↑ THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT ARE CONTRARY TO ONE ANOTHER: Svein-Magne himself shares how his sense of justice took precedence over God’s voice, something he deeply regretted, and which has subsequently shaped him to become an even better evangelist. (The illustration was created with AI)
“Always be ready to give a defense,” says the apostle Peter. We must always be open to speak where the opportunity arises. We must ask God to lead us to people!
Have you ever been disappointed in yourself? You have surely experienced situations where you acted or said things you regret later. I experienced this on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
I was then on my way home from the healing meeting at the Salvation Army’s premises in Narvik, Saturday, September 5. On the trip home, I had checked in at Evenes Airport and found a table at an airport cafe. Often I pray: “God, lead me to someone I should witness to.” You know, that prayer buzzes in my head 24/7. If you have a calling to be an evangelist, you have, by the Spirit of God, been “programmed” this way, more than many others. I put my ticket and a notebook on the table I had found, so people would understand that the table was occupied. Then I went over to buy some food. While I am standing a few meters away – to take something from a shelf there, I see a mother and a daughter push aside the ticket and the notebook. Then the “sense of rights” flared up in my mind. I went over to them and said firmly: “That table is occupied!” Then the mother answered in English: “Do you sit here?” I answered in English back: “Can’t you see it – it has been taken!”
The woman looked a bit embarrassed. Mother and daughter quickly withdrew, a bit ashamed of themselves. Then God said to me: “Svein-Magne – you asked to be led to someone – and now I gave you an opportunity. You missed it just to hold onto your right. You could have shown generosity and given them the table space. Then you would have opened the heart doors for the gospel!” I was ashamed of myself. I could have said: “This table is already occupied, but you can have the space.” Then I could have introduced myself and given them a tract. Then the door to their heart would have been opened because of a good deed.
Paul said:
“Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
1 Corinthians 9:23
Furthermore he says:
“just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
1 Corinthians 10:33
From this moment I have become a much better evangelist than ever before. Generosity opens doors, but fighting for one’s rights opens no door. Such an attitude only closes doors. Now I am going to the office. Many phone calls await us there. Only open doors. I will try to forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead.
Svein-Magne
“Always be ready to give a defense,” says the apostle Peter. We must always be open to speak where the opportunity arises. We must ask God to lead us to people!
Have you ever been disappointed in yourself? You have surely experienced situations where you acted or said things you regret later. I experienced this on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
I was then on my way home from the healing meeting at the Salvation Army’s premises in Narvik, Saturday, September 5. On the trip home, I had checked in at Evenes Airport and found a table at an airport cafe. Often I pray: “God, lead me to someone I should witness to.” You know, that prayer buzzes in my head 24/7. If you have a calling to be an evangelist, you have, by the Spirit of God, been “programmed” this way, more than many others. I put my ticket and a notebook on the table I had found, so people would understand that the table was occupied. Then I went over to buy some food. While I am standing a few meters away – to take something from a shelf there, I see a mother and a daughter push aside the ticket and the notebook. Then the “sense of rights” flared up in my mind. I went over to them and said firmly: “That table is occupied!” Then the mother answered in English: “Do you sit here?” I answered in English back: “Can’t you see it – it has been taken!”
The woman looked a bit embarrassed. Mother and daughter quickly withdrew, a bit ashamed of themselves. Then God said to me: “Svein-Magne – you asked to be led to someone – and now I gave you an opportunity. You missed it just to hold onto your right. You could have shown generosity and given them the table space. Then you would have opened the heart doors for the gospel!” I was ashamed of myself. I could have said: “This table is already occupied, but you can have the space.” Then I could have introduced myself and given them a tract. Then the door to their heart would have been opened because of a good deed.
Paul said:
“Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
1 Corinthians 9:23
Furthermore he says:
“just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
1 Corinthians 10:33
From this moment I have become a much better evangelist than ever before. Generosity opens doors, but fighting for one’s rights opens no door. Such an attitude only closes doors. Now I am going to the office. Many phone calls await us there. Only open doors. I will try to forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead.
Svein-Magne
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