Instant Preaching

You're on! Well those were not the words actually used but something similar to that. Pam and I were in New Delhi (about 2000 miles from Chennai) on Feb. 10, enroute to Kulpahar Mission's annual board meeting. As usual we stayed at the YWCA, and while we were there learned about a church service that is held in the basement of the adjacent building. We decided to worship there and met the preacher and shared pleasantries with him. While descending to the basement he told me, "You have the message." Of course I did, is not the Word of God the message to the world? Is not Jesus the Living Word of God to the nations? But what the preacher meant was, 'I want you to preach.' What should I have done? Refused? Said I was not prepared? He invited me out of courtesy and respect, and had I not dedicated my life to proclaiming God's Word! So, I agreed. I hurriedly penned some words on an index card (Pam always carries some with her) praying for the Lord's guidance as to what text to use . When the time came I preached the message in English which was then translated into Hindi. I preached on Acts I : 8, on RECEIVING POWER TO BE HIS WITNESSES.
That's what ministry is all about - the Lord providing opportunities to proclaim His Word. We plan and strategize and program but the Lord so often goes beyond all of that. And so on trains and planes and street corners (I did that when I was younger) or in shopping areas the opportunity would come. There are needy people all over and the Lord knows who they are. There are abundant opportunities all around and may we be faithful to respond.
Pray that we would ALWAYS be ready to proclaim His Word and proclaim Him as Lord.

Leonard