Tom and I brought Linda out to Mill Ave for witnessing. She had been through a previous class, but had not been out to Mill before. We met Alan and Dan out there and set up Tom's sign and the illusion board. We had some good witnessing encounters. Here are a few of them.
Haley and Tyler stopped to check out the illusion board, and I took them through the Good Person Test (GPT). They didn't really seem too convicted, as he was hanging on her and snuggling up to her while we were talking. Still, they took an "Are You Good Enough to get into Heaven?" tract. Seeds planted, may the Lord convict them and draw them to Himself.
A couple named Fred and Jessica stopped by next, and went through the GPT. They had some trouble admitting that they would be destined for hell. Even though Fred had admitted to breaking God's Law, he thought he'd be let into heaven anyway. I explained that in a human court, if you're found guilty of breaking the law, you cannot simply go free because you say that you're sorry. There is a fine to be paid. Of course, God is not a human judge, He is far more just than that. But there is still a fine to be paid, and the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23).
Fred still thought that God would forgive him and allow him into heaven. So I explained that the fine had to be paid, and that Jesus Christ paid that fine, taking on the punishment that we deserved so that we could be saved. We have to understand and admit that we deserve to go to hell for breaking God's law. I gave them some tracts to look through as they left.
A group of teenagers stopped to look at the illusion board, but didn't really want to interact. I talked to one of them named Bradley, who seemed to have a pretty good idea of how we're all found sinful, but he didn't really understand what is required to get into heaven, citing that you had to be baptized and participate in the Passover celebration or something like that. I explained that it is only through repenting of our sins, turning away from them, and hating those things we once loved as much as God has always hated them, and then trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, as He is the only one that could pay the fine for us. I gave him and a couple of his friends some tracts, but some of the others wouldn't take them.
A young guy named Namath stopped and talked with me for a little while. He said he'd had a Christian background, but seemed to have some issues with that because he felt persecuted in his school because he is a Native American. I took him through the GPT and he seemed somewhat convicted. He said that he had come out to drink, but after talking with me, he wasn't going to. I couldn't really see any conviction in him, but sometimes you just cannot know what people are thinking. I gave him a tract to take with him and read later.
Please pray for the lost, that they would receive the Word of God in some form - whether talking with believers or reading a good Biblical tract - and that the Lord would convict their heart and draw them to Him, for their salvation and to God's glory alone.
Soli Deo Gloria
Monday, March 12, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tolerance
"Tolerance is a virtue for those without convictions." -GK Chesterton
So, let's talk about "tolerance" and try to understand the word, because I think it's been taken out of context quite a bit lately. It would seem that the gay rights activists think it means we all have to agree in order to be tolerant. But these are some of the most intolerant people towards anyone who disagrees with them that I've ever seen.
We cannot even have tolerance unless we disagree. What is there to tolerate if you completely agree with someone else?
I disagree with the homosexual lifestyle, like Kirk Cameron, I find it unnatural and destructive. I will vote against homosexual marriage, I will talk to people about what the Bible says about the subject But I do not hate nor fear homosexuals. I do not beat them up for their beliefs or think they should be jailed or killed. I would say that I am fairly tolerant in my disagreement with it. Why is that so bad? Am I not entitled to my opinion just as everyone else?
I will never agree that it's right because the Bible clearly condemns it. Anyone who claims to be a Christian, yet condones that lifestyle is either deceived or ignorant, and any church leader who teaches that it's ok as a Christian is a false teacher.
If I must be considered "intolerant" because I will stand up for what I believe, and can argue the point from a biblical perspective, then fine. But those who throw around the accusations must acknowledge that they are just as "intolerant" as I am, in order for them to avoid the label of "hypocrite."
So, let's talk about "tolerance" and try to understand the word, because I think it's been taken out of context quite a bit lately. It would seem that the gay rights activists think it means we all have to agree in order to be tolerant. But these are some of the most intolerant people towards anyone who disagrees with them that I've ever seen.
We cannot even have tolerance unless we disagree. What is there to tolerate if you completely agree with someone else?
