“Telling stories,” Stan commented one morning, “is an important part of a person’s faith walk.”
“In what way?” I asked.
“Several different ways,” Stan replied. “As we have talked about several times, each of us is to have a story of how we came to faith.”
“Such as the power and impact of a personal testimony?” I said.
“That’s it,” Stan replied. “Hearing how a person came to faith can have a significant impact on possibly leading someone else in the same direction.”
“In addition,” he added, “stories can help others understand, embrace, and apply Biblical truth that might otherwise get by them.”
“Isn’t that what Jesus did with telling parables?” I asked.
“He certainly did,” Stan replied. “And how Jesus told parables when He walked the earth can still have a powerful impact on my faith walk today, what I am to do and not do.”
“Got an example?” I asked.
“Sure do,” Stan replied. “This morning while I was reading in Luke’s gospel about the parable of the sower, I saw something that both applied and applies to me.”
“Applied and applies?” I repeated. “Like in the past and in the present?”
“Yes, and also in the future,” Stan added.
“How so?”
“As you will remember,” Stan said, “the first part of this particular parable concerns people who hear the word of God, but the devil comes and takes it from their heart so they may not believe and be saved.”
“I do remember that,” I said, “but how does that relate to you?”
“For me,” Stan replied, “I had to hear the word of God several times before I came to faith and was saved. It was clearly like Satan was snatching away the word to keep me from being saved. If I had only heard the word of God once, I wouldn’t be where I am today in my relationship with God. But, thankfully, those who cared enough about my salvation kept telling me. They didn’t give up.”
“And we are to do the same thing?” I replied. “Is that what you are saying?”
“That’s it,”Stan said. “Don’t tell other people just once and be content to let Satan snatch away the word so they won’t come to faith and be saved. The price of walking away is too high. The people you are talking to may not understand, but you do. Don’t stop at once!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved. Luke 8:12.
How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the truth of your free and gracious provision for life with you eternally that a person can accept by faith. Thank you for those people you sent into my life to tell me more than once so Satan would not keep snatching the word from my heart. I confess that too often I do not continue to tell others the truth of your provision so they have repeated opportunities to be saved. Please help me in following every step of your lead so I present the truth to each person you bring before me, as many times as you want, to give them every opportunity to accept the truth of your provision. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you come to faith in Christ so that Satan can no longer snatch the word of truth from your heart? If no, why? Is there a reason Satan has been allowed to keep you from the truth? All you need to do is accept by faith all that God has for you for both sides of eternity. If you do have the assurance of salvation, how are you doing with helping others to come to the same point by telling them the truth and helping them overcome Satan’s snatching? As well as you would like? As well as God would like? If you sense changes may be in order, how are those changes going to happen?
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The book: Waiting for the Train — Biblical Food for Growing before Going, by S. Tory Teller (Foreword by Josh McDowell). Available at amazon.com and from the publisher at s-toryteller.com
Waiting for the Train 