Sunday's worship services were tremendous. Most people who attended the 11:00 would say that the presence of the Lord was tangible. Why was Sunday so powerful? Why did God's Spirit show up in a special way?
The service was Christ-centered. We shared testimonies of people sharing their faith. Believers were baptized. The gospel was read and preached, and the Lord's Supper was observed.
The word of God was read corporately. I believe that God's word is powerful, especially when the congregation reads it aloud.
The People felt freedom in worship. I witnessed an unhindered congregation expressing their worship with their voices and their bodies.
I pray First Southern has many more Sundays soon where God's presence and power are observable and tangible.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Death of Christ
The Lord's Supper is a time of remembrance, a time to reflect upon the death of Christ. The Lord has led me to focus on one verse for this memorial meal, "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God, having been put to death in the body, but made alive in the spirit" (1 Peter 3:18). Three things we need to remember about the death of Christ from this verse.
Christ's death was in accordance with the will of God. God the Father planned before the foundation of the world to send his Son to die on Calvary. This truth is revealed in the life of Jesus recorded in the gospels. Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). When Jesus prayed in the Garden, he said, "Father, not my will, but your will be done" (Mark 14:36). It was God's will that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, die on the cross.
Christ's death was in accordance with the way of God. Jesus died on the cross "for sins." Christ died, not for his sins, but the sins of humanity. Peter says, "the just for the unjust." You can also translate it "the righteous for the unrighteous." The word "just" is singular, and the world "unjust" is plural. One just man died for many unjust people. Why? God is a holy God and must punish sin. Tragically, all humanity has sinned and fallen short of the perfection that God demands. Therefore, humanity is an object of God's punishment and wrath on account of our sins. Nevertheless, God is a loving God. Consequently, he sent his perfect Son, to live a perfect life, so that he could die for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Humanity could not provide the perfect sacrifice that God desired, so God provided it in his Son, Jesus Christ. And it was the blood of the perfect Son of God shed on Calvary that made payment for our sins. His blood provided redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Christ's death was in accordance with the work of God. The purpose for Christ's dying on the cross of Calvary was "so that he might bring us to God." Christ died for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God. We are enemies of God, separated from him because of our sins. When we trust in Christ, no longer are we God's enemy, but his friend. We have peace with God through Jesus Christ.
Have you recognized your sinfulness? Have you recognized your need for a savior? You can be saved from your sins and be reconciled to God if you will call upon the name of the Lord. What do you need to do to be saved? "Believe in the Lord Jesus Chris and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
Christ's death was in accordance with the will of God. God the Father planned before the foundation of the world to send his Son to die on Calvary. This truth is revealed in the life of Jesus recorded in the gospels. Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). When Jesus prayed in the Garden, he said, "Father, not my will, but your will be done" (Mark 14:36). It was God's will that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, die on the cross.
Christ's death was in accordance with the way of God. Jesus died on the cross "for sins." Christ died, not for his sins, but the sins of humanity. Peter says, "the just for the unjust." You can also translate it "the righteous for the unrighteous." The word "just" is singular, and the world "unjust" is plural. One just man died for many unjust people. Why? God is a holy God and must punish sin. Tragically, all humanity has sinned and fallen short of the perfection that God demands. Therefore, humanity is an object of God's punishment and wrath on account of our sins. Nevertheless, God is a loving God. Consequently, he sent his perfect Son, to live a perfect life, so that he could die for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Humanity could not provide the perfect sacrifice that God desired, so God provided it in his Son, Jesus Christ. And it was the blood of the perfect Son of God shed on Calvary that made payment for our sins. His blood provided redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Christ's death was in accordance with the work of God. The purpose for Christ's dying on the cross of Calvary was "so that he might bring us to God." Christ died for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God. We are enemies of God, separated from him because of our sins. When we trust in Christ, no longer are we God's enemy, but his friend. We have peace with God through Jesus Christ.
