I received an email from a good friend who was discouraged about the constant flow of rejection, discouragement, and the lack of observable progress as he faithfully pursues his ministry of evangelism in honor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To those who have been down this path of rejection from either a personal or ministry standpoint, it my hope and prayer that this response will encourage and strengthen you to PERSERVERE…
-Pete Grasso
Please hang in there and consider the following from the Parable of the sower that Jesus Spoke about in Matthew 13 who planted seeds of the Gospel to the lost:
· Some seeds were eaten by the birds
· Some seeds sprang up quickly, but had no root and withered away in the heat of the sun
· Some seeds where choked by thorns
· and finally some seeds were planted in good soil and resulted in MUCH fruit. Considering that this is based on a 25% success rate -- there are times when one may consider “what's the point of trying”?
The Bible also states that MANY will enter through the wide gate that leads to destruction, while FEW will find the narrow gate that leads to life.
I truly sense your discouragement but the Lord commands that we persevere. Much fruit will result from the few and NOT the majority. Furthermore, the road ahead is littered with plenty of rejection, criticism, ridicule, and even persecution – for it is written:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
However, it is that ONE person that can change the world for the Kingdom of God.
Since we've opened Trinity Express Lube, We have given away over 7,000 Christian CDs on salvation, the lies of Evolution, debunking the DeVinci Code, One Nation Under God, etc. We've have given away bibles, tracks, and have comforted and prayed for many. However, in a year in a half, I have only received a few emails or calls about the impact of this passive ministry. The rest, I have no idea. It would be easy for me to conclude that we are not making much of a difference and to concentrate on the profits -- but GOD knows where the seed goes and it is the Holy Sprit's responsibility to convict the heart not mine. Therefore I take person comfort that GOD is in control. The bottom line, if our efforts results in just one person going from death to life through the truth of the Gospel, it is ALL worth it. That in itself keeps me moving forward and encourages me greatly.
We are required to persevere with courage and with a joyful and grateful heart.
Joshua 1:6 "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. "
For the Follower of Christ, YOU are the point of the sword. Irrespective of the results and considering that few will actually listen, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to convey the truth of the cross so they are equipped to possess the land!
Therefore be of great courage for greater is He that is in you that he that is in the world!
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