The Best Day of My Life
Well about two weeks ago, I had about the best day of my life. Let me set the table here:
I had just finished work on a Wednesday afternoon, and I had the opportunity of taking one of my jr high guys out to dinner. On the way, I got a text message from another one of my guys (Andrew) saying that he was going to bring a friend to d-group that night. "Cool" I responded, and continued to drive Jed to IN-N-OUT. So, Jed and I finished scarfing down some great burgers and fries, and we rushed over to church. It was there that Andrew introduced me to his friend Kayden.
We proceeded to d-group and started off by playing a game of basketball in our small room . . . we played with a waddled up piece of paper as our ball, and two trash cans as our basket. My team won of course, but I think everyone had fun. We then did some normal d-group stuff and we even wrote a letter to Nathan Wilburn (a guy in our group whose house burned down the week before).
After writing some encouraging letters to Nathan, I started asking the guys how their weeks had gone and in what areas God had grown them that week. Suddenly, the conversation quickly came to the gospel, and I spent the final 30 minutes walking the guys through the gospel and what it really meant to be a Christian. We spent a lot of time dealing with sin, repentance, the cross, the resurrection, and true discipleship. When I was praying at the end I asked God to cause the guys who weren't sure of their salvation to talk to someone afterwards. To God's amazing glory, Kayden came up to me afterwards and said, "Brent, can I talk to you for a minute? When you were talking about what it meant to be a Christian, I realized that I really wasn't a Christian. I've been a fake Christian, I've been the person that just wanted fire-insurance, but I want to be a Christian." I was overjoyed and extremely amazed. I couldn't believe that God would allow me this incredible opportunity. I sat down with him, and the two guys he knew from the group, and I asked him about his own sin. He realized his need for Jesus, and wanted to give his life to Jesus. Before I proceeded to having him share his heart with God, I walked him through the idea of Luke 14 and true discipleship and what it means to give everything up for Christ. I asked him if he was ready to count the cost; he said yes.
I then told him that it is a simple thing . . . "just confess your heart to God, and tell him that you need him in your life, you repent of your sin, and you desire to live for Jesus."
This had to have been the absolute best day of my life. I remembered what life is all about, and that we are here on earth to share the gospel. Not only was Kayden's salvation a huge joy, but I was overjoyed by Andrew and his desire to be a light to his unbelieving friend. I love Jesus and I love student ministries! I think I love it so much because I have a chance week after week to share the gospel and live the gospel.
Also, my guys hold me to a very high level of accountability. They don't even know it all the time, but they spur my relationship with Jesus in astronomical ways. One week I told my guys that I had gotten up early, ran, prayed, and then studied the Word and how much joy that brought. The next week when I hadn't woken up to run, Jed asked me why not. . . so, tomorrow marks the 4th day of waking up early to run, pray, and read before I head off to work. I thank the Lord for those guys. I praise Him for salvation, His Word, and for fellowship. I praise him also for extreme joy . . . the joy that comes from living for Jesus moment by moment . . . in word and deed.
"Thank you Father for the salvation of Kayden. I ask that You would grow him in extreme ways. Please help him to be faithful to come to d-group and use Andrew and Mason to help him know You more. I love you dear God and I want to know you more. Help me live with extreme joy as I boldly live to make You known! For Christ and in his name, Amen."
I had just finished work on a Wednesday afternoon, and I had the opportunity of taking one of my jr high guys out to dinner. On the way, I got a text message from another one of my guys (Andrew) saying that he was going to bring a friend to d-group that night. "Cool" I responded, and continued to drive Jed to IN-N-OUT. So, Jed and I finished scarfing down some great burgers and fries, and we rushed over to church. It was there that Andrew introduced me to his friend Kayden.
We proceeded to d-group and started off by playing a game of basketball in our small room . . . we played with a waddled up piece of paper as our ball, and two trash cans as our basket. My team won of course, but I think everyone had fun. We then did some normal d-group stuff and we even wrote a letter to Nathan Wilburn (a guy in our group whose house burned down the week before).
