I remember after having giving this particular guy money having the inner desire to pray for him. I prayed that no matter how the money was spent, the man would glorify God for the gift and see it as a way that God was revealing himself to him. By the time I had arrived home, after praying in my car during my return, I was no longer concerned about how the money was spent only that God would have used it to reveal himself to the man.
I just saw him again. It's been months since the night I gave him my lunch money. He recognized me and remembered me as someone who had once invited him to church. We all know I certainly did not do that. But what it impressed upon me was that God had answered my prayer and somehow revealed himself to that man and the man had made the connection between me, the $20 bill, and God. Of course he would equate that with an invitation to church since that is how most people think we must connect with God. Nonetheless, a simple gift followed by a prayer in my car all alone had led to this man equating me with a connection to God.
This time I had no cash in my pocket to give so I invited him to come to my house for dinner. Maybe he will, maybe he won't, I don't know. Pray for me, that if he does, the Spirit would move me according to His plan so that I would not get in the way but join with Him in the work that he is obviously working. My entire household is sick so we will likely spend time on the front porch. It really couldn't be a worse day to have someone over for dinner. Especially someone strange that I just met begging on the street, but now he has my address so we may see him at any time in the future.
Awesome! Praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bobby for sharing this. You have given a great example of how the Spirit moves, through us. We are called to be 'living epistles.' Too often we move in what we 'think' would be the 'christian thing' to do, and not by the Spirits prompting. We have to learn to be Spirit led, and not concern ourselves with the result, as that is in God's hands. We don't 'know' where we fit in, in God's plan for another individual... as in some plant, some water, and some harvest.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a blessing and privilege to be obedient, and then for Father to follow up with letting you know that that man equated you with God.
What Jesus said in John 6:35 comes to mind, "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
And what Peter said in Acts 3:6 "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
Followed by Acts 20:35, "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
You gave in the right spirit, and the Lord honored that. If this man shows up at your door, you can rest assured that it won't be just for a meal to fill his belly as he may think, he will be there because the Spirit is drawing him to you, His 'living epistle.'
Father will not leave you hanging, but will accomplish what He desires. God bless you brother!