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I sent you a story recently entitled "The Street Bum" and thought it had
a great message to show the power that one life can have. I do not know
who wrote the story, nor did I know for sure if it was indeed a true
story. Well a few days after I sent the message I received an email from
one of our members and she explained to me that this story is indeed true
and the man's name was Arthur Stace.
The reason I am sharing this with you is because the Lord has been
impressing upon my heart these words, "The Power of One." Arthur Stace
was a person who was not educated nor had eloquence of speech, but after
he gave his life to Jesus, Arthur was called to be a servant of the Lord.
He was 46 years old when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and
served Him until his death in 1967. Arthur was 83 years old.
I am writing this to you now because I want you to know that no matter how
young or old you are; you do have the potential to change the world to be
a better place. Arthur Stace was an alcoholic and petty criminal, but
when Jesus came into the picture, Arthur was forgiven, set free from that
bondage and became a servant of the Most High God. With the little that
Arthur had to offer, God was able to use to touch the whole continent of
Australia and Arthur's ministry is still affecting people's lives 30 years
after his death.
"The Power of One". These words have been repeating in my mind for the
past few weeks and while meditating on these words I thought about all the
great men of the Bible who because of their obedience to God's call were
able change their town, country and even the world. (Genesis 22:15-18) and
(Hebrews 11:4-34) I thought about how Jesus fed a multitude of 5000 men
besides women and children; all because a child gave up the only meal he
had, which consisted of five loaves of bread and two small fishes.
(John 6:2-13)
I want you to know that God has big dreams for you and just because you
are one person does not mean you are any less able to do His work. I have
heard many people say "I am just one person, so what possible difference
could I make?" That is the wrong attitude to have because the Bible says
God is constantly looking for people to join in His work and get His
message of love and salvation out to all who will hear as it is written in
Isaiah 6:8 "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send,
and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
The Bible says in John 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you
shall be free indeed." No matter what background or sins you have
committed; if you have asked God to forgive you and make you clean, then
please know that He has forgiven you and made you cleaner than freshly
fallen snow as it is written in Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
and 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Keep in mind those words "The power of One" the next time you feel
discouraged and remember the story of one man who was not rich in wealth,
speech or stature, but was rich in the Lord and through God's mercy and
grace was successful in getting His message out to an entire country. Be
encouraged and know that whatever little you have to offer; God will use
as He did with Arthur and you will see the amazing things the Lord will do
with what you give Him.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Ephesians 2:4-6 "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love
wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us
together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up
together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Revelation 1:5-6 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and
the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And
hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to Him be glory
and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
Matthew 9:37-38 "Then saith Jesus unto his disciples, The harvest truly is
plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."
All scriptures can be found in the King James Version.
There is much more I could have written about Arthur Stace, but if you
would like to learn more about him, these are a few links you can visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Stace
http://www.mreternity.info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternity_%28graffito%29
If you would like to read the story again entitled "The Street Bum",
Click here
In Christ Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry
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