God Alone Presents Opportunities

Making Jewelry With Friends

For several days this week, I have been trying to get ahold of a friend, calling him daily and texting him on his 4 or 5 different phone numbers, which is quite common here in PNG. We had some amazing conversations last week and I wanted to follow up with him on it, he, like many others, does not understand the Gospel of Grace and the eternal destiny of the Redeemed. Like so many others here in PNG, and even America, my friend has a veneer of truth, knowing some scripture but still thinking he has to do some type of work to receive God’s salvation. God has put him in my thoughts and prayers all week, but I believe Satan is controlling his phone and hindering us from being able to meet.

Why is it we want to play such a vital role in leading others to Christ? Yes, we are to be ambassadors and persuade men to Christ, but how many times have we said all the right words… used all the right illustrations… got them to question their own belief, and still not see their eyes enlightened? It’s a good desire, but in the end salvation is of the Lord alone. We must fall on our knees trusting Him and completely depend on Him to do His job. He is a faithful creator (1 Pet. 4:19), so lets not begin to doubt him now.

Nicole actually got witnessed to… just like in America; Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons exist here too. While she was making jewelry with two national friends under a little bush during the heat of the PNG sun, some ladies came to Nicole and began to ask about her beliefs. Through the conversation she learned they were JW’s, and because of that conversation she was able to witness to her other (Mormon) friends. Nicole got to share her testimony and talk in depth about the finished work of Christ, how we are complete in Him, and we cannot add anything to our salvation, it is all the work of Christ. Nicole was able to give her a Bible, and left confident she understood the Gospel, now the rest is between them and the Lord. Isn’t that exciting!?!

Once again we are just reminded of how small we are and how BIG God is; everything is of Him. The timing, the situation, the openness of others, and even how you get to that conversation. He is so far ahead of us we could never keep up. We are like kids at times, admiring our Dad and how amazing He is. Hopefully that encourages you this week, like it did us.

As always, it is our privilege to be your feet, Seth & Nicole Stokes