The Great Commission

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on January 29, 2010 at 12:32am

Hello sis,

I had been preaching and teaching the word for a long time, sorry I really can't remember how long, may be one year or two, and I would always tell people that by repenting and believing in their hearts and confessing with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, they would be save. I would never tasked them if I could pray with them though, to lead them in the prayer of repentance, nor would I after preaching make an alter call, or rather a bench call hahahaha since on those days I would preach in a prison yard, in front of the assigned bench for yard services.

As much as I loved serving God and teaching and preaching I had never led anyone to Christ. I would pray that the guys that heard the word would in their private time call out to the Lord, as I had called out to the Lord from my cell, when the Spirit of the Lord had brought conviction into my life.

I knew I was not complete and felt horrible at times because I could not get myself to do the calling, it was the enemy working me in that area. I cannot even remember how it happened or who it was, but I do remember vividly the overwhelming JOY that came over me the first time I had the privilege to be use by the Lord to bring someone to His kingdom. Ohhhh it felt Awesome. I remember wondering why I had been preaching and teaching without making the call. From that day forward I promise myself never to preach or teach in a "place" where there are unbelievers present , without making the invitation/call to repentance.

LEADING PEOPLE TO THE LORD OR I SHOULD SAY ALLOWING GOD TO USE US TO BRING SOULS TO THE KINGDOM IS THE MOST REWARDING EXPERIANCE IN MY LIFE. I GOT HOOKED/ADDICTED TO IT.

Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

The first time someone called me their spiritual father, I trust you guys know what that means (the person that introduced them to Christ in other words), oh my, I felled so honor and humbled.

I was so mad at myself that it had taken me so long to experience it. :)

I said all that to say this - if you have not introduced a soul to the kingdom of God in a direct, tangible way, Oh family, you don't know what you are missing.

It is the most rewarding and joyful feeling in the world.

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Permalink Reply by Carla on January 29, 2010 at 1:08pm

Dear David,

Thank you so much for sharing this encouragement here...

I think it is a growth process that we go through.... I am going through that right now..that is one reason why I posted this..

It is also difficult.. quite often I am with my husband, and I am not allowed to speak openly about my faith when he is around...so in that sense it is difficult to share my love for Jesus. However, I am not always with him.

I have been blessed by leading someone to the Lord..and it is an incredible feeling of Joy.......There was a major backlash from the enemy which now is subsiding (almost a 1 1/2 later) A relationship was severed...but is now slowly being built up. That experience knocked me off kilter a bit... But it hasn't stopped me and it won't stop me... When I was experiencing the persecution from that.. I also felt an incredible sense of peace and warmth around me that was God 'keeping me'.. The fiery darts in those moments did not touch me...I was able to respond in grace and love...which baffled me! God is Awesome!

Anyhow, my hearts desire is to tell people about Jesus so they know about Him...and His Salvation is all inclusive. SO>>>>>>FORTH WE GO INTO BATTLE...A few more dents in our armor...but we will not be knocked down.

Much Love in Christ, Carla

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on January 30, 2010 at 6:41pm

Hey Carla,

I would like to share two.

A number of yeas ago while working in my secular job I met a lady who managed the convenient store I was there to inventory. I was focused on my job, but she wanted to talk. It took me a minute to realize that what she was saying was a whole lot more important than my "job." She had lost her husband and son bot within the last 18 months. She was beside herself with despair. I took th etime to share the gospel with her and she broke down in tears realizing she needed Jesus to forgive her, heal her and to set her free. I had never counted that store before and it was sold within the next couple of weeks and thus I never met her again. I believe that God gives us divine appointments.

Our church ministers at a physical rehab hospital every Sunday afternoon. I usually present a message of hope and the gospel. This particular day I presented the message and closed in prayer. I went around greeting people as usual when this man grabbed my hand and looked me in the eye and said, "I am not saved and I am ready." He gave his life to Jesus that afternoon. God often uses the simple to get His message out to the needy if we are simply willing to be available and obedient.

I share these two for God's glory, but to also reveal something. In both cases I almost missed the opportunity. I initially was not interested in dialoging with this lady, but the Spirit finally got my attention to stop and listen. The second one revealed a man was ready to surrender to Jesus and I did not ask for commitment at the end of the message because I did not sense it (don't always trust your feelings). God broke through anyway.

Lord Bless,
LT

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on January 30, 2010 at 11:39pm

Hey family-

I remembered the first time I was being led to witness and introduce Jesus, to the guys that nobody wanted to speak to, because they seem unreachable. These guys are hardcore gangsters etc. the Spirit would not let me be, unless I approached this one guy. I was not a bit scare of the guy, I just thought that it will be a waste of time to preach (share the gospel in a personal level) to someone who obviously enjoyed evil, I was very young in my walk, a baby in Christ myself, still learning to trust my Lord.

