IMPACT

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IMPACT

What an amazing opportunity every believer has been afforded. To be given the wherewithal to be a link in that unbroken chain, and to impact those whom God has set in our individual pathway.

Every day I pray, and I would encourage you to pray, (whether you happen to be young or old or in between),

"Lord, don't let me miss whatever remains of my destiny.”

Impact should be our second greatest priority in life. For you see, as believers our two greatest priorities are our relationship with God, and our relationship with and impact on mankind. And after all, the only thing we will take with us to heaven are the souls we have impacted on earth.

Let’s get real practical about Impact, and the methods by which we may practice this spiritual opportunity and obligation.

Our first responsibility is to our family members. Father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter. We should take every opportunity to share the Gospel with unsaved family members.

And then we have something which I call “Momentary Ministry.” This brand of Impact is simply taking advantage of what I refer to as “Open Doors.” It’s the 1^st Peter Chapter 3 thing. “Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks a reason for the hope that is within you…” It’s bringing Jesus into conversations when you, for instance, have the opportunity to share your testimony.

One of my favorite ways in which to impact people is the tract ministry. Someone once left a Christian tract on the customer service desk at the post office, and I liked it a great deal, and brought it home and have been xeroxing it. Every time I go to the grocery store or Dollar General, I leave three or four on shelves throughout the store.

Then, we have the volunteer ministry. The local church has any number of opportunities. Sunday School teacher, Royal Ranger leader, Girl’s Ministry, Bus Ministry. Food Bank.

Of course, there is the formal ministry for those among us whofeel the call to full time service. Pastor, Church Administrator, Worship Leader, Counselor, etc.

Another form of Impact which you may not have considered is what I refer to as “Leaving Something Behind.” Our time on earth is finite. We can’t stay here. We were never meant to. My father left 10 or 12 hours of audio tapes behind; which I have transferred to a hard drive. He spoke about his growing up years and military service. I have compiled hundreds of photos, a great deal of family research, my unpublished volumes, and ministry materials on attachable drives which I plan to leave with my children, and I hope they will bequeath to their children. These storage devices include a letter I have written to my descendants in which I share my aspirations for them, and share my faith in Jesus Christ.

And finally, at least for the purpose of my message tonight. I would encourage you to impact your biological and spiritual descendants by means of prayer. I do something which I think only a few believers are prone to do. I pray the following prayer on a chronic basis.

“Dear Father, I pray you will bless, help, encourage and save my unborn, unseen, unnamed, and unknown biological and spiritual offspring, and use them to impact those you set in their pathway.”

by Bill McDonald, PhD

(from a teaching I shared at Willow Oak Assembly on Nov. 5, 2024)