I disagree with the homosexual lifestyle, like Kirk Cameron, I find it unnatural and destructive. I will vote against homosexual marriage, I will talk to people about what the Bible says about the subject But I do not hate nor fear homosexuals. I do not beat them up for their beliefs or think they should be jailed or killed. I would say that I am fairly tolerant in my disagreement with it. Why is that so bad? Am I not entitled to my opinion just as everyone else?
I will never agree that it's right because the Bible clearly condemns it. Anyone who claims to be a Christian, yet condones that lifestyle is either deceived or ignorant, and any church leader who teaches that it's ok as a Christian is a false teacher.
If I must be considered "intolerant" because I will stand up for what I believe, and can argue the point from a biblical perspective, then fine. But those who throw around the accusations must acknowledge that they are just as "intolerant" as I am, in order for them to avoid the label of "hypocrite."
Monday, March 5, 2012
Saturday 03-03-12
Tom and I met Alan out on Mill Ave. We brought the illusion board, which always attracts attention, and a couple stopped by to check it out as soon as we had it set up.
Tobias and Crystal liked the illusion, and we took them through some of the "IQ questions" which lightens the mood and gets some laughs at how easily we can be fooled by a few trick questions. Then they agreed to go through the Good Person Test (GPT). She seemed a little strung out on something and wasn't paying much attention, but he listened and took it seriously. We gave them a couple of tracts before they headed on their way. Before I was even done talking with them, Tom was speaking with another couple that had stopped by to look at the board.
Later, there was a group of around ten to fifteen people that were checking out the illusion board, so I got out the mic in order to speak with them all at once, and take them through the GPT. One woman seemed interested at first, but as we started going through the Law and the fact that we all deserve to be punished in hell, she decided to walk away without hearing the rest. A couple of her friends left a few minutes later, but the others stayed and listened, getting a clear view of our need for a Savior.
So many people in America believe that they can get into heaven by being a "good person," and they don't like being shown how they stand up to God's standards. These are the ones that are referred to as "innoculated backsliders", knowing just enough of a watered down message to think that they are safe, believing that God is only love, and will just forgive everyone no matter what they do, because He knows their heart. Well, God is more than just love, He is also holy, righteous and just. He does indeed know your heart, and that thought ought to really scare you, because our hearts are deceitfully wicked. If you don't believe that, seriously comtemplate this:
If we could record your mind, every thought and secret desire that you've had in just the past year, and we could put that up on a large screen and invite everyone you know, family, friends, coworkers and acquintences, to view your thought life, how would you feel? Think about this seriously, wouldn't you run away from there and never go back? Because you know that you've thought things that you would never share with even your closest friend. I know this because I am human, just like you, and none of us measure up to God's standards. Know for a fact that God sees every thought, and He is the Creator and Judge of all mankind. We should be very afraid that a holy and righteous God who gave us a standard to live by, knows our every thought and desire of our hearts, and we have violated His law. Without Jesus Christ to pay the fine that we owe, we would all be rightfully cast into the lake of fire for eternity, for our thoughts and deeds in transgression of His Law. Our only hope is to repent of our sins, turn away, foresaking the evil we once loved, and then trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.
A couple of homeless people stopped by throughout the night. I have a few "Gift For You" tracts, which has a place to insert a bill and includes a good Gospel message within it. These people were very appreciative and started reading it right away.
You can get some of these at Living Waters.
A man named Hubert stopped and asked us for prayer. He was pretty drunk and has a serious drinking problem, which is causing issues with his family. He wants to be reconciled with them, but continues to go home drunk. We prayed for him and Tom talked with him for a while about needing to give up alcohol and get his life clean.
Julian, who goes by "Jersey" stopped by with a couple of friends to check out our illusion board. We took him throught the GPT, and he seemed to be convicted, as it made a lot of sense to him. His friends wandered off, but he stayed and talked with us for a while. He said this was "real" and we gave him some tracts to take with him.
A man named Julio stopped by, and claimed to be a Christian. He said that he didn't believe in "duality", that it's not as simple as right and wrong, good and bad, but more of a gray area. I took him through the GPT anyway, and he said that he appreciated what we were doing out there. However, even as he professed Christianity, he said that he did not believe that Jesus Christ was the only way. He thought that people in other religions might have some sort of "Christ-consiousness" as he called it. I explained that if there was any other way, then Jesus Christ died in vain. I explained that the Bible states that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father, except through Him. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved.