Well the Holy Spirit kept putting this person in my heart, so I asked the Lord to set it all up and to help me obey when the opportunity showed up. God arranged it all and I was obedient, it blew me away to see this hardcore criminal open up in a one on one conversation and the Lord taught me that there are no impossibles for Him.

I remember hearing that beautiful still voice tell me, see son all you have to do is obey, I will do the rest. :)

I learn that many of the gang bangers, thieves, drug users and dealer etc... Are tire of that life style and sometimes wonder why Christians don't approach them. I had been deliver from an extremely criminal mind and yet I had problems believing that others in similar predicaments as my previous one, would want to hear about the Lord, so I can imagine that it must be a huge challenge for the normal Joe to believe he can be effective among such folks but let me tell you something I discovered.

IT IS SO MUCH EASIER FOR A REGULAR THUG TO BE SAVED THAN A DOCTOR OR EXECUTIVE. THE MEN IN THE GUTER KNOWS HE NEEDS HELP, BUT THE MEN WITH THE MORTGAGE, WITH MORALs AND VALUES SEES NO NEED FOR THE LORD.
I have seen work in the executive also hahaha God is Awesome Hallelujah!

I have always seen bad guys come to Christ in bigger numbers than the Good guys to surrender. Ironic.

Anyways family, I said all that to say - No impossible for the Lord and everybody needs the LORD.

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Permalink Reply by Carla on January 31, 2010 at 5:43pm

Hi David and LT,

Thank you so much for sharing your stories here. It is very encouraging to know that we all have the same struggles.
I always feel so very inadequate when it comes to sharing my faith with non-believers...like I'm going to forget something really important, or say the wrong thing and bring dishonor to God. I guess that is where I need to repent and trust God that He will lead when those opportunities present themselves..

David, you touched on something very important...you said this:

IT IS SO MUCH EASIER FOR A REGULAR THUG TO BE SAVED THAN A DOCTOR OR EXECUTIVE. THE MEN IN THE GUTER KNOWS HE NEEDS HELP, BUT THE MEN WITH THE MORTGAGE, WITH MORALs AND VALUES SEES NO NEED FOR THE LORD.

Mat 5:3 "God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

We all need to get to that point.. Hence, why it is important to ask God to lead when we are telling people about Jesus...God knows and prepares the hearts of His people... He has to lead...we have to follow!

Thanks again for sharing...
Much Love in Christ, Carla

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Permalink Reply by Carla on January 31, 2010 at 6:15pm

Today's (Jan 31st) Devotional by Oswald Chambers from 'My Utmost for His Highest'

"Separated unto the Gospel"
Romans 1:1
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called {as} an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the Gospel of God. The one thing that is all important is that the Gospel of God should be realized as the abiding Reality. Reality is not human goodness, nor holines, nor heaven nor hell; but redemption, and the need to perceive it is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. As workers we have to get used to the revelation that Redemption is the only Reality. Personal holiness is an effect, not a cause, and if we place our faith in human goodness, in the effect of Redemption, we shall go under when the test comes.

Paul did not say he separated himself, but, "when it pleased God who spearated me..." Paul had not a hypersensitive interest in his own character. As long as our eyes are upon our own personal whiteness we shall never get near the reality of Redemption. Workers break down because their desire is for their own whiteness, and not for God. "Don't ask me to come into contact with the rugged reality of Redemption on behalf of the filth of human life as it is; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes." To talk in that way is a sign that the reality of the Gospel of God has not begun to touch me; there is no reckless abandon to God. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul is unconscious of himself, he is recklessly abandoned, separated by God for one purpose - to proclaim the Gospel of God.

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on February 1, 2010 at 1:34am

Wow there is so much beauty in those two paragraphs - thank you for sharing it Carla.

I needed this reminder.

Lt said the following in one of His latest blogs: (http://www.allaboutgod.net/profiles/blogs/the-exponential-expansion-of)

"When I used to teach martial arts there was a saying that seems applicable here today. If you were to go to a dojo (training center) you would find the newest student working on the last thing they learned and the high ranking teacher working on the first thing he ever learned. Fundamentals are the foundation. As I have studied the Scripture and debated many people on various topics over the years, my mind drifts back and longs for the simpler time….."

Amen LT!

And again Carla - thank you! - God knew I needed this reminder.


Blessings :)

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