Southern Baptist at the Race Track

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Did you hear about the about the Southern Baptist who was in the habit of sneaking to the race track to bet on the horses?

One day he was losing badly when he saw a priest step onto the track, walk up to line-up and bless one of the horses on the forehead. The horse was a long shot, but the Southern Baptist thought, “With the priest’s blessing, surely this horse will win.” He placed a small bet and, sure enough, the horse came in first.

At the next race, the priest stepped onto the track and blessed another horse’s forehead. Even though this horse was also a long shot, the Southern Baptist was a little bolder this time and placed a larger bet on that horse. Again, it won.

A third time, the priest stepped onto the track and blessed a horse on the forehead. Like the others, this horse was also a long shot. The Southern Baptist placed an even larger bet this time and, sure enough the horse won.

This pattern continued throughout the day with the priest blessing the forehead of a long shot horse, the Southern Baptist placing larger and larger bets and the horse always winning.

At the last race of the day, the Southern Baptist thought, “I have got to go for broke here.” With great anticipation, he watched as the priest stepped onto the field one more time, walked up to the line-up and blessed the forehead, eyes, ears and hooves of one of the horses. The Southern Baptist ran to the ticket counter and bet all he had on that horse.

The horse came in dead last!

As he was walking out, he saw the priest. Walking up to him, he demanded, “What happened? All day long you blessed horses and they won, even though they were long shots. Then at the last race you blessed a horse, I bet everything and the horse lost.”

“That’s the problem with you Protestants,” said the priest. “You can’t tell the difference between a simple blessing and the Last Rites.”

Gentleness and Respect – Sharing with an Atheist

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I recently wrote a book with the Minister of Foreign Affairs(?) in China, Mr. Zhao Qizheng, an atheist. We titled the book, “A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian.” It was a fascinating journey to dialogue with Mr. Zhao about our different beliefs.

My discussions with him proved that two people from opposite sides of the world, and with opposing viewpoints, can carry on a stimulating, amiable conversation about religion. This experience reinforced for me the importance of being respectful and honoring when we share our faith.

The next time you’re discussing your beliefs with someone, be open to hear where the other person is coming from, without judging or accusing them.

Arguing and badgering will get you nowhere – fast! I believe that sharing the Good News with love and respect is the best way to lead people to the Savior.

First Peter 3:15 sums up our calling perfectly: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

So be prepared, but also speak winsomely and warmly to those who don’t believe, gently guiding them to the truth of Jesus Christ.

A Clean Conscience

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When my wife and I were missionaries in Ecuador in 1965, a woman called up and wanted meet with us. Her name was Lethia. She was the communist party secretary, and she was a wild woman! Right away she started insulting me, and saying all priests and preachers were hypocrites and thieves.

At first I was really tense. And then I prayed, “Lord, I don’t have all the answers. I only know the truth of the Bible. Please help me know how to show Your love to her.”

So I let her rant, and when she finished, I said, “Lethia, how can I help you?” Suddenly she broke down and started crying. “Nobody’s ever asked me how they can help me before,” she sobbed.

She confessed that she was eaten up by guilt from her lifestyle. When I told her about forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ, Lethia was converted on the spot!

Hebrews 9:14 says the blood of Christ will “cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death so that we may serve the living God.”

Do you know someone who is strongly opposed to the Gospel? Often it’s because they have a guilty conscience. Ask the Lord to open up an opportunity to give them the Good News, so they can be cleansed and forgiven.

Confidence in Christ

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Many believers have rich spiritual lives, but nevertheless, they don’t make opportunities to share the Good News Gospel with others. I’ve often wondered why this is the case. I think it comes down to having unrealistic expectations of people’s responses. This creates a lack of confidence.

I try to encourage Christians to take nothing for granted when they meet people throughout the day. If you meet a bank manager, don’t automatically assume that he’s a sophisticated, modern man, and probably couldn’t care less about the Gospel. Instead, realize that this man is lost without Christ, because that’s the truth.

Choosing to believe that people are in desperate need of the Gospel can increase your confidence to start talking about the Lord.

Christians also worry that they won’t have the right answers. They think, “I’ve got to learn to debate. I’ve got to respond to all of their questions.” When instead they should be saying, “We’ll certainly look into the answers to those questions, but let me tell you now how to meet God.”

Proverbs 3:26 says the Lord “will be your confidence.” So trust Him to give you the words to speak as you reach out to the people in your world.