It seems that his problem is that he has relatives who are Buddhists and Muslims and does not want to think that there is no hope for them apart from Jesus Christ. He couldn't take the exclusivity, which is the main thing that makes Christianity so offensive to unbelievers. Sean talked with him for a while, but didn't make much progress, either. I gave him an "Are You Good Enough to Get into Heaven" tract before we left, please pray that he will read it and the Lord will open his eyes to understand the Gospel and be saved, for the glory of God.
Soli Deo Gloria
Tobias and Crystal liked the illusion, and we took them through some of the "IQ questions" which lightens the mood and gets some laughs at how easily we can be fooled by a few trick questions. Then they agreed to go through the Good Person Test (GPT). She seemed a little strung out on something and wasn't paying much attention, but he listened and took it seriously. We gave them a couple of tracts before they headed on their way. Before I was even done talking with them, Tom was speaking with another couple that had stopped by to look at the board.
Later, there was a group of around ten to fifteen people that were checking out the illusion board, so I got out the mic in order to speak with them all at once, and take them through the GPT. One woman seemed interested at first, but as we started going through the Law and the fact that we all deserve to be punished in hell, she decided to walk away without hearing the rest. A couple of her friends left a few minutes later, but the others stayed and listened, getting a clear view of our need for a Savior.
So many people in America believe that they can get into heaven by being a "good person," and they don't like being shown how they stand up to God's standards. These are the ones that are referred to as "innoculated backsliders", knowing just enough of a watered down message to think that they are safe, believing that God is only love, and will just forgive everyone no matter what they do, because He knows their heart. Well, God is more than just love, He is also holy, righteous and just. He does indeed know your heart, and that thought ought to really scare you, because our hearts are deceitfully wicked. If you don't believe that, seriously comtemplate this:
If we could record your mind, every thought and secret desire that you've had in just the past year, and we could put that up on a large screen and invite everyone you know, family, friends, coworkers and acquintences, to view your thought life, how would you feel? Think about this seriously, wouldn't you run away from there and never go back? Because you know that you've thought things that you would never share with even your closest friend. I know this because I am human, just like you, and none of us measure up to God's standards. Know for a fact that God sees every thought, and He is the Creator and Judge of all mankind. We should be very afraid that a holy and righteous God who gave us a standard to live by, knows our every thought and desire of our hearts, and we have violated His law. Without Jesus Christ to pay the fine that we owe, we would all be rightfully cast into the lake of fire for eternity, for our thoughts and deeds in transgression of His Law. Our only hope is to repent of our sins, turn away, foresaking the evil we once loved, and then trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.
A couple of homeless people stopped by throughout the night. I have a few "Gift For You" tracts, which has a place to insert a bill and includes a good Gospel message within it. These people were very appreciative and started reading it right away.
A man named Hubert stopped and asked us for prayer. He was pretty drunk and has a serious drinking problem, which is causing issues with his family. He wants to be reconciled with them, but continues to go home drunk. We prayed for him and Tom talked with him for a while about needing to give up alcohol and get his life clean.
Julian, who goes by "Jersey" stopped by with a couple of friends to check out our illusion board. We took him throught the GPT, and he seemed to be convicted, as it made a lot of sense to him. His friends wandered off, but he stayed and talked with us for a while. He said this was "real" and we gave him some tracts to take with him.
A man named Julio stopped by, and claimed to be a Christian. He said that he didn't believe in "duality", that it's not as simple as right and wrong, good and bad, but more of a gray area. I took him through the GPT anyway, and he said that he appreciated what we were doing out there. However, even as he professed Christianity, he said that he did not believe that Jesus Christ was the only way. He thought that people in other religions might have some sort of "Christ-consiousness" as he called it. I explained that if there was any other way, then Jesus Christ died in vain. I explained that the Bible states that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father, except through Him. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved.
It seems that his problem is that he has relatives who are Buddhists and Muslims and does not want to think that there is no hope for them apart from Jesus Christ. He couldn't take the exclusivity, which is the main thing that makes Christianity so offensive to unbelievers. Sean talked with him for a while, but didn't make much progress, either. I gave him an "Are You Good Enough to Get into Heaven" tract before we left, please pray that he will read it and the Lord will open his eyes to understand the Gospel and be saved, for the glory of God.
