I remember in the late 1990’s having good intentions about door-to-door visitation. I, along with some fellow ministry workers, knocked on every door of a nearby city’s government housing projects. We had good intentions but nothing tangible resulted from it. Maybe one person visited our church but no new converts. I know we encouraged a few people, but we never saw a harvest of our efforts.
I learned that building relationships is more effective than cold-calling.
Churches and mission organizations are full of good intentions. We have to be honest and ask ourselves the question. Are our good intentions bearing fruit or do they just make us feel better about ourselves? We often learn by trial and error.
In the business world, results are measured in goods/services sold and profits made. The results are tangible. Outcomes in other areas are often hard to measure.
In our world today, we see government officials who may have good intentions. They often throw good money after bad on programs not only ineffective but sometimes counterproductive.
We need to remind ourselves that Jesus spent three years in ministry on earth. In the upper room described in Acts chapter 2 there were 120 Christ followers. They were praying in unity when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Those faithful followers and their converts literally changed the world.
(37) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
(38) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
(40) And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."
(41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Acts 2:37-41 NKJV
There is an unbroken chain coming from that upper room in Jerusalem centuries ago. That chain of the Gospel made its way to your heart. The carriers of the Gospel crossed countries, continents, rivers, oceans, deserts, and wilderness to bring the Gospel to your heart. They had more than good intentions. They had a purpose from God ignited by the Holy Spirit.
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Knock on hearts and share the Gospel where you are in your circle. Go where Christ leads and knock on hearts. In your circle or outside of your circle—some will say, “Yes, I believe and I will follow Jesus. God keeps the count.
Yours on the Journey,
Harry L. Whitt
Pathway Journey 