Saved On The Front Porch

"Teresia Jearlds had no idea that Franklin Graham was in town until she asked some convenience store clerks what all the commotion was across the street at Legion Stadium.  Returning to her house, beer in hand, she felt compelled to sit on her front porch and listen.  'I can't explain it,' she said.  'This voice in my head said, 'Teresia, go sit on that porch.' 

 When she heard Franklin's message and his invitation to accept Christ, Teresia knew she had to stand up. 'I'm standing up on my porch, crying like a baby, saying the prayer out loud.  Since then, I cannot explain the peace that has come over me.  I found every excuse not to go to church, but God brought church to my front yard.'"  [Decision Magazine.] 

This story got my attention in several ways.  First, how important our witness is - it could save someone’s life for all eternity like Teresia.  Second, if we are obedient God will do the rest!  

In Luke Jesus tells the parable of leaving the 99 sheep to look for the one lost sheep. Luke 15: 3-7, "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."  Can’t you hear Heaven rejoicing?  I imagine it sounded like a touchdown for your favorite team....against your number one rival....on steroids!  All over her! Just that one!  And Jesus loves and rejoices over each one of us that way!  Luke 1: 37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”  

 This girl did not choose to go but God put her at the right place at the right time to hear it anyway!  Not only that, she sat there and listened to the whole thing AND participated.  This was God!  Mark 16: 15, “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”  But we were also told that God will do the growing - we just plant seeds.  

God asks us to share what we have personally seen, heard, experienced and how Jesus changed our lives.  We don’t have to quote scripture.  I read we just need to be a witness, not an attorney.  The attorney will press the case, show evidence and ask for a decision.  Jesus does not need us to be the attorney.  We do not have to convince people to accept Jesus - the Holy Spirit will do that.  We just have to witness what we have seen!