Just discovered this forum. I also was encouraged by the "Wild at Heart" book. White hair, I was just discussing this very topic the other day with my wife. Our church seems at times to be a "club" for christians instead of an outreach. Even the message is geared mostly toward Christians. As if you "do this or that" or "pray this or that" then your life will be blessed and fully pleasing to God and life will be worry free. Pulpit messages now sound more like what a life coach like Tony Robbins than a message from God (nothing wrong with Robbins, just sayin')The Bible does not teach this. Suffering and hardship don't go away after conversion. It can actually increase because of the opposing forces in the world which will target us! Biblical faith is not just offering prayer to God so that we can praise him when he answers as we want, but it is being able to still praise Him when we don't get what we want.
The gospel is good news. Therefore it is worth sharing and the harvest is plentiful and waiting. I asked Christ to save me on a Friday night 27 years ago through the witness of an associate pastor who came to an apartment that I was sharing with friends. We were in the middle of a huge party. You know the scene. Late that night Joe boldly walked in and sat at the table and starting sharing the gospel with everyone. Some laughed and left, most just went to other rooms or out on the balcony, and a few were polite and listened. I was riveted upon his words. His timing was perfect and my heart was open to the message because God had been dealing with me for months before Joe arrived. I believe it was by God's providence that he stopped by that night. I'm sure Joe had other things he could have been doing, but he came by that apartment instead because he was led to do so. I was convicted of my sinful lifestyle and repented and asked Christ to save me and He did. His grace has kept me saved. Joe gave me some encouraging reading materials. I joined his church that Sunday and enjoyed playing on the basketball team. He was our coach. Afterward I discovered that Mr. Moulton, one of my parents neighbors who knew Joe, had mentioned me to him in casual conversation. My first paying job was helping Mr. Moulton in his ceramic shop when I was about 10 years old. God was in control. Thank God for Mr. Moulton and Joe. I moved back home, started trade school, and now have a career in aviation in another city and am married to a lovely Christian lady.
I since have had the pleasure of sharing the gospel with others although it is not as easy for me. It is easier to share with someone if first there is a common interest like basketball, the outdoors, archery etc. Join me in asking God to make an open door for those around us in our daily lives at work, in our neighborhoods, our hobbies etc. Then we simply sow the seed when the "door" opens. The seed sowing can be like what Mr. Moulton did or what Joe did. Both are relevant and necessary. We all have a place to fill in God's kingdom. Obediently find what that is for you. Then get busy doing it in His strength and leave the results up to God just like Joe did.
Topic: need direction (Read 3864 times)
