Warner Smith » Evangelism

Pray Now Bartow Day 30

Warner Smith — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:03:36 +0000

There are only 84 congregations in all religions in Bartow. To adequately serve our county we need to start a minimum of 516 churches. This is number for needed new congregations is based on a ratio of 100 members per new church. If these churches were started by traditional means, by purchasing land and constructing buildings and hiring staff (pastor), the cost for planting these needed churches would be $1,032,000,000 ($1.032 billion).

Another method for planting this large number of churches is to do so by non traditional means by starting house churches. In a house church a group of believers come together for worship in someones home. They may or may not be connected to a mother church where they attend every other week or monthly. House churches are led by non professional ministers.

There are several strengths of the house church. Many people today are more open to attending a Bible study in a home than in a church. They are less expensive. House churches are harder for governments to control. They are smaller, and as such their attendees tend to be more involved in service. Some house churches will grow and become more traditional churches, but many will not. While most Christians do not think positively about house churches they are an excellent means for evangelizing a population. As America becomes less and less Christian house churches will become more appealing and necessary.

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14–17

Pray for those who do not attend a church. Pray that God will call more Christians into the ministry of preaching His Word. Pray that all those who currently preach His Word will become holy and bold in their proclamation and lifestyle. Ask God to convict the hearts of believers to stat new churches whether through traditional or non-traditional means.

Pray Now Bartow Day 29

Warner Smith — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:01:34 +0000

Warning: Reading this devotion may burst your bubble!

The world in which we live is a very sick place. Lincoln did not release all of the slaves for all time. Atlanta the home of Martin Luther King Jr. is now considered a city which is instrumental in human trafficking domestically and globally.

Human trafficking has become a major concern in Atlanta because of Hartsfield International Airport which is a central connection for domestic and international flights. Other contributing factors for Atlanta as a primary city for human trafficking are the large undocumented immigrant population, and its large sex industry. Strip clubs, prostitution, and escort services are abundant. All these reasons work together to create the perfect climate for human trafficking in Atlanta.

It is estimated that between 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are sent to the U.S. annually. 200-300 children are abducted each month and traded as slaves. Human trafficking is a 32 billion dollar industry worldwide, second only to drugs.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. Luke 4:16–22

Pray that God will set the enslaved free. Ask God to convict the hearts of those who are abusing these people so they will repent. Ask God to help us to witness more boldly and effectively so that the hearts of people can be cleansed from the poison of sin.

Pray Now Bartow Day 28

Warner Smith — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:01:31 +0000

Current estimates are that more than 8 million Muslims currently reside in the United States. These numbers will only continue to increase due to immigration, increased birth rate, and a high conversion rate. Approximately 200,000 Americans convert to Islam each year. The fact that Islam is growing within our own nation and our own Baptist churches have plateaued, should cause each of us at least a moment of pause, or perhaps drive us to our knees in confession and repentance.

The two largest groups who convert to Islam are African Americans and Caucasian women. Growing numbers of Latino Americans are also embracing Islam. Currently there are 749 Mosques in United States 10 of which are located in Metro Atlanta.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6

Pray that God will awaken those who are considering to Islam see Jesus as the only true way to God. Pray for the salvation of those who are Muslim. If you know someone who is a Muslim invite befriend them them and share Jesus with them. According to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention one good way to begin is by asking a Muslim friend to tea, because Muslims are known for their love of tea.

Pray Now Bartow Day 27

Warner Smith — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:03:48 +0000

Nathaniel has a drinking problem. He began drinking years ago when he lost his job and family. He barely makes it on his government check and help from local food and clothes closet ministries. The trailer in which he lives is in need of repair. Nathaniel drinks to forget about his problems. When he heard that a friend who had also lost his job committed suicide, he began thinking about whether or not suicide was the answer to his despair.

In 2008, 28 people successfully committed suicide in Bartow County. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, between 8 and 25 people attempt suicide after they learn of a death by suicide.

