I met Mrs Stone at the local shopping center street festival. It was during a time of economic downturn – unemployment was high, school leavers couldn’t find jobs, businesses in the street and elsewhere were closing down and in general there was an air of hopelessness across the community. Continue reading “Can you come next week?”
I’ve got lots of bitterness and unforgiveness
The day I called at Mrs Bell’s house and gave her the reason for my visit, tears came into her eyes and she said, “It was two years ago today since my husband died and I know God has sent you, I’ve been feeling down all day.” She told me she and her daughter were both baptized but she didn’t often, “go to church.” Nevertheless she asked me to pray for them, as well as her son, “who has gone away from God.” Both children were now in their thirties. Continue reading “I’ve got lots of bitterness and unforgiveness”
Tell me the difference between you both
During my time of street ministry I observed there to be no other organization so rigorously committed to systematic door to door visitations than that of the Jehovah Witnesses. So organized and effective were they in their work in the three and a half years I was out there, they put the rest of us to shame. And, because of the spiritual vacuum that is so evident in people’s lives, their religion had/has great appeal for people. Continue reading “Tell me the difference between you both”
He spoke of his doubts in Christ’s forgiveness
The church fellowship I was associated with during the time of my street ministry very quickly developed a reputation for it’s sound Biblical teaching and workings of God in the community. As a result, Christians from other churches became regular visitors. Many such visitors then became committed members, whilst others, although not as committed, nevertheless were regular attendees among us. One such man was Dan – a single man in his late 50’s. Continue reading “He spoke of his doubts in Christ’s forgiveness”
Don’t talk to me about a loving God!
One day a young married mother-to-be came to the door and she had one of the most tragic stories I have ever heard since doing this work. Upon introducing myself and explaining the purpose of the visit, a fierce anger came into her eyes and flashed across her face and she told me I was wasting my time in speaking with her. Continue reading “Don’t talk to me about a loving God!”
I’ll do it my way!
The first time I met Mr de Silva he had very little time to chat, but he was very interested in my message so he asked me to come back at a later date. Three weeks later I called back and he invited me inside. He told me that here in Australia he was now a tennis coach, but in his native Sri Lanka he worked as a high-ranking Government official. At one time in that position, he said he got caught up in “some political wranglings,” and got shot two or three times in the stomach. Continue reading “I’ll do it my way!”
The religious spirit
New Testament Ephesians 6:12 tells us very clearly that as Christians, we are not fighting against flesh and blood (human beings), but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. In other words, we are up against evil spiritual rulers from the unseen world – mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world – but who work through ordinary people. Continue reading “The religious spirit”
I’m having the most beautiful experience
I had just finished a time of prayer and ministry with Jean in her home when her next door neighbor Helen called in. Jean introduced me to her and explained the reason for my visit and suggested to Helen that perhaps she would like me to pray with her also. On a previous visit with Jean, she told me a little about “the couple next door” and the fact that some years earlier they had experienced tragedy in their lives. Continue reading “I’m having the most beautiful experience”
I’m beginning to find this out for myself
The lady stood in her doorway with mixed facial expressions, but she seemed to be very open to my message as she allowed me to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with her. I could see the Lord was ministering His reality to her. As I continued to speak, those expressions were changing and it was apparent that some of her immediate needs were being met. Continue reading “I’m beginning to find this out for myself”
You were sent by God today
The lady introduced herself as Dorothy. Perhaps in her late sixties, she was already standing at her front gate as I came along, telling me that she had heard me speaking with a neighbour two doors down, so she “came out for a chat too.” She said she was a widow and as a consequence didn’t get to talk much with people. Continue reading “You were sent by God today”