Darkness Calling

Table of Contents

Introduction
Part 1: Identifying the Lost Soul
Part 2: Called to Darkness
Part 3: Seeking Out the Lost
Part 4: Reaching the Heart of Darkness
       -Planting Seeds
Part 4: Continued - Reaching the Heart of Darkness
       -Unchaining the Difficult Soul
Part 5: Harvest Time
Part 6: The Battle Against Persecution
Part 7: Fruits of thy Labor and the Next Step
Conclusion

Introduction:

Imagine yourself in immense anguish, terrified, lonely, wretching in pain, and worst of all no hope of anything better to come. You've been condemned to the darkness of Hell, because you were deceived by that crafty serpent into believing that what he offered was better than anything else. No one was able to tell you any different, no one understood you, no one reached you with the Light. You are subject to God's wrath and His indignation for eternity. Frightening huh?

Romans 2:5-9 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life; But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.

This my friends is the death that the lost souls of the world have to look forward to. This is why God calls us, to help Him bring these souls to Light before they end up in this miserable place, captive of darkness and death forever. We are all called according to God's purpose. His purpose is to save souls. He needs you to be a willing vessel. He needs you to reach out to these souls.

The following study, will bring you to understand the lost soul, as well as to see how God can use you to reach these souls. Testimonies either from your own past experiences, or from someone you know, who has been through something similar, could just be the one spark needed to Light the Fire for Jesus that these souls are missing in their life of darkness.

Are you ready to be of service, but not sure what step to take to reach a soul? It is my prayer that this study, will help you in your calling to witness to these souls walking in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

Part 1: Identifying the Lost Soul

So how do we know if a soul is lost? Well they live under a veil of blindness. They do not believe in Jesus Christ. They are perishing.

I John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His son. I John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

They have no promise of eternal life. The gospel is hidden from them.

II Corinthians 4:3-4 But, even if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Lost souls work and live in the flesh. They don't know the Spirit so their actions are fleshly.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The heartbreaking part is that these souls living in the flesh are not only hurting themselves with a condemnation of death, but they are hurting souls around them with their participation in fleshly activities. What's more most of these souls don't feel that they are wrong for their behavior, as they have accepted it as "life". They don't know about forgiveness and mercy as they are captive to all the lies Satan has shared with them over and over. It is part of their day to day worldly life. They don't know any different. They don't know Truth. They are servants of sin. Their promised wage is death.

Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lost souls are enemies of Christ, they place value in worldly things, they find greatness in their shameful acts and deeds.

Philippians 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

Sad isn't it?

Lost souls sometimes are aware of their sins, and are aware of God's judgment but choose to continue in their wickedness. These souls are deeper in darkness and even harder to reach. They include those who know of the Truth but have chosen to turn away and not receive the Truth.

Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen

Romans 1:29-32 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

What's more lost souls can often be identified by the company they keep. There are many "hate" groups and ungodly organizations within the world, that lost souls tend to gravitate towards. See everyone likes to have "friends" and often lost souls tend to associate with other lost souls who participate in the same type of sinful activities that they do. They also find pleasure in the sins that their friends commit as well as their own. Lost souls fear what they don't know, so they aren't going to want to make friends with "Christians, lest they become one." So naturally they will shy away from Christians, even persecute them and hate them. It's not that Christians have done anything to them personally, it's just that Satan whispers to them, and they listen and become afraid of what they don't know. Unfortunately, most lost souls when asked why they belong to this group or that, will tell you because my friends belong to that group, and for no other reason.

Lost souls are hurting souls, looking for an end to their pain. Usually they will seek temporary relief. They will find this in various quick fixes such as drugs, pornography, or even self harm. The temporary relief these souls find, often leads them into a deeper darkness called addiction.

Another type of behavior that lost souls experience is depression and a feeling of hopelessness. They will close themselves off to any type of feelings they have, in an attempt to stop the pain brought on by no one caring about them. These souls also, may hate themselves. They have no self-esteem, and they feel their life is a nightmare. These souls will just be waiting for an end, which may lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.

