Monday, November 23, 2021
Joe Kirby, from Off the Kirb Ministries on You Tube, gave the challenge. This year, for world evangelism day, Black Friday, let's all go out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as we can. Challenge accepted, I said in my heart!
First, I went ahead and ordered some gospel tracts that clearly outline the gospel of Jesus Christ in easy to understand and culturally relevant way. I was so impressed with the speed in which the gospel tracts arrived at my home.
Next, I've been carrying them with me, everywhere I go. There is a burning desire in my heart to get the word out to as many people as possible, that Jesus is real, that Jesus is alive, that Jesus forgives sin and offers eternal life to all who believe. What we believe about Jesus matters; it matters deeply, and it matters eternally!
Today, a Monday of Thanksgiving week, I went to downtown Fullerton area for a pre-Thanksgiving lunch. However, the little ticket did not display the start time; nor did my friend who invited me know either! I called the number on the ticket, but also was not able to get through. So, looking online I discovered they open at 10:30 AM, so I planned to go then. I arrived between 11:30 and noon. And, that was when my friend also called me and left a voice mail to meet him by the east parking lot; but I was already in the west parking lot. My friend led me to believe that it didn't start until 3 or 6pm. I proceeded to walk in the direction where my friend said he'd be, and while I was walking, I saw a homeless gentleman sitting on a bench with his suitcase and personal belongings. I so desperately wanted to share Jesus and eternal life with him! So I said hello. He said hello. He heard "how are you" so he responded with "I'm fine and you?" I asked him did he know Jesus? And, I waited for his response.
With no hesitation, he replied that yes he did know Jesus! I asked him, how did he know Jesus? And, thus began a conversation. He shared a little bit of his story with me, where he stayed before had been a faith-based program shelter for the homeless. And he said that he talks to him all the time! I asked him his name and he told me; I also told him mine, and we exchanged pleasantries. I told him that he was the 1st person that I had ever asked, "do you know Jesus" and he thought I was scared. No, no, no, I'm not scared. I have this burning desire deep within me to tell everyone everywhere that Jesus is real, that Jesus is alive, and that He's coming again for all who put their hope and trust in Him. I blessed him and he gave me a piece of advice. He cautioned me to be wary of the people I meet because they might not be who they say they are. And, I took heed, I consider his advice to be timely, wise, and street-smart if I may say it that way!
If I had not run into this homeless man today, I may not have found the pre-Thanksgiving meal being served at Garcia's in downtown Fullerton. I gave "Howard" my new homeless friend, two gospel tracts; one for him and one to give away, or to give away two since he already knows Jesus. This was my day today, and I knew I would be filled with so much joy from my obedience to the Lord! Indeed, God filled my heart with an unspeakable joy, my heart is flooded with passion for the lost. When we obey God, we benefit with the gift of joy. Today marks one day in the beginning of more and more moments of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone I meet, from this day onward.
