Fifteen

"But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" Romans 10:14

Research has shown that it takes an average of 5-6 times for someone to hear the gospel before they make a decision to receive Christ. Some estimate that number to be as high as 15. That means, as Christians we all have a job to do. Whether we are the 1st, the 15th, or somewhere in between, sharing Christ with someone is the greatest thing we can ever do. After all, "how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" And that is what TEAM 413 is about... plain and simple.

While on a plane from St. Louis to Seattle last week, Pastor Lindell Shelden shared this remarkable story of a meeting only God could arrange. While making friendly conversation, he asked his seatmate what brought him to Seattle. The man replied that he was flying to Washington to run the Seattle Marathon that Saturday. That's when Pastor Lindell asked him if he had ever heard of TEAM 413. The man raised the cuff of his shirt to show him the bracelet he was wearing. It was a TEAM 413 bracelet! As they talked more, the man revealed that he really wasn't sure what the verse meant but had been given the bracelet and a shirt by a man whose name he had forgotten but had made such an impact on him that he had never taken it off (that man was Chris Gillespie, founder of the ministry). While he hadn't made the decision to follow Christ (yet), God was clearly working on him.

As you can imagine, Pastor Lindell was more than happy to tell him what the verse meant and so much more. What number Chris and Pastor Lindell were in God's divine plan isn't important. What is important is that they were there, taking their place in line to share the Gospel. Let us all be lined up, ready and willing, to do the same every day.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would arrange divine meetings. As believers, give us the courage and boldness to take our place in line to tell others about you and your gift of Salvation. After all, how can they believe if they've never been told? And how can they be told if we aren't willing to tell them? May we all be ready to be the witness you have called us to be. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Greg Long - Fifteen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVpWlf0-Gos&list=RDcVpWlf0-Gos#t=0