WE'VE GOT IT, THEY NEED IT, LET'S GO!

I was thinking today about a very simple reality. We've got it, and they need it. It's really, I think, that simple. What do we have? Only the GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, who happens to be the Risen Savior of the world, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Great I Am, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, The Messiah. This gospel is truly the power of God to salvation to EVERYONE who believes.


I have to ask myself: Chris Peeler, do you really believe there is dynamite power in that gospel? And I must answer myself: YES! YES! YES!!! I do believe it. How about you, do you believe it? Please do. Great news--it's power is not dependent on me. It has power all by itself. My job is to transmit it.

We've got that gospel, and they, though they don't know it, desperately need it. And, our loving Savior has commissioned us to go and tell the world: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

Oh, my dear brothers and sisters, let's go then. Let's get out there--outside the safety zone of our comfortable homes and churches. Let's get out there where multitudes are--multitudes who aren't about to come to us. Isn't that what Jesus commissioned us to do? Yes, He did. And what a privilege for us to go.

MAKING THE GOSPEL KNOWN TO ANGELA

Traveling up the Baltimore Beltway Thursday morning, once again, I was so aware of my weakness and need for the power of God. On my way to Paradise Assisted Living Home, I called my pastor and friend, Jack Cox. “Hey, Jack, this is Chris. I’m on my way to Paradise,” I said. Jack joked about wanting to come with me sometime because he’s always wanted to see Paradise. Then, I asked him to please pray for me for boldness and effectiveness in preaching the gospel to those dear old folks. Jack said he would, and there is no doubt in my mind that he did. Immediately, I called my friend, Glen Lindingren. Same request, same assurance. I find it is imperative to have prayer cover as we go into enemy territory to proclaim the gospel. Little did I know what awaited me that day.


After greeting the folks, I preached about the angel announcing to the shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy.” “What was the big deal?” I asked. By God’s help, I boldly declared what a big deal it was indeed for the God of the universe to send His only Son to save us from our sins. Then, I shared part of a music video about Heaven with the group. Very inspiring. I had determined to individually MAKE THE GOSPEL KNOWN to residents while the video played.

I came to Angela. Angela, a dear Catholic lady of about 82 years, had listened to me preach week after week for some time. She always seemed uplifted when I finished, yet I was unsure about the state of her soul. We had an incredible conversation where I know she was tracking with me. She really listened! I spoke of the law, her sin, righteousness, God’s command of repentance, trusting in Jesus alone for salvation, “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” After a lengthy conversation, where I carefully went over these issues, Angela was ready to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. I coached her some, but she prayed from her heart. Afterwards, she had the sweetest smile and said to me, “I feel peaceful and I feel a cleanliness.” I am trusting our great God that as this woman responded to the preaching of the gospel, acknowledged the wickedness of her sin, confessed that Jesus died for her sins and rose again, and called on the name of Jesus to save her, that God did a great work in her!

I cannot express the privilege I feel to be able to go with the gospel into these kinds of situations. To be able to kneel before a lady like Angela and to plead with her to be reconciled to God is the highest honor I could ever have. Thank you for your support and encouragement to keep MAKING THE GOSPEL KNOWN!