By Claudia Koenig
We were leasing an apartment from a man who works in intelligence. He has seen life at its most challenging. He is very kind at heart, though his countenance is rugged from all of his life-and-death experiences.
When we first met him, I spoke to him of Jesus. He was open, but very hesitant to make the decision about praying to believe in Jesus as his Savior. My husband spoke to him about biblical prophecy, and he was very interested.
Throughout the year that we leased his place, we prayed for his salvation. On occasion, when we communicated by text, I mentioned the Word that was in the Bible and asked God to bless him.
We had not seen him since we first settled the lease. Recently, we moved from this place. When we met with him to close out the lease, he spoke of many life situations and others’ irrational political decisions. He then talked of his heart feelings about life. My heart was very touched as he shared his thoughts and I was moved to talk to the Lord with him.
I smiled and said, “Now you are going to make me pray for you.” Because we had talked to him about Jesus, Salvation in Him and praying when we first met him, but he was very hesitant to receive this at the time, He replied smiling, “You are never going to give up on me, are you.” So, I took the risk and said, “Okay, lets pray.”
He approached us to hold our hands to pray and asked, “Do we hold hands?” I said, “We can.” I prayed scriptures about who Jesus is, what He did on the cross, and His love. I asked Jesus to reveal Himself to this kind-hearted man.
Afterwards, he moved hurriedly to leave. I didn’t seem to have time to talk with him. This was going fast! I quickly said to him, “Jesus is the Son of God. He died on the cross for your sins, and He loves you. He is coming back. You can’t go to heaven but by Salvation in Him.
In the hurried moments, he drew closer and said, “I believe!” I asked him, “Believe what? You must confess Him with your mouth.” Jesus died for us in public. He said that if you do not confess him before man, He will not confess you before God, the Father. He drew close, looked into my eyes and boldly confessed, “I believe…” I helped him pray. He then began to pray with me, “ Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that He died and rose again. I believe in Him with my heart and confess Him with my mouth.” Immediately, the roughness on his countenance was gone, and his face glowed. Joy sparkled in his eyes.
As he was exiting the door, he said, “I hope that all the wrong I have done will be gone by all the good that I have done to make up for it.” We explained that the sacrifice of Jesus and His blood had cleansed him. My husband said, “It is all washed away. Forgotten! With that glowing joy, he responded, “You two are going to make me cry.”
I was amazed at the light on his face! The Spirit of God took over his heart.
“Abba! I am so weak at this time of my life. At times, I don’t know if I can make it!
I could hardly speak to this man about Your Son.”
“Jesus, I am exhausted. I can’t seem to overcome all my fears. I know that You are Peace. The enemy has bombarded me to the point that I can’t speak of you. But, in the sparseness of breath, You are speaking to the hearts in front of me.”
“Holy Spirit, what would I do if it weren’t for You to give me the needed strength to tell a lost soul of Jesus! Thank You!”
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ephesians 3:16
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Colossians 1:11
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2