Sunday afternoon our team headed to the beach promenade to give away free books and Bibles. We were still unloading when people began arriving in groups!
One man was carrying a large backpack of food and clothing to give to a homeless friend who had been beaten and robbed. He’d been searching the beach for him for two days and couldn’t find him. Rosalie suggested we pray that he’ll be found. When we finished praying and looked up, there he was walking toward us! What a happy reunion!
A young man was lonely and eager to play his guitar for us. Just a few words of encouragement made his face light up. He seemed grateful for the Bible literature we gave him.
We have some envelopes containing $1 and we often use them with teens. We ask, “If you can name five of the Ten Commandments, you can have this envelope with money. One teen was able to name five with the help of his friends. He happily walked off with his dollar. A few minutes later in the distance, we saw him with another group of teens. He was playing the same game with them! We could hear the teens shouting, “Thou shalt not lie! Thou shalt not steal!” It made us smile.
A young man on his bicycle took a tract and rode off. A half hour later he returned and said, “I read the booklet you gave me. It was really good. I’m bringing it back so you can share it with others. But I’d like to read some of your other material.”
A woman from the Philippines chose one of our Bibles and asked the price. She was amazed to learn it was free! She had been searching for God, but would He forgive her sins? I was able to open the Bible and give her God’s plan of salvation.
I said, “If you are willing to repent— that is, turn from your sins, then there is nothing you have ever done that God does not want to forgive. He loves you. That is why Jesus came, just to pay for your sins and mine, so that someday we can both freely enter heaven.”
She wept tears of joy as we prayed together.
Did someone ask me what I do for fun?
- …love one another deeply, from the heart.. 1 Peter 1:2
- booklet: Would You Like to Know God Personally? by Bill Bright: http://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/would-you-like-to-know-god-personally.html
- SONG: INTO THE LIGHT – by Kathleen
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[This life is temporary. This life is short. When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever. Where will the “real you” live? Will you live for all eternity separated from God? Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Learn more so you can make your most important decision: http://www.godlife.com/gospel/ and http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity
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Testimonies of sweet joy. Bless you Kathleen.
Yes, that’s exactly what it is. Sweet joy! Thank you for your encouragement!
Sounds like a good time on the beach. The fact is, there is joy in serving the Lord.
Absolutely! There is no greater joy!