A lost soul can also believe that they are saved and tell people that they are saved, when in reality their heart tells the truth that they are not saved. These souls sometimes may even know scripture such as the Pharisees and Sadducees did. These souls think they know God, but instead they only know about God. These souls as well can be very difficult to reach, as they have preconceived ideas about the Truth and believe they already know. Paul also known as Saul was an example of this.

During the time that Jesus was on earth, He was persecuted by many people. The Pharisees and the Sadducees are two examples of these groups of people. They were two very different groups that refused to believe in Jesus. Pharisees believed in the law, and resurrection, and angels. Sadducees only believed in the first 5 books of the Bible, and did not believe in angels or resurrection. Paul the apostle was a Pharisee before He was brought into the Light. Paul associated with the Pharisees because that's what He knew. He didn't know Truth. Paul was a lost soul when he was a Pharisee. The company Paul kept identified Paul as being under the law and not under grace before his conversion.

The dwelling place of lost souls is described well in

Job 10:22 A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.

Chaos and confusion surrounds them at all times. They wander through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, looking for comfort and normalcy, yet not finding that which they seek.

These souls can be possessed of evil spirits. These spirits control them, causing them to seek answers and power in the evil of the world, through enchantments, witchcraft, wizardry, and the consultation of familiar spirits. The dark power makes them feel like they are in control of something. It binds them even more deeply in the darkness. Some will go as far as to make deals with the devil, and become worshippers of the evil one. They will even perform ritualistic type offerings to the devil. This can be through idolatry, sacrifices, and black masses.

The identity of a lost soul is lost in the evil that they serve. They are prisoners of darkness, and they have been deceived into believing lies. They are bound by layers of chains, brought on from walking in the world's evil for a number of years. These chains often have locks that have rusted over the years, and the keys have been lost. Jesus is the only bolt cutter that can break through these chains. God needs YOU to bring the Truth to the lost souls of the world. He needs you to help Him bring them into the Light. He needs you to help Him break them out of captivity.

Are you ready to be of service? If so, then I pray that you will continue on to Part 2.

Part 2: Called to Darkness

Why Me? What can God use a no good sinner like me for? How can I be a witness to anyone? I mean I've sinned so badly, and my past is just horrible. Sound familiar?

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

So if all have sinned and none are righteous, then YOU are the same as everyone else who has been saved by Grace. So that puts you on equal ground with all others who He has called. He will use you, if you will answer His call.

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.

So why would God choose you? How about for your testimony. What testimony you ask? Well your life testimony. See throughout our lives, we go through many trials and tribulations, as well as walk in darkness ourselves until we come to know the Light. Some of us walk in darkness longer than others, but once we are touched by Jesus, then that darkness is turned into a testimony by which God can use us to reach other lost souls.

Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls ...

Your life experience, and what changes God has brought about in you, is a true witness. You are now an example of who Christ is, and what He can do for others.

I John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself ...

Ok, so you have a testimony and the ability to be a witness. So how about a calling? Well we are all called to work for the Lord in spreading His word to the world. It's the Great Commission, that Jesus left us with.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

God has called you to tell others about Him. He wants and expects our service in telling others of His love and mercy. Lost souls also expect us to share God's love with them. If we don't tell them then they just might not ever have an opportunity to hear God's word from anyone else.

God doesn't need you to be educated, or smart to answer His calling. He doesn't need you to be wise or strong. God chooses those who are often weak by themselves. This way He can be strong in them as they answer His call.

I Corinthians 1:26-27 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

God only needs a willing vessel, one that isn't proud but will humble themselves to what He can do with them.

I want to share a story with you.

There was a Christian man named Joe who would go to the gym daily to work out. Every day when Joe was there he would run into a lost soul named Roy. Roy and Joe worked out side by side every day for 2 years. They would talk about what they did every day, about their families, and their jobs. They became friends. Roy started going through a very rough time in his life, and he became unable to afford to work out at the gym. He began to struggle with finances, family problems, and his job. Roy was feeling very alone during this time, and he wasn't able to spend time talking with Joe daily because he couldn't go to the gym. Then one day Roy was really at his lowest, and he encountered a street preacher who introduced him to Jesus. Roy and the street preacher would talk daily for a couple of months, and then Roy grew to know and love Jesus. His life burdens became easier and his financial struggles decreased. He was able to go and join the gym again. When he came back to the gym, he saw Joe again for the first time in a long time. He began to tell Joe about what had happened to him, and to also tell Joe about his introduction to meeting Jesus. Joe looked at Roy and said, isn't life awesome when you have Jesus. He makes things so much easier. Roy looked at Joe in awe and asked Joe how long he had known Jesus. Joe said he had known Jesus for years. Roy in turn says, you knew Jesus all this time, and never told me about Him? Joe responded with, well we had only known each other for about 2 years.

