“God has placed you where He has placed no one else. No one else in the world has the same relationships you have. No one will stand in the same grocery store line at exactly the same moment you do. No one else will come across a hungering diplomat in the desert at exactly the same time you do.
God hasn’t put you in those places merely to model the truth.
Listen for the voice of the Spirit to whisper in your ear. Watch for the stranger on the road. And be aware of your opportunities to go where He would send you.”
CHUCK SWINDOLL
25 February 2010
23 February 2010
Encounter with two girls
One of the last witnessing conversations we had In New Orleans was with a couple self-professing lesbians who were sitting down in a little area between business buildings along Canal Street.
As we approached the girls I got out a couple tracts while my partner was reaching for the video camera to film the encounter.
I asked him not to film the encounter.
I felt God leading me to these girls and I knew, somehow, that if we were to start filming the encounter these girls would have got up and walked away.
I asked the girls if they had got their Million Dollar Bill yet and after a little chit chat starting asking them about their thoughts on eternity, God and the characteristics / attributes of God.
One of the girls (the one whom would be the focus of my conversation) said she didn’t think there was a God. I went through the building/builder, painting/painter and creation/Creator with her and she didn’t say to much to that.
I asked her, “If” there was a God, what kind of attributes do you think He would have?
Kind. Loving. Not full of hate like those people down the street.
She was referring to what most people down there called the “Turn or Burn” preachers who were holding large colorful signs that pointed out what God hates in big bold letters while almost yelling in a megaphone or P.A. system what happens to those folks who die doing those things God hates.
She was obviously turned off and repelled by these preachers. The only conversation she was ever going to have with that kind of preacher would be to tell him what she thought of him and his message.
I asked her if she thought God would be a just God. Would He punish those who deserved to be punished? Like murderers who never got caught? Like rapists who evaded the law?
She said yes; God, if He existed, would punish those kinds of people.
Once we started talking, I realized how beautiful this girl was. Oh, she had crazy colored spiked hair. She had a piercing through the top of her nose and other places on her face.
Her face was even painted different colors to match her clothing.
But while we talked, all I could see was her humanity.
As we were talking, her eyes never left my eyes. She never looked around. She almost literally stared right through me. She was intelligent, sharp and serious.
Through my years of witnessing I have never had someone to seem to hang on every word I said and be that focused during a conversation.
She had questions for me too.
She asked where a five year old would go if she were struck by a car and was killed.
She asked where a fifty year old woman in the deepest jungle in Africa would go if she never heard about Christ before she died.
I answered her questions by telling her God was a just God and could not be unjust in dealing with mankind. The child, I reasoned with her, based on King David’s experience with the death of his own child, would be in Heaven; in a place where David was confident he himself would be re-united with his son.
The fifty year old woman in Africa was a different story. I told her that no one goes to hell because they never hear about Jesus Christ. I told her that Scripture says that ‘all’ have fallen short of the glory of God and have sinned against Him. I explained that the woman is condemned to hell because she has sinned against the God of the Universe by breaking His laws.
This was my opening to tell her that she had sinned against God too.
She admitted to being a liar; transgressing the 9th Commandment.
She admitted to be a thief; transgressing the 8th Commandment.
She admitted to blasphemy; transgressing the 3rd Commandment.
By her own admission, she is a liar, thief and blasphemer.
I told her that when she died, she would face God and stand before Him guilty of transgressing His law.
My partner, who also was kneeled down beside me, was in prayer during the conversation. He told me that she was visibly shaking at the end of our conversation (I did not see this as my eyes never left hers either).
I believe that God was trying to wake her up from the dead through the proclamation of His law. On and on we talked and I discerned that she was ready for God’s grace so I expounded on the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ:
God becoming a Man through the virgin birth.
Jesus walking a perfect sinless life.
His sacrificial death on a cross.
His glorious resurrection on the third day.
She had broken God’s perfect law but the perfect Jesus Christ paid her fine in His life’s blood. If she would only repent and put her faith in Him and Him alone for her salvation, He would save her; make her a new creation in Christ.
