Day 16 – What Is Holding Me Back? (Part 2)

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.

Scriptures: Proverbs 11:30, Isaiah 55:11, Matthew 5:16, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Galatians 6:9.

Preorder for Making Him Known is available now – Release Date: November 1st, 2023