My Name Is Brandon

To do great things for God doesn’t always take a board meeting or 6 months of planning.  It’s just being Jesus in a lost and dying world. It’s being Jesus at the gas station.

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The other night, two of my friends and I went to an Andrew Wommack tent meeting in Charlotte, NC. We had a big time!

On the way home, we stopped at a gas station to get some water. As we were getting out of the car, a man walked up to the passenger side. The Lord set this divine appointment up for us. We had parked right in front of the door and the area was well lit.

As I walked around the car, I overheard this “stranger” asking my front seat passenger for some money. I started to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom concerning this situation. Little did this man know, He had been set up by the Almighty. Psalm 37:23 says, “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him” (NIV).

I felt very strongly that God was about to do something. This man was explaining to my friend that he didn’t have anywhere to sleep and needed money for a hotel. She started digging around her pocketbook for a donation.

I am not promoting giving to those who beg or not giving. I am saying we must pray and see if the Lord is in the situation at hand, and if He is, go with it! If He is not, remove yourself from the situation!

The first thought that flooded my mind was the passage of Acts 3 where the lame beggar was asking Peter and Paul for alms. Peter flat out told him, “I don’t have any money, but I have what you really need!” Whew whoo! What confidence Peter had in his Savior! What boldness to step out and declare truth.

As I approached the stranger, he looked at me and asked for money. I told him, “You know people don’t carry much money anymore, and I just scraped up $2.00 from my console.” He agreed.

I assured him I would give him what little I had but that I had a question for him.

“Do you know Jesus?”

He quickly responded, “Yes.”

I said, “Good. I am Cheryl. What is your name?”

He said, “My name is Brandon.”

At that point of getting all the niceties out of the way, I went into sermon-teaching mode. With the love of the Father, I started to explain to him that God had an amazing plan for his life and it was not to be begging for money on Friday nights from women stopping at a gas station. I continued to explain to him that God had a purpose for his life and that it was good. After many more nuggets of truth, I told him I wanted to pray with him.

I told him to bow his head and close his eyes, which he did. I kept my eyes open! I started praying like a sister who genuinely cared about the well-being of her homeless brother. I declared truth and commanded the enemy of his soul to back off. I asked the Lord to draw him close and restore his hope for life.

This man who is precious in the sight of God came into agreement with my prayer. At one point, this man started crying.

James 5:16, ESV: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

I’m not of the Pollyanna mindset and think that you say a prayer and pixie dust from heaven falls and all is well on Earth, but I do believe that the prayers of a righteous man or woman affect God, others, and me. I do believe that sometimes people just need a touch of God’s love through humanity. I do believe the Bible says if we don’t love others, we might be kidding ourselves if we say we love God. Ouch!!

I told Brandon that I would be praying for him and that I had a great group of ladies in my church that would be praying with me for him.

Brandon thanked me and told me he loved me. I told him I loved him, too.

At this point, some might be thinking he probably used the money for alcohol. The reality of that thought is you might be right. I did smell alcohol on him, and Brandon and I discussed that fact. My love and instruction to him concerning that choice was a mixture of Mother Teresa and Madea.

I told him I am praying if he uses the money to purchase alcohol that it would make him sicker than he has ever been and would put a holy hatred in his heart for alcohol. I’m not sure if that statement was Spirit-led; I’m just retelling the story at this time. Hahahahaha!

I finished our mentor/mentee meeting with one final hug and exchange of “Love you in the Lord” salutations. And I meant it. I really do love this fellow, and I pray the Lord turns his world right side up!

Right before climbing in my car, I told Brandon, “I plan on seeing you in heaven, and I’m praying for you!”

Andrew Wommack’s teaching was excellent. The praise music was glorious, but, oh, my goodness! The trip to Charlotte that night was a huge success for the Kingdom. Brandon now has some prayer support.

When I get to heaven, I believe I will see him. I am asking the Lord to have bold, loving saints cross his path nonstop. I’m asking the Lord to open doors of opportunity for him.

I encourage you today to have eyes that are open to divine appointments. To do great things for God doesn’t always take a board meeting or 6 months of planning.  It’s just being Jesus in a lost and dying world. It’s being Jesus at the gas station.

Please pray for Brandon. I am asking the Lord to remind everyone that reads this to pray every time you stop to pump gas or just get a drink.

When we stand before the Lord and He rewards us, it will be fun to see how many folks will receive a reward for the part they played in Brandon’s life!

Love one another.

 

 

Featured Image by Jonathan Rados

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About the Author

I grew up in Greenville, SC and have loved art since I could write. My passion is Jesus and helping others become complete in Him.