Now in this story, Roy was given another opportunity to hear about Jesus, but what if He hadn't. What if Roy had died before being given this opportunity. Would Joe have had Roy's condemnation on his hands? We are expected to share our knowledge of Jesus with the lost, despite our fears or our lack of experience. If all God expected of us was to come to know Him and love Him, then He would take us home to be with Him as soon as we were saved. But God expects more. He expects us to answer His call.

How do I answer my calling you ask? Submit to the Lord and ask Him to show you the path He would have you take. Be willing, ready and prepared to go. Have compassion for the lost.

Matthew 9:36-37 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.

Step up and allow God to use you. You don't have to fill out an application for employment, you don't have to pass any test. All you have to do is have the love of Jesus down in your heart, and want to tell others how they can have that love. God will do the rest.

Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

If your ready to step up, and aren't sure what direction God wants you to take, ask Him. Spend some time praying and meditating with the Lord, and then listen to His direction. Make sure you are truly ready for the answers that He gives, becomes sometimes He will ask you to do things that may require giving up your current lifestyle. It's important to be accepting of His plans for you.

Everyone's calling varies to some degree. God has a particular purpose designed just for you. He already has a place lined up in His ministry, and is just waiting for you to step out and tell Him your ready to work.

There are lost souls all around the world, who are dying to hear about Him. Won't you be part of the Body of Christ who's arms are reaching?

If so then let's continue on with Part 3.

Part 3: Seeking Out the Lost

The people we choose to associate with often have qualities and attributes similar to those we posses. When one becomes a Christian they enjoy a New life built around Jesus. This often means that friendships of the world become less and friendships in Christ are more. The problem that can arise from this is that we spend so much time in Christian environments that we don't lend occasion to place ourselves into a setting where God can use us to reach the lost.

When you ask God to use you as a vessel, He is going to need you to not be wary of sitting with the lost. In fact Jesus, was criticized by the Pharisees for doing just this, and His response sheds light on why Christians need to step out and spend time with the blind.

Luke 5:27-31 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, they that are whole need not a physician: but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus is saying that spending time with sinners is the only way in which we can give them directions in how to find the Great Physician. It's all about stepping out of the comfort zone, and doing something unexpected.

So where does one find a lost soul? Well most anywhere, from the neighborhood you live in, to the grocery store, to jailhouses, to bars, and the list goes on. The thing is, you have to make yourself available. If your passing up one lost soul, then the question truly becomes how much do you care about finding the lost. It's very easy to sit in your church pew, and hope that God will send a lost soul through the door to be saved, but the reality is these days that fewer and fewer people are actually coming through the open doors of churches. That is why it is up to us to get up and bring the gospel to them. All God asks is that you seek out the one lost soul and bring them home. It's ok to leave the ninety-nine saved souls to find the one who is wandering around aimlessly in the darkness.

Matthew 18:11-13 For the Son of man is come to save that which is lost. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Go and seek. Lost souls aren't going to line up at your front door and ask you to tell them about Jesus. It just isn't going to happen. In fact, Jesus sent the twelve disciples out to preach that men should repent. They didn't just set up a building and put a sign out front saying, if you want Jesus you have to come here. Go and find the lost souls that God will lead you to and plant some seeds.

How do you know if the one you are seeking out is one that God wants you to witness to? Well the Holy Spirit will tell you. He will open your mouth, and He will speak through you. Sometimes this will happen so very unexpectedly. You might be just talking with someone, and all of a sudden the Spirit will come upon you and have you share your Faith. You don't have to plan it, as He has it all planned out already.

In fact, Jesus sent the twelve disciples out to preach that men should repent. They didn't just set up a building and put a sign out front saying, if you want Jesus you have to come here, and they didn't have a script in which to read from when preaching.