Have you recognized your sinfulness? Have you recognized your need for a savior? You can be saved from your sins and be reconciled to God if you will call upon the name of the Lord. What do you need to do to be saved? "Believe in the Lord Jesus Chris and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
Friday, January 28, 2011
Follow the Follower
What does it mean to pursue the Lord? The short and simple answer to this question is obedience. A passionate pursuit of the Lord is revealed in an unwavering and uncompromising obedience to the Lord. Nevertheless, what does that look like? Well, the Bible is filled with an exuberant amount of illustrations that give a mental picture of what this pursuit looks like.
Let me share the example that got me thinking about spiritual leadership in the first place. The king's name is Asa, and he can be found in 2 Chronicles, chapters fourteen through fifteen. When we first meet Asa, we find him passionately pursuing the Lord, "Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned in his place. In those days the land had rest for ten years. And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 14:1-3). What a testimony of obedience on the part of Asa. Obedience is revealed in the fact that Asa, "did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord." What did Asa do that was "good and right in the eyes of the Lord"?
Asa radically obeyed the Lord when "He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim and commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandments" (2 Chronicles 14:3-4). As you can see, Asa was a man who sought the Lord and led others to do the same. And as a consequence of his pursuit of the Lord, Asa and the people of Judah, were blessed by God.
God brought about peace and prosperity pursuant to Judah's obedience, "We have sought him and he has given us peace on every side, So they built and prospered" (2 Chronicles 14:7). God's favor is upon those who obey him no matter what the cost. There are several lessons from Asa's example.
People know when a leader is following the Lord. They know when you love Jesus because you live a life of obedience. You don't seek out your own agenda, but the Lord's. You know that the church belongs to Jesus, and he is the head of the church, and he is the one who directs the church. When you are really following Jesus, and he puts something on your heart, the people will believe it is from the Lord because you are following the Lord.
People will follow a leader, who is following the Lord. Believers who are following the Lord will follow a person following the Lord. It's that simple. Don't forget that the key ingredient to your leadership is your obedience. I have had many people affirm this truth to me over the years. I have had people say, "Pastor, I know you are walking with the Lord." Now, this encourages me as well as inspires me to seek the Lord every day. Why does it inspire me? People can see when a leader is following the Lord. Are you following the Lord?
God will bless a leader, who is following the Lord. How God blesses you is up to God, but he will bless those who follow him. King David understood this truth, "For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face" (Psalm 11:7).
Let me share the example that got me thinking about spiritual leadership in the first place. The king's name is Asa, and he can be found in 2 Chronicles, chapters fourteen through fifteen. When we first meet Asa, we find him passionately pursuing the Lord, "Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned in his place. In those days the land had rest for ten years. And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 14:1-3). What a testimony of obedience on the part of Asa. Obedience is revealed in the fact that Asa, "did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord." What did Asa do that was "good and right in the eyes of the Lord"?
Asa radically obeyed the Lord when "He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim and commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandments" (2 Chronicles 14:3-4). As you can see, Asa was a man who sought the Lord and led others to do the same. And as a consequence of his pursuit of the Lord, Asa and the people of Judah, were blessed by God.
God brought about peace and prosperity pursuant to Judah's obedience, "We have sought him and he has given us peace on every side, So they built and prospered" (2 Chronicles 14:7). God's favor is upon those who obey him no matter what the cost. There are several lessons from Asa's example.
People know when a leader is following the Lord. They know when you love Jesus because you live a life of obedience. You don't seek out your own agenda, but the Lord's. You know that the church belongs to Jesus, and he is the head of the church, and he is the one who directs the church. When you are really following Jesus, and he puts something on your heart, the people will believe it is from the Lord because you are following the Lord.
People will follow a leader, who is following the Lord. Believers who are following the Lord will follow a person following the Lord. It's that simple. Don't forget that the key ingredient to your leadership is your obedience. I have had many people affirm this truth to me over the years. I have had people say, "Pastor, I know you are walking with the Lord." Now, this encourages me as well as inspires me to seek the Lord every day. Why does it inspire me? People can see when a leader is following the Lord. Are you following the Lord?
God will bless a leader, who is following the Lord. How God blesses you is up to God, but he will bless those who follow him. King David understood this truth, "For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face" (Psalm 11:7).
