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The Pastor Ponders

Encouragement from the Middle East

6/6/2019

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I asked Ahmad, an Arab, "How did you meet Jesus?"
A huge grin came across his face and he began...
"لقد نشأت في أسرة مسلمة
laqad nasha'at fi 'usrat musalama"

"I grew up in a Muslim family."


As Ahmad passionately spoke in Arabic, the translator got lost so in his story that he forgot to translate into English. I had no idea what was said, but his energy, excitement and love that he was conveying was more thrilling to watch than any movie. I started throwing pretend popcorn in my mouth as I watched. The person next to me asked, "What are you doing?"
I said, "This is better than any movie, I just need popcorn."

Ahmad had a wonderful job and was growing in his knowledge of Islam. One day, a friend of his began asking him what he knew about Jesus. He did not know much but they kept talking about Jesus without letting anyone else know about these conversations. One day, Ahmad went hunting, normal for him to do. He walked a half days journey to one of his favorite spots. When he arrived an overwhelming exhaustion settled on him. He began to think that he was not strong enough to walk back or possibly he might die. So, he laid down to rest and fell asleep. In his dreams, a man glowing with glory walked up to him, knelt down, picked up his head and poured water into his mouth with a cup. As soon as the water touched his lips, he was empowered to full health. This glowing man called him by name and then introduced Himself as Jesus. Ahmad woke up fully revived physically and walked home. He had more conversations with his friend about Jesus. During these conversations with his friend, Ahmad discovered that his friend is a Christian who had been praying for him for quite some time.


A few months later, Ahmad had another dream. He was flying and there was this huge entity that was glowing with glory. He flew right into it. The glowing glorious entity told Ahmad to continue learning about Jesus. Then he woke up. He had more conversations with his Christian friend who gave him the Book of Luke in Arabic. Ahmad could not put the Gospel of Luke down. He read it and re-read it. At the end of reading it thoroughly, Ahmad declared, "I believe this entire story."
A few months later, he had another dream. He was walking down a road with a warrior companion. The road up ahead had a huge hole in it with fire coming out. In that fire was a monster. Ahmad and his warrior companion cautiously walked up. Ahmad said, "Let's attack the monster." The companion said, "No, see those three warriors off in the distance? We need them to help us." Then Ahmad woke up. He shared this dream with his Christian friend. The Christian friend asked him who was the warrior companion with him. Ahmad said, "I think his name was Luke."
"Who were the other warriors off in the distance?"
"I think their names where Mark, John and Matthew."
The Christian friend gave Ahmad the other three biographies of Jesus, Matthew, Mark and John in Arabic. Ahmad began reading and re-reading...

Ever since, Ahmad has been seeking Jesus, knowing Jesus to be his Lord and Savior.

Do we know that Jesus is still revealing Himself to everyone who is not a follower of Jesus? 

Are we joining Jesus on His mission to befriend people far from Jesus, listen to them, become a student of them and seek to have conversations with them about Jesus?

The Warrior Luke records Jesus starting a spiritual conversation with His disciples on the topic of who is Jesus
"One time when Jesus was off praying by himself, his disciples nearby, he asked them, “What are the crowds saying about me, about who I am?”  Luke 9:18

Praying for Jesus to continue to rescue Muslims as well as Minnesotans as we seek to start conversations about Jesus,
Pastor Chris


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    Pastor Chris Reinertson enjoys all sports, especially those involving a ball.  He loves to hang out with people and challenge them to be Jesus REVolutionizers.

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