I pleaded with her. I had tears welling up in my eyes because of my concern for her soul.
But it was not to be……..
She shook my hand and her and her girlfriend got up and left.
I was heartbroken.
I have witnessed to hundreds of people over the last four to five years. I have given out thousands upon thousands of tracts.
I thought I had a high level of compassion for the lost.
When my partner and I got up and walked away I stopped, turned back to watch them walk away, and just started crying.
I’m not ashamed to admit that.
My buddy put his arm around me and said that was the most amazing witnessing encounter he ever saw. It wasn’t me, of course; it was the Holy Spirit pouring out of me.
I wanted her to repent and trust Christ so badly that I felt like grabbing her by the arms and shaking her until she woke up.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Matthew 23:37.
But I can’t grab and shake her. I can only preach the gospel and let God do the rest. It’s not up to me to save anyone; it’s just up to me faithfully proclaim that which God has commanded all believers to proclaim; the glorious gospel.
Thank you, Father, for giving me a new level of compassion to seek and save that which is lost.
Forbid it Lord that I should ever lose my concern and alarm that the lost are going to a real place called hell and You have given us believers the task of bringing the gospel to them.
As we approached the girls I got out a couple tracts while my partner was reaching for the video camera to film the encounter.
I asked him not to film the encounter.
I felt God leading me to these girls and I knew, somehow, that if we were to start filming the encounter these girls would have got up and walked away.
I asked the girls if they had got their Million Dollar Bill yet and after a little chit chat starting asking them about their thoughts on eternity, God and the characteristics / attributes of God.
One of the girls (the one whom would be the focus of my conversation) said she didn’t think there was a God. I went through the building/builder, painting/painter and creation/Creator with her and she didn’t say to much to that.
I asked her, “If” there was a God, what kind of attributes do you think He would have?
Kind. Loving. Not full of hate like those people down the street.
She was referring to what most people down there called the “Turn or Burn” preachers who were holding large colorful signs that pointed out what God hates in big bold letters while almost yelling in a megaphone or P.A. system what happens to those folks who die doing those things God hates.
She was obviously turned off and repelled by these preachers. The only conversation she was ever going to have with that kind of preacher would be to tell him what she thought of him and his message.
I asked her if she thought God would be a just God. Would He punish those who deserved to be punished? Like murderers who never got caught? Like rapists who evaded the law?
She said yes; God, if He existed, would punish those kinds of people.
Once we started talking, I realized how beautiful this girl was. Oh, she had crazy colored spiked hair. She had a piercing through the top of her nose and other places on her face.
Her face was even painted different colors to match her clothing.
But while we talked, all I could see was her humanity.
As we were talking, her eyes never left my eyes. She never looked around. She almost literally stared right through me. She was intelligent, sharp and serious.
Through my years of witnessing I have never had someone to seem to hang on every word I said and be that focused during a conversation.
She had questions for me too.
She asked where a five year old would go if she were struck by a car and was killed.
She asked where a fifty year old woman in the deepest jungle in Africa would go if she never heard about Christ before she died.
I answered her questions by telling her God was a just God and could not be unjust in dealing with mankind. The child, I reasoned with her, based on King David’s experience with the death of his own child, would be in Heaven; in a place where David was confident he himself would be re-united with his son.
The fifty year old woman in Africa was a different story. I told her that no one goes to hell because they never hear about Jesus Christ. I told her that Scripture says that ‘all’ have fallen short of the glory of God and have sinned against Him. I explained that the woman is condemned to hell because she has sinned against the God of the Universe by breaking His laws.
This was my opening to tell her that she had sinned against God too.
She admitted to being a liar; transgressing the 9th Commandment.
She admitted to be a thief; transgressing the 8th Commandment.
She admitted to blasphemy; transgressing the 3rd Commandment.
By her own admission, she is a liar, thief and blasphemer.
I told her that when she died, she would face God and stand before Him guilty of transgressing His law.
My partner, who also was kneeled down beside me, was in prayer during the conversation. He told me that she was visibly shaking at the end of our conversation (I did not see this as my eyes never left hers either).
