Leassons Learned N Life

As my day started last Friday, I was looking forward to a couple of events happening in the near future. I was finally going to go to CAMP LOGOS, a learning conference for my bible software, and also a night with Paige and the kids that would happen Saturday night. But as the clock approached 7:30 AM my phone rang. I answered and the person on the other end told me about his experience the night before. He spoke of a 19 yr. old who was all alone and needed to talk with somebody, who wound up being me. To be honest, at first I really didn’t want to do it! I had my weekend planned out and there didn’t seem like any time to do any “ministering,” so I told the man that I would try to make some calls and get back with him later in the day.

Later came and I knew I needed to call him back and see what was needed and how I could help. I called him and got Alex’s, that is the 19 yr. old’s name, number. Friday night about 10PM I met Alex and talked with him some as well as got him a room to sleep in. For the past week Alex had been sleeping in his car, not the greatest of places to get some rest to say the least. He and I spoke about his beliefs “surfacely” and I told him how much God loved him and desired for Alex to know Him.

As I left I invited Alex to Riverbend for Sunday’s services. He said he would see and we left it there. As soon as I left Alex texted the man who called me. He was OVERWHELMED the two strangers could be so kind and that they could show genuine love with no strings attached to him. His own family had turned on him, but we just loved on him. Alex came Sunday AM and he said Riverbend was a “cool” church and if he had another Sunday or two before he was to be shipped out, Alex is going into the Army and is headed to Basic Training, that he would have visited again. He really liked the music! On that thought, how is that people really like the music? Why not the preaching? What is that all about? Why does everyone have to like David and the Band and NO ONE ever likes the preaching? Is it that bad? Really? OK I’m just kidding! I love David and the Band as well and truly I think the preaching is just SO SO. Ha! Back to the lesson.

Alex and I have spoken quite a bit since Friday. He has been over to the house for lunch, we have sat in my truck and talked and today I took him to lunch before he was to ship off. I tell you the story to give you some background to this lesson I have learned. Alex doesn’t believe that God exists. He believes that his purpose for being here is just to live as he sees fit and that he will die and that is that. We discussed eternity, which he does NOT believe in; we discussed salvation, which he does NOT believe in. After all this talking I have come away with this lesson entrenched in my mind, GOD MUST DRAW ONE TO HIM. I can say all the right things, I can show him all the things about God and about what He has done, but ultimately He must draw someone to Himself. I knew this, but as the weekend grew, I wanted Alex to come to know Jesus as LORD. This has not happened as of yet, but I am crying out to Him for Him to do just that, save Alex.

God is in the saving business! That is what He does, and my prayer will continue to be that God saves Alex!

Sunday I spoke about being “Living Sacrifices,” we are to be His in such a way that everywhere we go we are His. Whatever we are doing we are His. He has the best for us and desires for us to obey in order that His name, His kingdom and His glory might be shown all over His world. You can be a living sacrifice, a moldable and able vessel for Him if you would humbly bow the knee. He wants for you to bow the knee because you desire to do so, not because He makes you. Think about this as you go about your day!

Oh yeah, PRAY for Alex! He is shipping out today, 10/5/10 @ 3:30PM, to go to Basic Training. Pray that God will meet him and he will see the TRUTH. Thanks!

Peace and Grace,

Brian T.