Thursday, January 27, 2011
God of the Humdrum
If you casually read the book of Esther you may come away saying, “Where is God?” Commentators always point out that God is not mentioned one time in the book. The Hebrews struggled with accepting it as scripture for this very reason. Even so, you can’t miss the fact that God is at work protecting his covenant people in the midst of exile.
It is so easy to take God’s providence for granite when we can't see him explicitly in our everyday experiences. Sure, there are those sensational moments when God’s hand is evident. However, most of our moments are ordinary and humdrum. If we live most of our lives in the routine, it would be wise to notice where and how God is working in those moments.
In the book of Esther, a ruling goes out from the king for all the Jews to be killed. Extermination is going to take place. Before this ordinance went forth, God was already putting Esther in place to save the Jewish people.
What can the book of Esther teach us about seeing God in the humdrum?
1. We need to know God orchestrates our circumstances. Mordecai said to Esther, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). He was seeing her position as queen as a product of providence. God put her in a position to be used by him. Each day, we should see how God is orchestrating our routines so that he can use us to fulfill his purpose.
2. We need to know God is always faithful to his people. Mordecai recognized this truth, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place” (Esther 4:14). Mordecai knew that God would be faithful to his people, if not through Esther, then someone else.
3. We need to trust God with our lives because he holds the future. Esther agreed to her uncle’s challenge, recognizing that it could cost her life. She entrusted her life to the grace of God.
4. We need to seize every moment in our lives, spectacular and humdrum, for the glory of God. Each day is a day where God is at work, and we need to realize that he has placed us here “for such a time as this.” May God use us today! Maybe today is the day we can share our story and report to people how the Lord has shown us mercy.
It is so easy to take God’s providence for granite when we can't see him explicitly in our everyday experiences. Sure, there are those sensational moments when God’s hand is evident. However, most of our moments are ordinary and humdrum. If we live most of our lives in the routine, it would be wise to notice where and how God is working in those moments.
In the book of Esther, a ruling goes out from the king for all the Jews to be killed. Extermination is going to take place. Before this ordinance went forth, God was already putting Esther in place to save the Jewish people.
What can the book of Esther teach us about seeing God in the humdrum?
1. We need to know God orchestrates our circumstances. Mordecai said to Esther, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). He was seeing her position as queen as a product of providence. God put her in a position to be used by him. Each day, we should see how God is orchestrating our routines so that he can use us to fulfill his purpose.
2. We need to know God is always faithful to his people. Mordecai recognized this truth, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place” (Esther 4:14). Mordecai knew that God would be faithful to his people, if not through Esther, then someone else.
3. We need to trust God with our lives because he holds the future. Esther agreed to her uncle’s challenge, recognizing that it could cost her life. She entrusted her life to the grace of God.
4. We need to seize every moment in our lives, spectacular and humdrum, for the glory of God. Each day is a day where God is at work, and we need to realize that he has placed us here “for such a time as this.” May God use us today! Maybe today is the day we can share our story and report to people how the Lord has shown us mercy.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Character of Spiritual Leadership
For the first eight years of my ministry, I was on a quest, a quest to be successful. Tragically, the standard I used to measure success was faulty. I often would look to preachers I admired and used their ministries and abilities as my motivation. I had this vision in my mind that I would be in a large church with a television ministry. This quest for success started immediately after the first sermon I ever preached.
I was in my freshmen year of Bible college, serving as a youth pastor in a small rural church. I was presented with the opportunity to teach the adults on a Wednesday night, and I agreed. However, I had never prepared a sermon, nor knew how at this point. Fortunately, I took notes from chapel the day before my opportunity, and was able to preach that sermon. After I finished my sermon, a deacon came up and told me I was a good preacher, and one day he would see me on television or hear me on the radio preaching.
For many years, I believed that to be true. I used that deacon's encouragement as a guide to success. My goal was to get into a situation where I could have a television ministry or radio ministry because that is what God wanted, at least, that is what I thought he wanted.