I believe that God was trying to wake her up from the dead through the proclamation of His law. On and on we talked and I discerned that she was ready for God’s grace so I expounded on the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ:
God becoming a Man through the virgin birth.
Jesus walking a perfect sinless life.
His sacrificial death on a cross.
His glorious resurrection on the third day.
She had broken God’s perfect law but the perfect Jesus Christ paid her fine in His life’s blood. If she would only repent and put her faith in Him and Him alone for her salvation, He would save her; make her a new creation in Christ.
I pleaded with her. I had tears welling up in my eyes because of my concern for her soul.
But it was not to be……..
She shook my hand and her and her girlfriend got up and left.
I was heartbroken.
I have witnessed to hundreds of people over the last four to five years. I have given out thousands upon thousands of tracts.
I thought I had a high level of compassion for the lost.
When my partner and I got up and walked away I stopped, turned back to watch them walk away, and just started crying.
I’m not ashamed to admit that.
My buddy put his arm around me and said that was the most amazing witnessing encounter he ever saw. It wasn’t me, of course; it was the Holy Spirit pouring out of me.
I wanted her to repent and trust Christ so badly that I felt like grabbing her by the arms and shaking her until she woke up.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Matthew 23:37.
But I can’t grab and shake her. I can only preach the gospel and let God do the rest. It’s not up to me to save anyone; it’s just up to me faithfully proclaim that which God has commanded all believers to proclaim; the glorious gospel.
Thank you, Father, for giving me a new level of compassion to seek and save that which is lost.
Forbid it Lord that I should ever lose my concern and alarm that the lost are going to a real place called hell and You have given us believers the task of bringing the gospel to them.
22 February 2010
Big Easy Pictures
There's no place like home.
While we had a great time in New Orleans last week witnessing, passing out tracts and fellow shipping with brothers and sisters in Christ, it's good to be back in our corner of the world.
Where to start?
Well, first off, I want to thank God that He gave us the brothers and sisters in Christ to make this trip possible. Thank you to all those who gave financially so we could make the trip in the first place. I also want to thank all the prayer warriors we had that literally prayed without ceasing while we were down there. There were many times we felt those prayers when we were at our most vulnerable while sharing the gospel.
One brother asked me in church last night if we had anybody leave a conversation and then come back to ask more questions. "Yes, as a matter of fact we did", I said. He told me he prayed specifically for a person that would do just that!
On Tuesday afternoon (Fat Tuesday) I texted(sp?) several prayer warriors and asked for immediate prayers because of the wickedness and evil that was all around us at that moment. Within minutes I was getting messages back that let me know that prayers were going up for our protection, for God to confuse the enemy and that the Word of God would be preached unhindered.
God answered all those prayers.
During our time in New Orleans, we were able to pass out over 1300 tracts, personally witness to a couple dozen folks.
Here are some photo's.........
That's me getting ready to pass out tracts down Bourbon Street (Notice the words "Cult" in the upper right hand of picture)
Nope, that's not a hood...that's my faithful ministry partner!
We took the cross to the Big Easy
This is Mike (Sorry Mike, I can't recall your last name...email me please) who took up the cross and started preaching like nobodies business!!
Mike preaching to the crowd
Three young men I had the privilege of sharing law and grace with
My partner sharing law and grace
Looking down Bourbon Street after we had just finished tracting and witnessing all the way down it
Everyone gets a tract
I am working on videos I hope to upload this week.
Stay Tuned!
While we had a great time in New Orleans last week witnessing, passing out tracts and fellow shipping with brothers and sisters in Christ, it's good to be back in our corner of the world.
Where to start?
Well, first off, I want to thank God that He gave us the brothers and sisters in Christ to make this trip possible. Thank you to all those who gave financially so we could make the trip in the first place. I also want to thank all the prayer warriors we had that literally prayed without ceasing while we were down there. There were many times we felt those prayers when we were at our most vulnerable while sharing the gospel.
One brother asked me in church last night if we had anybody leave a conversation and then come back to ask more questions. "Yes, as a matter of fact we did", I said. He told me he prayed specifically for a person that would do just that!
