Prayers For Chattanooga

Exactly one month ago I decided to go to a certain strip of businesses. I wasn't sure exactly where I would start but there's tons off HWY 11 and continues onto Brainerd Rd in Chattanooga. I took the first exit off the 153 and found a strip of businesses. These business included a cellphone carrier called Cricket, some restaurants, and a bunch of military recruiting offices. I don't know why I decided to start there but all the times I passed it, it was like God was telling me "start there."

In Cricket I talked to several of the employees who were interested in cooking classes and financial seminars and I then proceeded to go towards the military offices. There are several offices, each for a different branch of the military and I went into each one to talk to the officers. My ultimate purpose for going into these businesses was see if people were interested in Bible Studies. Although no one was interested in studies, there was interest in other things such as Bible Prophecy Seminars. Most of the officers tried to recruit me and a bunch of the recruiters gave me their cards and I in turn handed them a GLOW tract.

After finishing that strip of businesses I got in my car to drive to the next strip right around the corner, but before I could leave the parking lot I had an overwhelming conviction that I needed to put GLOW tracts on the cars. I didn't know why but the thought wouldn't leave me. I got out and put some tracts on the cars and then proceeded to drive out. But then I saw more cars and the conviction hit me again. As much as I tried to just continue on, I just couldn't, and ended up parking once again and passed out more GLOW.

I didn't think much about it, but yesterday that day suddenly came to my mind when I heard about the shooting at those exact same military recruiting offices. It had been about a month since I was there but it feels like it was just yesterday. The faces of all the recruiting officers flashed vividly in my mind as I listened to a news broadcast about the shooting. I wondered if that's why I felt like God was telling me to pass out those little tracts that would tell other about God. Then the thought crossed my mind, "What if I didn't listen?" I don't know whether the men who were killed actually read the tracts, but God gave me peace to know that God helped me give them an opportunity to get to know Him.

Yesterday I kept thinking, "I wish I did more." On my lunch break I decided to watch a live broadcast of the news to see if there were any updates. The newscasters announced that several churches were opening their doors for prayer vigils. They related back to 9-11, and how in tragedies people feel their need for prayer the most. I remember watching George W. Bush making an announcement asking the nation to pray. I was reminded of that when the newscasters were openly announcing the community to pray and to come to the prayer vigils.

Suddenly an idea popped into my mind. I grabbed my phone and texted my friend and fellow It Is Written Bible Work partner, Yaniz, and asked her if she'd like to join me with this idea. "Several churches are holding prayer vigils, what do you think about going? We can pass out GLOW and talk to the people." Yaniz agreed and we drove to several different churches holding the prayer vigils. The newscasters were right, when tragedies occur, people suddenly feel their need for God, especially when the tragedy happens so close to home. The truth is, especially right now, people are hurting, and now is the best time to reach out. Are you willing to reach out and let God use you to help this hurting community?

You Need To Open That Door

When following up Bible study interests, you get familiar where people live, especially if you go to a house more then once. The summer SALT students had knocked in this area that I was working and since there were several interests in that very neighborhood, I quickly started getting familiar with the roads. I had an interest that I needed to visit again because no one answered the last time I was there, so today I decided to go again. 

I knocked on the door...waited a few seconds...knocked again. I normally knock about three times and wait about three minutes before leaving. Still no answer. I turned around and started walking back towards my car. Suddenly I heard the door open behind me. Since I was a decent distance from the door I quickly ran back. I didn't want them to think I had ding dong ditched their house. It was an elderly woman who answered the door and when I mentioned Bible studies, she let me inside.

I began explaining how the studies work, "I can either just drop off the study guides, or I could personally study with you, which do you prefer?" 

"I could use all the help I can get." She replied. 

Tears started running down her face and she began to weep. She told me how her grandson had died in her arms two years ago in the very spot we were sitting in. He was only 24 when he passed. She took it extremely hard because she raised him since he was three months old. Since then life hasn't been the same. She's been extremely depressed and she desperately wants God to comfort her and to bring joy back to her life. 

I just listened as she told me everything that was on her heart. After she finished I told her that I may not be able to help her, but I can lead her to the One who can. I prayed with her and after I said amen, she began to pray.

"Lord, thank You so much for sending me this young lady. Thank You for showing me that You answer prayers. I was praying that You would help me and You sent me her."

My eyes started to fill with tears as well. It suddenly dawned on me that God used me to answer this woman's prayer. 

After she finished praying she told me, "You know, I never open my door. I heard you knock and I was determined not to answer. But then I got up and looked out the window and saw you walking back to your car, and something told me 'you need to open that door!' and I realize now that God told me to open it because He was sending you to me."

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

Second Chances With Some SALT

The following day, I couldn't wait to study with Melody, the woman that I got the email about while I was in my car. My friend Michelle Doucoumes, who also happens to be a teacher at SALT, decided to tag along with me. It was precious to see how mind blown Melody was by the study on Daniel 2 and how we can truly trust the God and the Bible.

At the end of the study Michelle said, "Melody, this entire time I've been trying to figure out why I recognize you and I just figured it out." It turns out that Melody studied with SALT students back in 2011. That year her health was at its worst and she never made a decision. However, even though she didn't make a decision yet, I've been seeing how God has been working on her heart.

The following week I stopped by to say hello to Melody. As we spent some time talking, Melody told me something fascinating. Four years ago, the parents of one of the SALT students that were studying with her, bought her a Desire of Ages. Melody was completely honest with me and she told me how that book sat on her shelf for four years, untouched. However, this past February (four months before the Summer SALT students knocked on her door), she picked up the book for the first time and began reading it. Melody then told me how she had received a Steps to Christ in the mail the day after we studied together. I told her how Ellen White was my all time favorite author and assured her that she would enjoy the books she had.

Right then it dawned on me that I had another Ellen White book in my bag. My friend Yaniz (another It Is Written Bible Worker) had just given me an illustrated copy of the Great Controversy that morning, so I pulled it out to show Melody.

"THAT'S THE BOOK!" Melody exclaimed.

"This book?" I replied.

Melody then said, "YES! I was watching 3ABN and someone was talking about the Great Controversy. I really want to read that book and it's the next one I want to get. I just haven't figured out how to order it."

"Well I'd be happy to give you this one." I responded.

Immediately Melody's eyes began to fill with tears. She hugged the book tightly to her chest. She just couldn't believe that I gave her the book she's been wanting.

Every time I see Melody I'm simply mind blown by how amazing God is and the things He will do to reach His children.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:9