Memo: You do your job… and I’ll do mine! signed~ Holy Spirit
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 | Tony Nolan
We’re off to an amazing, God-glorifying start with Winter Jam 2010. Already, over 9,000 professions of faith have taken place. As I write that number, I am thinking of the song “He is mighty to save!” I love this tour! I rejoice in seeing so many come to Christ. Although I rejoice, not everybody does. There are many people who kind of look down on this sort of thing. Personally I don’t get that, because I kind of side with Heaven and rejoice over even one sinner saved. But those that sneer have this as their concern; “Sure it’s one thing to see so many professions of faith, but what are you doing for the progression of that faith?”
I understand the issue, but I just don’t think that it merits discrediting someone’s profession of faith. I share the concern and that’s why I connect each person with a free 7-day devotional that Mark Hall and I wrote together and used during the LifeSong tour. It helps them progress. I also connect with these new believers via facebook, twitter and email. This of course is not enough for the die hard cynic who demands that I hold the hand of every convert. It stresses me out quite frankly. As I entered a new year of this tour, this issue was looming heavy on my heart.
Will there be a progression of faith from those who make a profession of faith? Little did I know that God wanted to make sure I got a solid answer for this to alleviate my concern. It was the during the first WJ 2010 show in Chattanooga in which a young lady in her mid-20‘s introduced herself. Gladys was her name. Gladys explained to me that when she had attended Winter Jam the year before, she was not saved and had no interest in being a Christian. Gladys told me that by the end of the night, she had received the message of salvation and had given her life to Jesus.
Gladys went home and dove into our 7-day devotion. Within that devotional, we encourage people to get involved in the community of a local church. Gladys said that she looked into the youth program at the church she attends, and come to find out there was no youth program at all. The Holy Spirit prompted Gladys and Jesus challenged her to step in and be the leader of that youth group. She smiled at me and said, “My youth group is here tonight!”
I stood there overwhelmed. All of the heavy questions and concerns seemed to fall off my shoulders and disintegrate on the floor around my feet. I was a little light headed for a minute and imagined Jesus and the Holy Spirit standing there next to this girl and they were smiling and high 5‘n each other over this extraordinary life change!
All I could do was grin from ear to ear as I heard God whisper in my spirit, “Tony, you do your part in preaching the gospel and I will do my part in changing lives!”
GO GOD!!
Tony Nolan
Comments (1)
Aug 17, 2010
Tony: As we know, Scripture says, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” So many people want to criticize without giving realistic solutions to their concerns and/or complaints. As I am beginning to take a new position the ministry myself, I have come to one major conclusion: You can do all within your power to promote spiritual growth, but in the end, the level of progression is based on the choice of the believer to want to seek God. If we can help draw them to the water source, and they have a thirst for the Living Word, God will provide the substance. We must know our limitations and only work within our calling that God has for each of us individually. If more Christians step up in our local communities, progression will be evident. Seeing what you do continues to inspire me to continue being a laborer for Christ. To God be the glory for all of your efforts. Be encouraged!