Monday, September 10, 2007

Mission InProgress Monday #3 (and Sunday studies...)

Well, what a weekend! I didn't read, look at, type, or any computer activity since Friday! WOW!

For my Mission Monday, I have a huge testimony of the Goodness of God! I had to work Saturday, and was talking with a fellow co-worker who is also a young Christian lady. We have many friends in common, and I was asking about so and so, or this couple. Some of the states of these others was nothing short of a need for Divine healing and restoration. (Or Salvation! "Ye shall know them by their fruit"... and there is NONE!)

We were talking- mind you this is at a major retailer, on the sales floor and I tell you it was so quiet- for 30 minutes uninterrupted! While we were conversing, a fellow unsaved co-worker was in the conversation and couldn't understand our tone of woe with regard to these people. One just moved in with her boyfriend, another is raising her out-of-wedlock child in a city apartment, and another has found her "life partner" at the age of 19, and thinks she has just made it! YIKES! These are people from families that are CHURCHED! (notice I did not say strong Christians, though a few are, others aren't)

The fellow co-worker commented that she thought these were fine choices if they wanted to make them, and my saved friend said "the way we were brought up, you just don't do these things". She was very cautious, (for obvious reasons-we were actually supposed to be working...) which is where the Lord moved in! (exit saved friend!) I was able for 20 more minutes ask her very provoking questions, like what is her standard for right and wrong? Did she believe the Bible is an authority in her life? Has she obeyed the ten commandments? She really got it all, the whole 9 ton dump truck just backed up and unloaded... and it was great! She never once felt put on the spot, but she really understood the implications of all the Lord was showing her.

She was trying to get away from actually having to make a decision in her life. I explained that in America, most people make the mistake and think they start this life out going to heaven, and they have to be really bad to change it. I told her according to the Bible, all people start out going to hell. She was a little shocked! Then I asked her if two people were really in love, and made all of the wedding plans, got to the church, walked down the aisle, looked really nice and smiled at each other, but never verbally spoke their words of commitment to one another, would they be married in the eyes of the law? After a moment of thought, she said "No, they wouldn't" (very good!) I said he had proposed, but unless they spoke vows of commitment and signed the marriage certificate, it would be incomplete in the eyes of the law.

Enter Rom 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I told her God proposed 200 years ago. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for her sin. If she chose to accept it, she needed to repent, confess with her mouth, and the covenant would be signed by the blood of Christ- paying for her sin. She would take his name and be called a Christian. She became so quiet, and her eyes looked straight at me without blinking. I didn't know what to do! A few moments passed, and I asked her if she understood it all. "Yes" was her reply, and then she said "I have a lot to do tonight", and I know she wasn't talking about laundry!

I had already violated retail laws #1, 2 and 3... No proselytizing on the retail floor, no unproductive man hours, and no one stays past scheduled time. She was 20 minutes over her time and had to leave. The manager on duty happened to be a few feet away listening to the whole thing, and thank God he is a fellow Christian and was praying for her all the while. (that means I didn't get fired!)

How does this qualify as a Monday Mission post? I am in my Jerusalem, and need to testify of Christ here, before God will ever give me more responsibility.

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

I cannot tell you how much I have learned about boldness for Christ from the teens that I minister to every Sunday. Many have a God-given inhibition about talking to others. They witness in College English classes, on the skate park in town, to their friends in public school. I love to hear the testimonies! They encourage me to get involved in what the Lord is doing! He is searching for someone who is willing, sanctified, ready to be anointed! ( my Sunday Study topic!)
2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

The Lord will equip me, and fill me with what to say if I have been faithful to put it in in the first place. I must read, study, and pray for opportunity. The rest is all God!

1Jo 2:27-28 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

I am sorry for the lengthy post, I didn't realize how long due to all of the interruptions for math, geography and science questions!

Some prayer requests!
~ Boldness for the Gospel of Christ in my Jerusalem!
~ Salvation decision for Ms Jones, my coworker
~ The three girls that prompted the whole discussion. Their Salvation or restoration! God knows!






2 comments:

Victoria said...

Praise the Lord for your boldness along with your kindness! Praying!

Anonymous said...

Janice--

What a woman of God you are! I love to read your blog-- the testimony you have and your thought provoking question are always good for me!

Love you sister--