Okay. So I just completed a Bible Study called "Becoming a Contagious Christian" at my church, the Fathdome of Fellowship in Oviedo, Florida. Needless to say, I learned that I have alot to learn about what it takes to spread the message of Jesus Christ to those who really need to hear it. Evidently, the authors of this bible study agree, because why else would there be a bible study on the topic in the first place; but that's neither here nor there.
In any event, the reason for that little regression into the recesses of my personal bible study habits (read: get to a bible study...quick) is that I read an article the other day in a devotional called Prayer Point from the Samaritan's Purse Ministries. It was about a Pakistani pastor who is a faithful follower of Jesus Christ!! Wait. That's not even the best part. The thing is...he preaches the gospel IN Pakistan. In case you've lived in a void the last 5 years, Pakistan is 97 percent Muslim. It's also a place where Muslim extremists would likely stone you (or pick any graphically violent act of persecution, mutilation and death) for even saying something like, "Praise Jesus!"
Note: I said "extremists." I doubt all Muslims would pelt you with medium-to-large size chunks of hard earth for being a Christian. Let's not get the hate blogs going, people - chill.
So anyway...I got to thinking that I'm kind of a wuss. I've got this "woe is me" thing going, because I'm sitting in my bible study going, "man, this ain't easy," and here's this guy who is openly preaching the gospel of our Lord and Savior to the rank-and-file Muslim population. You know what the beautiful part of that is...his efforts are getting souls to accept Jesus Christ. He's getting people saved.
So c'mon people. If you're a Christian - you know how this works. All you need to do is walk by faith and the words will come to you. Our youth pastor was in our prayer circle and used the metaphor that we will scold our kids to pick up their things instead of walking by them. As Christians, we need to stop looking at people on the street and instead of walking by, we need to pick them up. I am so guilty of just walking by. I ask God to forgive me for that and to stir up His Spirit within me so that I will have the words. What I'm saying is that we just need to pray for souls. A little "God bless you" and "Jesus loves you" would go a long way in sparking a fire in the heart of someone who really needed to hear those words.
If you're not a Christian; don't suck your teeth when one of my Christian brothers or sisters tells you that Jesus really does love you. Take a minute, think of where you are in life and find out what Jesus did for you. I bet you don't know. You know...you can even post it here. I'll reply with everything I know about this beautiful gift Jesus has waiting for you and why you should accept this gift and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
So back to me being in awe of this Pakistani pastor. HE has it rough. We don't. Share the gospel.
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3 comments:
I love your heart and challenge to the body of Christ. Sharing the Gospel with others should be an automatic result of knowing Jesus. I personally think this is so difficult because many of us have allowed ourselves to become conditioned by a society that wants the Church quiet (or anyone who has an opinion that goes against the flow) rather than allowing ourselves to be conditioned by the God of all creation who has commanded us to speak out, and that stirred the hearts of His disciples to say who should we obey God or man... you decide! Do we have any world changers out there?
That is awesome!! In such a hositile place, facing the ultimate punishment and still being obedient to the call of Almighty God. One thing is for sure, (for those who live in places where you can speak freely ecspecially
"Americans") we have a hugh responsibility. The whole, "To whom much is given much is required" quote is reality to us when speaking of freedom. What are we doing with the God given freedom of being born in a society that allows you speak openly of your faith without being beat down. It is the responsibility of the Body of Christ to share the Gospel with all of humanity. WHO CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE?? ONE WHO WILL DIE FOR SAYING PRAISE GOD?? OR ONE WHO HAS THE LIBERTY TO SHARE WITH ALL?? Nobody choses where they are born, God does. Where did God chose for you to be born??
People are dying and we have the cure. Let's get out there and start sharing the antidote this world so desperately needs. btw the whole "pick up the stuff" is courtesy of Bishop's mom yelling at him to stuff up, lol :-)
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