SUNDAY November 26, 2023

Marching Orders

“Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ ”
Acts 22:17-18

Paul narrated his vision that the Lord had given him while the Jews listened in complete silence––so far, so good. As Paul prayed in the Temple, Jesus spoke directly to him. He warned him that the Jews were not going to accept his testimony about Christ at all. Paul needed to get out of town, but he had come back to Jerusalem after being away for three years, studying. He had returned with the intent to witness and share his testimony with the Jews before leaving to study again.

I have known young Christians who have tried to go back to friends they used to do drugs or drink alcohol with to share the Gospel, but they did not want to receive their testimony. New believers are very excited to share what God has done in their lives. They have a heart to see their friends saved, but some of them just do not want to hear. All they see is a Jesus freak! If this has happened to you, know the Lord has called you to be separate from some of your worldly friendships: “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

The Lord knows that they might try to pull you back into the same bondage you were freed from––back into taking drugs and drinking. They may try to persuade you that the experience you had with Christ is just a passing fad. The Bible instructs us: Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Pray for them, and when God opens the door, minister to them, but do not start hanging around with them; otherwise, there will be a temptation to go back into your sinful lifestyle.

As you pray, God will direct your life. He will place in front of you those whom He has prepared for you to share your testimony with. Follow God’s marching orders for your own life. He knows best how to use your life.

Soul-winning is the chief business of the Christian minister; it should be the main pursuit of every true believer.
~Charles Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!