July 2, 2025
Dear Friends,
This week, three adults and three children prayed with me according to the pattern of Luke 18:13 & Romans 10:9.
The first was a Muslim woman around 60 years old whom I had never met before. She had seen me give the message at a funeral about 6 months ago when one of the college Bible study students died in a plane crash along with his father. At the funeral, I had spoken from John 11:25-26 of the resurrection and life eternal, followed by a very direct gospel message. Apparently, I had spoken with such assurance that this Muslim woman remembered me and was seeking me out in her time of pain. She got my number from the family of the student who died in the plane crash. Sadly, this Muslim woman’s only son, in his mid-20s, died suddenly just two months ago, and she was understandably grieving. Her deceased son had become a Christian almost 10 years ago, and he, too, had spoken of the afterlife with his parents, longing that they could be together in heaven someday. She had to understand this Christian concept of life after death. I texted her back and I told her that I was not a trained counselor, but that Shireen and I would readily see her in our home that evening if she wished. She agreed, came precisely on time, and Shireen put a plate of dinner before her while we listened to her story about how her son had died and his conversion to Christianity when he was a teenager. I told her that I could give her an explanation of the faith upon which her son had trusted. She agreed to listen. I gave her a 30-minute version of the gospel. It was a shorter version than I often use, but I knew her heart was so broken that she’d readily grasp the gospel’s lifeline. She did, with many tears, of course. I taught her how to read the Bible daily, slowly and meditatively, starting in John. I set her up with Barbara Lloyd for discipleship. This grieving mother left with new hope, and she committed to these two assignments. Together, we prayed for her Muslim husband that he, too, might one day find hope and assurance in Jesus.
The second was a family that lives two doors down from my home. That family recently moved to Houston, and when they arrived, Shireen brought them a cake and invited them to come over for a Sunday lunch when we have the open house for students. The man came alone the following Sunday, without his wife and three children. He turned out to be a PhD chemist, and we spoke about the chemical company that he just built in Houston. He is originally from China, but he was educated in the US for his PhD. I visited his company, and I was impressed. I asked him if he was a Christian, and he said, “Not yet.” That was an odd response, I thought. And I told him that one day I would like to tell him about the gospel message of Jesus. He smiled.
He sent me a text message last week saying that his 13-year-old son, who attends a Christian School, wants to become a Christian. And if I can take his son to my church. I told him I would be glad to, but I would prefer that I first talk to his son and explain to him what it means to be a Christian. I also encouraged my neighbor to attend that session along with his son. He agreed, but he came to my home with not just his 13-year-old son but with his three sons and his wife as well. I again gave a truncated version of the gospel because my longer version is too long for children. By the time I was done, they all agreed to pray aloud with me. One never knows where people really are in these decisions, but we step into them nonetheless and wait on the Holy Spirit to complete his work. When I got done, I asked them if they had a Bible. And they told me that there was no Bible in their home, but the father told me that he had read parts of the Bible when he was a graduate student. I guess that’s what he meant when he said that he was not yet a Christian. Upon giving them a Bible, I taught them how to read it slowly and deliberately every morning, starting in John. And I am arranging to visit his home along with the youth pastor from my church so that when his 13-year-old son comes to church, he will feel more comfortable. Before long, that whole family will be coming.
John 11:25-25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
God bless,
Dr. James Tour
