A desire to reach the lost?

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,” Romans 9:3

Do you ever wish you had a heart like that of the Apostle Paul?

A heart that so longed for the salvation of the lost that you would be willing to give up even your own salvation?

I have a heart for the lost but I must admit that I have not exactly gotten to the point Paul had reached when writing Romans 9:3.

A group from our church goes out on Friday nights to do street evangelism and I go with them often. It is fun in a way. We run into lots of teenagers who are very open to listening about the Gospel.

But what would you be willing to do in order to reach a lost soul? Would you be willing to put your job on the line? How about willing to risk causing problems with other members of your family? Such are the challenges we face at times.

The Friday night before last it started raining about the time I was considering going out to do street evangelism. Since the place we go to on Fridays is a park and outdoor shopping area I stayed home thinking it wouldn’t matter if I was there or not. All the people who you could witness to would have gone home, right? I hope so because I stayed home and will never know.

My guess is the Apostle Paul would have simply gotten an umbrella or found a different public location to go that was inside. Like I said, still working on having a heart like Paul’s.

In my defense however, the next Friday night I was the only one that showed up from the team. It sure would have been easy to lack the courage and boldness to witness with no one there to encourage you or hold you accountable. But after drinking my Starbucks and wrestling with the Lord for a few minutes the Lord reminded me once again about Romans 9:3.

We all have our days where we are on our game and other days that well…maybe not so much.

I think we would all be convicted of our lack of boldness if we stopped and considered that everyone we meet during a given day has an eternal destiny. For many of them unless things change before they die that destiny is one of eternal damnation.

When is the last time you asked the person carrying out your groceries if they know Jesus? How about that waiter at the restaurant the other night?

Each of them has an eternal destiny and it may be that the Lord has sent you across that person’s path for a reason.

Keep in mind you do not have to be the most talented only available and willing for the Lord to use you. Even if you don’t win a convert that day, you will likely plant some seed for another to come along later to water.

So I would challenge you the way the Lord challenges me frequently with Romans 9:3.

Everyone you met has an eternal destiny. Do you desire to share the Gospel with the lost no matter the costs or do you make an excuse?

That is something I am challenged with frequently.

How to forgive

I received this today in an e-mail from a friend. There are no other comments required so I will simply post the letter as received and add only a Big AMEN!

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One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.

He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:

"Lord,
You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against
me and I shouldn't have to forgive As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - Teach me To Forgive."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.

He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak..

"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked.

The man answered, "Yes, Lord."

"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"

The man answered, "Yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.

"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked.

And the man answered, "Yes, Lord."

"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?"

The man, crying now, answered, "Yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever . . .?" the man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer, "Yes, Lord."

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.

Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
Lord I love You and I need You,
come into my heart, today.
For without You I can do nothing.