A GOOF I DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER

Some years ago I was going door to door with the Gospel and came upon a nice trailer court that seemed to be an ideal place to continue.  As I began to knock on those doors I continued to be met with negative responses.

 It seems that Jehovah's Witnesses had just been through the court and people probably thought I was one of them. After over ten doors I decided I'd fix this problem. At the next door I knocked and waited for a response.  A man opened it and with a smile I quickly said, "Good afternoon! My name is Claire and I'm NOT a Jehovah's Witness...."  He stared at me, and before I could continue he stated, "Well, I am."  

How embarrassing! I goofed! I really can't remember what I did next, but I sure learned a lesson. Some things ought NOT to be said as you evangelize door to door!  I'm sure glad the Lord allows us to learn as we go and doesn't fire us when we make mistakes.

If some of your visits have been less than fruitful, don't despair. You will learn too. And you will have many more opportunities to reach souls for Jesus. Don't give up!  Keep going, and as you go, be sure you also keep praying. God WILL USE YOUR LIFE... for you are going in His will...in obedience to His command. "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel."

I also remember way back when I first began knocking on doors for the Lord that I was ready to go to my first house. I parked my car and slowly walked up the steps and stood in front of that door. I had tracts in my hand and a plan in my mind, but as I raised my hand to knock something happened. 

I froze. It was my first house. Suddenly I was overtaken with uncertainty and fear. As my hand remained inanimate, in the air, I quickly looked around and saw no one watching, so I slowly pulled my hand down, and made my way back to my car and drove away. 

What an experience! I still remember it vividly. Yet, years have passed, and I haven't quit. When you are hit with that fear, that intimidation, and yield to it...life is not over!  Just try again! Keep on going. The Lord will be with you. You can do it, and you need to do it, because you are a "SENT-ONE"

What would happen if everyone in your church would go witnessing for the Lord for one hour, even twice a week? It would change your church. It would change your people. Think of the hours that are wasted each week on non-eternal things. Check YOUR priorities and remake your list with witnessing at the top, or close to it. 

May the Lord put a fire under our feet that will drive us off our seat.  No believer is exempt from heaven's GREAT COMMISSION!

HE LOOKED UP WITH A SERIOUS HALF-GRIN

WHILE IN BRANSON, MISSOURI FOR A THREE DAY MINISTER’S CONFERENCE 

we took the opportunity to do some shopping. We were about to make a purchase when we discovered that a good discount was available if we obtained a free coupon book.

SO, WHILE MY HUSBAND WAITED, I headed down past several stores in this outlet mall to find the tiny specialty nut shop that provided them. Mouth watering aromas filled the place featuring still warm praline pecans, chocolate covered hazelnuts and giant cashews. However, my objective was to get a coupon book.

MY ENTRANCE DREW THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION of a decent looking young man behind the counter who was working on a computer. In just a minute I had what I came for, but I had a hope for something more.  Could I somehow get an opportunity to witness to this college-student-appearing young man who seemed to be about twenty five years old, with neat brown hair, and a slight beard?

ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE HIM IN CONVERSATION I casually asked,

“Have you worked here long?”

“Just a few months,” was his reply.

“It seems like a nice place to work. Do you enjoy it?” I continued.

“Yes, it’s quiet and I have time to do my work.”

“Are you doing school work?” I asked.

He looked up with a serious half grin and answered, “No. Actually I’m writing a book.”

I was immediately intrigued and inquired, “What kind of a book?”

His quick and excited response showed me he was more than ready to talk about it.

“It’s about culture and how it has affected various people groups historically.”

HE BEGAN TO BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE CULTURES of the Greeks and Romans, and others. He spoke of their religious cultures, their gods, and their society.

Meanwhile, my mind was spinning, and my heart was praying, “Lord show me how to break through to him with your message.”

“That is so interesting. I’ve written a book too.”

His eyes lit up. “Really! What is it about?”

“It’s about culture too, and how it has woven itself into the most intricate parts of people’s lives. It’s easy to see how the conditions of a culture can strongly influence people’s thinking, their marriage, their future and so much more,” I asserted.

He was alive with comments and agreement.

STILL PRAYING FOR THE LORD’S DIRECTION I CONTINUED.

“I have written about people whose lives have been negatively affected by their culture, and my experiences in pointing them to help for their lives.”

“That’s incredible.” He was listening and interested.

“The Romans had their gods. The Greeks had theirs. India lists 330 million gods. Yet none of them could lift their devotees out of the mire of despair and hopelessness. I point people to Jesus as the Savior who can give them new lives.”

He was very receptive and immediately let me know that He is also going to include Jesus in his book as one who had a great influence on the culture and people of His day.

“HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM?” I ASKED.

To his weak reply I responded with conviction. 

“How can you write about Jesus unless you first come to know who He really is? Before you go very far you should at least read the Gospel of Saint John in the Bible. It is a true picture of who Jesus is. Do you know that He claimed to be God?”

He was nodding his head and hearing me, at least acknowledging Christ’s existence.

“IF HE KNEW HE WASN’T GOD and deliberately tried to deceive the people, then He was a deceiver and a liar.  

If He wasn’t God, but simply had delusions of grandeur, then he was a lunatic, not to be believed. 

But if what he claimed is true and He really is God, then we all need to hear what He has to say.”

I wanted so much to continue our conversation, but knew I had to leave. He had enjoyed the talk and thanked me for the insight as I left.

May God move this young man to inquire further and discover true salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It was time for me to return to my patiently waiting husband.

BY THE WAY, THE BOOK I HAVE WRITTEN is called REACH THEM ONE BY ONE. It is filled with witnessing and soul winning accounts that the Lord has blessed me to experience,

 I told this young man,

“It’s about culture too, and how it has woven itself into the most intricate parts of people’s lives. It’s easy to see how the conditions of a culture can strongly influence people’s thinking, their marriage, their future and so much more.”

IT’S TRUE! The culture of this world is warped by sin. That sinful culture has pulled the multitudes into the devil’s trap.

I also told him:

 “I have written about people whose lives have been negatively affected by their culture, and my experiences in pointing them to help for their lives.”

IT IS ALSO TRUE. For my book deals with lives sick with sin, who have been pointed to Jesus, the only hope for sinners. 

The apostle Paul said, 1Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU TELL THIS YOUNG MAN? PLEASE MAKE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!! THANKS!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MY BOOK REACH THEM ONE BY ONE PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION www.calvarypentecostalrevivals.org THANK YOU!