Soli Deo Gloria
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Building on the Foundation
As I was reading my Bible today, I came across 1 Cor 3:10, which says that men must be careful how they build on Christ's foundation. 1 Cor 3:13 and 1 Cor 3:15 tell us how the quality of our works will be tested by fire, and if it doesn't measure up, we will suffer loss, even though we are still saved.
So, the thought occurred to me that maybe this could be speaking of evangelism. How many times do we hear, "God can use any method to accomplish His purpose of saving someone."? True enough, but that does not excuse us from the responsibility to follow the example given in Scripture. Even Pharaoh and Judas were used for God’s purpose, yet it did not justify their actions.
What if things like "God has a wonderful plan for your life" and the "love and grace only" Gospel, having no biblical foundation, will be burned up when tested? Even though people may have been saved by these methods, they are leaving out half the Gospel, and so they are not completely biblical. We have started using man’s ways instead of God’s way (Is 55:9) to proclaim the way of salvation.
Those works, although well intentioned, may well be burned up when tested by fire because they are not the methods given in the Bible: Law to the proud, grace to the humble (1 Pet 5:5, James 4:6). The Law is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal 3:24). The Law is perfect, converting the soul (Psalm 19:7), why should we look for other ways? Paul said he would not even know what sin was, apart from the Law (Rom 7:7). God is the Judge, and He is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11). Shouldn’t we warn people? Of course we should, God doesn’t want anyone to perish (Eze 18:32), yet many will (James 1:14-15). And He has commanded us to warn them, as a watchman on the wall. We cannot actually convert anyone, only God does that. Yet He will hold us responsible for warning them (Eze 33:8-9).
Granted, your salvation is not at stake for using unbiblical methods to reach out to others. Evangelizing by any method is actually more than a lot of people do. Yet do you really want to forfeit any part of the reward that God has for you? Wouldn't you rather be like Paul, able to say, I have finished the race (2 Tim 4:7), stayed strong, preached the full Gospel (Acts 20:26-27)?
If we call Him Lord, wouldn't we want to do things His way, rather than trying to make up our own? Wouldn't we rather hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:21), instead of, "Congratulations, you just barely made it in by the skin of your teeth, your clothes have scorch marks on them!"?
Soli Deo Gloria
So, the thought occurred to me that maybe this could be speaking of evangelism. How many times do we hear, "God can use any method to accomplish His purpose of saving someone."? True enough, but that does not excuse us from the responsibility to follow the example given in Scripture. Even Pharaoh and Judas were used for God’s purpose, yet it did not justify their actions.
What if things like "God has a wonderful plan for your life" and the "love and grace only" Gospel, having no biblical foundation, will be burned up when tested? Even though people may have been saved by these methods, they are leaving out half the Gospel, and so they are not completely biblical. We have started using man’s ways instead of God’s way (Is 55:9) to proclaim the way of salvation.
Those works, although well intentioned, may well be burned up when tested by fire because they are not the methods given in the Bible: Law to the proud, grace to the humble (1 Pet 5:5, James 4:6). The Law is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal 3:24). The Law is perfect, converting the soul (Psalm 19:7), why should we look for other ways? Paul said he would not even know what sin was, apart from the Law (Rom 7:7). God is the Judge, and He is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11). Shouldn’t we warn people? Of course we should, God doesn’t want anyone to perish (Eze 18:32), yet many will (James 1:14-15). And He has commanded us to warn them, as a watchman on the wall. We cannot actually convert anyone, only God does that. Yet He will hold us responsible for warning them (Eze 33:8-9).
Granted, your salvation is not at stake for using unbiblical methods to reach out to others. Evangelizing by any method is actually more than a lot of people do. Yet do you really want to forfeit any part of the reward that God has for you? Wouldn't you rather be like Paul, able to say, I have finished the race (2 Tim 4:7), stayed strong, preached the full Gospel (Acts 20:26-27)?
If we call Him Lord, wouldn't we want to do things His way, rather than trying to make up our own? Wouldn't we rather hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:21), instead of, "Congratulations, you just barely made it in by the skin of your teeth, your clothes have scorch marks on them!"?
