10/24/07
Change for life:
Finally, it happened.
We faced rain and one of the coldest nights of the season on Friday night that almost frozen our expectations but about 400 people showed up at 8 PM and later – at 9 PM when the rain ceased – we had also an audience of drinking buddies listening to the concert from their cars parked all over the street.
91 cards were collected splitting them almost in halves between decisions for Christ (first timers and reconciliations); and inquiries about more information and prayer requests. My heart is thankful, my soul praises the Lord! Thanks for your prayers.
I got out of the night with a realization and a revelation (sort of a new teaching and understanding of the Word of God).
The realization is that the youth around the world are like a “different tribe”; yes, they talk a different language; look different; see things from a different perspective and somehow ‘think’ different… I may be exaggerating but my realization certainly was that this ‘other tribe’ needs desperately missionaries to be sent to reach them. As usual preparation, those missionaries need to learn the language and the culture in order to be relevant to them; in order to reach them with a message that is powerful and remains the same, but need to be presented in another language.
The revelation was rooted on the words of Christ “if you remain in me and I in you; you will bear abundant fruit”. This passage acquired new meaning for me that night. Fruit only comes when we remain in Him, in His character, in His love, in His peace… no matter how well things can be organized or planned, if we plug out of Him, fruit is gone!
The lesson of this revelation says that chances are (almost in 100%) that during the process of developing crusades or events looking to bear eternal fruit for God’s glory; we will face situations that will challenge us to completely, tempting us and almost forcing us to plug out of Him. From rain to the last minute sound problems… Fact is that if we overcome and “remain in Him”, shining His character, abiding in the rule of love and the promise of peace; fruit will come, abundantly.
I consider this impossible to mere human beings; so the presence in us of the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer are essential. Diligence in preparation will also help since it will decrease the possibilities of these last minute unfortunate events that challenge our hearts to abide and reflect the Lord of love. It’s been a big lesson for me that came alive and powerful even after read that passage several times… I guess is like reading about golf and actually playing golf. I pray the Holy Spirit of our Lord will write this lesson in the deep of my heart… as Oswald Chambers implies relating the public ministry of a man of God with his private and intimate time with God “the worth of our public depends of the quality of our private”.
Last note of praise; there is something about coming to preach the Gospel at the street of your own town… God thanks for changing me and making of this life that you gave to me - the one which dishonored you in the past - an instrument today to bring glory to your Name through your Son Jesus Christ. Thanks.
Change for life:
Finally, it happened.
We faced rain and one of the coldest nights of the season on Friday night that almost frozen our expectations but about 400 people showed up at 8 PM and later – at 9 PM when the rain ceased – we had also an audience of drinking buddies listening to the concert from their cars parked all over the street.
91 cards were collected splitting them almost in halves between decisions for Christ (first timers and reconciliations); and inquiries about more information and prayer requests. My heart is thankful, my soul praises the Lord! Thanks for your prayers.
I got out of the night with a realization and a revelation (sort of a new teaching and understanding of the Word of God).
The realization is that the youth around the world are like a “different tribe”; yes, they talk a different language; look different; see things from a different perspective and somehow ‘think’ different… I may be exaggerating but my realization certainly was that this ‘other tribe’ needs desperately missionaries to be sent to reach them. As usual preparation, those missionaries need to learn the language and the culture in order to be relevant to them; in order to reach them with a message that is powerful and remains the same, but need to be presented in another language.
The revelation was rooted on the words of Christ “if you remain in me and I in you; you will bear abundant fruit”. This passage acquired new meaning for me that night. Fruit only comes when we remain in Him, in His character, in His love, in His peace… no matter how well things can be organized or planned, if we plug out of Him, fruit is gone!
The lesson of this revelation says that chances are (almost in 100%) that during the process of developing crusades or events looking to bear eternal fruit for God’s glory; we will face situations that will challenge us to completely, tempting us and almost forcing us to plug out of Him. From rain to the last minute sound problems… Fact is that if we overcome and “remain in Him”, shining His character, abiding in the rule of love and the promise of peace; fruit will come, abundantly.
I consider this impossible to mere human beings; so the presence in us of the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer are essential. Diligence in preparation will also help since it will decrease the possibilities of these last minute unfortunate events that challenge our hearts to abide and reflect the Lord of love. It’s been a big lesson for me that came alive and powerful even after read that passage several times… I guess is like reading about golf and actually playing golf. I pray the Holy Spirit of our Lord will write this lesson in the deep of my heart… as Oswald Chambers implies relating the public ministry of a man of God with his private and intimate time with God “the worth of our public depends of the quality of our private”.
Last note of praise; there is something about coming to preach the Gospel at the street of your own town… God thanks for changing me and making of this life that you gave to me - the one which dishonored you in the past - an instrument today to bring glory to your Name through your Son Jesus Christ. Thanks.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment