that she was a true believer, but had run away from the Lord.  The tears continued.  We left her with a tract, a word of encouragement and the offer to reach out to us in the future.

Yes, they are everywhere.  Who’s standing next to you right now?  Who will cross your path today?

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  Then saith He unto His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous” (Matthew 9:36-37a).

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #18

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Speak Up!

Evangelist Tom Farrell often says, “The Bible is not a book of suggestions, but a mandate from God.”  That same thought can be rendered “The Great Commission is not the Great Suggestion.”  You and I have been given a directive, a calling, a mission, a purpose, a plan and a life from the KING OF KINGS AND LORD AND LORDS, Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).  What a blessed privilege to be a mouthpiece for Deity; to have clear direction for lives; to know what the Lord expects of us; to have a divine purpose; to have a reason to live!  The Gospel must be proclaimed by YOU.

Scripture Passage:  Acts 26:1-23

1.  Do you live your life obedient to the mission Christ has given you?

2.  In your life right now, is it the Great Commission or the Great Suggestion, something you can take or leave?

3.  Do you think often about the lost condition of people who have never heard of Christ?

4.  Are you intentional in your witness for Christ and for His glory?

5.  Are your conversations guided by pointing others to the Theme of themes?

6.  Who are you building a relationship with today?  Who will you talk to today?

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!   To act as the people of God is to be His witness!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #17

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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What’s Your Title?

Acts 22 gives us the account of Paul preaching to the Jewish mob that had just tried to kill him.  While reading this passage recently, a descriptive title caught my attention.  As Paul shares his personal testimony, he mentions the stoning of Stephen and says, And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him (22:20).  Did you note the descriptive term for Stephen?  He called him your witness; God’s witness.  What a title to be known by!  A witness or also translated, “martyr.”  Are you a witness for Christ?  Would you be known as a “martyr” who dies to self and proclaims the message of Christ at any cost, any time, to anybody?

The past days have been an emotional roller coaster ride for us.  God in His grace spared the lives of our daughter and her fiancé in an auto accident Sunday night at 8:55.  A drunk driver was going the wrong way on the interstate and hit them almost head-on at 65 mph.  Andrew’s quick reaction to swerve to the left saved their lives. We are most certainly rejoicing in God’s protection.  Both cars were totaled, destroyed. There are many things about this event that stand out to me, but one of them is Andrew’s genuine concern for the souls of all who were around him.  He asked the state trooper, firemen, witnesses, other authorities, ER doctor and nurses, and folks at the towing company if they were sure of a home in Heaven.  While lying on the bed in the ER, he shared the gospel with the doctor, and she patiently listened.  Andrew was not driven by some adrenaline rush, although he was still under the trauma of it all.  This is Andrew, a man with a passion for lost souls.  The thought that occurred to me, “What would come out of my mouth if I were in a traumatic circumstance such as Andrew?” Now, I’m not setting Andrew up on a pedestal or making him out to be hero because he is my future son-in-law, but the truth is, I watched and heard him compassionately care for lost people in a time of near disaster. So much so, he is already praying about an opportunity to meet the drunken man who almost killed them.  Hence, I find myself saying what Paul said of Stephen, “Andrew, Your witness.”

Why do we need revival?  Because my title and your title needs to be,”(Fill in your name), Your witness.”  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!   To act as the people of God is to be His witness (Matthew 28:18-20)!!

Scripture Passage:  Acts 22

  • Note the boldness of Paul.
  • How will you turn conversations today to the Theme of themes?
  • What are your main fears about witnessing?  Talk to the Lord about them and trust 2 Cor. 9:8.

Let’s be the people of God today for His glory!!