• Home
  • Blog
  • LittAfrica
    • Speakers
    • Workshops and Plenaries
    • Français
  • Resources
    • Bookstore
    • Webinars
    • Videos
    • Training Calendar
  • Intl. Leadership
    • Board
    • MAI-Africa
    • MAI-Asia
    • MAI-Europe
    • HQ Staff
  • Contact Us

Media Associates International

  • About Us
  • Our Work
  • Get Involved
Donate
  • No products in cart.

Stumbling Block or Helper?

Tuesday, 18 November 2014 / Published in MAI, writing, writing contest

Stumbling Block or Helper?

Dr Mary Massoud Egypt headshotBy Dr. Mary Massoud, Egypt

My friend, Basma (her usual smile matching her name), is a fun-loving person who, alas, does not know the Lord Jesus. The other day I was so engrossed in my work, that I did not see her as she crept in, and was quite startled when she exclaimed, “Always at your desk!”

“Oh Basma,” I protested, “you’ve startled me!”

“I meant to take you by surprise,” she said. “What are you writing?”

“An article about the way of salvation,” I answered.

“Which way?!” she inquired. “Aren’t there several ways, and don’t they all lead to Heaven? All roads lead to Rome, you know.”

“Yes, to Rome; but not to God. According to the Bible, the only way to God is through commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.”

“You don’t say!” she mocked. “So according to you, I’m going to hell? You must be aware that I no longer believe in your Jesus.”

“You don’t believe because you haven’t had a proper chance to know Him,” I answered.

“We studied the Bible in school,” she protested. “Religion was a compulsory subject, and I always passed with flying colors. But you haven’t answered my question,” she objected. “Do you think I’m going to hell?”

“Only God can answer this question,” I explained, as I secretly prayed for guidance. Aloud, I said, “What about reading my finished article later?”

Bible-Genesis-Freedigtal-ph“I’m tired of all that rot,” she said. “Now that I’m no longer a school girl, I can see that it doesn’t work. Look at all those hypocrites in Church…” Then abruptly she asked, “But you actually think you have the power to change an atheist like me through that article of yours?!”

To my amazement, she snatched my draft and began to read. I continued to pray for guidance, and as I prayed, I was reminded of Zechariah 4:6 (NIV): “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” After a while, she looked up and said, “I expected to read an account of the Gospel story, but you’ve started with the Old Testament!”

“Yes,” I explained, “and if you read on, you’ll be amazed at the innumerable and devious plots of Satan to thwart God’s plan of salvation.”

After reading some more, she returned the draft to me, saying, “Be sure to give me the finished article. Those Old Testament citations are quite intriguing!”

Thank you, dear Lord, for giving yourself to save us, and for offering your Spirit to guide us. Forgive us when we’ve been a stumbling block to others, and help us to live what we profess, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dr Mary M.F. Massoud (Egyptian, single) is a professor in the English Department of Ain Shams University, Cairo. Her published critiques of English, Irish and American literary works are written from a Christian perspective. She has also translated theological works. Her chief hobby is writing and producing Christian plays (one, Our Father, has been translated into ten languages).

>>Read this article in our new book, Light for the Writer’s Light_Writers_Soul_MAI_2DSoul: 100 devotions by global Christian writers.
-You’ll be inspired by 100 devotional articles by 80 writers from 27 countries.
-Ideal for personal devotions, or as a resource in writer groups, workshops and communications courses.
-Each article includes a writer’s personal struggle, a verse and a short prayer.
-Personal stories by Randy Alcorn, Jeanette Windle, Jerry Jenkins, Keila Ochoa Harris, Lawrence Darmani, Emily Lim, Grace Chong and many more authors.

$15 USD, plus shipping. Email [email protected]
Co-published by Armour Publishers, also available in Singapore. 

 

 

 

Tagged under: Africa, Christian writing, daily devotional, Egyptian writer, writing

What you can read next

Zacchaeus
Living the dream to educate underprivileged Indonesian children
Garden Tomb Roses

8 Comments to “ Stumbling Block or Helper?”

  1. Annemarie Graf says :Reply
    November 19, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    I like Dr. Mary Massoud’s story

  2. evon_a says :Reply
    November 25, 2014 at 9:21 am

    very good sincerer article ,thanks for being humble , loving different kind of people especially those who are not accepting or opposing us , thanks for ur patience and true genuine love of God ,God blessed u ,who meet u will be blessed ,as our heavenly father promised us .

  3. TaniaJVaughan says :Reply
    December 9, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    And that is the reason we write! Praise the Lord that your words have touched your friend 🙂

  4. Mary De Saint Hilaire says :Reply
    December 15, 2014 at 6:36 am

    I very much like Dr Mary
    Massoud story! So inspiring

  5. Nana Hamati says :Reply
    December 18, 2014 at 3:43 am

    May our Lord continue to bless your work in His field and guide you.

  6. Dr. Fay Gotting says :Reply
    December 19, 2014 at 11:48 pm

    A true Christian Lady.

  7. Norma Gorham says :Reply
    January 17, 2015 at 4:07 am

    What it’s all about –being salt and light–and telling God’s story!

  8. paul_s says :Reply
    January 25, 2015 at 5:29 am

    Dr Mary is a beloved English literature professor here in Cairo. We wish her all the best in this contest!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get notified of new blog posts by writers from around the world.


Recent Posts

  • LittAfrica 2019: “Changing the landscape of Christian publishing in Africa…”

    God heard our prayers and blessed the November ...
  • Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? Writing the personal experience article in Cambodia

    By Larry Brook “Hi. I’m a chicken. I really wan...
  • Designed by God

    Interview with graphic designer Momir Blazek of...
  • Mexico: 23 year-old blogger offers hope to young women

    “You are not alone.” Clouds of self...
  • Is Self-Publishing Right for Your Book?

    By Ramon Rocha III As MAI’s director of p...

Archives

Categories

Bookstore Links

  • My Account
  • Cart
  • Bookstore
  • Checkout

More About MAI

  • Staff
  • History
  • Core Values
  • Statement of Faith
  • Board and Trustees
  • Privacy Policy

Upcoming Events

Dec 10 2019

How to Create and Publish Audiobooks

No event found!
See All Events

Get monthly updates on how we’re ending the famine of Christian literature around the world.

  • GET SOCIAL

© 2019. All rights reserved.

TOP
Get monthly updates on how we're ending the famine of Christian literature around the world.
We respect your privacy.

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

MAI
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.