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Key Bible Verse: They must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way (Titus 2:10). Bonus Reading:Titus 2:1-14

Hey, are you some Jesus freaks come to save us?" Tom yelled out across the gay bar. He had heard about us through the bartender. My evangelism colleague and I had come to spend the evening. We don't approach people in the bars. We develop a presence and let people approach us.

But how does one respond to such an introduction? Should I smile and wave to let everyone know to whom he was referring? I wanted to let Tom know that I wasn't intimidated by his mocking remarks. So I looked him in the eye and smiled. In the bar scene, this says "I'm interested in you.'"

Tom had been living on the streets, I learned later. His only source of income was the money he made from men willing to pay to have sex with him.

After a few minutes of laughter and ridicule, Tom calmed down. While everyone was busy in conversation, Tom came over to my partner and me to tell us we weren't going to change anyone. I assured him this wasn't our desire. We intended merely to talk about Jesus Christ to anyone who was interested.

"You're wasting your time," he retorted. [Continued 8/1]

—Brad Grammer in A Heart for the City

My Response: Is time spent building relationships with nonbelievers wasted?

Thought to Apply: Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.

—Frederick Faber

Adapted from A Heart for the City (Moody Publishers, Moody Bible Institute, 1999) by permission.

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, shine in me and so be in me that all with whom I come in contact may know Thy presence in my soul. —John Henry Newman

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