When I was in junior high, I didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, yet I believed in God and mostly did the right things. My closest friends were pretty much the same.  After graduation I got married, had a couple of kids, and by 1975 I was headed for divorce. It was during that crisis that the Lord came in to save me and I committed my life to serving Him!  I still saw a few of my junior high school friends but not often.  Most were starting families and busy with babies.  I was happy to share my newfound faith when there was opportunity, but I wasn’t aware of any dramatic conversions. I always prayed that the Lord would draw them to Himself, and I trust that He was and is still doing that!

From the journal . . . .December 2000

Lord, yesterday I asked You about more power to influence others for You. I had lunch with my childhood friend I’ll call Donna. She talked about her employee who has had a strong Christian influence over her.  She also mentioned a guy friend who lives and breathes Jesus.  It’s self-centered, Lord, but I wonder how my Christian influence has been on her for all these years.  I think maybe not good.  I’ve seen no change in her lifestyle. Yet Lord, because of You and because You are my strength and my Lord, I don’t think I can believe it was in vain.  I love You now as I have since 1975.  My heart’s desire was and still is for You and my friends to be close.  I just feel like I lack power.

And I Believe God Said:

Power to pray?  Power to point them to Me?  I Am the power to save. I Am the power to heal.  

Isaiah 43:11 “I, even I, am the Lord,
And there is no savior besides Me.

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Exodus 15:26  And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.” NASB1995

I give you the power to speak in My name.  Speak what you hear Me say. 

Luke 12:¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Trust Me and don’t worry about the effect on others.

Don’t hesitate to share what you have (Me) with those you meet.  Just give them Jesus.

Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

I am reminded that we walk by faith, not sight!  If we love our friends, we want what’s best for them.  And we know that Jesus is best!   When I thought of evangelists, preachers, and those who draw others to follow Jesus, I believed they must have a supernatural power to do that.  No.  God has the Power and He just uses people willing to submit to His will.  His will involves the right circumstances, timing, and specific people He chooses to be involved for His purposes.  We can trust our loved ones to Him!

1 Cor. 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

 1 Cor. 12:8-11