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When a House Makes You Stop the Car & Knock On

We were recently visiting friends in Northern Ireland and, while being kindly chauffeured around to see the beauty of the Irish countryside, Mairi was suddenly struck by the huge gable end of an old farmhouse that boldly displayed something rather unusual — a prophetic sentence penned by the Old Testament prophet, Amos, approximately 2750 years previously!

Our friends suggested that they stop the car so we could knock on to enquire at the house. So, very narrowly avoiding a rather serious-sounding Alsatian guard dog, (promptly put inside the house!), we were warmly met and welcomed by the farmer and owner of the property. Robert was delighted to tell us about the striking black and white mural on his house and the foghorn of a humbled shepherd in Israel all those centuries ago.

Amos, just like the three of us, had been tasked by the LORD God to speak to His covenant people.

But the LORD God took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

Amos 7:15

Prophesying Today

Robert subsequently spoke with his father about our visit from Scotland who told him that the Amos verse has been displayed there for over 70 years and that it came about when evangelical preachers visiting from Scotland were preaching the gospel in the local area. Robert’s grandfather had invited the men for supper and showed them around the farm. One of the preachers called Tom Alexander noticed that the wall could be seen from the public road and suggested that this would be a great spot for a Bible verse to be displayed for as many people to see as possible.

The Scottish preachers stayed with the family for six to eight weeks. Tom was known as the swallow because he preached in the Shetlands over the winter and came to Ireland for the summer. When in Ireland, the neighbours even provided two bicycles for the preachers to enable them to travel and preach to the locals further afield!

And so countless people over its seven decades of public service have seen the Irish family’s ‘writing on the wall’ and thus have been directly challenged about their personal decision concerning eternity, the sin of their lives and the urgent looming reality of preparing to meet their Maker and God.

Praise God that innumerable travellers over the years have seen the black and white reminder of the only way of salvation offered freely in the gracious red blood of the Lord Jesus Christ to all who would repent and believe.

Mairi and I were able to leave Robert with one of our equally black and white gospel booklets that we give to people and leave planted wherever we go.

Whether by the side of a house or a booklet in a bus shelter, our hope and prayer is that people will be struck sober by the reality of eternity, the threshold of which we are all surely upon.

What Can You Do?

Firstly, if you’re looking for an eye-catching evangelistic resource and would like to use ours, you can begin by reading it here and then consider ordering your copies here. You can also see more information here. (Please note: Along with our other books, we offer these free-of-charge to those in need).

Secondly, please watch and share this film below as widely as you are able.