Evangelism and Faith - part 1

When God gave him the scripture in Mark 6:8-9 he prayed a lot about the calling of God and the desire became stronger in his life to walk from village to village to preach the gospel. He quit his job, sold his possessions and gave the rest to the poor. (“And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.”) In Luke 22:36 it says that the disciples had only a purse and a bag when they were sent out. It depends on how the Lord leads you. 

Without money or possessions he started walking. As he was walking from Village to Village, his legs became so tired he could barely move. He prayed as Ezekiel did and asked that he would be transported from one place to the other. According to Ezekiel 8:3, a hand took Ezekiel by the scruff and transported him to Jerusalem. Also in Ezekiel 11: 1, 37 and 43:5, and other passages, the Spirit of God lifted him and deposited him in another place.

In the same manner, the Holy Spirit lifted Ivan up physically. He saw how the lamp-posts started flying past him one by one. He started to get afraid and a feeling of disbelief got a hold of him, very much like Peter who walked on the water in Matthew 14:28-31. Although he had to walk the last little stretch, he was strengthened when he arrived at his destination. He took up a position in the shade of a tree and he loudly pronounced all the wonders of the Lord. A woman who owned a restaurant invited him to come and eat at her place. Some other woman also had seen a ring of light around him and invited him to dinner.

On another occasion when he was hungry and had no money, the Lord led him to go to a certain restaurant and order a plate of food. He said to the Lord: “I have no money.” But the Lord answered and said: “Go.” By this time he had learned to recognise the voice of the Lord and with full confidence he ordered a plate of food and asked the blessing before he started eating. Little did he know that the restaurant owner promised God that the first person who comes to his establishment and prays over his food, he will not charge them. So the Lord provided Ivan with a free supper.