Daily
Devotional

Recently, the Lord has opened opportunities for outreach in a vital mission field: my neighborhood. On one occasion, my neighbor from down the street came to our home wanting to borrow some carrots for a stew. I went to my crisper and found a couple of carrots, and then went upstairs to my office while she and my wife began chatting. Then I heard some commotion and quickly returned; my neighbor had received a phone call that brought news of a problem in her family. As she began to weep, we assured her that God was interested in what was going on. We prayed with her and felt that God had given her peace.  

The next day, my neighbor called and told us that God had undertaken. She said, “It all started with me coming to borrow a carrot.” She also gave us a package of carrots with a note: “I ‘carrot’ 4 U 2.” This happened just a few days before Easter, and she attended the Good Friday and Easter services at church.

Also before Good Friday, I went for my daily walk and, as I always do, took some tracts with me and prayed that the Lord would lead me to some soul. While returning home, I heard the sound of a hammer, and turned around to find a man working in his garage. I stopped and talked to him, gave him my tracts, and invited him to our church’s upcoming drama, “The Last Supper.” He came and was blessed.

Another day, my wife and I were crossing the street when a lady drove her van into our crosswalk, right in front of where we were walking. My wife went around the front of the van, but I walked up to the window. The driver lowered her window to apologize, but I told her I just wanted to say hello. She explained to me that she did not usually drive that van, but had to start learning as her husband had passed away. She told me, “You must be the answer to my prayer. I need spiritual help. I have not been to church since my husband died.” My wife and I later called her and invited her to church; she came and was wonderfully blessed.

God provided another opportunity to spread the Gospel this past week, when I set up a table in my garage to sell some fishing tackle. Next to my merchandise I placed stacks of the tracts “When You Need a Friend” and “Starting Out.” A lady picked them up and asked me how much they cost, and I told her they were free. She took them all and wanted my phone number, as she was sure she would want more.

We must invade our neighborhoods with the Gospel. How? By using simple openings, like carrots, walks, cars in crosswalks, and garage sales. It may sound foolish, but it is effective. This mission field will require patience at times. For example, this week, a husband and wife invited me into their home for the first time. They told me, “We have watched you for six years. Now we know.” It took six years, but they also came to our local church.

There are countless souls that need salvation. What can we use to reach them today?