Brother Abdul reports from Nigeria: It is a great blessing that we were able to carry out the goat project again last month in some of the villages where our farmer evangelists work. The gift of a goat enables a child in need to attend school. Thanks to the goat project, many Muslims have already found faith. I would like to tell you about some of the children who recently received a goat from us (...).
Muhammad seeks and finds the “Jesus Way”
Muhammad seeks and finds the "Jesus Way"
Brother Eliyas* leads our internet ministry from Beirut, Lebanon, reaching Muslims for Jesus Christ via the web. He told us about Muhammad* from Morocco:
“Muhammad, a young man of twenty, looked out of the window of his small, shabby room. The soothing everyday sounds of the city in which he lived stood in stark contrast to the quiet despair that had etched itself deep into his soul. Despite working hard, poverty was a constant companion in his life. To him, it felt like an invisible chain that he carried around with him all the time. The burden of his difficult circumstances stifled his zest for life. He longed for a different, a carefree life.
He was scrolling through Facebook once again late one evening when one of our posts caught his eye. The Facebook post invited him to discover a ‘new way – the way of Jesus – the way of peace’. Muhammad had grown up in Islamic culture, which talks and promises a lot about peace but delivers little. The post seemed to come from Christians. He felt curious. He actually knew little about Christianity. Perhaps this was a door out of poverty and into a different, better life? He took courage and wrote us a message: “Please tell me more about this ‘way’.”
Help through a ‘new way’?
A friendly response from a member of our team was not long in coming. “What’s on your mind? How can we help you?” Muhammad began to explain his frustration with his current circumstances. “Perhaps the ‘new way’ you speak of can help me solve these problems?” he said.
Our co-worker listened patiently and expressed sympathy for the difficult situation he was in. But then he began to talk to him about something Muhammad had not expected.
“I can see that you are in a difficult situation and long for change and hope. But true hope in life is not based on a change in external circumstances. True hope comes from a change of heart,” he said to him. “Jesus Christ has the power to change your heart. Jesus offers you the path to a personal relationship with God. That will change your life – despite your circumstances and poverty.”
It is not about following rules exactly
Then he continued: “Perhaps you have thought until now that religion is about following certain rules and regulations as closely as possible in order to be a good member of your religious community (ummah). We would like to introduce you to a different way. It is primarily about faith: believing in who Jesus is and what he did for you on the cross. It is about turning away from our own ways and turning to him.”
We took a lot of time to talk to Muhammad about the basic truths of the Christian faith. God promises us neither wealth nor an easy life, but a relationship with the Creator of the universe. Jesus’ death on the cross covers all our sins. He gives us forgiveness and we receive a new life, guided by the Holy Spirit of God. The power of God’s love is stronger than all earthly challenges. God gives us peace in our hearts, despite poverty.
We sensed something changing in Muhammad during our conversation. It was a slow, gentle awakening. He had actually been looking for a quick solution to his problems. Now he realised that his soul was longing for something completely different. Something he had not even known he was missing. The idea of a personal relationship with the almighty God, who knows us intimately and loves us unconditionally, moved him deeply.
The burden disappears – peace with God
One evening, after reading some Bible passages we had given him, Muhammad knelt on the floor of his room. He confessed his sins to God. He asked Jesus to come into his heart, to become his Lord and Saviour, and to change him from within.
In His mercy, which is beyond our comprehension, God did just that. The burden that Muhammad had been carrying for so long began to lift. His gnawing fear of the future disappeared and was replaced by a deep peace. Now his perspective has changed. Yes, he still wants his circumstances to improve. But above all, he now wants to use his life to honour God and serve others.
We have now established contact between Bro. Muhammad and our local co-workers in Morocco so that Bro. Muhammad can find a spiritual home in an underground church.
Call to Action: Dear friends, only Jesus Christ can give true peace in the midst of difficult circumstances. Your prayers and gifts make it possible for our workers from Morocco to Indonesia to bring his message of hope to many people who see no way out. Thank you very much!
*Name changed
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