Reliable Source

 

I kept an appointment today that resulted in a lift to my spirit. It was a routine thing for me but this time I got into a great discussion about the Lord.

When I had been in this same place a few weeks ago I spoke to a woman about what the Bible says about taking the Lord’s name in vain. It was something she did but I could tell that she was completely unaware that it was sin.

At that visit, I was able to tell her exactly what the Bible says about it. Most of us know the first part of the verse. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” But do you know the warning that the rest of the verse brings? It’s very serious, it says, “for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

I was stunned to learn that she had no idea that her speech was grieving God. I could tell by the look on her face and the tone of her voice that I had introduced a brand new idea to her. I wrote the scripture down for her and she was sincerely thankful.

One of the things this woman had said to me in a long-ago conversation was that she wanted to do everything she could “get away with” while she’s here (on earth) and still get into heaven. I’ve said many times that until a person sees her sin she will have no recognition of her need for a Savior. She doesn’t seem to have a full understanding (yet) that her faith – not her deeds – will get her into heaven.

A couple of weeks after giving her the scripture verse I received a thank you note from her! She was sincerely glad for the information and she had even checked it out. It turns out she is a fan of Charles Stanley’s preaching and ministry. She sat down and wrote a letter to In Touch Ministries and asked them if what I had told her was true! They had answered her letter and sent her a book on the Ten Commandments and a CD to listen to. She had already read the book when we spoke today.

In her note she had apologized for checking out what I had told her. But, no apology was necessary. I was thrilled that she had gone to a reliable source to examine what I had said.

When I went in today I took a new Bible verse for her. This time it was Acts 17:11, “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Her curiosity and her desire to know the truth are Biblical! God wants us to check everything we learn with the scriptures. This is the way we can know that we won’t be led astray by false teachers….and false teachers are out there.

I asked this woman how she knew about In Touch Ministries and she said she likes to watch it on television because Charles Stanley will read a verse right from the Bible and then explain it. Then he reads a few more verses and explains them. She loves that teaching!

When you love that kind of Bible teaching and you consistently like to sit under it God is at work in your life. He is at work in this lady’s I am sure. Her heart is softening to the truth of the Bible one lesson at a time. What a privilege to watch God work in her just as He has already done for me.

So, I left my appointment today feeling encouraged that God uses the smallest of our conversations about Him to open the eyes of others to His Truth. I don’t know exactly where this lady stands with her faith in the Lord but I know that He is at work in her. She is learning to examine the scriptures, she wants to know what God thinks – not what I think! She went to the more reliable source, the word of God.

In Isaiah God tells His people, “”For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10 – 11

I’m looking forward to seeing what God has done by my next appointment!