As I was praying today, I read the following scripture we all know so well: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." It is the next verse that really impacted me today: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
The world..... "what or who is the world?" I often think in big terms...the world literally - globally - and yes, that is correct, however I began to think..."who in my world is unsaved and in danger of separation from God for eternity? ETERNITY WITHOUT BEING IN GOD'S LOVING PRESENCE!" Unacceptable!! Satan cannot have them!!
Why was it easy for me to surrender my life so many years ago? I was pretty hard hearted and rebellious but deep inside I was seeking true love - a higher love than humanly possible. I feel very blessed that I had a soft enough heart to accept the Lord Jesus. But so many seem to have a much tougher barrier around their hearts!? They have solid steel barriers, it seems. Is prayer enough to break down those barriers?? Honestly, I just don't know. I admit my doubts to you, my Pals. I feel a burden but just don't know if prayer will make a difference. What do you think?
I am very burdened today for the unsaved in my circle of family, friends and co-workers. I decided to make a list to see just how many people I know very well and/or see on an almost daily basis who do not know the love of Jesus and the gift of salvation. Some of them outwardly reject the One True God and salvation through His Son Jesus - others simply don't have a clue. Here is my list of unsaved ones and their relationship to me:
Cristina - coworker/friend
Lynn - coworker (outwardly rejects Christianity and all other religions for that matter)
Shirley - coworker (same as Lynn)
Joanne - coworker
David - Manager
Elizabeth - my direct report supervisor (she believes in a "source" - new age)
Todd - friend
Jerry - brother
Debbie - sister-in law (she does attend church - I'll give her that credit - so there is some superficial belief system I guess)
Dylan - nephew
Beth - sister (she has a very tough heart against Christianity (or any religion for that matter) - she was hurt badly by the the church as a child)
Chris - brother in law (atheistic/or agnostic at best)
Jeff - nephew
Stephanie - niece
Jan - niece
Colleen - cousin (I could list many relatives but Colleen seems to be on my heart the most - I know she was hurt/abused as a child)
There are a few lukewarm Christians in my life as well - they believe in the sacrificial death of Christ but it seems fairly superficial:
Mom and dad
Aunt Teresa
Louise - my friend (her husband and children too)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you suffered an incredible horrible death for these people. I plead Your Holy Blood over them and pray their hearts would be convicted by the Holy Spirit and become opened to you Jesus! Please use me or others to lead them to your feet Lord! May any barriers that Satan has placed on their paths, or in their minds, come crashing down by the Power of Your Name Jesus! I thank you that you are moving Heaven and Earth to save these dear precious souls for Your Glory and Honour. With You Jesus, All Things Are Possible and I believe for the salvation of these I have listed. And all God's children said: AMEN!!
I pray this for your loved ones as well.
Julie (Little Missionary)
8 comments:
U sound like your on the Rock -- steady, solid , a good example of what Christ can do in a person's life -- a true missionary -- saved to serve
Letting His Light shine thru U and He will draw people to Him
thx for the post Julie , Lil M
Lil Missionary,
When I was just 5 years old, my favorite song that I learned at Sunday School was "How will the people know?" I only remembered the chorus, but it's haunting lines repeated the same thing...How will the people know unless we tell them? I was so burdened that I would swing on our backyard swing for an hour or so in the afternoon sunshine, singing Christian songs from the bottom of my heart, at the top of my lungs...because, as I reasoned, maybe my neighbors will accept Christ when they hear these words.
I grew up, but that burden remains...thank you for sharing yours, because now I see I'mnot alone. I could never bear the thought, when I was little, of someone dying and not knowing Jesus. I asked my mom when we watched TV and prominent people died, "Did they go to Heaven?" and her evasive answers upset my 6 year old heart.
I think now of all my relatives in Europe whom I've never met or spoken to, and how badly I want to communicate to them how to have a relationship with God. It has been on my heart for a few years now. And then there are many relatives whom I don't know, because they are from the "other side" of the family...the side from my past, and I often think of the few names I recall my uncle telling me, and wondering where they are at in life.
I guess I'm rambling, but you struck a chord in my heart. I look around us often at the neighborhood I've grown up in and love so dearly, and wonder what I can do more to impact it...besides pray.
Thank you for this excellent post, Julie. I'm glad I had some time to get on here tonight.
God bless you,
LPP
This is such a great prayer list Little Missionary Julie and quite something to keep you busy.
You sound a little like Passing-thru and his prayer lists for our reminder.
Is this Debbie in the same Deb that you asked us to pray for last week?
Exceptional post!...Love Terry
Hi Heb 11 - glad it touched your heart and no, you certainly aren't alone in feeling the burden for lost family and friends.
Hi Terry, no, the Debbie I listed isn't the same one as the Debbie I asked you to pray for. One is my sister in law - the other a friend. Deb - the friend, knows Jesus but is in the same unhealthy church I was in. Deb the sister in law believes in God but doesn't really know His Son.
Love,
Julie
Little missionary,
Something I find helpful whentalking to others about Christ is just encouraging them to have a RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD...this is what we were created for, after all. If they onyl read His word and talk to Him as to a friend, they will build this relationship with Him, and His Word will ecome alive to them, and they will find salvation. Wow, I just had a flash-back to a 2 page letter I wrote someone 2 1/2 yrs. ago on that subject, and there I summed it up in one sentence. I still don't know if he accepted Christ, but I pray for him every day.
God bless you and your mission work,
Heb
Miss Julie...it is truly amazing when we look around us and see how many people don't yet know Christ. What a mission field we have. Thanks for sharing your heart for the lost.
Lord bless...Susan
Like you Julie, I look at each person I come in contact with as a divine appointment set by God. So I always try to turn the conversation toward spiritual things...either by a question or two or simply by my response.
Likewise, even if I am not directly interacting with a person there are people around me who are unsaved and God may use my actions, my demeanor, my "whatever" to draw them to that sweet fragrance which is Christ Jesus. So even those times I consider divine appointments. :)
Thank you, Julie, for reminding me to pray for those in my circle of influence, family, neighbors, and friends. Some are very dear to me, and I really hope to see them come to the Lord in my lifetime.
Post a Comment