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Saturday 02/18/12
The DJ and breakdancing team set up in front of the post office this past weekend. They don't care if anyone else is already there or not, they have loud amps and just blast everyone else away. There was another guy set up there, singing and playing guitar before they arrived, and he wasn't too happy about them taking over his space. It seems the post office is becoming a popular place these days.
Tom had had a class and so there were a few new people out on the streets to see how it goes. Since the breakdancers were set up there, we just distributed tracts and didn't do any Open Air preaching.
The Door was set up on an opposite corner, preaching and playing music. I talked to one of their people for a little while, explaining the way that we share the Gospel.
Brandt has a class coming up this weekend, if anyone is in the Mesa area on Saturday, sign up and check it out at GodsWonderfulPlan.com. Hopefully, we'll have even more new people coming out this next weekend. Pray for more workers (Luke 10:2).
Soli Deo Gloria
Tom had had a class and so there were a few new people out on the streets to see how it goes. Since the breakdancers were set up there, we just distributed tracts and didn't do any Open Air preaching.
The Door was set up on an opposite corner, preaching and playing music. I talked to one of their people for a little while, explaining the way that we share the Gospel.
Brandt has a class coming up this weekend, if anyone is in the Mesa area on Saturday, sign up and check it out at GodsWonderfulPlan.com. Hopefully, we'll have even more new people coming out this next weekend. Pray for more workers (Luke 10:2).
Soli Deo Gloria
Friday, February 10, 2012
Hey!
Ya know what you are?
"You narrow-minded, hate-filled, self-righteous, intolerant bigot. You're nothing but an ignorant, anti-choice, arrogant hypocrite! You’re a weak-minded, fool, believing myths and you’re a judgmental Jesus freak!"
Well, thank you! Let's break this little tirade down in order to understand why we should thank someone for it, shall we?
Narrow-minded - Matt 7:14 tells us that the way is narrow that leads to life, but wide is the road to destruction.
Hate-filled - We are not the ones who hate, but we will be hated in the world (Luke 6:22), just as our Lord was.
Self-righteous - Our righteousness is found only through Christ, not in ourselves (Eph 4:24, Col 1:28).
Intolerant - we should not tolerate false prophets or lies (Rev 2:20), and will be held accountable for doing so.
Bigot - Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6), there is only one name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 ).
Ignorant - God uses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise (1 Cor 1:27).
Anti-choice - Every choice is accompanied by responsibility. If we are stubborn and unrepentant, we are storing up wrath for ourselves (Rom 2:5). We are slaves of God to eternal life (Rom 6:22), bought at a price (1 Cor 7:23), and if we love Him, we will obey His commands (John 14:23-24), rather than follow our own deceitful hearts (Jer 16:12, 17:9).
Arrogant - We preach in fear and weakness, knowing only Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2-4).
Hypocrite - Ah, let us be sure we have removed the log from our own eye first (Matt 7:5), nevertheless, we are saved by grace through faith, not of works, lest anyone boast (Eph 2:8-9).
Weak-minded - the weakness of God is stronger than human strength (1 Cor 1:25), and the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Psalm 111:10).
Fool - The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:18), but in reality, it is the one who says there is no God that is the fool (Psalm 14:1), and fools despise wisdom (Prov 1:7).
Believing Myths - We all have knowledge of the Creator, and are left without excuse (Rom 1:20). God's Law is written on our hearts, our conscience bearing witness (Rom 2:15).
Judgmental - John 7:24 says to judge righteously, and Matt 7:16 tells us that we’ll know them by their fruit. We are to judge those inside the church, (1 Cor 5:12) and we warn those outside to keep them from the coming judgment, when God's wrath will be revealed (Rom 1:18), for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb 10:31).
Jesus freak - If we are ashamed of Him now before men, He will be ashamed of us before the angels when He comes in glory (Mark 8:38). I am not ashamed of the Gospel (Rom 1:16).
So, if that is how the world chooses to define me, I have no real problem with that from a Biblical (as defined above) perspective.
God bless!
Well, thank you! Let's break this little tirade down in order to understand why we should thank someone for it, shall we?
Narrow-minded - Matt 7:14 tells us that the way is narrow that leads to life, but wide is the road to destruction.