Mark 6:7-9 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 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. Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Jesus sent the disciples in search of the lost. He sent them in small groups of two, in which to witness, as well as asked them to take nothing with them, but His love. Jesus was in control, and He knew that the disciples didn't need anything but Him in which to reach the lost.

When you seek out lost souls, sometimes you have to be subtle at first. You have to find a way to bring about trust in the "group". Often one can do this just by offering a peaceful word in passing until your presence in that particular place is accepted. Then you can begin to witness, but again your witnessing might be limited to just revealing your own Faith, until your acceptance is established.

Let's think about where we have to travel to find these souls. They are obviously located on the path of darkness, within the Valley of the Shadow of Death. This is a very desolate pathway, as there isn't any light, therefore everything around them is death sealed. You probably remember this pathway from your own time of walking it and searching for the way out. In order to bring the Light to these souls, we have to venture into the Valley of the Shadow of Death. What does venturing onto this pathway mean for you? It means that you have to get down on a level that they can understand. It means that you have to reach them in the deepest corners. Some are harder to get to than others. Those that haven't been hurt as much or as deeply, can often be reached just by an occasional visit to this pathway. Others who are hidden in the farthest corners of the valley, may take more time to reach as well as more visits. Just remember to commit as much time to reaching these souls as you wanted Jesus to give you when He was bringing His message into your life.

Jesus says Go and teach all nations. He doesn't ask you to stay home, and He doesn't say wait. He says get out there and go.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I aw with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The timing in which you travel on the pathway must also be left to God. If you choose to go on your own, without God's blessing you will not be able to minister effectively to the lost. What you say, will often fall on deaf ears, as the Holy Spirit has to be with you in order for these souls to be touched with ears that can Hear. Seeking the lost, is God's business. He gives the directions and asks that you willingly follow them.

If you are willing to follow the map that God has drawn for you to travel as His vessel in spreading the Good News in the darkness, then let's head out and continue on to Part 4.

Part 4: Reaching the Heart of Darkness
Planting Seeds

So how do I reach these souls, who are walking in the valley of the shadow of death? Well it actually takes different strokes to reach different folks. You have to be versatile and adapt. Sometimes we would love for people to just "change", but we know this is not the reality. It really all begins with the planting of a good seed.

Let's take a look at this parable that Jesus spoke:

Matthew 13:3-8 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

This parable shows what happens when seeds are sown both bad and good. So how do we know if we are sowing a seed of good?

Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

We don't know how the seeds we sow will grow. We are just asked to sow the seed and not withhold our hand. Can we check our own fruits to make sure our seeds are worthy seeds to be thrown? We can if we are:

• sharing the Truth, and only the Truth
• checking our heart, to make sure it is purified in Jesus
• checking our testimony, to make sure it glorifies God and not ourself
• checking our witness, to make sure that our actions are Godly actions
• displaying actions that others can see Him within us
• speaking with sound doctrine.

Psalms 51:10-13 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me, Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Titus 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about you.

A seed will be one that is often curious. Once planted that seed is going to look for ways to grow roots. This makes it ever so important that you are witnessing with a sincere heart of the Lord. Souls who are in the darkness, are not going to be easily trusting. They may even test you, to see if you will turn away from them by doing bad things.

Now let's talk about ways to plant good seeds. Show kindness and understanding. Many lost souls only see hurt, pain, and hate all around them. They don't encounter hope and love through the kind actions of others very often. Kindness will open someone's eyes and their heart. They will want to know why you can be kind to someone like them. This is where the opportunity of planting the seed of Christ in their heart will become available.

Comforting and compassion are some other ways to reach lost souls. As they are wandering alone in the darkness, they often bare feelings of pain and suffering. If we are to reach out with an understanding ear, and offer them our time to listen and give them support, this will be noticed greatly. Again they will want to know why you care to listen to their problems, which again is opening a door for you to witness.

Jude 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

You can make a difference, by allowing the Holy Spirit to pour out His compassion on these souls. He can plant seeds if you are willing to be His vessel.