If you contemplate taking your own life please reach out to someone. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Suicide is also a selfish act. If you know someone whom you believe is considering suicide get them some help, and let them know that you care for them. The most difficult grief to overcome for surviving family members is grief due to suicide. If you know someone who has lost a loved one due to suicide let them know that they are not responsible for the actions of another and pray for them and love on them all that you can!

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:1–11

Pray for the hopeless. Ask God’s Spirit to reveal to the hopeless that their enduring suffering is an important step on the road to hope and rejoicing. Pray that they will find their hope in Christ Jesus. Ask God to show you how to pray and minister to those you know and meet.

Pray Now Bartow Day 26

Warner Smith — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:01:00 +0000

Jack will soon be released from prison on probation for dealing drugs. He will join the other 154,197 adults who are currently on probation in Georgia. Jack, like half of those in prison, was raised by his mother. He never knew his Dad. Jack began selling drugs in order to help his mother purchase the things which they could not afford.

Jack and his absentee father typify what is wrong with men in America today. I teach our men that;

Manhood is in a state of confusion
Confused men create major problems
Confused men settle for less.
There is no vision of manhood that is compelling to men today.
The Bible has insight and answers for all of the above.

Did you know that Georgia has the fifth largest prison system in the nation. Of the 53,558 people who are currently in prison 62% are Black and 37% are White, 40% claim to be Baptist.

While in prison Jack has been visited by men of Muslim faith. They have told him that they would help him find a job when he was released. Pray that God will limit the influence these men can have upon Jack.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34–40

Pray that fathers will be faithful to their children. Pray and ask God to move on the men in America and give them His vision of manhood and faithfulness to their own wives and children. We need to elevate our standard for fathers. Men need to understand that any male can be a sperm donor, but that it takes a real man to be a father!

Ask God to send Christians to witness to those in prison who will also be willing and able to help Jack and all the men he represents when they are released. They need godly mentors as well as jobs!

Pray Now Bartow Day 25

Warner Smith — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:01:21 +0000

Melissa and Jake are both teenagers and have been dating for several months. On their sixth date, Jake told Melissa that if she loved him she would have sex with him. Although reluctant, Melissa felt compelled to express her true love. Since that first time, sex has become the main activity of their dating life. Now Melissa has just discovered that she is pregnant. How will Melissa and Jake tell their parents? What should they do about the baby? Should Melissa abort or should she keep the baby? What does God have to say about it?

Teen pregnancy rates had dropped between 1995 to 2005, but between 2006 and 2007 they rose 3%. Georgia’s teen pregnancy rate is 54.2 per 1,000 girls (ages 15 – 17) the 10th highest in the country. Bartow county’s teen pregnancy rate is 45.9 per 1,000 girls between (ages 15-17), That means that this year approximately 150 teenage girls who live in Bartow county will get pregnant. Do you know one of these girls? Will one of these girls be your daughter? What would you say to one of these teenagers?

33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:33-34

Ask God to help our teens abstain from premarital sex. Pray that churches will reach out to teens who are struggling with sexual issues or unexpected pregnancies. Talk to your own children about sex! If you know a sexually active teenager without judging them let them know God’s will for their sex life and help them reclaim their own sexual purity.

Pray Now Bartow Day 24

Warner Smith — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:01:38 +0000

Are you guilty? Have you ever said things to your children which you later regretted. If you are a parent I am sure you have. There are parents however who for some insane reasons abuse their own children. Sam is such a child. His dad often yells at him from his drunken stupor such hurtful words as “Shut up, Sam, or I will give you more to cry about!” “I wish you had never been born! You are just a whiny baby,” and often much worse. Sam, like many other children in the United States has never heard either his dad or mother tell him that they love him.

Almost 14 of every 1000 children in our nation are victimized. More than half of those are the victims of neglect, 1 in 4 suffer physical abuse, 6% suffer psychological abuse, and 2% suffer medical neglect. Just over 2 in 3 of all children victimized in our nation are White.

