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The Helper, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in My name,

He will teach you all things,

and bring to your remembrance

all that I have said to you.

~John 14:26

 

Good morning dear sister!

What wonders has God done in your life this week? 

The Lord is teaching me that I can trust Him even when He's asking me to step into uncomfortable territory! Also, when I’m obedient, His rewards far outweigh my little effort of faith! Too often I get to thinking about the ‘what ifs’ of failure instead of the blessing that will follow obedience.

For example, last Saturday our church joined with six other churches in an evangelistic effort called “Reach the Beach”. The plan was to pass out tracts and information to the happy beach goers that day. There was music and refreshments and a very friendly vibe in the atmosphere. But, the atmosphere of my heart was one of anxiety and awkwardness. 

“These people are enjoying their day off at the beach,” I thought. “They don’t want some religious nut approaching them to talk about their eternal destiny”, the devil put in my mind. I was nervous. I started to remember how excruciating it was when someone would approach me with a tract talking about heaven or hell. How I’d be in the agony of embarrassment as I was pressured to repent right then and there. Back then, it felt more like condemnation than the love of God.

Now, decades later, here I am, in the witness’ shoes! What am I to say? How do I approach strangers? What if they think I’m a nut? I don’t want to be some other person’s bad memory! But then, the Lord reminded me, His Holy Spirit will whisper in my ear and speak through my mouth if I let Him. He will give me the right words to say and will remind me of what I already know! 

The more I leaned on Him, the more confident I felt! The first woman I approached told me that she was not interested in what I had to offer, but she was polite and pleasant at least. She even thanked me for thinking of her. “OK”, I thought, “that wasn’t so bad.” 

Feeling a teensy bit more bold, I approached a family and began speaking to the dad. It turned out that he & his wife are looking for a church with a good children’s program! Of course, I just happened to have some brochures about HCF and all our wonderful programs! He was happy to take one! I pray we will see his family walking through the doors soon!

Of course, not everyone looked glad to see me coming at them, armed with a fistful of tracts. They would suddenly change course and veer off in another direction in spite of my friendly smile. I took that as a signal that they didn’t wish to hear my Good News. I was catching on fast! Thank you Lord!

As I looked away from those ignoring me, I noticed a young woman standing alone. I heard that still, small voice saying, “Go to her”. “But Lord,” I protested, “she looks very busy with her phone, she looks as if she does not want to be disturbed.” “Go to her”, was the only reply I got. 

So I went to her. I excused myself for interrupting her and then complimented her on the dress she was wearing. I mistook it for a garment made in India, but she told me that her dress and she herself had recently arrived from Bangladesh! I looked into her eyes and immediately sensed the presence of the Lord! I asked her if she is a Christian, and with her eyes filling with tears, she said yes and had been in the US for less than 2 weeks, praying to meet sisters and brothers in the Lord!. 

God had heard and answered her prayer! Answered by a bumbling and awkward servant such as I. What an awesome and humbling wonder it is that God leads us in His will! He gave me the exact words to say to one of His own daughters that would comfort and encourage her soul in a place so far from her home. He brought to my remembrance the right words and actions to minister to her!

And, yes, she was happy to come to church with me! She, and her family in Bangladesh are comforted to know that she is being welcomed into the family of believers here! That she is safe and welcomed into fellowship with us as long as she is in this faraway land.

I’m certain that God would have blessed her that day if I had refused to go to her, but how happy I am that I was obedient to His voice and had the opportunity to take a tiny step of faith! Whenever we please God with faith or trust, He pours out such abundant blessings that do indeed cause our cups to runneth over! How great is our God!

You don’t have to be strong, because He will be your strength! You don’t have to be good with words, because your Helper will tell you what to say! If you’ve read it in the Bible, even if only once, the Holy Spirit will remind you! 

So, my dear sister, the next time you hear that still, small voice, will you go where He says go? If you want to see the wonders of God working in your life, lay aside the “what ifs” and trust Him to do something wonder-ful!

Keep loving Jesus and moving forward!

With love, your sister, Celeste