The Best Birthday Gift I Received This Year August 28, 2021

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This week I celebrated my 45th birthday. At this point in life, I can honestly say there is nothing I really want. God has been good to meet every need, and just the joy of being with family was enough. Still, it is always enjoyable to open gifts from those you love. We had a great time.

On Wednesday evening before church Tammy and Grant took me out to dinner. We decided to go to a restaurant in town that I had not been to for many years. When we walked through the door a waiter immediately came over, shook my hand, and called me by name. To be honest, I was trying to place where I knew him from. At the end of our meal he came by our table and began a conversation.

More than a decade ago, I preached in a place where he lived in another state. He recounted the life that he had lived since then and ended with the words: “I don’t think God would want anything to do with me now.” As we continued to talk, it was clear that this young husband and father was under real Holy Spirit conviction.

As we spoke about the grace of God, he explained that he did not believe he had ever been saved. At that moment he was needed in another place and we exchanged contact information with the goal of getting together the next day. As our family walked toward the front door a massive storm moved in and the heavens opened up. I mean torrential rain!

Standing there waiting for it to clear, I turned around to see the man I had been speaking with had followed us out. God was working on him and sent a rain storm to stop us from leaving. In a matter of a few moments, we sat down in the lobby of the restaurant and he called on Christ to save him. When he said “Amen” the rain stopped and he said, “Well, I guess you can go now!” We both knew the Lord had made a divine appointment for us.

It was my birthday, but it was his “born again” day! He received the gift of eternal life and the privilege of being there was the best birthday gift I received this year. I was reminded again that there are seeking souls everywhere

Today, many believers from churches in our area are out sharing the gospel in preparation for an upcoming gospel crusade. Would you pray for them to have divine appointments? Pray that God will give you someone to speak to about Christ. Somewhere there is a heart being prepared for the truth. And I can testify that there is nothing more satisfying than seeing another sinner come to know the joy of being forgiven and receiving the gift of eternal life.

After the Lord Jesus had led a Samaritan woman to Himself, He told His disciples, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of…my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:32, 34). Serving Christ and reaching sinners really is the most fulfilling thing in this world.

(For more information on the upcoming God Bless America Rally in southern West Virginia visit GodBlessAmericaRally.com.)

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6 Comments

  1. Tina on August 28, 2021 at 8:54 AM

    I wish I could be a witness like that. To be so bold and open to the Lord is so amazing. Thank you for sharing this!:)

    • scottpauley on August 30, 2021 at 5:19 PM

      God will use you. A simple word for Christ at the right time can make a great difference.

  2. Amanda on September 3, 2021 at 7:03 AM

    Is there any possibility the God Bless America Rally will be available to watch live or recorded online? If so, I would love to know how to access online to watch! I will be unable to attend as I will be out of town, but if possible, it would be nice to watch and to share on social media.

    Also, thank you for sharing your podcast! I find such encouragement from each daily message. I love listening to your podcast every day on my way to work. It helps prepare my heart for the day ahead.

    • scottpauley on September 10, 2021 at 3:08 PM

      Thank you for listening to the daily podcast! Yes, the God Bless America Rally will be live streamed on GodBlessAmericaRally.com and on the GBA Facebook page. We will also share it on ours.

  3. Karen Capps on September 3, 2021 at 3:01 PM

    I attend Boiling Springs Church and my grandson gave his heart to Jesus on my birthday in Jr. Church. I pray all of my grandchildren are saved by God’s grace anyday of the week but this is definitely a birthday this nana will never forget.

    • scottpauley on September 10, 2021 at 3:07 PM

      How wonderful to hear about your grandson! The Lord has you all in a wonderful church.

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