It took John Piper's book, "Brothers We Are Not Professionals," to remind me of my privileged calling as a pastor. In this book, Piper says, "We pastors are being killed by the professionalizing of the pastoral ministry...professionalism has nothing to di with the essence and heart of the Christian ministry." Somehow, I lost sight of what it meant to be a spiritual leader. I was trained properly, and learned about spiritual leadership, but somewhere in my ministry, I lost touch with my calling as a pastor, a spiritual leader within the church.
I believe that part of the problem was the influences around me. There are tremendous amounts of books on leadership that have been embraced by church leaders that are practical and pragmatic, but they are not spiritual. There are conferences and seminars on leadership that often times focus on creativity and culture, but not on the spiritual aspect of leadership. There obviously needs to be a balance, and some do well in finding the balance, where others don't.
My goal, as a pastor and spiritual leader, is to be all that God wants me to be, and not get caught up with what is trendy, but instead, with what is biblical, spiritual, and faithful. So, what is the character of spiritual leadership? I have found in my study of scripture some foundational truths that answer this question.
Spiritual leaders must passionately pursue the Lord. You cannot pursue the Lord without obedience. Spiritual leaders determine to do the will of God. They pray as Jesus prayed, "Not my will, but your will be done."
Spiritual leaders must have a courageous confidence in the Lord. You will never please God without faith. A spiritual leader will trust the Lord when others are saying, "It's impossible." God is the God of the impossible, and spiritual leaders must have confidence in God's ability to do more than we ever ask or think.
Spiritual leaders must have a prevailing prayer life with the Lord. Prayer is essential to spiritual leadership. Prayer is the fruit of a passionate pursuit of the Lord, and a courageous confidence in the Lord. You will never be a spiritual leader apart from a prevailing prayer life.
I was in my freshmen year of Bible college, serving as a youth pastor in a small rural church. I was presented with the opportunity to teach the adults on a Wednesday night, and I agreed. However, I had never prepared a sermon, nor knew how at this point. Fortunately, I took notes from chapel the day before my opportunity, and was able to preach that sermon. After I finished my sermon, a deacon came up and told me I was a good preacher, and one day he would see me on television or hear me on the radio preaching.
For many years, I believed that to be true. I used that deacon's encouragement as a guide to success. My goal was to get into a situation where I could have a television ministry or radio ministry because that is what God wanted, at least, that is what I thought he wanted.
It took John Piper's book, "Brothers We Are Not Professionals," to remind me of my privileged calling as a pastor. In this book, Piper says, "We pastors are being killed by the professionalizing of the pastoral ministry...professionalism has nothing to di with the essence and heart of the Christian ministry." Somehow, I lost sight of what it meant to be a spiritual leader. I was trained properly, and learned about spiritual leadership, but somewhere in my ministry, I lost touch with my calling as a pastor, a spiritual leader within the church.
I believe that part of the problem was the influences around me. There are tremendous amounts of books on leadership that have been embraced by church leaders that are practical and pragmatic, but they are not spiritual. There are conferences and seminars on leadership that often times focus on creativity and culture, but not on the spiritual aspect of leadership. There obviously needs to be a balance, and some do well in finding the balance, where others don't.
My goal, as a pastor and spiritual leader, is to be all that God wants me to be, and not get caught up with what is trendy, but instead, with what is biblical, spiritual, and faithful. So, what is the character of spiritual leadership? I have found in my study of scripture some foundational truths that answer this question.
Spiritual leaders must passionately pursue the Lord. You cannot pursue the Lord without obedience. Spiritual leaders determine to do the will of God. They pray as Jesus prayed, "Not my will, but your will be done."
Spiritual leaders must have a courageous confidence in the Lord. You will never please God without faith. A spiritual leader will trust the Lord when others are saying, "It's impossible." God is the God of the impossible, and spiritual leaders must have confidence in God's ability to do more than we ever ask or think.
Spiritual leaders must have a prevailing prayer life with the Lord. Prayer is essential to spiritual leadership. Prayer is the fruit of a passionate pursuit of the Lord, and a courageous confidence in the Lord. You will never be a spiritual leader apart from a prevailing prayer life.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Peculiar Providence
In my experience with God, I often find his providence peculiar. God's ways can be down right irrational at times, if not most of the time. Even so, in the midst of the irrationalities, you can see God's hand. The Bible is filled with examples of God's irrational providence.
