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...took The Gospel To A Prostitute...
by SIXTUS ONYEANUSI ...became a prostitute for profit, yet remained empty and a destitute... ...had a gift of God, but no life of God yet... ...had a desire to serve God, but the power of sin yet unbroken... ...sought for by God even inside the waiting palour... ...a startling statistics on prostitution... God has laid it in my heart to share this experience I had, which I would not forget in a hurry, that you may by it be blessed in one way or the other. May God speak personally to you, and in some way raise a challenge to us, that we may arise and commit ourselves more to the sowing of the living seed of God's word into the hearts of men. May the Holy Spirit breathe into this piece that we may read beyond the letters and touch the deep things of transformation and be imparted in our spirits in Jesus' Name, Amen. On Wednesday, 11th May, 2011, I had an encounter that I would not forget in a hurry. God is laying it in my heart to share with you this piece that you may in it be blessed in one way or the other. A miracle took place (yes I call it a miracle...you would understand later on...smiles) the day I was returning from a communion service I went with a brother, Okwudili FoolforGod Umeweni (Evangelist). It all began when he posted on his face book wall...something about the importance and benefits of the Lord's super (Holy Communion). It caught my attention and that of other brethren in Face book Christian family. I commented on it. Later I went to him and asked him when last he did eat communion. He said they do eat it in every Wednesday in his place of worship. The last time I ate mine was earlier this year...so it' been a long while now. So I indicated interest to go with him on Wednesday for the communion service. Wednesday came. We were to leave for the service before pass 4pm so that we could get there right on time as they begin by 4:30pm. Under the rain, we rushed off for the service. He stopped to drop me off, it was getting dark and heavy traffic would be along that way. Not yet got down, we exchanged pleasantries. I remember exactly appreciating him for the communion service I accompanied him to. After that he drove off and turned right to the way leading to their house. I stood by the road side to catch a fare going my way. Rain was drizzling, so I quickly caught one. entered the bus, and all that was on my mind was just getting home and refreshing (because we went to the service straight from work, even under rain.) Few minutes later, got to the park, got down, rain still drizzling, almost all wet, got to a popular junction where prostitutes hang around waiting to be hooked and booked. WEARY AND HASTY, YET GOD WAS STILL WILLING AND PATIENT FOR SOUL-WINNING: I was passing by, remember all I was thinking was to go home and rest from the day' work. I remember, that day, I observed a fasting of about 6am-5:30am, coupled with the day' work, I was weary and in dire need of rest. As I passed by that junction well known for immorality and all manner of filth, den of thieves and drunks, drug dealers and drug addicts, even the atmosphere is quite very not conducive for me and even any normal human being. Though I was in haste to be home, yet I was somewhat open and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, a thought came into me, "Let me tell a prostitute about the love and mercies of Jesus." I immediately acted upon that impulse. I couldn't find any prostitute around yet for it was not so dark as at that time, so I decided to "foolishly" go straight into the roadside restaurant they normally stay. GOD SOUGHT FOR HER AND WENT RIGHT INSIDE THE WAITING PALOUR... HIS LOVE TOOK HIM EXTRA-....................................................MILE I got inside there, and saw just one, and she was already with a young man, drinking and waiting to move. Being filled with the Spirit, I boldly and fearlessly walked up to them, asked the young man to allow me talk with the young girl just for one minute. Thinking that I'm a "customer" coming to snatch her away from him, he defensively said that she's already with him. I persisted and he reluctantly allowed me to see her. She did not hesitate to step out to meet me. As I opened my mouth and told her about Jesus, she got captured, for that was that last thing she was expecting to here in that atmosphere of fun and fleshly gratifications...but the Lord, who is rich in mercy and compassion, who loved us and died even when we were yet without strength and haters of God, sought for her beyond boundaries. As I authoritatively kept speaking to her about Jesus' love and mercy, she got broken and gave her rapt attention. Looking at her, you need not told that she really need a spiritual, physical, emotional and mental help...she's empty and filthy, looking older than she really is, yet covering up the vacuum echoing deep within for the lack of Jesus and His infilling and unfailing love and presence that makes a difference in someone's life. The pleasures of the flesh couldn't substitute the treasures of life in Christ Jesus. Initially, when I asked the young girl her name, she said her name was Mercy (she hid her real name as her "job" demands). But later when she was convicted, she opened up and told me her real name. She even told me where was residing and operating from. My greatest amazement was that I never knew that God has been looking for a way to speak personally and closely to hr and bring her into the knowledge of the truth. Don't miss this: She told me that she does evangelize the word of God and also can prophesy, but "I don't know what is happening to me." Now, it's obvious that The Lord's hand is upon this young girl, and she would be used mightily of God to affect lives positively, but the enemy was fighting fiercely and fearlessly to destroy her before