September 1st 2018
Harvest Time
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”(Luke 15:10) Recently, we have seen many young people coming to the church. One young lady whose name is Israel has really gotten involved in discipleship. I met her with a friend at lunch where she shared many of her life problems. She talked about how God seemed distant and she often struggles to hear Him. I asked her the most important question you can ask someone. I said, “Have you ever totally surrendered your life to Christ?” She replied, “No not really.” I explained further about how God’s word says we must surrender our lives to Him and that means dying to your will. We read Matthew 7:21-22. Before we left the table I told her I did not want to push her to make a decision or make her pray a prayer just to pray. Think about what I have said and see if you really want to surrender to Christ. Before we drove off she said, I want to surrender my life and so we prayed. It was glorious; you could almost hear those angels singing. She is very smart and now on fire for God. She meets with one of our groups once a week and is hearing wonderful things from God in her morning devotion.
We also have an Indian student from University of North Alabama that has joined us. He and I meet once a week for discipleship. He is actually getting his doctorate and is very bright. Our relationship is growing and God is forming a bond. We have been talking about how to hear from God and how fear keeps us from hearing. He also sings and now is part of the Sunday night worship. Dear Saints, God is doing amazing transforming work in the school of discipleship. I look forward to sharing more stories with you in the future. Please pray for my strength, as there never seems to be enough time in the day.
We prayed for sometime for God to send young people. Sometimes God answers prayer right away and others it just takes some time. Please pray that God will send more young people to us.
Bishop Achanga, our dear friend from Kenya, will be in the U.S. in a few weeks. Please pray for his trip and for our time together. God is moving in these last days all over the world, restoring the hearts of His children back to Him. We have much to do!
We could not do what we do without your prayers and support. May God richly bless you.
Dr. Stephen L Gray