I had an amazing opporunity this week while working my retail job with cabelas. I was scheduled for inventory from 5pm to 4am, and going in I thought man this is going to be boring and uneventful. Well I was wrong, you see the entire time I have worked there I have made it a point to be nice and Christ like to everyone of my coworkers so they would know I'm different. Going outside on my breaks to talk with the people smoking about how they're Lives are and if everything is going well. So during this inventory I was feeling a little like I'm not doing enough for the Lord. So this girl I work with she is a Christian and I have had many conversations with her here and there. During this over night I was able to spend a good amount of time with her just talking about the bible and going over different Christian topics. Now your probably Reading this like big whoop your talking to another Christian in the work place theres nothing special about that.. Well, the Real beauty laid in the shadows not only were we talking to ourselves but those around us were listening in. One elderly man in particuler I did not notice right away but he was following us to the different sections for about a good hour just smiling and listening. I was talking to this girl for a little bit about my testimony and how Christ saved my life. I had gone to the bathroom and I saw this elderly gentlemen washing his hands, and as I walked by he looked up and gave me a slight smile. He said, man I had no Idea the Lord could save someone with as much sin piled on as you, I have been afraid of my life before the Lord because deep down I felt like I am not worthy of knowing him. I was able to share a few more things with him before I left to go back to inventory. The Idea that in every single sitiatuion of our lives is all part of Gods plan is incredible. I leave you with one more story.
Last year I was sitting at home feeling ancy and overwhelmed with thoughts. So I did what I usually do I grabbed my keys and I began to drive, and just pray to the Lord. As I drove home I realized my gas tank was getting kind of low so I decided to get gas, but for some reason I did not go to the gas station near my house, nope I went to one down the highway. As I waited in line to pay for my gas I heard a ladies voice from behind me, "Excuse me sir" I turned and saw this raggededy dressed elderly women. I smiled and said yes Ma'am how can I help you? She began to explain how her car broke down and she had to get it towed and her ride had ended up not showing. she asked if I would be able to drive her to the bus station about 10minutes away. I smiled and said sure I'd love to, as we walked out to my car she pulled out a new pack of ciggerettes and asked is it ok if I smoke in your car? I looked at her for a moment and said, sorry but if you want a ride from me you will have to throw that entire pack of ciggerettes away. She looked dumb founded at me, then noticed the empty parking lot around her. she hesitated but ended up throwing the pack into the trash can. We hopped into my car, and immedietly she noticed my Bible sitting on the dash board. she said "Oh my goodness, I was walking here and I decided to pray for the Lord to send me one of his angels to help me out" I giggled a bit and explained how I'm not an angel but I do believe I was sent by God. I asked her if I could just drive her home and she said that would make her life a lot easier. I began how I always begin, asking her how life has been going for her. She burst in tears and explained how her son was coming out of a club the year prior and he got shot in a drive by and it ended up taking his life. She had been dealing with the depression for a whole year and had practicly given up on life. I began sharing my testimony with her and explaining how God took the roughest situation in my life and turned it completely around. I shared some verses with her. the message of Salvation, and what it was that I was devoting my life to do. After about 40minutes of driving and a ton of tears we pulled up to her house in the down town city area. I asked her if she would be willing to go to a church, and she said she wanted to do something more. So I suggested checking herself into Teen challenge for her depression and getting a good foundation of knowledge of the Bible. She smiled and said wait here I have something I want to give you. She returned a few moments later with a check in her hand and said I want you to take this. I grabbed it and she ran back to the house. As I opened the check I saw it was for a thousand dollars. My heart sank and I knew in every aspect of my being that I could not take this gift from her. I walked up to the door and rang the bell and when she answered I explained how I could not take the check. She asked but why? I am giving this from my heart to you and I want to give back to Lord for him sending you to me today. I quickly told her the story of the woman who gave more then the wealthy man because of her heart and how she has that same heart. I asked for 10dollars for gas and she said she would be happy to help me out. I drove back to my house praying for her the entire way, knowing in my heart that I had accomplished something incredible and unbelievable for the Lord.
