Pray That God Will Bring Lost Into Your Daily Path: And That You Will Share His Hope

Today I was listening to someone on a local station. He made a statement that got me to thinking - he said that we ought to pray that God would bring people into our path daily that were lost. In fact, he said that we should be praying that God would bring Muslims into our path so that they would have the opportunity to hear the Gospel - and hear it from us! John 3: 16 applies to the Islamic, the atheists, the marginally churched, the never churched, everyone!

15% of those that leave an Islamic nation and come to the United States come to know Christ personally. I want to ponder and pray about this a while and post something later. Pray with me about that and share your ideas. Truthfully, we should understand that it is our responsibility to share Christ - with all people.

Christ has commanded us; Christ has equipped us; Christ has empowered us to BE that good and faithful witness to ALL people. When was the last time you invited an unchurched neighbor? the last time you shared your belief in Christ with an atheist? stopped and talked with a Muslim about a relationship with Christ?

Are you afraid to share your faith? You should not be afraid. Go out and share His good news. His Word will not come back void.

Niger, West Africa

Yesterday I received an email from the Islamic Assistant Coach of the team we played while in Niger. On the last night of our trip, he and the head coach had come to tell us goodbye and thank us for our efforts in working with them over the past few days. The head coach is a believer. The assistant coach was, as stated, Muslim, and was participating in the fasting of Ramadan.

But please get the picture -- he had traveled to tell a group of 5 Baptist Men goodbye in a Christian setting. Throughout the week, he and I had developed a strong relationship. We discussed his beliefs. We discussed my beliefs. We shared a great deal. I was privileged to present the Gospel message to a group of young girls as he sat and listened - so, I KNOW he heard.

As we walked hand-in-hand through the compound that night so they could connect with a taxi, we continued to talk of our faith. The time of fasting had ended and we had shared a coke and a piece of Zuchinni bread (the night before, we had shared Niger ice cream before we caught our taxi). When we got to the main road and the taxi came, we stopped; he hugged and kissed me; I hugged and kissed him; and I said, "Listen to Coach S********." He said, "I will." I said back to him, "I'm not just talking about ******(the sport they coached), I'm talking about what he has to say about Jesus." He said, "I know and I will." I kissed him again, and he left.

Yes, you heard me right. A black man and a white man/a Christian and a Muslim/walked together down the streets of a city and in the compound, hand-in-hand and kissed one another good-bye. When I received his email, I REJOICED!!!! It meant that God was giving me more opportunity to share the Good News with him. I am convinced, the seeds planted will produce fruit/that there will be a harvest.

I have shared more about our trip in the newlsetter this month and will share more later as well. Suffice it to say, God is not through with TRBA in Niger. Every report from our local missionaries is reporting back results from the seeds planted. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Macs and Christianity

Recently I read a post on my son's blog -- his blogsite is meditationsonthelaw.wordpress.com. I thought it was pretty good and that I would share it with you - I think he hits the "nail on the head." We - as people who say we are burdened for those around us simply do very little to demonstrate that we really care. I think he writes pretty well--of course, I am his father.

"I have recently decided to join the throng in buying a Mac computer. I have been greatly impressed with what people have told me about the Mac and what I’ve seen the Mac do. Another thing that really impressed me was the customer service I received when I visited the Mac store two nights ago.

The girl that helped me talked with me for well over thirty minutes. She didn’t push the most expensive product down my throat. She didn’t try to convince me to buy accessories I didn’t need. The store was packed with people, yet she didn’t try and rush me at all. She wasn’t sure if she would make the sale (she didn’t), but she gave me her full attention. One thing that really impressed me was that she asked me a lot about my job, schooling and what exactly I was studying. She was trying to help me get the best computer for what I needed.

I know she’s trained to do this, but it was a refreshing experience. I do plan on looking for her when I do buy a Mac (hopefully later this week). But, the thing is when I walked out of the Apple Store I wondered, “Do we Christians invest even thirty minutes into someone’s life? Do we do it with such attention and care as she did?” It was just a thought that crossed my mind and challenged me. What do you think?"

As Baptists we are "trained to" do this - share Christ with those that are lost and minister in His name to the people around us in need. YET- unlike the young lady trying to sell him a new computer, we still do not take the time to "close the sell." When was the last time you took 30 minutes to get to know the people around you and offer them the hope for their lives that only Christ can bring? Perhaps we need to take a trip to the closest computer store for some motivation.