10 “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. Matthew 18:10–14

If you know of a child who is being abused do something about it! Remember, Jesus loves the little children of the world, but unfortunately too many do not. Ask God to change the hearts and minds of those who do not recognize what a special blessing their own children or those children for whom they are responsible truly are.

Pray for all of children like Sam in Bartow county, our state, nation and world. Ask God to protect these children and to let each of these victimized children know that He loves them.

Pray Now Bartow Day 23

Warner Smith — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:03:20 +0000

Maria recently moved to Bartow county from Miami. Maria’s grandparents escaped to the Unite States from Cuba 50 years ago. They still keep in contact with relatives who live in Cuba about the church planting movement going on there. Since moving to Bartow county, Maria’s family has not attended a church because they were unsure how they would be received.

Their reluctance arises from their previous experiences of visiting predominately white congregations in other states which had not been receptive to them. This is unfortunate because people of Cuban heritage tend not to feel accepted in churches comprised of Hispanics of Mexican decent. Therefore they have been reluctant to visit a traditional Hispanic Church.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20

Pray for the 4,743 Hispanics currently living in Bartow county. Ask God to lead His church to start churches and other ministries which are targeted to all the ethno-linguistic people groups which reside in Bartow county, so they can hear the gospel in their “mother tongue” and worship our Lord in their “heart language.” Also, ask God to convict His people who currently worship Him in existing churches to be more open to receive Maria and all the other immigrants who are coming to live in our communities.

Pray Now Bartow Day 22

Warner Smith — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:02:25 +0000

Todd recently turned 18. Todd stopped going to church at the age of 12 when his parents quit making him attend. His senior year in high school has been very difficult. He has struggled to make good grades. Now Todd’s parents are going through a nasty divorce. And just this week, his girlfriend Libby, told him that she was breaking up with him. His whole life is crumbling around him and he feels that no one cares. Todd wonders if life is worth living and has considered suicide. Teen suicide is the third leading cause of death of adolescents and teenagers according to the National Institute for Mental Health.

21 Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. 22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. 23 Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:21–24

Ask God to show His wonderful love to Todd and all the teenagers in Bartow county who are contemplating suicide. Pray for Todd’s parents and all those like them who are struggling with divorce and all of its many consequences. Pray that God’s Holy Spirit will show God’s mercy to Todd and his parents as well as all those in our county and world whom they represent. Pray for the other 6,500 teens ages 15-19 who call Bartow county home. During your prayer time, ask God to awaken churches and the adults in them to become aware of and interested in the needs and cries for help which Todd and other youth are making each and everyday.

If you know a teenager whose parents are divorcing don’t just ask them how they are doing, take them for a hike, watch them play in their sport or school play and then take them to eat afterward. Let them know that you care for them and that while they may not realize it you are there for them. Show them Christ’s love don’t just tell them about it. You will be surprised how quickly your concern and care will bring positive results to their life.

Pray Now Bartow Day 21

Warner Smith — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:01:48 +0000

Wayne and Naomi, are native Georgians. Like most African Americans they were raised going to church but have not attended except for special occasions for quite a number of years. They are empty-nesters who finally have time to be with each other and enjoy quality time together. They have lived a good life. They spend most of their time on the weekend with friends and family on fun excursions. Church has become a distant memory.

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57–62

Besides representing African Americans, Wayne and Naomi are also representative of another group. Many individuals of Wayne and Naomi’s age were raised going to church, but do not attend any longer. Why?

Perhaps the never accepted Christ as Savior. If so what a shame that they were raised in our churches but never led to our Savior.

If they are Christians then they are not only violating Christ’s teaching but also disregarding the clear injunction of the writer of Hebrews.

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Pray that they will receive Christ as their Lord and make serving Him their priority. Ask God’s Spirit to show them the relevancy of His Word.