Hate-filled - We are not the ones who hate, but we will be hated in the world (Luke 6:22), just as our Lord was.
Self-righteous - Our righteousness is found only through Christ, not in ourselves (Eph 4:24, Col 1:28).
Intolerant - we should not tolerate false prophets or lies (Rev 2:20), and will be held accountable for doing so.
Bigot - Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6), there is only one name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 ).
Ignorant - God uses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise (1 Cor 1:27).
Anti-choice - Every choice is accompanied by responsibility. If we are stubborn and unrepentant, we are storing up wrath for ourselves (Rom 2:5). We are slaves of God to eternal life (Rom 6:22), bought at a price (1 Cor 7:23), and if we love Him, we will obey His commands (John 14:23-24), rather than follow our own deceitful hearts (Jer 16:12, 17:9).
Arrogant - We preach in fear and weakness, knowing only Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2-4).
Hypocrite - Ah, let us be sure we have removed the log from our own eye first (Matt 7:5), nevertheless, we are saved by grace through faith, not of works, lest anyone boast (Eph 2:8-9).
Weak-minded - the weakness of God is stronger than human strength (1 Cor 1:25), and the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Psalm 111:10).
Fool - The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:18), but in reality, it is the one who says there is no God that is the fool (Psalm 14:1), and fools despise wisdom (Prov 1:7).
Believing Myths - We all have knowledge of the Creator, and are left without excuse (Rom 1:20). God's Law is written on our hearts, our conscience bearing witness (Rom 2:15).
Judgmental - John 7:24 says to judge righteously, and Matt 7:16 tells us that we’ll know them by their fruit. We are to judge those inside the church, (1 Cor 5:12) and we warn those outside to keep them from the coming judgment, when God's wrath will be revealed (Rom 1:18), for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb 10:31).
Jesus freak - If we are ashamed of Him now before men, He will be ashamed of us before the angels when He comes in glory (Mark 8:38). I am not ashamed of the Gospel (Rom 1:16).
So, if that is how the world chooses to define me, I have no real problem with that from a Biblical (as defined above) perspective.
God bless!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Saturday 02/04/12
Joe and Alan were already out on Mill handing out tracts when we got there. We prayed and Tom started doing some Open Air trivia in order to gather a crowd.
Some girl scouts stopped by, so Tom took the parents through the Good Person Test (GPT), but they were getting uncomfortable when they were being confronted with their own specific sins, and just wanted to get out of there.
They saw the opportunity when Tom asked them about the 7th Commandment and that Jesus said that lust would make a person guilty of adultery in the heart. They stated that they would not answer that question in front of their kids, who were probably around 5 or 6, and had already lost interest in the conversation anyway. It was completely over their heads, with no foul language for little ears to latch onto. But these moms were looking for an escape, so they took the opportunity and headed off down the street, claiming their moral high ground, which I found a little ironic out there. I can only imagine the inappropriate things those little kids would see and hear out on Mill Ave at night.
We had a few others stop by, but nothing real exciting. We handed out a few tracts and did some more Open Air. Our friendly neighborhood heckler, Melissa, stopped by to interrupt and teach us about her religion of Darwinian evolution, which she likes to refer to as "science."
As usual, that conversation proved to be pointless, as she sang a song to express her views. I told her that she had already sung this one to me, but she had to serenade me with it again anyway. And I hadn't brought my Paper Jamz drums out there on this night, or I could have added a little music. Or maybe drowned her out with the noise I make on that. A friend of hers eventually showed up and I guess they found something else to do
. So, although Mill Ave was pretty dead, we did still have a lot of spiritual opposition out there.
Sometimes, when we pray before starting, I've heard people pray for "just one person" to come and hear the Gospel and be saved. I disagree with that one, I always want as many as the Lord will bring us, and if it happens to be just one, then fine, but I'm going to ask for more. But this night, I think we had just that one. We didn't find her until we left Mill Ave.
Tom and I decided to stop at a different place than we normally do. We went to a Denny's on Rural Rd for some hot chocolate. We were talking about why so many believers are quiet and don't share their faith. There are many times that I don't share, even though I know that I should. I'm basically quiet by nature and prefer to be left alone. That's not an excuse for me or anyone else, it just means people like me need to work harder at overcoming that in order to be obedient to the Lord.