A few closing thoughts for this.
Isaiah 6:9
'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'
I heard in my heart that I needed to get out of my house, but I did not understand I saw a woman in need but did not fully perceive the magnitude of the work the Lord had in store for me. So my closing words for you today are this. Pray for the Lord to open your hearts, so that you may hear his directions be an influence like no other. We are here to save the lost just as we have been saved. From the overhearing coworker to the complete stranger we are here to impact those around us.
A message from Biblical-Thoughts-Josh Dykstra
to learn more about b.t ministries please check us out at biblical-thoughts.webs.com
Last year I was sitting at home feeling ancy and overwhelmed with thoughts. So I did what I usually do I grabbed my keys and I began to drive, and just pray to the Lord. As I drove home I realized my gas tank was getting kind of low so I decided to get gas, but for some reason I did not go to the gas station near my house, nope I went to one down the highway. As I waited in line to pay for my gas I heard a ladies voice from behind me, "Excuse me sir" I turned and saw this raggededy dressed elderly women. I smiled and said yes Ma'am how can I help you? She began to explain how her car broke down and she had to get it towed and her ride had ended up not showing. she asked if I would be able to drive her to the bus station about 10minutes away. I smiled and said sure I'd love to, as we walked out to my car she pulled out a new pack of ciggerettes and asked is it ok if I smoke in your car? I looked at her for a moment and said, sorry but if you want a ride from me you will have to throw that entire pack of ciggerettes away. She looked dumb founded at me, then noticed the empty parking lot around her. she hesitated but ended up throwing the pack into the trash can. We hopped into my car, and immedietly she noticed my Bible sitting on the dash board. she said "Oh my goodness, I was walking here and I decided to pray for the Lord to send me one of his angels to help me out" I giggled a bit and explained how I'm not an angel but I do believe I was sent by God. I asked her if I could just drive her home and she said that would make her life a lot easier. I began how I always begin, asking her how life has been going for her. She burst in tears and explained how her son was coming out of a club the year prior and he got shot in a drive by and it ended up taking his life. She had been dealing with the depression for a whole year and had practicly given up on life. I began sharing my testimony with her and explaining how God took the roughest situation in my life and turned it completely around. I shared some verses with her. the message of Salvation, and what it was that I was devoting my life to do. After about 40minutes of driving and a ton of tears we pulled up to her house in the down town city area. I asked her if she would be willing to go to a church, and she said she wanted to do something more. So I suggested checking herself into Teen challenge for her depression and getting a good foundation of knowledge of the Bible. She smiled and said wait here I have something I want to give you. She returned a few moments later with a check in her hand and said I want you to take this. I grabbed it and she ran back to the house. As I opened the check I saw it was for a thousand dollars. My heart sank and I knew in every aspect of my being that I could not take this gift from her. I walked up to the door and rang the bell and when she answered I explained how I could not take the check. She asked but why? I am giving this from my heart to you and I want to give back to Lord for him sending you to me today. I quickly told her the story of the woman who gave more then the wealthy man because of her heart and how she has that same heart. I asked for 10dollars for gas and she said she would be happy to help me out. I drove back to my house praying for her the entire way, knowing in my heart that I had accomplished something incredible and unbelievable for the Lord.
A few closing thoughts for this.
Isaiah 6:9
'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'
I heard in my heart that I needed to get out of my house, but I did not understand I saw a woman in need but did not fully perceive the magnitude of the work the Lord had in store for me. So my closing words for you today are this. Pray for the Lord to open your hearts, so that you may hear his directions be an influence like no other. We are here to save the lost just as we have been saved. From the overhearing coworker to the complete stranger we are here to impact those around us.
A message from Biblical-Thoughts-Josh Dykstra
to learn more about b.t ministries please check us out at biblical-thoughts.webs.com
