PHTO SOURCE |
"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."
I have experienced at one time, when we served in church planting. We needed to distribute tracts and do evangelistic concerts at the same time. We would play movies for people to see some testimonies of conversion before the concert starts.
In between and during the concert we would spread out and meet up with people to distribute tracts. To some who are interested, we would direct them to where we are having fellowships and care groups.
But always, there are those who would not accept, nor lay a finger on the tracts. It was as though it would bring them bad luck.
Little did they know that we were not bringing religion to them but Jesus Christ himself and the purpose of His death on the cross. It is not religion that would save but the grace of God through Jesus. God wants a relationship, a person to person kind of connection, wherein we come in close encounter with Him at the throne of our hearts.
Just today, during lunch break. I had a conversation with the lady who cooks meals for us in the office. He also comes to give us manicures and pedicures during lunch breaks. Our talk veered on what is happening in the world and she was referring to the 2012 prediction. She was saying that if it ever happens we must be ready.
It came as an opener to me, thanks to the Holy Spirit. I asked her if it is her desire to go to heaven and stand upon the pearly gates. She said yes. And I added, "what would you say to Jesus so that He would let you in?" She answered that He would ask Jesus to let her enter the gates because she wants to be in the promised place where there are no more pain, struggles and tears. I told her that God needs a password. So I began to relate to her about Jesus knocking at the door of her heart waiting to be acknowledged and up to how she will invite Jesus as her savior and Lord.
Art Source |
If fear and timidity got their way, then I have let Jesus down. So many times I did hold back, but lies about our handicap comes from the enemy. He does not like another soul won for Jesus. Boldness and wisdom should always come from God, through our prayers and being open for instructions.
A reminder for the Lenten Season:
Isaiah 53:5-6But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.