So, at Tom's prodding, I told our waitress (Meeka) that we normally pray before a meal and asked if that was ok with her. She said, "Sure, of course it is", so I asked if there was anything we could pray for her about. She thought about it for a minute and then told us that she will be moving out of state soon, so we could pray for her safe trip and that everything goes well with getting established in a new home. I've never really known how this is received by people, but we found out later that she was quite excited that we would care enough to ask if we could pray for her. Her mother, Nikki, was also working there and Meeka had told her about us.
Tom put a curved illusion tract on the table to start a conversation, and we were able to take her through the GPT. She admitted to lying (9th Commandment), stealing (8th), blaspheming (3rd) and lust (7th, seen as adultery in the heart by the words of Jesus in Matt 5:28). However, Meeka was having some trouble admitting that she'd be found guilty when standing before God. So, Tom explained that if we've broken the law, we would obviously be found guilty. Still, she went a different direction, claiming that God would forgive, which is quite common. He asked her if everyone would get into heaven then, no matter what they've done. She wasn't sure about that, so he said, "I'll give you one more analogy, and then you'll have to answer the question. If I were found guilty of breaking the law here, and went before a judge at Maricopa county, admitted my guilt and asked the judge to forgive me, could he just let me go if he was a just and righteous judge?"
At this, Meeka understood, and admitted that she would be found guilty. Tom asked her then, where would God have to send her, and she looked down and said, "Hell." He asked if that concerned her, and she said, "Yes! I don't want to go to hell!"
Then she had to go take care of a couple of customers, but was back later, and even pulled up a chair to talk with us further. She knew there had to be more, and she wanted to hear it. She asked, "So am I just doomed then?"
This is where it all makes sense to someone. If you only tell them about God's love, they might come to Christ to be saved, but in the back of their mind, they will still see God as harsh and mean to send someone to hell for eternity. But if you use the Law as it was designed, it shows us our guilt, and that we all actually deserve to go to hell because we've rebelled and broken God's law. Then a person can understand God's mercy - when we don't get what we deserve, and His grace - when we do get something that we don't deserve.
When they express their concern, knowing that they deserve to go to eternal torment in hell, then we have the opportunity to tell them of God's love and it will actually make sense. This is so often lacking in American churches today. We have "pastors" like Joel Osteen giving us a warm fuzzy message where God's wrath doesn't even make sense.
We explained what God had done, in His great love for us, to keep us from the hell that we all deserve for breaking His holy law.
He came down, lived a perfect life in Jesus Christ, then suffered and died on a cross, taking on the punishment that we deserve. Three days later, He rose again, defeating death forever. Now, all that remains for us to do is repent of our sins - turn away from them, hating the sins that we once loved, and then to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the payment of our sins. There is nothing we can do, we don't deserve it, we can't earn it, but everlasting life is available to us through Christ's work on the cross. Any good works that we do after that are solely out of gratitude to the loving God on undeserving sinners.
After we had talked with her for a while, I asked if she had a Bible. She said she used to, but didn't have one any more. Her mother wanted one as well, so I gave them each a pocket sized ESV. Please pray that they would both read and obey the Scripture and that the Lord would draw them close for their salvation to the glory of God. And pray for a safe move and getting established in their new home.
Soli Deo Gloria
They saw the opportunity when Tom asked them about the 7th Commandment and that Jesus said that lust would make a person guilty of adultery in the heart. They stated that they would not answer that question in front of their kids, who were probably around 5 or 6, and had already lost interest in the conversation anyway. It was completely over their heads, with no foul language for little ears to latch onto. But these moms were looking for an escape, so they took the opportunity and headed off down the street, claiming their moral high ground, which I found a little ironic out there. I can only imagine the inappropriate things those little kids would see and hear out on Mill Ave at night.
We had a few others stop by, but nothing real exciting. We handed out a few tracts and did some more Open Air. Our friendly neighborhood heckler, Melissa, stopped by to interrupt and teach us about her religion of Darwinian evolution, which she likes to refer to as "science."