After writing some encouraging letters to Nathan, I started asking the guys how their weeks had gone and in what areas God had grown them that week. Suddenly, the conversation quickly came to the gospel, and I spent the final 30 minutes walking the guys through the gospel and what it really meant to be a Christian. We spent a lot of time dealing with sin, repentance, the cross, the resurrection, and true discipleship. When I was praying at the end I asked God to cause the guys who weren't sure of their salvation to talk to someone afterwards. To God's amazing glory, Kayden came up to me afterwards and said, "Brent, can I talk to you for a minute? When you were talking about what it meant to be a Christian, I realized that I really wasn't a Christian. I've been a fake Christian, I've been the person that just wanted fire-insurance, but I want to be a Christian." I was overjoyed and extremely amazed. I couldn't believe that God would allow me this incredible opportunity. I sat down with him, and the two guys he knew from the group, and I asked him about his own sin. He realized his need for Jesus, and wanted to give his life to Jesus. Before I proceeded to having him share his heart with God, I walked him through the idea of Luke 14 and true discipleship and what it means to give everything up for Christ. I asked him if he was ready to count the cost; he said yes.
I then told him that it is a simple thing . . . "just confess your heart to God, and tell him that you need him in your life, you repent of your sin, and you desire to live for Jesus."
This had to have been the absolute best day of my life. I remembered what life is all about, and that we are here on earth to share the gospel. Not only was Kayden's salvation a huge joy, but I was overjoyed by Andrew and his desire to be a light to his unbelieving friend. I love Jesus and I love student ministries! I think I love it so much because I have a chance week after week to share the gospel and live the gospel.
Also, my guys hold me to a very high level of accountability. They don't even know it all the time, but they spur my relationship with Jesus in astronomical ways. One week I told my guys that I had gotten up early, ran, prayed, and then studied the Word and how much joy that brought. The next week when I hadn't woken up to run, Jed asked me why not. . . so, tomorrow marks the 4th day of waking up early to run, pray, and read before I head off to work. I thank the Lord for those guys. I praise Him for salvation, His Word, and for fellowship. I praise him also for extreme joy . . . the joy that comes from living for Jesus moment by moment . . . in word and deed.
"Thank you Father for the salvation of Kayden. I ask that You would grow him in extreme ways. Please help him to be faithful to come to d-group and use Andrew and Mason to help him know You more. I love you dear God and I want to know you more. Help me live with extreme joy as I boldly live to make You known! For Christ and in his name, Amen."
posted by Brent Klontz at 9:51 PM
7 Comments:
Man Dude that is so incouraging that God can work in so many diferint ways. Now Gods using this to incorage me throuoght the day
Threw The Awsome love of Christ andrew
Dude, I love Jr. High students. They get it. Its not about doctrine, its not about "knowing" things, its about the cross and our sin. I mean you can't love God if you don't know him, but you know what I mean.
Oh and recount of the current score
God: like three billion Zee Devil: -1
Brent,
Thank you so much for sharing that amazing story with us. I am overjoyed that the Kayden has made a profession of faith in our Lord.
You have been an encouragement to me, and I'm sure to the rest of your dgroup. Praise God that He chose to save some for His glory and praise.
The Rusted One
Brent... I am so thankful for your opportunity - what an awesome example of seeing God WORK. In big ways. He always does!! Keep it up, brother... press on!
~ And you're running now...
You never cease to surprise me...
;)
That story makes me smile inside and out. Thanks for the encouragement!
That's awesome Brent. It is so exciting and encouraging to see others pursuing the Lord and also when we get opportunities to share with them. How sweet is it to see people except Christ and watch the change God will make in them? Seriously I bet your all jazzed up about it and good thing for it.
Brently! Where are you, brother? I miss the encouraging posts that "The Sanctifying Pursuit of God" often brings. ;) I meant to ask you about that tonight... oh well! God bless, Brencito. (!)
~ The infamous Paasch-inator
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