Ask Again
In High School, I had two friends who repeatedly invited me to church. I always said, “No.” We graduated and went to college. One of the friends invited me to go see Billy Graham’s movie, “A Time to Run”. I went and received Christ at the end of the movie.
On weekends we would all return to our hometown. One of my friend’s moms had opened her home on Friday night for Bible study. My friends went, so I did too.
One weekend, the Bible study leader decided that we should go to a special meeting in another town that was being held by Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship. I didn’t have anything better to do, so I went with them. It was at that meeting that I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues!
Still, when my friends asked me to go to church with them, my answer was always a solid, “No!” What was I afraid of? Time passed, they kept asking - I kept replying - until one day, I decided the next time one of my friends popped the question my answer would be, “Yes!” Here is the funny part. They stopped asking!
I waited and waited and waited some more. Silence. Finally, I said to them, “You know, if you had asked one more time, I would have gone to church with you.”
Believe it or not, that person that you have asked and asked to go with you to church or to Aglow has a point in time where when you ask one more time, their answer will change and they will go with you. Keep asking.
Four friends planned on driving from their state to another state to attend an Aglow event. At the last minute, one of the friends could not go so she asked another lady from her church if she would like to go in her place. Without hesitation, the lady replied, “Yes!” The new lady did not know the other three who were going; however, they had a wonderful time on the long drive.
The new lady was brave to go not knowing the ones she would be riding and rooming with. And even greater, she had never been to an Aglow event!
During the weekend, the new lady was greatly impacted by all she heard and encountered. She had come with a serious eye condition and received healing as she listened to the messages. On Sunday morning, she came forth and gave testimony to the miracle she received.
After returning back to their respective state, the new lady went to the next Aglow gathering in her community. She gave a testimony and told others how God impacted her life even though she didn’t know the three ladies she traveled with. She ended her testimony with this statement, “Keep praying for the coming harvest. I am an answer to that prayer.”
Practical Applications
When Aglow began in 1967, it was a safe haven for women to come and grow in their personal relationship with the Lord, to meet others from different church affiliations, and to grow in leadership skills. Many churches did not have special groups for women. Women were not seen as leaders.
Fast forward through 55+ years and we find that conferences, women’s groups, and other opportunities for women abound! So, what does Aglow bring to the table that is different or as valuable as other opportunities?
First, we bring a Biblical perspective to a global world. Aglow has been in up to 190 nations and is active in over 170 nations - relationships abound around the world. Knowing women, families and nations are going through wars, famines, and governmental chaos keeps us alert to pray with understanding as well as power and authority.
