Billy Graham Crusades have been held in 85 countries on six continents. Mr. Graham’s largest Crusade in the world was in Seoul, South Korea, with an estimated 1.1 million people in attendance on June 3, 1973. (From BillyGraham.org)
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
What brings a tear of joy to my eyes? Seeing people accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
I have watched countless crusade events online where people have come forward to accept Jesus. I have also been to a few. Every time I end up crying my eyes out with joy. It is the evangelist in me.
Knowing people have changed their eternal destination from hell to heaven impacts me greatly. It is a large part of why you and I are here on earth – to bring people to Jesus.
As I type I am reminded of Luke 15:10, “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
This verse reminds me that I am not the only one crying tears of joy. All of heaven celebrates with joy when people come to Jesus too!
I have always been interested in house churches. I love reading about them and hearing the impact they make in communities.
Over the years I have always enjoyed the mid week home group or Bible study more than church on Sunday. I just like the way you can get to know people better and pray with others in the smaller setting.
One book I have really enjoyed in Starting a House Church. It is full of practical advice and stories of how they are changing the world. It has always made so much sense to me when I read about them.
Here is the blurb…
There’s a new way of doing church and it’s taking North America by storm! Here a recognized authority on the house church movement and a popular speaker and pastor share their expertise in starting and maintaining a healthy house church. Together they look at current and future trends in the house church movement and provide best practice models for planting and leading house churches. Also, they explore how house churches are not always the same as simple cell-groups or small groups, especially in the areas of leadership and money. Readers will discover all the information they need to begin a house church in their community.
I just watched this video about the underground church in China. I love how they just have small home churches in their buildings and focus on sharing with their neighbours. A great strategy…
This morning when I was doing my devotions the words, “Imagine if Jesus came to our town” popped into my mind.
Imagine if Jesus came to our small town. Wow that would be awesome! But then I started to think about the things He would do?
As my mind wandered I imagined Jesus starting His day on the Peak. It is a solitary place overlooking town where He could pray to His Father.
When He came down where would He go? I suspect to where the people were. My first thought was the main street where all of the shops are. I could see Him interacting with people. Preaching, teaching and healing like He did in the Bible.
Then I could see Him crossing over the railway line and going to Hospital and the Nursing Home. Praying for and encouraging people who were sick. Some would be miraculously healed and many would be set free.
After that I could see Him going to the western end of main Street where the bakery is found. I could see Him encouraging the people in the street and then sitting across from the bakery waiting for the lunchtime crowd.
As people came and went I could imagine Him talking about the Bread of Life and having spiritual food that never runs out. People would forget their physical hunger and crave the spiritual food He would give.
From there I could see Jesus going to the primary school and shooting hoops and kicking the footy with the kids. When He was tired I could see Him sitting with all of the pre-school kids on His lap and even more gathered around. He would be sharing the Parables.
As day turned to night I could see Him looking for a place to sleep. I could imagine that rather than staying in the best hotel in town, I could see Him curled up in a doorway with one of the homeless people who sleep rough every night.
The next day He would wake and do it all again in… or move on to some other town that His Father in heaven showed Him.
If Jesus came to town… I suspect it would be about people. It would be about blessing, encouraging, healing, loving and saving people – all people. It would be about showing God’s love and God’s Kingdom to everyone.
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