On Tuesday afternoon (Fat Tuesday) I texted(sp?) several prayer warriors and asked for immediate prayers because of the wickedness and evil that was all around us at that moment. Within minutes I was getting messages back that let me know that prayers were going up for our protection, for God to confuse the enemy and that the Word of God would be preached unhindered.
God answered all those prayers.
During our time in New Orleans, we were able to pass out over 1300 tracts, personally witness to a couple dozen folks.
Here are some photo's.........
That's me getting ready to pass out tracts down Bourbon Street (Notice the words "Cult" in the upper right hand of picture)
Nope, that's not a hood...that's my faithful ministry partner!
We took the cross to the Big Easy
This is Mike (Sorry Mike, I can't recall your last name...email me please) who took up the cross and started preaching like nobodies business!!
Mike preaching to the crowd
Three young men I had the privilege of sharing law and grace with
My partner sharing law and grace
Looking down Bourbon Street after we had just finished tracting and witnessing all the way down it
Everyone gets a tract
I am working on videos I hope to upload this week.
Stay Tuned!
We're back
His Feet on the Street is back from New Orleans.
Site will be updated tonight or tomorrow with stories, photo's and hopefully video(If I can figure out how to upload).
We were blessed with many opportunities to share the full gospel, meet a few fellow evangelists and spend time with new friends who opened up their home and made us feel at home.
We give God all the glory and praise for last week.
We want to thank all the people who gave us the financial support to make the trip and all the folks who prayed without ceasing while we were there. God bless you for making it possible for us to share the gospel to the lost.
This was a mission trip that literally changed us and elevated us to a new level of compassion for seeking and saving the lost.
God bless you all.
Site will be updated tonight or tomorrow with stories, photo's and hopefully video(If I can figure out how to upload).
We were blessed with many opportunities to share the full gospel, meet a few fellow evangelists and spend time with new friends who opened up their home and made us feel at home.
We give God all the glory and praise for last week.
We want to thank all the people who gave us the financial support to make the trip and all the folks who prayed without ceasing while we were there. God bless you for making it possible for us to share the gospel to the lost.
This was a mission trip that literally changed us and elevated us to a new level of compassion for seeking and saving the lost.
God bless you all.
13 February 2010
Mardi Gras bound!
It's an exciting day!
Tomorrow morning my ministry partner and I head down to New Orleans for a few days of street evangelism in the Big Easy!
We have been looking forward to this for quite a few weeks and many prayers have gone up (and are still going up) for this trip.
We have been blessed by a number of dear Christians who have sacrificially given us the funds to make this trip possible. We received enough money to pay for a rental car and the place we will be staying at.
Because we are meeting up with a student at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, we were able to take advantage of staying at the Providence House (don't you love that name?) across the street from the campus. While most people are paying any where from $250 to $350 a night (and more) to spend a night during Mardi Gras, we are able, through our association with the seminary student, to stay at the Providence House for only $55 a night.
With the Providence House located right across the seminary, we are only 5-10 minutes from all the popular Mardi Gras spots.
We are taking a few thousand tracts, a video camera, a digital camera and my "Are You Ready" cross.
Please pray with us that God will plow many hearts in preparation for the gospel, grant us many opportunities to do 'One to One' witnessing, and allow us to openly read from the Bible for Project Ezra. Pray that we listen to the Holy Spirit and obey what we hear. Pray that God gives us the privilege of winning souls to Christ.
Also, please be in prayer for our families that we are leaving behind to go on this mission trip.
We are greatly excited and a little scared. We know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Back in a few days!
10 February 2010
Law and Gospel, an Important Distinction in Evangelism
From Monergism
Much of Evangelicalism in America today has drifted from the authority of Scripture in many ways. One of the most dangerous ways is in the area of evangelism. Because of their desire for cultural relevance and a sincere desire to reach as many as people as possible for Christ, many Evangelicals have altered the gospel message to be as positive and attractive as possible. They seek to be relevant to the interests and desires of the unbeliever at the expense of biblical truth.