Some souls are going to be more difficult to reach. Sometimes it takes fear to reach these souls. The souls that the Holy Spirit reaches through fear are usually very deep in the darkness. They are to the I don't care what happens to me stage. We often have to reach out to them and pull them out of their own self-inflicted harm.

Jude 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

We may be afraid of these souls. They might be physically violent in their tendencies. But, we have to be bold with our speech, even if we are persecuted for doing so. We already have our promises waiting for us, so we have nothing to fear as long as we are allowing God to control our witness.

When planting seeds one must be tuned into the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be the one who will help you discern which souls you are being called to reach out to. Not every soul has your name on them so to speak. God uses different souls to reach different people. That is why our life experiences often differ so much. Each person's testimony is created through these experiences to be one that God can use to plant seeds in lost souls. These souls that we are sharing with are often going through what we have already experienced. We can relate and we know how to talk to these souls in order for them to Hear God's word.

John 5:24-25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

The only way a lost soul can hear is for them to listen to what is being said to them. When you are planting seeds, you are the vessel that God is using to speak to these souls. Your testimony can open doors for these souls to know that there is a way to be free of this dark shadow that's been following them around for so long.

Some souls will refuse the planting of the seeds we sow. Ever soul has a choice. God does not force Himself on anyone. God is love, and love doesn't force anyone to do anything they don't choose to do. When a soul makes the choice not to hear our shared words, then we may have to back off and pray that God sends another soul to intercede and try again. Don't let this discourage you, as this just might not have been the one that God wanted you to reach. God will use you, but at times you may find yourself up against a wall when ministering to lost souls. Just keep your faith that God has another plan for that soul, and continue planting seeds in new souls that the Holy Spirit leads to cross your path.

Lost souls all around the world are waiting to be tossed a seed that will shed Light on the darkened pathway in which they now travel. Won't you be the one to throw them one?

Part 4: Continued - Reaching the Heart of Darkness
Unchaining the Difficult Soul

I want to share a story with you ...

Mark 5:1-9, 15-19 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs: and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Now let's look at several things about this story. First this man could not be tamed by anyone. They had tried chaining him up, and eventually had banished him to live among the tombs and mountains, because they gave up on him getting better. What's more it says he was always crying and cutting himself. Does that sound familiar? Souls crying out and cutting? Bet you can name a few souls you know that almost fit this man's description as they are always crying about something. The main thing is that we have to be sure we don't push them away, just because they do cry a lot. Sometimes it can be trying when dealing with just such a soul, but that's when you have to refresh your virtue. When you allow someone to drain some of your virtue, then fill it back up, lest your faith becomes weak. Another thing to remember when dealing with these souls is your own past, before you knew Jesus. Bet you did enough complaining then too. Might even have cried out a lot. Sometimes we tend to rebuke others so much we don't hear from God anymore. We just don't want to deal with the soul, as we deem they will ask too much from us.

Now let's talk a bit about how we work with a difficult lost soul.

• We have to pray. We need to ask the Lord to help us reach this soul, and to shine His light through us, so we can reach this soul in a Jesusly way.
• We have to surrender to the Lord. We have to allow Him to do the talking and not let our own thoughts muddle what the Lord is doing through us.
• We have to be and stay patient. We can't push a soul away, just because we are tired, or hearing the same thing again from them for the 100th time. Never know when the 101st time they might just see Him. Also don't push them away because their problems seem too overwhelming for you to be able to offer them any help. If your patient then their problems will never be too much.
• Be longsuffering and enduring. If they yell at you and curse at you, remember they are a lost soul and don't know any better. Be able to handle their anger as somehow through that anger the Lord has been able to reach many troubled spirits.
• Be a friend. What is a friend? Someone who is there through all things. Someone who sticks by us and helps us when we need it. Someone who doesn't mind our 3 am phone calls. Someone who puts up with our bad moods and our good ones. Build a friendship with this soul.
• Love them. Love can overcome anything. Love is what brings a soul from the darkest pit to the brightest light. Love hurts when a soul hearts, and love is happy when a soul is happy. It forgives and it binds together.
• Be a good listener. Many of us are so time restricted that we sometimes forget to sacrifice our time to listen to another. It's important when working with a difficult soul that we allow them to vent, and we listen without responding harshly or impatiently.
• Offer words of encouragement. Let them know that Jesus loves them, and that you love them, and that things are going to be alright even if they are going through tough times. Don't say to them, well everyone has tough times, cuz that's not what they want to hear, they want a sympathetic heart to share with them.
• Develop trust and honesty. As you spend time with this soul, they will begin to trust you. If you say your going to do something, make sure you follow through and do just that. When they can trust you, then they will know it's ok to Trust the Jesus in you.
• Sometimes you may have to be stern. You know how a parent has to get with their children? When you are working with a lost soul, there are times you may have to be tough with them, and say look I'm not gonna let you do that. Your gonna get up right now and push through. It's not that we are angry at them, instead they can be so stubborn if we don't push them a little they might be lost forever.
• Don't argue with a lost soul. Arguing with a lost soul, just makes both of you angry. Instead reason with them, and if they begin to argue, change the subject.
• Don't let feelings and emotions get in the way. Sometimes we can let our flesh take over and we loose sight of the goal. Leave your emotions out of the Lord's work, lean on Him to keep everything in perspective in dealing with a lost soul.
• Most of all don't give up. It's easy to just quit and say, I can't reach this one. But in reality, maybe if you were to try one more time, that just might be the time this soul hears.

