Over Super Bowl Weekend one of our members, Ethan Moss came home on leave from the military for a visit and brought along a fellow soldier friend. He brought him to church Sunday morning and he brought him to the Super Bowl party we had at our house later in the day. The young man was very engaged in the singing, the bible class, the sermon and later the devotional before the game. Toward the end of the game we got into a discussion and he wanted to know more about baptism. After the game, we studied some more, and before the night was over, Powers Goldwire was baptized into Christ. Praise God! We have been trying real hard to reach the people of the U.P. with the good news of Jesus for years. Some have accepted Christ, while others have not. And then, out of the blue, a young man arrives for the weekend and before he leaves, he is our new brother in Christ. Since he is not from here, and is in the military, it is quite possible that we will never see him again, at least not this side of heaven. Yet, seeds had been planted and watered previously in his life, God had touched his heart while he was here, and we were blessed with assisting him.
When evangelizing, we never really know who the ducks are and who the decoys are. Sometimes it is difficult to tell them apart. What we must know however is that God is indeed working in the hearts and minds of many. We simply must be ready, willing and available to step up and do our part when the time comes, and wherever God leads. Trusting in God to take care of the rest, in His time.
“Paul and his companions traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia,, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, come over to Macedonia and help us. After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6-10) Love, J.L.
Jim Larsen (J.L.) is the minister for the Marquette, Michigan Church of Christ. He also assists Dave Grant as co-host on the TV Ministry, Let the Bible Speak.
