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- Apr 25, 2006
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Opportunities
Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5, NLT).
Dear friends:
Opportunities to witness always thrill me because I see God's invisible but mighty hand in them. There is no way we could orchestrate events the way God does. It is good to pray for God-given opportunities, but sometimes, if we have made ourselves available to Him without restriction, and as we walk in the Spirit, God gives opportunities whether we ask for them or not!
Jim boarded the jumbo jet, exhausted from a busy two weeks of ministry in Europe. He hoped to sleep through the 10-hour flight from London to Los Angeles.
Soon, however, a heavy-set East Indian woman in a white sari settled into her assigned seat next to him. Jim was well-versed in the Hindu religion, and he smiled as he recognized that God had His own plans for this flight.
The woman shyly offered Jim some unusual vegetarian snacks, and as he politely nibbled at one, he began to inquire about her journey. She was traveling to her sister's wedding in Huntington Beach, California. Born and raised in East Africa, she had recently moved with her family to London.
Jim smiled again. He had relatives in Huntington Beach, and had traveled extensively in East Africa. As he told her this, the woman seemed to become more relaxed and open. During their conversation, Jim learned that she believed an evil curse was making her ill.
Before the plane landed in Los Angeles, Jim shared Christ and prayed with the woman, telling her about the mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ to overcome any evil spirit, and of God's marvelous love and forgiveness through Christ for her.
As Jim did, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities you have to turn a casual conversation into an occasion for presenting the good news of God's love and forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible exhorts us to make "the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16, NIV). God gives us many opportunities. Let us expect them, be sensitive to them, and seize them for His glory when they arrive.
Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright
Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5, NLT).
Dear friends:
Opportunities to witness always thrill me because I see God's invisible but mighty hand in them. There is no way we could orchestrate events the way God does. It is good to pray for God-given opportunities, but sometimes, if we have made ourselves available to Him without restriction, and as we walk in the Spirit, God gives opportunities whether we ask for them or not!
Jim boarded the jumbo jet, exhausted from a busy two weeks of ministry in Europe. He hoped to sleep through the 10-hour flight from London to Los Angeles.
Soon, however, a heavy-set East Indian woman in a white sari settled into her assigned seat next to him. Jim was well-versed in the Hindu religion, and he smiled as he recognized that God had His own plans for this flight.
The woman shyly offered Jim some unusual vegetarian snacks, and as he politely nibbled at one, he began to inquire about her journey. She was traveling to her sister's wedding in Huntington Beach, California. Born and raised in East Africa, she had recently moved with her family to London.
Jim smiled again. He had relatives in Huntington Beach, and had traveled extensively in East Africa. As he told her this, the woman seemed to become more relaxed and open. During their conversation, Jim learned that she believed an evil curse was making her ill.
Before the plane landed in Los Angeles, Jim shared Christ and prayed with the woman, telling her about the mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ to overcome any evil spirit, and of God's marvelous love and forgiveness through Christ for her.
As Jim did, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities you have to turn a casual conversation into an occasion for presenting the good news of God's love and forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible exhorts us to make "the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16, NIV). God gives us many opportunities. Let us expect them, be sensitive to them, and seize them for His glory when they arrive.
Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright
ixie:lightning 
