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“But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and
say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against
you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near” – Luke 10:10-11
With
exasperation she continues walking the streets of Las Vegas. If she could
just find one person on this rainy night under the neon lights it would make it
all worth it. The rain keeps the card peddlers at bay so she’ll have to
take her ministry inside of the clubs and bars. There are plenty of
opportunities in this seedy town, but it certainly wears on one’s faith and
commitment. The majority of the individuals she reaches out to are middle
aged, married and living a double life in this city of sin. From the
throngs of people that continue to flock to the casino’s and shows to the
hundreds and thousands that daily make their ways to the strip clubs and
reviews, she will always have targets for her message. Her love of the
Father and His Son drives her to daily put on her humble clothes, tennis shoes
and with cards in hand make her way out into the world to spread His
word.
You see, 15 years earlier her husband of 27 years had come to this city for a convention. After drinking with his friends and losing unbelievable amounts of money on the craps table, he proceeded to take a card from a sidewalk peddler. That night 3 scantily clad girls showed up at his door, when he opened the door to let them in and begin his night of adulterous pleasure. Immediately, busting through the door following the 3 girls were 2 very large men. They proceeded to beat, abuse and steal from the man. He was taken from the hotel and left to die outside of the city limits. He didn’t die that night. The next morning he was found by a young couple just married in Vegas. They made sure he was taken to a hospital, where the police captured the details of his story. His wife was notified, but before she could make it to Las Vegas he died.
She has a cause behind her ministry. She has a passion to prevent this from happening to another family. Most of her attempts to “help” someone heading down the wrong path to right themselves are received with a coarse, “Mind your own business.”, but every now and then, when the Lord brings her path to cross another’s at the right time, she has been an instrument of God to bring another sheep back into the fold.
The truth of the matter is some people just don’t want to face God on His terms. Many of us have been in situations where starting a discussion about God and salvation falls upon deaf ears. The bible is clear on this matter, and Jesus' own words here in Luke 10:10 affirms that we are not to lose hope when someone denies or turns from the Good News. God’s plan of salvation is that ALL mankind be saved through His abundant grace. But it is by His plan not ours.
I’ve often found myself in a position thinking that if I don’t get this person or that person to recognize the need for Christ they will go to Hell. What arrogance, what pride? As if I have any ability to bring salvation to anyone. God’s resources are not limited to my ability to spread His word. If so, we are all in a whole lot of trouble. Thank goodness that He can bring a person to a point of salvation without me. This in no way says I shouldn’t be out there giving back and sharing His gospel, though. When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we acknowledge that His way is the only way to heaven. By accepting this, we accept the Great Commission along with that.
This states that we need to take the truth, righteousness and word of God to the world and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We can’t buy into the comfortable parts of the scriptures, that talk about how much God will do for us, and ignore the parts that say we are called to do His work. It’s all or nothing; it is either God’s word and deserves our full commitment or none of it is true. There is no way to take part of the salvation story and simply ignore the rest. When others refuse to accept the truths we are speaking, we are to move on with respect as our Savior did. Do not fret and believe that God is not capable of saving them in another manner. That’s a pretty limiting perspective of the Almighty Creator, wouldn’t you agree. As followers of Christ we are called to spread His love to all nations. It's not a request, it's a command.
PRAYER:
Almighty God,
You have called us to be Your hands and feet to the world. You have empowered us and bestowed upon each of us the necessary tools and gifts for the success of our mission. Grant us the humility and serenity to understand our place in Your plan, and to have a heart drawn to serve as You need us to serve. All glory goes to You as we lift You up in our cause. Amen
You see, 15 years earlier her husband of 27 years had come to this city for a convention. After drinking with his friends and losing unbelievable amounts of money on the craps table, he proceeded to take a card from a sidewalk peddler. That night 3 scantily clad girls showed up at his door, when he opened the door to let them in and begin his night of adulterous pleasure. Immediately, busting through the door following the 3 girls were 2 very large men. They proceeded to beat, abuse and steal from the man. He was taken from the hotel and left to die outside of the city limits. He didn’t die that night. The next morning he was found by a young couple just married in Vegas. They made sure he was taken to a hospital, where the police captured the details of his story. His wife was notified, but before she could make it to Las Vegas he died.
She has a cause behind her ministry. She has a passion to prevent this from happening to another family. Most of her attempts to “help” someone heading down the wrong path to right themselves are received with a coarse, “Mind your own business.”, but every now and then, when the Lord brings her path to cross another’s at the right time, she has been an instrument of God to bring another sheep back into the fold.
The truth of the matter is some people just don’t want to face God on His terms. Many of us have been in situations where starting a discussion about God and salvation falls upon deaf ears. The bible is clear on this matter, and Jesus' own words here in Luke 10:10 affirms that we are not to lose hope when someone denies or turns from the Good News. God’s plan of salvation is that ALL mankind be saved through His abundant grace. But it is by His plan not ours.
I’ve often found myself in a position thinking that if I don’t get this person or that person to recognize the need for Christ they will go to Hell. What arrogance, what pride? As if I have any ability to bring salvation to anyone. God’s resources are not limited to my ability to spread His word. If so, we are all in a whole lot of trouble. Thank goodness that He can bring a person to a point of salvation without me. This in no way says I shouldn’t be out there giving back and sharing His gospel, though. When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we acknowledge that His way is the only way to heaven. By accepting this, we accept the Great Commission along with that.
This states that we need to take the truth, righteousness and word of God to the world and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We can’t buy into the comfortable parts of the scriptures, that talk about how much God will do for us, and ignore the parts that say we are called to do His work. It’s all or nothing; it is either God’s word and deserves our full commitment or none of it is true. There is no way to take part of the salvation story and simply ignore the rest. When others refuse to accept the truths we are speaking, we are to move on with respect as our Savior did. Do not fret and believe that God is not capable of saving them in another manner. That’s a pretty limiting perspective of the Almighty Creator, wouldn’t you agree. As followers of Christ we are called to spread His love to all nations. It's not a request, it's a command.
PRAYER:
Almighty God,
You have called us to be Your hands and feet to the world. You have empowered us and bestowed upon each of us the necessary tools and gifts for the success of our mission. Grant us the humility and serenity to understand our place in Your plan, and to have a heart drawn to serve as You need us to serve. All glory goes to You as we lift You up in our cause. Amen
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