DAKOTA THE SHINING LIGHT OF A NEW DAY
¡°When you go to high school these days,¡± Dakota recalls, ¡°they drill into you that you will be a nobody unless you go to college, get a degree, and make lots of money. A big house, fancy sports cars, and other luxuries are all referred to as the ¡®American Dream.¡¯¡±
Yet after Dakota saw a lot of celebrities with miserable lives, some to the point of suicide, he knew that the dream wasn¡¯t something he wanted. Jesus¡¯ words in Mark 8:36 rang through his mind: ¡°What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?¡±
He knew that he must turn his life over to Him in every way. ¡°At that time, I was dating Anna, who would become my wife. I decided to begin Bible studies with her, and I reached out to my friends to share the truths that changed my life.¡± Dakota¡¯s wife and friends were all driving about two hours, three times a week, to study the Bible. The Lord was sending them an avalanche of conviction during every study.
He recalls, ¡°It was through these small group studies that I realized I knew the Word of God, but I did not know the God of the Word. It was evident that I knew the doctrines but was still in need of the Great Physician¡ªJesus Christ. After studying together for three months, five members of the group decided that we were tired of being slaves to a cruel master. Instead, we wanted to be servants of Christ.¡±
The group learned about the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism and decided to attend their fall program. ¡°I am so glad to say that ever since, my life has changed. Today, I am an Amazing Facts evangelist. My wife and I travel the globe preaching the everlasting gospel to anyone who will come to hear the words of life.¡±
Dakota Day shares, ¡°It wasn¡¯t until Philip invited Nathanael to come and see Christ for himself that he believed that Jesus was the Messiah. My prayer is to be the Nathanael for thousands around the world as an Amazing Facts evangelist.¡±
Reflect: Has God ever put it on your heart to begin a small group Bible study? Pray about it. Talk with a couple other people and let God open the door.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
"Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
John 1:45