Sadly, this desire for relevance and acceptability has led them into the error of the old modernists or liberals--that is, a willingness to jettison biblical truth for the sake of relevance, respectability, and acceptance with a culture of unbelief. No doubt most of these Evangelicals would confess to high standards of orthodoxy including the inspiration and authority of Scripture. But in practice they have unwittingly become what some are calling the "new liberals."(1) As the interests of "unchurched Harry" have become more prominent in their thinking, the positive aspects of the gospel have been emphasized: peace, love, joy, fulfillment, practical help with everything from balancing your checkbook to finding a mate, and eternal life to boot! At the same time the perceived "negative" aspects (judgment, wrath, sin, self-denial, Lordship of Christ, tribulation, persecution) have been downplayed or neglected and in some cases even flatly denied.
One of the most important aspects of the gospel message that has been omitted is the centrality of the person of God. If God is even part of the modern evangelistic message, He is often presented as nothing more than a loving Father who is patiently waiting to be accepted so He can bless people and make them happy on their own terms.
Read rest of article here
06 February 2010
God's Answers To Man's Questions
From Banner of Truth
"I don't need God."
Job 34:14-15 - If He should determine to do so, if He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
"I'm a good person."
Luke 18:19 - No one is good except God alone.
"I've always tried to live a good life."
Romans 3:10-12 - There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become useless; there is none who does good; there is not even one.
"I don't see anything wrong with the way I'm living."
Proverbs 30:12 - There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, yet is not washed from his filthiness.
"Everybody else is doing it."
Exodus 23:2 - You shall not follow a multitude in doing evil.
"I would have to give up too much if I became a Christian."
Mark 8:36-37 - What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
"There are too many hypocrites in the church."
Romans 14:12 - So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
"I tried calling on God, but He didn't answer."
Isaiah 59:1-2 - Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, so that He does not hear.
"I'll repent later."
Proverbs 29:1 - A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
"I'm just neutral about Jesus."
Matthew 12:30 - He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
"It doesn't matter which religion you follow, as long as you are sincere."
Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
"Men wrote the Bible."
2 Peter 1:21 - No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
"The Bible has lots of contradictions."
Proverbs 14:6 - A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds none, but knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.
"Everybody will be saved in the end."
Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.
"The idea of Christ dying for my sins makes no sense to me."
1 Corinthians 1:18 - For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
"I believe in God."
James 2:19 - You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
"I've been a Christian all my life."
John 3:3, 6-7 - Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again."'
"Christ is my Savior, but not my Lord."
I John 2:4 - The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
"I have plenty of time to get right with God."
Luke 12:20 - But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you.'
"God could never forgive me for what I've done."
Mark 3:28 - Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter.
"Aren't there many ways to God?"
John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.'
"Did Jesus ever claim to be God?"
John 10:30, 33 - Jesus answered them, 'I and the Father are one.' The Jews answered Him, 'For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.'
"How do I know that Jesus is who He claims to be?"
John 7:16-17 - Jesus therefore answered them, and said, 'My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself.'
"Isn't the Bible just a bunch of myths?"
2 Peter 1:16 - For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
"What about all the contradictions in the Bible?"
Proverbs 14:6 - A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds none, but knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.
"Why is there so much suffering in the world?"
Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.
"What is the real purpose of life?"
Matthew 22:37-38 - And He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment.'
"Aren't all men basically good?"
Romans 3:10-12 - There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; ...there is none who does good, there is not even one.
"Won't my good works outweigh my bad works?"
Isaiah 64:6 - For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.
"Why did Christ die?"
1 Timothy 1:15 - It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
"What must I do to be saved?"
Acts 16:31 - Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved...
"How do I know God will receive me?"
Isaiah 55:6-7 - Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
"What is eternal life?"
John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
"How could I ever change?"
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
By Charles Leiter
02 February 2010
Pass me not, O gentle Savior
Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou are calling,
Do not pass me by.
Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.
Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.
Frances J. Crosby
Repentance
The mourning of a penitent is not because of hell: if there were no hell he would mourn just as much. His grief is not for what sin might cost himself, but for what it has cost the Substitute.
C.H.Spurgeon
C.H.Spurgeon
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