Abraham comes to mind when I think about peculiar providence. The fact that God told Abraham to take his long awaited son, Isaac, and sacrifice him, fits well into irrational providence. The story of Joseph, and how God used the evil of his brothers to get him to Egypt also fits into this category. And of course, the most irrational thing that happens in the Bible is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Let's face it, peculiar providence is rather common in the life of God's people.
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to peculiar providence. When he had a vision of the risen Savior in Acts chapter nine, the Lord told Paul that he would experience irrational providence in his life. From that point on, Paul found himself in situations that would make many of us turn our backs on Christ. However, you can see God's hand directing Paul every step of the way.
I found Paul's experience in Jerusalem, recorded in Acts, chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, is one of those irrational workings of God. Paul shows up in Jerusalem and takes every precaution not to offend the Jews. Rumor was spreading that Paul was against the Law of Moses and the temple. Paul soon found out that even the best of intentions can be misunderstood, and he was thrown in jail. He then has the opportunity in chapter twenty-two to share his conversion story. The crowd listens until Paul mentions the Gentiles, and they immediately become angry and want to kill him.
At first, one might think that this is unfair. How could God allow this to happen to Paul? It's not until you get to chapter twenty-three that you understand the peculiar providence. One night, under the protection of the tribune, Paul receives these words from the Lord, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome" (Acts 23:11). God had a plan, and was working out that plan, albeit through irrational means.
When you are struggling with God's ways in your own life, remember that God is in control, and he has a plan. If fact, take some time to reflect upon God's providence in the past, and you will find that God is always faithful to his people even during those times that his ways seem irrational and peculiar.
Abraham comes to mind when I think about peculiar providence. The fact that God told Abraham to take his long awaited son, Isaac, and sacrifice him, fits well into irrational providence. The story of Joseph, and how God used the evil of his brothers to get him to Egypt also fits into this category. And of course, the most irrational thing that happens in the Bible is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Let's face it, peculiar providence is rather common in the life of God's people.
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to peculiar providence. When he had a vision of the risen Savior in Acts chapter nine, the Lord told Paul that he would experience irrational providence in his life. From that point on, Paul found himself in situations that would make many of us turn our backs on Christ. However, you can see God's hand directing Paul every step of the way.
I found Paul's experience in Jerusalem, recorded in Acts, chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, is one of those irrational workings of God. Paul shows up in Jerusalem and takes every precaution not to offend the Jews. Rumor was spreading that Paul was against the Law of Moses and the temple. Paul soon found out that even the best of intentions can be misunderstood, and he was thrown in jail. He then has the opportunity in chapter twenty-two to share his conversion story. The crowd listens until Paul mentions the Gentiles, and they immediately become angry and want to kill him.
At first, one might think that this is unfair. How could God allow this to happen to Paul? It's not until you get to chapter twenty-three that you understand the peculiar providence. One night, under the protection of the tribune, Paul receives these words from the Lord, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome" (Acts 23:11). God had a plan, and was working out that plan, albeit through irrational means.
When you are struggling with God's ways in your own life, remember that God is in control, and he has a plan. If fact, take some time to reflect upon God's providence in the past, and you will find that God is always faithful to his people even during those times that his ways seem irrational and peculiar.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Real Success
When you read the New Testament you will eventually notice that biblical success is much different than worldly success. Unfortunately, we often measure our success in the kingdom with faulty standards. Paul summed up the keys to success in one verse, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Ac 20:24 ESV). Three truths we need to know, as God's servants, when it comes to being successful in the eyes of God.
We must die to self. Clearly, success begins when we end. We must value God more than we value our own lives. Paul says, "I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself." Jesus said following him can only be done with self-denial. Therefore, it is safe to say that a successful follower of Christ values God more than life.
