My first year in ministry was in a little Methodist church in Sharptown, NJ.  It was one of the most fruitful years of my life.  Here’s why…

After a Sunday service, a precious elderly woman came to me and handed me a browned and fragile piece of paper.  She said:  “The Lord told me that I have carried this long enough and that I should give it to you now.” 

When I opened it, I found these words:

Lord lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me

May I bravely do my part, to win that soul for Thee

Give to me Your love for souls, for lost and wandering sheep

That I may see the multitudes, and weep as Thou didst weep

Help me to see the tragic plight, of those far off in sin

Help me to pray, help me to go, to bring the wandering in

O fire of love, O flame divine, make Thy abode in me

Burn in my life, burn evermore, til I burn out for Thee

From off the altar of Thy heart, Take Thou some flaming coal

Touch my life and give me Lord, a heart that’s hot for souls

I spent the next year reading through the Bible with this prayer:  “Give me a heart that’s hot for souls as I study Your Word.”

I was amazed at how the Scripture opened up to me.  I saw things I had never seen before.  The Holy Spirit sealed in me that year that we have a Father who is unwilling that ANY of His little ones perish!