Spiritual Leads

A friend asked me what volunteer counselors do when all the people come forward at a Billy Graham evangelistic event.
After listening to the person's intentions and explaining the gospel, I said, we pray with the person.
Before departing they then have the option to complete a follow-up card. Later, other Billy Graham volunteers will match their name and locality to the closest church (even a denomination if they specify one). A church member will then contact the new believer and invite them to a service.
"Oh!" my friend exclaimed, "It's like a Spiritual 'lead.'"

We're both marketers, so I immediately knew what he meant.
When we send out information about our business services, or meet people at symposiums, we give them the opportunity to submit follow-up info. That way we can match the new inquirer with a local company contact for follow-up.
It's called a "lead," because there is still more to do. You have to contact the person, engage them, listen and build a relationship.

That's what churches are supposed to do whether the Billy Graham team is in town or not.
Christian discipleship doesn't stop with a profession of faith, it continues with learning and fellowship.

When Jesus met Andrew, he didn't have a nice conversation and then walk off.
He said, "Come, and you will see," and spent the day with him. John 1:39

A complete relationship with God doesn't occur in a single evening at church or an evangelist's meeting -- but it can Lead to it!

What do you believe?

News of Jesus Returning

Is Jesus coming back?

There are lots of headlines and predictions about Jesus returning this weekend.
I remember a similar news cycle surrounding a little book entitled,
"88 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return in 1988"
That author quickly transitioned to false-prophet status on New Years Day, 1989.

Missing from the jokes and bemused perspective of "those wacky Christians" are a few more timeless questions, like:
Does it matter whether or not Jesus does come back?
Did Jesus happen to weigh in on the subject?

Personally, I'm glad to welcome His return. The apostle Paul said,
"In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." 2Peter 3:13

Jesus said,
"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21 1-4
Jesus gives you additional details of his return in Matthew, Chapter 24; Mark, Chapter 13 and Luke, Chapter 21.

God has graciously provided thousands of years for anyone of their own free will to accept him.
Every day that goes by is one more opportunity to tell someone else the good news of His love.
Whether this weekend or 100 weekends from now - the lead story of every article could be: "God provided one more day of reconciliation in advance of Jesus return."

Paul said this:
"As I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ....but our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.." Philippians 3:18-21

What do you believe?