As usual, that conversation proved to be pointless, as she sang a song to express her views. I told her that she had already sung this one to me, but she had to serenade me with it again anyway. And I hadn't brought my Paper Jamz drums out there on this night, or I could have added a little music. Or maybe drowned her out with the noise I make on that. A friend of hers eventually showed up and I guess they found something else to do
. So, although Mill Ave was pretty dead, we did still have a lot of spiritual opposition out there.
Sometimes, when we pray before starting, I've heard people pray for "just one person" to come and hear the Gospel and be saved. I disagree with that one, I always want as many as the Lord will bring us, and if it happens to be just one, then fine, but I'm going to ask for more. But this night, I think we had just that one. We didn't find her until we left Mill Ave.
Tom and I decided to stop at a different place than we normally do. We went to a Denny's on Rural Rd for some hot chocolate. We were talking about why so many believers are quiet and don't share their faith. There are many times that I don't share, even though I know that I should. I'm basically quiet by nature and prefer to be left alone. That's not an excuse for me or anyone else, it just means people like me need to work harder at overcoming that in order to be obedient to the Lord.
So, at Tom's prodding, I told our waitress (Meeka) that we normally pray before a meal and asked if that was ok with her. She said, "Sure, of course it is", so I asked if there was anything we could pray for her about. She thought about it for a minute and then told us that she will be moving out of state soon, so we could pray for her safe trip and that everything goes well with getting established in a new home. I've never really known how this is received by people, but we found out later that she was quite excited that we would care enough to ask if we could pray for her. Her mother, Nikki, was also working there and Meeka had told her about us.
Tom put a curved illusion tract on the table to start a conversation, and we were able to take her through the GPT. She admitted to lying (9th Commandment), stealing (8th), blaspheming (3rd) and lust (7th, seen as adultery in the heart by the words of Jesus in Matt 5:28). However, Meeka was having some trouble admitting that she'd be found guilty when standing before God. So, Tom explained that if we've broken the law, we would obviously be found guilty. Still, she went a different direction, claiming that God would forgive, which is quite common. He asked her if everyone would get into heaven then, no matter what they've done. She wasn't sure about that, so he said, "I'll give you one more analogy, and then you'll have to answer the question. If I were found guilty of breaking the law here, and went before a judge at Maricopa county, admitted my guilt and asked the judge to forgive me, could he just let me go if he was a just and righteous judge?"
At this, Meeka understood, and admitted that she would be found guilty. Tom asked her then, where would God have to send her, and she looked down and said, "Hell." He asked if that concerned her, and she said, "Yes! I don't want to go to hell!"
Then she had to go take care of a couple of customers, but was back later, and even pulled up a chair to talk with us further. She knew there had to be more, and she wanted to hear it. She asked, "So am I just doomed then?"
This is where it all makes sense to someone. If you only tell them about God's love, they might come to Christ to be saved, but in the back of their mind, they will still see God as harsh and mean to send someone to hell for eternity. But if you use the Law as it was designed, it shows us our guilt, and that we all actually deserve to go to hell because we've rebelled and broken God's law. Then a person can understand God's mercy - when we don't get what we deserve, and His grace - when we do get something that we don't deserve.
When they express their concern, knowing that they deserve to go to eternal torment in hell, then we have the opportunity to tell them of God's love and it will actually make sense. This is so often lacking in American churches today. We have "pastors" like Joel Osteen giving us a warm fuzzy message where God's wrath doesn't even make sense.
We explained what God had done, in His great love for us, to keep us from the hell that we all deserve for breaking His holy law.
He came down, lived a perfect life in Jesus Christ, then suffered and died on a cross, taking on the punishment that we deserve. Three days later, He rose again, defeating death forever. Now, all that remains for us to do is repent of our sins - turn away from them, hating the sins that we once loved, and then to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the payment of our sins. There is nothing we can do, we don't deserve it, we can't earn it, but everlasting life is available to us through Christ's work on the cross. Any good works that we do after that are solely out of gratitude to the loving God on undeserving sinners.
After we had talked with her for a while, I asked if she had a Bible. She said she used to, but didn't have one any more. Her mother wanted one as well, so I gave them each a pocket sized ESV. Please pray that they would both read and obey the Scripture and that the Lord would draw them close for their salvation to the glory of God. And pray for a safe move and getting established in their new home.
Soli Deo Gloria
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