her time of manifestation, to hinder God's purpose. "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." Rom.11:29 It struck my heart in amazement. Her attention, openness and confession "I don't know what is happening to me", caught my passion for her soul the more. I passionately preached to her the saving truth in love-pointing her to Jesus who is able to forgive, receive her into the bosom of His Eternally Rich Love and cleanse her by His Blood. I made it known to her that she still has a future. After witnessing to her, I had this inward assurance that The Spirit had convicted her and had begun a work in her as she has come face to face with the knowledge of the truth, even from the mouth of her fellow youth who serves as an example of the transforming power of God through Jesus Christ. He caught me young, touched me deeply and made me whole. While speaking with her, passer-bys and "customers" were watching us, and maybe wondering why I am taking so much longer to reach a deal with her since it is that simple...(lol). But none of these discouraging gazers moved me. I have no need to hold back my reputation when God is willing to rain down the Grace of salvation upon the unsaved soul. "The physician is for the sick and not for the whole...." I'm not the "holier than thou type"...yet I know my limits, "Walking with wisdom with them that are without....redeeming the time for the days are evil...hating even the garments spotted by flesh. You don't become careless with your own salvation for the sake of soul-winning....don't get defiled on the course of edifying other people. Oh, in all things, may God help us to function in His wisdom, perfect understanding and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to be guided in the course of critical soul-winning points as this." After the encounter, I turned around and walked away. Gazers were still gazing at me, but didn't mind their insinuations...simply I looked right on and straighttttttttttt home. While I was going, remember, rain was still drizzling, the burden of the encounter with that young great woman couldn't lift from me. I was going and was praying....thanking God for touching her and also interceded that she may stand and never slip after coming face to face with the truth. The Spirit put it in me to pray against the power of sin over her life, and I began praying thus. I couldn't keep walking while I was praying, so I went to a spot nearby and prayed WITH ALL MY HEART. I committed her into the hand of the Holy Ghost that He may keep her, direct her and lead her to the right brethren fellowship and Heavenly Church of the Firstborn recognized in Heaven. After the prayers, I felt this peace within and assurance of answered prayer. The burden lifted...and joy unspeakable encompassed my soul. I believe I partook of the joy in Heaven over a soul that gave her life to Jesus and genuinely become born again by the Spirit of God. Lessons From Her: She had the inward desire to serve God, but the power of sin has not yet been broken off, she's yet to experience the resurrected life and expect the old wine is poured allallall out, it won't fit properly and acceptably into the new. She may be recognized in the church as a worker, and even a great evangelist or prophetess, but to God, she is like the zealous but unsanctified Uzziah that tried to bear the Holy Ark of God's Covenant with the arms of flesh...it's not going to be a service that is acceptable in the sight of the Holy, Holy, Holy God. It pained me to know that she' still quite young, not older than 24 or 23 as her physique showed. What a young girl with a promising future in Jesus! While I talked with her, I perceived emptiness and confusion down in her heart...but she was trying to cover and make it up with sexual satisfaction, money, and couple of beers, ear phones playing music, clothes, and shoes and having men around to take her home on night basis. This life is no doubt leading her straight to hell and no way out except by the touch of Jesus upon her life that night. The next day as I shared the encounter with Brother Okwudili FoolforGod Umeweni (Evangelist), it caught his attention because he also has this undying passion and burden for souls who are into prostitution, he desires to leave them better than he found them through the transforming power of the gospel of cross and also by God's Grace help get them established to work legitimately, diligently and creatively to make a good living. On the course of the discussion, he gave this startling statistics on prostitution... %70 of people are into prostitution because they are in lack. %20 of people are into because they are nymphomania (they have a higher sexual drive...can't do without sexual intercourse). And the remaining %10 of people are into it for the pleasure...trying something new (mostly by the negative influence of wrong friends and companions). But I thank God for that day...I never thought of doing such thing (though this was not my first time taking the gospel of love to the prostitute, but this one is remarkable and most assuredly, something has happened in her), so true it is that "It is God that wortketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Again, "The footsteps of the righteous are ordered by God." Thank God for everything that day...I had a real wonderful day...at working place, straight to church, sat under a sermon on wisdom, had communion and listened to the Cd message of a teacher of God's word whom I so much love Gbile Akanni (Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria). "You can never have a wonderful day full of joy and absolute sense of fulfillment until you pour it all out for Christ and be directed by the Spirit of God. Let God guide me daily and each move I make would make a great impact on the lives of men around me." 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