Just think — a river cruise mission trip! What a privilege and joy to accompany our friends, Cheryl and Ken on such an adventure. Frankly, whenever Cheryl and I are together, it’s always a mission trip!
The cruise director said she was an “uninformed Catholic” who knew little about her own religion. She asked us questions and we gave her a simple overview of the Bible and God’s plan of salvation. She appreciated receiving our literature, and arranged for us to hold an on board Bible study for the passengers—even announcing it over the PA system!
One woman who attended wanted to give her life to Jesus. “All my life I have been searching for God and didn’t know how to find Him.” Afterward she and her husband joined us for dinner—with a list of questions. We exchanged emails to continue follow-up.
The ship’s 28-year-old pianist said he wanted to know God personally, but he also loved the world. “If I become a follower of Jesus, I’m afraid I’d have to change my lifestyle.”
I thought, “Hmm. It’s the same problem everywhere!”
One of the ship’s officers was a Christian and took some of our booklets. Later he said he shared them with the crew and asked if we had more booklets in the different languages of his crew. We did!
One of our tour guides, a professed atheist, became a good friend. When the tour ended the four of us took him to lunch and gave him some persuasive evidence for the existence of God. Still he did not change his mind. When we said goodbye, I shook his hand and then held his hand in both of mine.
I looked into his eyes and said, “You may be an atheist now, but Jesus is alive. He loves you and He is coming back. When He returns the Bible tells us that every knee will bow before Him—even yours. Would you think about that?”
He smiled and said, “I will. Thank you.”
- It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God. Romans 14:11
- SONG: STORY OF A DREAM – 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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Wow! I wish I had the courage to be that bold in sharing my faith! To hold an atheist’s hand and tell him “One day every knee will bow before Jesus. Would you think about that?” You are an inspiration to me, and I hope some day I will be as bold, yet gentle and caring. How do you do it? I know the answer to that, actually. The Holy Spirit does it through you. We have such an awesome God!
How did I do it? Yes, of course it was the Holy Spirit. In addition, we had become friends. We liked him and he liked us. He was honest/open with us and we were honest/open with him. He knew we cared about him–and that was the most important thing.