Remember that God can change the heart of even the hardest souls. Allow Him to use you to do just that.

Let's continue with Part 5.

Part 5: Harvest Time

The harvest begins to ripen when the seeds you have planted have turned a once hardened heart into a heart filled with love for Jesus. This is a joyous time, as a sinner has returned home. In spite of where this sinner has wandered, and in spite of what this sinner has done, Jesus welcomes them back with open arms. This is the time of redemption for the once lost soul, who has now been found.

Jesus tells a story about a prodigal son, that shows just how faithfully He waits on that one lost soul to come home to Him.

Luke 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him: and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf and kill it: and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in, therefore came his father out and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again and was lost, and is found.

This story shows how the Father waits for His lost children, that He does not leave but that the child wanders away. But, notice when the lost son returned home, the Father was there waiting and welcoming him back home. The father was excited and threw a party with his friends. The family of God should also rejoice at a sinner who repents.

When all those seeds you plant become ripe and the soul is ready to accept Jesus, He will be there to hear their prayers of repentance. When the prodigal son admitted that he had sinned, and felt that he wasn't worthy of being his father's son anymore, the father readily forgave his son. God through the death of Jesus Christ does the exact same thing for all who turn to Him with a repentant heart. See God knows the heart, and if the heart is true, then the soul is redeemed in love and given all the promises He has waiting for them.

Many lost souls wonder at how God can forgive them, and usually this comes from their on unforgiveness towards oneself. This is when we can share with them the story of the prodigal son, and how not only was this son, forgiven but he was welcomed and loved without any thought given to his past behaviors and actions. Lost souls have to accept God's forgiveness, just as they have to believe in Jesus and call upon Him.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Lost souls sometimes believe that they have sold their soul and are condemned forever, but in reality, no one can truly sell their soul, unless they never come to Jesus. If a sinner is searching for Jesus and finds Him, then they still have the offer of redeeming love that they can choose to accept. The enemy of one's soul, cannot own that soul unless that souls chooses to allow him to. Everyone is guaranteed a second chance at receiving Life until the day of their fleshly death. In other words a lost soul is given a lifetime to choose to accept Jesus. This means that God waits patiently with arms wide open.

Do you remember that feeling that came upon you right after YOU became aware of your acceptance of God's grace in your own life? How you felt at peace, and were deeply in love with Jesus? How you were so passionate for the one who had forgiven you and set you free from your past? This is the feeling that every lost soul experiences when they too become aware of their own love for Jesus. They finally feel the weight of the shadows being lifted away from them, and the Light brightening all around. They are guaranteed eternal Life and are no longer walking the pathway of death. They are now saved and become part of the Body of Christ.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Those that choose to follow Jesus are given eternal life. Of course, every soul has a choice as to whether or not they will follow Jesus or not. Sadly enough, there will be some seeds that may grow looking as if they will become fruitful, only for you to find out later they were not good fruit, but awful weeds. This doesn't mean you should blame yourself, as God knows their heart, and He also will see that they chose to turn from Him. This means that no one could reach them, as they were given the right to choose. At harvest time, God separates the good fruit from the weeds. He knows that the enemy will also sneak in and plant weeds amongst the fruit, therefore causing a need for separation at harvest time. Yes, often God will wait until harvest time to do the separating, as to keep from harming a good fruit by trying to pull weeds that might be tangled in the fruit. Again, this does not mean that you have done anything "wrong" in your witnessing. You have to remember that the enemy is going to throw stumbling blocks, to try and hold on to these lost souls instead of giving them over to God. Some lost souls are going to choose to stay with the enemy, as the will not be reachable.

