Samaritan’s Purse shared a story this week of a village in Nigeria, dedicated to witchcraft, which finally opened up to the Gospel. A pastor from a neighboring village had tried for years to share the Gospel but found the people were unwilling to listen. When the pastor heard Samaritan’s Purse was coming, he sent invitations to all the village. When the parents heard “presents” were coming – they sent 150 children.
The children of the high priest of the witchcraft village, returned home with shoeboxes in which every item was something needed in their home. The priest marveled. He went to the pastor and said, “From now on, my family will attend your church. Please pray for me that my village won’t kill me while I leave witchcraft. I want to give you a piece of land to build a church in our village.”
Acts of kindness, accompanied with the message of the Gospel, is a power that has changed the world… “We ourselves, at one time, were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. BUT, after the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared – not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy – He saved us!” (Titus 3:3-5).
All over the world we’re seeing horrific violence and hatred, just as Jesus foretold. Antisemitism, Christian persecution, and tribal wars are rampant. But the triumphant work of the Cross is not over. God’s people are scattering Gospel seeds that will yet bring a mighty harvest. Revelation says it is a “multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, people, and languages” (Rev. 7:9).
Keep sharing the Gospel with acts of kindness. It’s the way to bring walls down.
(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)
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