We must never give up. Paul said, "If only I may finish my course and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus." As Paul received a ministry from the Lord, so have all followers of Christ. We must be faithful to the ministry that God has given, and never give up. Again, this takes self-denial. It also tells us that the key to success in the kingdom of God is determined by faithfulness. We should be concerned faithlessness more than for our own lives. Daniel was concerned about prayerlessness more than life. The three Hebrew boys thrown into the fiery furnace were concerned about compromise more than life.
We must determine to share the gospel. What is the ministry that we have all received from the Lord? "To testify of the gospel of the grace of God." We are witnesses for Jesus to a lost world. Charles Spurgeon once said, "If you have no wish to bring others to heaven, you are not going there yourself."
Die to self! Don't give up! Determine to share! That's real success.
We must die to self. Clearly, success begins when we end. We must value God more than we value our own lives. Paul says, "I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself." Jesus said following him can only be done with self-denial. Therefore, it is safe to say that a successful follower of Christ values God more than life.
We must never give up. Paul said, "If only I may finish my course and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus." As Paul received a ministry from the Lord, so have all followers of Christ. We must be faithful to the ministry that God has given, and never give up. Again, this takes self-denial. It also tells us that the key to success in the kingdom of God is determined by faithfulness. We should be concerned faithlessness more than for our own lives. Daniel was concerned about prayerlessness more than life. The three Hebrew boys thrown into the fiery furnace were concerned about compromise more than life.
We must determine to share the gospel. What is the ministry that we have all received from the Lord? "To testify of the gospel of the grace of God." We are witnesses for Jesus to a lost world. Charles Spurgeon once said, "If you have no wish to bring others to heaven, you are not going there yourself."
Die to self! Don't give up! Determine to share! That's real success.
It's Not Easy
The "Just a Minute" focus at First Southern has been very inspiring for me. I know that many think that pastors find it easy to share Jesus with people one on one, but it isn't, at least not for me. It has reminded me that my purpose here on earth is to be a witness to Jesus Christ. Therefore, my focus has been on opportunities to witness.
My first opportunity to share Jesus this week was with a homeless man who came to the church for food. I happened to walk into the church lobby when the man was leaving. He asked me if we had any shoes, then proceeded to show me the whole in the bottom of his work boot. The Holy Spirit told me this was my opportunity, so I loaded the man in my car, and I took him to get some shoes from Payless. On the way I shared my testimony and the gospel with him. He is a recovering Meth addict and has found deliverance in Jesus Christ.
My next opportunity was with a lady who also needed food. I caught her on the way out of the church and introduced myself to her. I quickly turned the conversation to her spiritual life and why God should let her into heaven. Her reply, "I worked hard." She was basing her entrance into heaven on her works. I shared the gospel, but she kindly said no and got into her car.
My third opportunity was once again with a person who came to the church for assistance. He was a believer who needed encouragement. I invited him to church and then prayed for the many things that he was struggling with in life.
I am so thankful that I have a story to tell about Jesus. Many people think they know Jesus, but they don't. It is wonderful to know that you know him. If you don't know Jesus and would like to know more about how you can have heaven and eternal life, leave a comment on this post and will contact you.
Pastor Patrick
My first opportunity to share Jesus this week was with a homeless man who came to the church for food. I happened to walk into the church lobby when the man was leaving. He asked me if we had any shoes, then proceeded to show me the whole in the bottom of his work boot. The Holy Spirit told me this was my opportunity, so I loaded the man in my car, and I took him to get some shoes from Payless. On the way I shared my testimony and the gospel with him. He is a recovering Meth addict and has found deliverance in Jesus Christ.
My next opportunity was with a lady who also needed food. I caught her on the way out of the church and introduced myself to her. I quickly turned the conversation to her spiritual life and why God should let her into heaven. Her reply, "I worked hard." She was basing her entrance into heaven on her works. I shared the gospel, but she kindly said no and got into her car.
My third opportunity was once again with a person who came to the church for assistance. He was a believer who needed encouragement. I invited him to church and then prayed for the many things that he was struggling with in life.
I am so thankful that I have a story to tell about Jesus. Many people think they know Jesus, but they don't. It is wonderful to know that you know him. If you don't know Jesus and would like to know more about how you can have heaven and eternal life, leave a comment on this post and will contact you.
Pastor Patrick
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