One thing I wish I’d have known before I started sharing my faith is that people can be really weird and that you never know what they will do next!
If you’d asked me what my greatest challenges have been over decades of ministry, I’d say they have been two-fold; pounds and people. It’s always a battle to see money released into God’s work but amazingly I can testify to tens of millions of pounds being given to see the kingdom advanced, often in the most hair-raising and God glorifying ways. However, when it comes to people challenges, then the challenges are on another level.
Satan really is sneaky. He knows our weaknesses and if he can take a Christian out through “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life” as John puts it in 1 John 2:16, he most certainly will. It really has been so frustrating to see some of our most fruitful evangelists and leaders give in and let the side down. Don’t be too surprised if it happens around you, just make sure it doubles your determination for that not to be you. Stay rooted in the word of God and prayer, get committed to a local fellowship (which we evangelists often find hard to do), be in genuine, accountable relationships and pray as Jesus told you to, that you would not be led into temptation and I believe you will be okay and will definitely not be one more of the tragic statistics of those who don’t go the distance.
I guess this is just part of the reason why Advance groups are so important as we sharpen each other, ask each other tough questions and generally encourage one another to go after the most important prize of all, the one that comes to the person who truly goes for it over the long haul and that prize is hearing our wonderful Jesus say “well done good and faithful servant. Enter the joy of the Lord”. What a day that final day will be. Go for it!
Questions:
1- What are your biggest challenges in your walk with Jesus? Have you ever named them and acknowledged them?
2- Do you have good honest people in your life who you trust and who you can be truly accountable to?
3- Is there any deep-rooted sin in your life today that you know you need to bring to Jesus and repent of? Why not take this chance now and then get some good Christians around you to pray with you through it.