A lady who had often joined us on evangelism outreaches tells the story of a man

coming to her door with the gospel over 20 years ago. When asked how he could

stand with her in prayer, the immediate response to him was an emphatic “NO!”,

slamming the door in his face. Moments after the door had shut, she described what

she now realized to be the conviction of the Holy Spirit. A deep sense of regret and

disappointment overcame her, because she knew she needed that prayer. She had

been facing an array of issues, desperately needing someone to stand with her.

When the man asked, "Can I pray with you?" it sparked a pursuit of Jesus within her.

Overwhelmed with emotions, she reached out to a Christian friend who guided her in

making Jesus her Lord, discipled her, and witnessed her baptism. Now, she joins us

on nearly every outreach and serves as the evangelism leader of her church.

Reflecting on that moment, she said, "I wish I knew the phone number of the

gentleman who knocked on my door that day. I would tell him that it was because of

him that I found Jesus." That man, by his simple act of obedience, may never know

the eternal impact he had on her life. If he had based his success on people's

responses, he might have felt defeated, but in reality, that woman's life was

transformed, and the ripple effect of her transformation continues to touch others.

This story shows that while we may never know the fullness of the impact of our

obedience, the Lord is bringing about fruit beyond what our eyes may have the

privilege to see. This is why we must not allow anything to hold us back- the Holy

Spirit is the One working to draw the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus. The power

of the gospel cannot be held back by anyone. Though others may respond with “no”,

we must continually say, “yes” to the Lord in obedience.

"Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman

who accurately handles the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

Scripture commands us to "make every effort," so let's devote ourselves to what is

eternal. Our lesser pursuits are insignificant compared to what He deserves. It's time

to step up and let our light shine (Matthew 5:16).

Challenge: Perhaps you've felt intimidated when sharing the gospel with people of

other religions, unsure of how to answer tough questions. Dedicate time to read the

Word, listen to the audio Bible during daily activities, or bring your Bible to work for

lunchtime reading. If you encounter someone with a different worldview, study how

to present Jesus to them, not for debate, but to open the door to a relationship with

Him. Ask them questions about their religion, their views on afterlife and God's role in

the world today.