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| 'Avner's Story: From Fear to Faith' | ||||||||||
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| This month we’ll pick up where we left off with *Avner’s story: Avner was seeking to understand who Yeshua is, and how He can make a difference in our lives. | ||||||||||
| Avner had more questions. “Why did Messiah have to suffer, and where does it say He would suffer?” he asked. “Let’s take a look at Isaiah 53!” I replied. For the next half hour we went over the entire chapter, (actually beginning in Isaiah 52:13) verse by verse, from the English to Romanian to Hebrew. As our three-hour conversation came to an end, Avner said, “I’m not ready to accept this Yeshua. As a Jewish man I still can’t bring myself to believe that Yeshua is the Messiah. I have much to think about.” “Yes you do have much to think about Avner,” I replied. As I sensed his resistance to obvious proof from of the Scriptures, I cautioned him, “Avner, be careful. There are no good reasons for rejecting Yeshua, only excuses.” We hugged and Avner said he hoped to see me at the evening service. Our translator Dorina was both stunned and encouraged. Her comment was, “I have never been in a witnessing situation where each question was answered by an exact Scripture. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this time together. I learned so much.” We prayed for Avner, knowing it would take a miracle from God for him to believe in Yeshua. |
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God Answers Prayer! Later that evening we arrived a little early for the final Saturday evening service of the conference. As I walked in the building I saw Avner and he introduced me to his wife, *Mariana. Knowing of his past restriction upon his wife from even considering Yeshua, I asked Avner for permission to speak to his wife about the Messiah. He seemed delighted for her to hear, but walked away sensing this was something special for her. |
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| This was Mariana’s first visit to the conference and I began to speak to her as a believing friend who had brought them translated. (At that point I felt strongly that I needed to speak with her.) As people were coming in, Mariana, the translator and I spoke right there in the center aisle of the auditorium. “I understand that you are interested in understanding more about Yeshua.” “Yes, I am.” Mariana replied. She went on to say, “In fact God did a miracle for me just today and I am convinced that He is real.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “I have been praying and praying for a job that was impossible to get. Today I found out that I got the job. I just know it’s because God heard my prayer. This proves to me that God is real.” “He is real and wants to bring forgiveness of all your sins through faith in Messiah Yeshua. At the end of the service I’ll give an invitation, so listen carefully.” But something in my heart moved me to say. “Mariana, we don’t have to wait till the end of the service.” I explained the Good News simply to her and asked her, “Would you like to pray now and accept Messiah as your Savior?” “Yes,” she responded, “I would. I believe that He is real.” After Mariana prayed “the sinner’s prayer” I wanted to let Avner know right away so I called him over. “Avner, your wife just prayed to accept Yeshua in her life, are you OK with this?” To my surprise and delight he replied. “Yes, I think it is wonderful for her!” I then explained that it would be good for the entire family to come to services and Avner replied. “Yes, she can come and pray for me.” God Blesses His Word God blessed the ministry of the Word that evening and at the invitation a number of people raised their hands to indicate their desire to be saved. But Avner’s hand did not go up. Afterwards I went looking for him. When I found him, he told me, “When you were speaking I felt like my heart was being cut open.” I replied, “That might be the Spirit of God opening your heart.” “I’m sure it was!” Avner said. “Avner, we will know if it was the Spirit of God when you put your trust in Yeshua. Are you ready to trust Him? What more does the Lord have to do to show you?” Avner thought very deeply, counting the cost and realizing the truth of Messiah. “Your right, I’m ready to pray.” We joined hands, and I asked him to repeat a simple prayer after me.. |
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| I was specific to have him pray to Yeshua so he would be acknowledging Him from the very beginning, since he denied him so often in the
pastAvner prayed this prayer with tears of joy streaming down his face: “Dear Yeshua, Please forgive me for my sins. Cleanse my sins away by you atoning blood. Fill me with you Holy Spirit and I will follow you fully with all my heart. Thank you for loving me; thank you for saving me.” Both Theo and I prayed for Avner, and his pastor friend who had brought him agreed that he and his wife would follow up with discipleship for both Avner and Mariana. What a time of rejoicing we had together as he shared his new faith with his wife! |
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| Please keep this couple in prayer, as well as the others that responded to the Good News of Messiah. Pray that this congregation in Bucharest will grow strong and be a great witness throughout Romania. Thanks to your prayers and support, and God’s faithfulness, we truly were privileged to be a part of the blessings in Bucharest!
Y *Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. |
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Bucharest,
Romania Ministry Report / Part 2
