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Epsom Salts: Step 4
When I was a little boy, I was allergic to everything. If I
looked at fresh cut grass my sinuses would pour like a faucet.
If I actually played in the yard, I would find myself itching all
over before it was time to go to bed. My mama had a simple
remedy that worked sometimes. She would pour me a hot bath
with Epsom salts and let me soak for a while. Later, in
college, I learned that Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) actually
helps the kidneys filter toxins and allergens from the body.
However, the only way to receive the benefit from Epsom salts is
in the bathing. You don't eat it. You bathe in
it...and it works!..
Today, as you read this article, I want you to consider bathing in
prayer. Specifically, I want you to bathe your witnessing in
prayer. I have already asked you to:
1: Identify a non-churched or de-churched person who you
would like to see become a part of God's church here in Hartford.
2. Take that person out to eat and get to know them on a
personal level.
3. Dig a little deeper in your relationship with them.
Now, I am asking that you bathe your relationship with them in
prayer. During the month of April, I want you to consider
praying for your relationship with this person three times a day
for every day of April. That's 90 separate prayers for you
and that person! I believe that if we bathe our
relationships in prayer, God will bless our witness. Just as
Epsom salts can heal a sick body, prayer can heal sick
relationships. As you pray for your new "friend," I hope
that you will be attentive to their needs and concerns, not just
to your desire to see them in worship. As you pray, you will
find that they become a part of your thoughts during the day.
This closeness to your heart will open your eyes to opportunities
to share God's agape love with them.
I recognize that this plan of evangelism is harder than just
making an invitation to someone to come to church. That's
easy. If they say "yes", you win. If they say "no"
then you can say "at least I tried." I want us to try
harder. I want to make it harder for them to say "no."
I want us to build relationships with people. That truly is
building the church. If you are behind, that's ok. Try
to catch up. {hint: A great invitation opportunity comes
next month, followed by a big Sunday in July when we will have a
"Friend Day" for all of our new friends to come worship with us.}
I am going to try to pray in the morning during my shower, before
lunch, and as I lie down at night. Find what works best for
you and PRAY! I am reminded that as Paul and Barnabus
selected new leaders for the church, it was with "Prayer and
Fasting that they committed them to the Lord" (Acts 14:23).
Let us commit our new friends to the Lord with prayer.
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THOUGHT FROM THE HEART