Let's look at a parable Jesus told:

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tare among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up. But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

We are called to share the Truth of the Word with the lost. We cannot make them accept Jesus. God will bring in the harvest, and at this time He will choose those that choose Him. If you have planted good seeds, then you have done all that He would expect. After that, it becomes a matter of heart between a soul and God.

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

That one little seed that you planted, finds a place to set in and take root. With some tender loving care through watering and fertilizing, the seed begins to sprout leaves and bloom, and turns into a beautiful piece of fruit, ripe for the picking. Along comes the Harvester and plucks the fruit off the tree. Oh what joy fills the home of the Harvester when the family sees the fruit being brought home. God is well pleased when His lost children come back to Him. God is also well pleased in His servants who helped bring forth the Harvest.

Now that we spoke a bit about how the enemy will sneak in and plant tares amongst the good fruit, let's continue on to step 6 where the battle is waged for a soul.

Part 6: The Battle Against Persecution

You can almost expect to be persecuted when you are reaching out to lost souls. The enemy will not be happy with you. He is going to come after you in every direction possible to try and get you to quit sharing with the lost. One can easily become discouraged when witnessing to the lost, because it is very virtue draining work. The darker the soul that you are trying to reach, the more virtue you will loose when ministering to them. Satan is going to be waiting for an opportunity to attack you when your virtue is lowest.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We don't realize how much is going on around us in the spiritual world all the time. There is a whole realm of spiritual battles being waged, and when we travel into the realm of darkness, reaching out to lost souls we are actually waging a spiritual battle to reach the darkened soul with Light.

As you evolve in your fight against persecution, Satan is going to evolve as well. He will try and find different ways to make you battle weary. When working with a dark soul, one can become tempted if they are not careful, to not become of the world. As a Christian you are in the world, but not of the world as Jesus has separated you with His blood. The word still holds a lot of temptation and when Satan sees you walking in the world of darkness, he's definitely going to try and dangle a carrot in your direction just as he did Jesus.

Let's look at the temptation of Jesus for a moment, and how Satan tried tempting him with different things.

Matthew 4:1-3 Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Of course with Jesus being so hungry Satan tried to first tempt Him with food. The thing is Jesus wasn't caught up in that trap, as He kept His focus on God, and the task at hand.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

We have to do the same, Satan knows when we are weak, and when he comes to pull us away from reaching lost souls, and serving God, we have to fight as hard as we can, and this means relying on God's strength to do so. We can't fight the fight alone either, God has to be behind the Sword. There is no way to avoid the fight, so we might as well fight to win.

Satan tempted Jesus a second time which Jesus again refused to tempt the Lord thy God

Then Satan tried a third time by offering Him power.

Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them: And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Here is where Satan is tempting Jesus to take the shorter route, even if it's full of road hazards, and will eventually come to a dead end. Jesus knew what Satan was doing, and He also knew that the power would be His over all the world, and rightly so, if He but wait on the Lord. And again Jesus never let His focus waiver from God.

Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Now the really cool thing ....for all the temptations that Jesus endured, and through Him never loosing site of His father, Jesus was immediately taken into the care of the Lord, when the temptation was finished.

Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

We have to remember that we are called to do a very important job for the Lord. We have to put aside our trials, and continue to do that job regardless of what we are going through.

Satan is not bigger than God, so when you begin to doubt your calling, or want to just give up and quit your calling, remember the temptation of Jesus. What all He endured to complete what He was brought into the world to do. We too need to be resilient like Jesus. God will be there to send angels to minister to us during our times of Spiritual Warfare, if we don't loose site of the job we are called to do.

Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of the Jordan?

Every trial we endure is a lesson, to make us stronger, and more able to endure Spiritual warfare in the midst of sharing God's truth with the lost. God doesn't want us to be weary, He needs us to all finish the race. Many lost souls are counting on our strength and faith in God to be stronger than any persecution we may face.

We need to learn to set our trials aside and keep to the task the Lord has given us.

When your faith in the Lord is strong, you will not want to stop telling others about Jesus, even if you are under threatening times. Let's look at Peter and John. They were telling others about Jesus, and they were healing people in Jesus name. This is what happened when Satan tried to get the people to stop them from preaching and teaching about Jesus.

Acts 4:13-21 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

So if you will notice Peter and John refused the demands of those who threatened them, and God saw them through and they were let go to continue on. They never gave in to the demands, and they were not afraid, as they knew that the Lord was with them, and that if He called them to do His work that He would surely protect them while they were doing so.

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Facing persecution comes with the territory when one shares the gospel with the lost souls. Be prepared to face this persecution, fight the good fight and finish the race. Lost souls need you to be strong and persevere.

Let's finish up with Part 7.

Part 7: Fruits of Thy Labor and the Next Step

Let's begin the final part of our study, by looking at what God receives from a once dark-hearted soul becoming a Light-hearted soul.

Luke 18:35-43 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

God receives glory when a lost soul follows Him. He also receives praise from all those who bare witness of the lost souls redemption. Everything we do in our calling should be about bringing glory to God. In a soul's salvation one can find the glory of the Lord.

Psalms 21:5 His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon Him.

So what are you going to receive after you answer God's call to reach souls in darkness? Well first you should receive joy in your heart from knowing that your Lord is being glorified.

You will also receive the reward of the inheritance.

Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

You will also receive blessings for being fruitful in your labor for Him.

Hebrews 6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed receiveth blessings from God.

But what is more, than all of these is that you are storing up treasures in Heaven, and that will be greater than anything you receive here on this earth.

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.

You can only imagine what treasures you can have stored up waiting for you, when God calls you home. You just never know, you might even hear the words, "well done my great and faithful servant".

One thing you really need to remember is not to seek rewards from man. This is prideful and will not bode well for you. You will receive great rewards, if you will remain humble and know that God sees all that you do. Your labors do not go unnoticed. He sees everything you do in His name, and it pleases Him.

So where does one go next? When one has planted a seed that has grown and ripened for the harvest, that doesn't mean it's time to quit. There is more work still to be done. When you love Jesus, you also love others. A whole world of sinners is in need of that love. The next step is to go and bring forth more fruit.

John 15:8-9 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:16-17 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

So out of love and the quest for God's glory we go out and continue reaching for more lost souls. God chooses each of us, so that we can become a vessel for Him. The world is full of souls who are being led astray by Satan. The battle for these souls remains a fierce one, and God needs you to set forth and continually fight to tell others of His love and forgiveness. The harvest is truly much, and yet fewer and fewer members of the Body of Christ are reaching. They are leaving it to others, but in reality, God needs each and every one of us to do our part.

When you are called to share God's love with the many lost souls that wander in darkness, you are giving them Jesus who represents hope, life, forgiveness, friendship, and eternal life. Be willing to take the next step, and the next and the next. Make your witness a never-ending one, until God calls you home. Be willing, step up and step out, and when God says, who shall I send, volunteer and say here I am, Lord, send me. Bring Forth a multitude of fruit.

Conclusion

You have been introduced to the darkness that lost souls encounter on a daily basis. They have no way out of this darkness, except that someone should bring them the Light. Their fate will be determined upon their death, and the only hope that remains for them, is that Christians answer their calling and tell them that Jesus is the way out.

Everyone has a choice, whether it be the lost soul who has the choice between Life and Death, or whether it be the Christian who is being called to minister to the lost souls answering the call or not. The fact of the matter still remains that if you know the Truth then you are obligated to share that Truth.

Are you being called to be of service to Him in the world of darkness? You should now be better prepared to step out and be His willing servant. Choose to answer His call. Dying souls are counting on YOU.

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