I have something magnificent to share with you. As most of you all know, I have been going down to skid row (where the homeless live in LA) on Friday nights to hand out water and just hang out with the people. Well tonight was a bit of a different night, we usually go down around 10 and leave at like 2 in the morning, but today we went down around 6:30 for some reason. Well seeing as how it was earlier, it was much more lively with some of a different crowd. We got to talk with some amazing people and pray over them, it's great because we are making relationships with people too.
Tonight we spent some time in a large crowd type thing and we all started talking with different people. I was talking to this one man and when done I started to pass out water to a few people standing around. I didn't see my friends so I thought I'd just chat a bit with a random man standing near me. He started telling me how sweet it was that I spend my time caring for people and giving water because when he was my age all he cared about was himself, drinking and partying. He went on and on until I stopped him and was like, "thank you so much for telling me this, it's such a blessing to hear, there is a reason I am like this..." and then proceeded to tell him it's because I long to live like Jesus, as we are called to. I told him all about the joy I have found in God our Savior and that I didn't understand what this meant until I was 18-- I told him some of my story and how Jesus rocked my world. I told him how great our God is and how he has fulfilled me. Anthony, upon hearing this was astonished at the joy I had and how he has never seen someone like me before. He told me he had heard before this living for Jesus stuff but never understood what it meant until right now, seeing it in me. He told me had met tons of Christians who go church all the time and do the good deeds, but he never has met one full of the Holy Spirit with a true desire to live like Him (which is sad to hear, where did the passion go?) It was as if God used me to connect the dots, I literally watched a light go on in him. Seeing this I took the opportunity to tell the story of Jesus and how marvelous and wonderful His story is. I explained the love of God to Anthony and who knows what else -- the holy spirit took my mouth and talked for the Lord, telling Anthony of what a great maker we have and so on. I have no idea what most of the stuff I said, I was blindly saying words, but they struck Anthony. I told him he could be saved and shared about salvation. He asked how to say a prayer so I asked if he wanted to receive Christ into His life and he said YESS!!!! I was so excited. He repeated the prayer after me and then I laid hands on him and prayed for Him. I felt the Holy Spirit present. I am so so so so excited for him! Talking with him after was awesome! He had the joy I had ! I saw it in him and I heard it. I asked him about it and he was in awe. He said he hasn't ever felt so joyful!! I talked to him for a bit more and got his number. I told him to start reading Mark and that I would call him tomorrow. He got so excited-like a little kid- and was thrilled because no one had ever called him (sad how the simple things to us are a big deal to others). He even said we can talk about the Bible and Jesus. Saying goodbye he told me He is so grateful because he has never had hope before!
I never intended to be God's vessel to lead this man to Christ, I was just going to chat with him while I waited for my friends. I am exploding with joy!! God was preparing his heart for this chance meeting and it's such an honor to be used by Him, I don't deserve it.I am so unworthy of this yet I still get to show the love of Jesus on others!!!
I am asking for prayer for our new brother in Christ, Anthony.
-First of all, GIVE GLORY TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GREAT!!!! REJOICE IN HIS NAME!!
-Pray he will plug into a church and find a mentor--such as a pastor
-Pray he stays clean from alcohol (Been sober for 2 years already) and continue with aa meetings (he wants me to go to one next week with him, I am going to go God willing)
-Pray the Lord will cure his anxiety
-Pray He will see God as the Father who will never leave him (as his earthly one did)
-Pray Christ will continue to reign in His life and he will grow immensely in Him
-Pray He can be a light for those around him on the streets
-Pray He learns what it means to be a follower of Jesus and will desire more of Him.
I ask for your prayers for Anthony, also I ask you spread his name in request for prayer. The more, the better.
GOD IS GOOD AND HE REIGNS!!
Jesus loves you
Peace.
