Last night I went to a Gideon faith fund dinner (of which I am a member), and heard about a trip to Columbia.

Just under ONE MILLION NewTestaments were handed out with Psalms and Proverbs, the team of 30 Gideons themselves personally saw 74,000 people come to Christ in the two weeks they were there. YES That is right Seventy Four Thousand in Two Weeks.

From day one the speaker told of the first taxi they caught, the driver at a set of traffic lights recieved Christ and became instantly sobered and a changed man, a man came down the street to sell them coffee, they gave him a newtestament, showed him Gods plan of salvation in the Back, he said I want that now, with no prompting said the sinners prayer and went of down the street dancing with Joy.

After leaving that meeting, I walked out of the RSL club and God spoke to me and said now go and give a Bible to the doorman, I turned, walked in went to the loo to compose myself, came out and walked up to him ( a young bloke)and introduced myself by saying,

“ G’day 123xyz My name is Craig and I am a member of the Gideons and I woul dlike to give you this book about God and his plan for your life which is in it. If you look at the back here it tells you the basic outline of Gods plan for you”

I can tell you I was a little nervous - He went very quiet, he looked at me and said “Thank you” he then walked behind his counter and sat down and started to read it - he had such a hunger and thirst to know God’s plan for his life - I tell you I could feel the tangible presence of God in that room.

I had to go, I felt it was not the time for me to open my big mouth and left him there reading Gods word and the plan god had for his life.

man was I rejoicing on teh way home last night.

craig

Gee - this Gideon bloke sure gets around.  He even left his bible in my hotel room the other day!!! :-)

Well done Craig…

I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one anyday, I’d rather one would walk with me than merely show the way, actions speak much louder than words can ever say, I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one anyday...Bruce Carroll

That’s really really cool Craig, good stuff.

Speaking of the Gideon’s… who exactly are they? I’ve always heard of them, but not that much about them. Are they one big non-profit org? Who backs them? Not that it matters much, they obviously do phenomenal work getting the bible out there, just curious where they fit into the scheme of things…

I don’t know much, but here is their website.

From what I do know, it is a non-profit organisation that gets its funds from churches and donators.

In terms of beliefs, I know nothing.

Ian.

Sharing the word

The Gideon’s bibles are a great idea.

Evangelism is a way for christians to share their joy in the Lord, with people who do not accept, or know Jesus or God. We are privileged to be able to pass on the gospel to others in love.
Jesus made evangelism the duty of all Christians, not only “Evangelicals”.  Luke 24:45-47

In the past, when travelling Australia, I have read the Gideon’s bible in various hotels and motels. In particular, I love the quotes, which relate to problem areas in our lives.
I admit I was really comforted, reading and seeing the book there, even though I did love Jesus at the time. I was comforted because the book was there to save people lost in a state of despair, loniliness or defiance against God. It gave me hope for those people, and joy that there was a God who really wanted to reach out and help them.

I was only thinking yesterday, about how difficult it is to present the gospel to non-Christians.

People in South America etc, who have never clearly heard much about Jesus, and how He can save their lives, are often willing to accept bibles, through love and friendship. They are then able to know the truth about Jesus. Many who are down at the bottom, want to improve their lives.

But, in Australia, a rich country, we have a problem of prejudice against Christianity, Jesus and God, which persists through generations. It is impossible to get Jesus or God off the “bad, or fantasy list” in a person’s mind. (It is like a Labor voter never considering to vote any other way, especially, say, Liberal.)

The most difficult thing, ever, is to change a person’s attitude to God, if they don’t love Him. Evangelism becomes an argument. People have mindsets, which do not allow logical discussion on the subject.
One is forced to bide time in frustation, without ever being able to clearly explain the gospel to them.

Only a downfall in person’s life, or a life-threatening experience, provide a time to dicuss the real meaning of life presented in the gospel; revealing who Jesus is.

People harden their hearts against Jesus, like Pharoah did against the God in Egypt. And many never reach true fulfilment of their lives, to live the way God intended them to. Revelation 9:20-21

Just a thought on a rainy day,

Ken

Thanks ken a great repsonse.

I wonder if the difference between Australia and those 3rd world countires mentioned, is in prayer.

I know in Columbia and other South American countries the christians are often attending all night and very early prayer meetings.

We tend to slap our selfs on the back if we are lucky enough to last the distance for a all night or 1/2 night of prayer for a easter vigil. Thats is if we attend!

Willaim Booth, John Wesly, George Whitfield, Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Finney, Billy Graham, brainard etc all had one thing in common, that is they spent much time in the presence of the Lord weeping for the lost.

I wonder how much time we really do that??

I would like to ask generally, “When was the last time you / we wept before the Lord because of the state of the lostness of our friends, our nation, even our selves?”

craig