Outside the Target

My sister recently joined our prison ministry group. One Monday evening as we were doing volunteer mentoring at the local prison, her husband went to the school track to walk and let their young daughter ride her bicycle. He began visiting as he walked with a young mother who was also there walking with her son.

As they conversed he mentioned that it was his wife's night to do volunteer work in the prison, and found out that the woman and her husband were both prison guards. The lady was very impressed to find people "living" their Christianity. She then remembered where she had met my brother-in-law before. She had been checking out at the local grocery store and was short of cash. As he stood behind her in line, he handed the clerk the amount that she was short with a smile.

Just a few weeks ago I got a call after Wednesday night bible class. It was my sister telling me that the lady's husband had been baptized into Christ after bible class that night. We rejoiced at his decision! His wife had been baptized three weeks prior to that as a result of a bible study that my brother-in-law had set up with her and her husband the night we worked in the prison.

A helping hand in a grocery line, and a volunteer mentoring in prison...and a door opens for the gospel to be shared somewhere else! At the prison last night my sister told me that the new convert had brought her friend and three young children to bible class with her the week before...and another bible study is being set up...and the gospel radiates on.... We witness Christ changing lives in the prison each week, but these lives "outside our target" were changed eternally, too! Wonder who will be brought to Christ that has an unseen email address, because you spent time at the computer today? How simple it would be to encourage someone to join you in WBS Bible studies.

Isn't it wonderful to be just one of the partners in the great gospel network? The Lord is silently putting the people who are seeking Him within the gospel's reach in ways that we didn't plan.....like ripples from the pebble dropped in water......

Prayer

Dearest Father,

Thank you for the way You work in people's lives to spread the message! Lord, bring us opportunities to show Your love, whether it be through sharing our material possessions or sharing Your word. Once we selflessly show love, Lord, open the hearts of those that receive it so that Your love will take root. Finally, Father, give us boldness to proclaim the wonderful Truth of Your Son when the opportunities come! Fill our hearts and make us ever speaking so that Your kingdom will grow.

In the name of Jesus, Amen

By Vonda Smith, Used by Permission.