I stopped at a local business Wednesday morning and ended up talking with a man who had attended our church a couple of time recently. While his wife has been active in church, he hasn’t been. In fact he told me it had been 30 years since he’d attended church. We talked for a few minutes and then he had to get back to work. We will be talking more in the near future.

Later that day I stopped at another business before entering the restaurant next door for lunch when I bumped into a man I’ve known since Monieca and I first moved to Rock Hill. We decided to have lunch together. He and his wife used to regularly attend a local church but gradually got out of the habit. Eventually they decided it was time to get back in church. After a few Sundays back at their church they had a painful experience that soured them on the church. We talked about several things and he indicated that they would be attending FBC.

I don’t believe experiences like these are accidental or random. God orchestrates them. Some people call them “divine appointments.”

There are factors which increase the probability that God will orchestrate these “divine appointments” in our lives. Such factors include:

a) Daily prayer and Bible reading that keeps your heart tender and your walk with Jesus fresh and vibrant.
b) A focus on evangelism, evidenced by daily prayer for people who are lost and having witnessing tools (witness card or tract, New Testament, etc) in your pocket.
c) A willingness to stop and engage people in conversation when you’re out and about.

A commitment to evangelism means we seize the opportunities God puts in front of us. It also means we are intentional about connecting with and talking to people after those “divine appointments.” Since Wednesday I’ve sent text messages to both persons I bumped into that day inviting them attend FBC this Sunday. I don’t know what will come of all this, but I’m praying for them and their families.

Who is God putting in your path or on your heart this week? What are you doing in response to His prompting?

Invite them to Sunday School and worship this week. Pray for them right now. Offer to take them to lunch after church Sunday. Do the work of an evangelist and enjoy seeing how God blesses.

Pastor Steve Hogg