Pray for Yaseen

WTW 2022
14 June
Ezekiel 14

Pray for Yaseen

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. Ezekiel 14:6

My sons had already been patiently waiting for me for about 45 minutes. They are such a blessing. What a privilege having them join me for our weekly park evangelism excursion. Our friend and evangelism partner Alfonzo had joined us at the appointed time and we had already scouted out a number of opportunities to share this message of life.

We had taken a couple basketballs and struck up a friendship with Shane who was at the courts with his young lady friend. In between friendly games of lightning, we had the opportunity to talk about faith and life, sin and eternity. At one point, when Shane was explaining his faith, he said his view is that all people should simply treat others how they want to be treated. I asked if he knew where this idea originated. He did not know so I gave proper credit of origin to that man 2000 years ago in contrast to humanity’s dog eat dog, eye for an eye law of the jungle.

We had also spoken with Kasem and Mo discussing the difference between relying on our own ability to do good and keep the requirements of the law versus the effective and free gift of forgiveness through JESUS.

Then there was Esteban and his kids as well as their cousin. What an opportunity that was to share with this catholic father the truth of daily instruction from God when we simply read His WORD daily. And so we introduced him to the Bible app, and by request shared just one golden nugget– the daily regalo: a packet between new morning mercies and sweet sunset forgiveness.

And who could forget Abel and his sincere heart. What a blessing hearing his testimony of coming to Christ from his own catholic upbringing and being baptized at the university campus congregation. This opportunity was perfect to share with his attentive heart what he almost did not recall regarding the LORD’s final instructions to us.

So now, aiming to get back to my sons as promised to leave at the appointed hour, I had about a minute to spare. And I said as much to the young man as we met walking toward the parking lot. I knew these faith conversations can take time but I also know we can share this good message in mere moments and so I struck up this one final conversation with him. I told him I wanted to chat for just a minute. His name is Yaseen. I asked him about faith and what he would say is the most important thing if he were to tell me the most important thing about life and faith.

Repent.

This was his message. We connected on this powerful common ground. And then in the few remaining moments before we parted ways, I told him about God’s promise to us of a new spirit. Yaseen had said we have to repent from new sins everyday. In light of this fact that our old sinful nature required constant repentance, I told him about the good message JESUS gave us that God will put His Spirit in us and make us a new person. I asked him if he had ever heard this, and he stopped still and listened with rapt attention.

He had never heard this WORD of life before.

Let us be in God’s WORD daily. Let us look closely and live out the message of this WORD
From Ezekiel to Ephesians.
Let us repent and live in the newness of this new creation, this new work God has done.

Let us pray for these who have heard this WORD.

Let’s pray for Yaseen and for all these new contacts in evangelism to whom we are all daily holding out this word of life.

Please pray for Yaseen.

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