Military pal gospel opportunity

7/23/12

I have been blessed to stay in touch with some folks from my military days, and today had a great opp to share the gospel and discuss Christianity and false converts with one, hoping seeds are planted for God's glory.

Friend: I know I have a lot of friends and family who believe in God and if I offend you I do apologize. I would like to say I do not have a problem with the idea of God. I have a problem with the many people who claim to believe in God and the Bible. Gang members, rapists, pedophiles, murderers, thieves and so many others who do so many wrongs against humanity claim to be believers and these people I call hypocrites.

These people do wrong over and over and over again and all they have to do is ask for forgiveness. All anyone has to do is ask for forgiveness. We are capable to know right from wrong, to feel empathy, when one crosses the line for no reason other for than personal gain or pleasure there is no asking for forgiveness, when one is right in the mind there is no going back and undoing what has been wrong.

you can't give a child his or her innocence back, you can't give life back, you can't give years of heartache back. One can find peace and move on because nothing can be undone. I hold myself accountable for my actions. I believe I have one life and I should live my life as best as I can to treat others as I would like to be treated. I have made mistakes and I like to believe I have learned from them. I have control over my actions and my destiny to an extent, society has control over the other extent.

My Reply: It is sad we are in a fallen world. But also cannot self righteously want to hold others accountable for things, but ourselves get away scot free. We cant say we are a judge over them and yet not judge ourselves the same. We cannot act as God and think we know better than Him who knows the heart, thought, intentions and deeds of others. So, if they are a real believer, Jesus paid for their crimes and they are free from eternal punishment. 

I Agree with what you're trying to say about hypocrites. That word means liar. Either your saved and God is making you more like Christ, your growing godly and righteously or your not. You're either a disciple of Christ who studies the Bible, and is renewed by the Word thru the power of the Holy Spirit or your not. You're either producing fruit that reveals your a true believer or you produce bad fruit proving your not of Christ. You've either surrendered your life fully to Christ and he's your master or he's not and you're a false convert.

Ppl come to Christ for many wrong reasons, but the only right reason is for salvation. Jesus calls us to repent once and for all of crimes against God (violating the 10 Law he gave us) and trusting in and turning to Christ who paid the believers sin debt on the cross with his blood, to save us from God's wrath and eternal punishment, (and when we do....it includes giving us a restored relationship with Him, and a fellowship that is eternal). If people try to come some other way they won't make it. God has been clear in Scripture.

But, the redeemed of Christ, upon salvation also aren't perfect. God works on them to help them grow, to help them overcome their sins and defeat them. Defeat their sinful desires, the world and Satan, but it can take time. It does take time, plus many are weak or don't read the Bible and learn from God, they may not have good bible study teachers or preachers and God has to teach them and mold them to be more like Christ over time. Scripture explains "your not able to handle what I need to tell you now, but later yes" so may be true with many who need more from God over longer periods of time. They will mess up and sin, repent of that and learn from it. So we can't judge Christ based on his followers. We know imperfect men make mistakes. God works on them and if they don't heed his Word, correction, then they may be taken out to heaven as Scripture also says.

But, if they aren't saved, the truth of their hypocrisy will be known sooner or later, others when they arrive at the throne of judgment on judgement day. But God calls us each to repent and turn to Jesus, so we need to look at each "our own" lives as we truely are before God's eyes... and make sure were saved, because after death there's only judgement, as God explained in Scripture.

The false modern gospel, which is not God's gospel preaches forgiveness with no consequences and that's not representing the true God, the true Jesus nor the true biblical God given gospel. That's why we send people to read www.needGod.com so they can hear the truth. God doesn't forgive without justice.

"Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter" Isaiah 5:20

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

___

Reader, God will judge all the unredeemed in the end. They will all have different degrees of punishment based on their crimes.  It could be your last day on earth. We are all guilty of crimes against God. All liars and thieves will go to eternal Hell. The redeemed and converted to Heaven. Will you?

I hope you will visit the above site to ensure you're really saved, or to surrender your life to Christ. Then  live for him this day forward. Study the Bible daily, worship and praise Him on Sunday with other believers, and serve the saints there and the Lord every day.

God Bless, and thanks for visiting us today.

www.needGod.com

Evangelism Weekend Report

I had a great time witnessing in the community this weekend. 

This weekend I was out with a group witnessing in our community. We had a time of fellowship and lunch together before we hit the streets. I was glad our day was covered in prayer, as we encountered people, I was glad the Lord had prepared the way for us to reach out to them.

I had the blessed opportunity of reaching out to 15 high school seniors and some college age guys who were hanging around outside the subway station. There were two girls there in the group too.

I had a shy young lady with me, who spoke very softly. She seems to be new at witnessing, and I’m glad she’s getting the opportunity to step out in faith to interact with the lost and pair up with a believer to see how we interact, and to interact herself. She was sweet. She went with me and I talked to the group of guys. Later told me she was very nervous to go there with me to approach them. I said I was a little nervous to, there were so many of them, but I encouraged her, that the guys seemed outgoing and friendly.

I found out when I first spoke to them that they have been approached several times in the past by people from our group. haha, they must hang out there often. So I spoke in general way and then focused on the Cross and the Darkness and Judgment and Wrath on Christ, so they could understand the seriousness of our sin and the lengths God went to in order to make us right with God, and the cost to redeem us. How God went to such lengths to do so, though he didnt need to, we deserve Hell but He offers forgiveness and peace with God. I then talked about Hell, and pointed to the value of the issue, and importance of obeying the gospel message.

One guy behind me said something about "partying" in Hell. I told the guys that there will be nothing good in Hell. We have eyes to see, taste buds to enjoy food, ears to hear and light to see and move about in. That it wont be like that in Hell. Nothing good will be there. I spoke about how we are in a holding cell, we have the ground and things here on earth, we have the sky, but we are limited to the things on this earth. One day God will call us to stand before Him and if you die unforgiven for your sins, God will toss you into an eternal Hell. There is only judgment and punishment and torment there.

I talked a few more minutes and I also said that, while they may joke about these things with their friends around them, it doesnt mean that "you" dont think about these things when you're by yourself. And I just wanted them to understand some things that they may not have been told before. I explained what it would be like in Hell, correcting his understanding, and those listening.

I spoke mainly to three guys and one girl, the rest listened. One other guy goofed off towards the end when I had asked if they had any questions. He said something about 2012, and then said something I was able to use to get back into the conversation and wrap it up: "So do you believe Jesus is coming back?" I told him I do, and went through some of that, told him that according to the Scriptures those who hear the gospel now and reject the free gift God offers in Christ, will not be allowed to be redeemed when God's patience runs out, because they had the opportunity to be made right with God, have forgiveness, and receive salvation.

I talked about Hell a little, about God being the Just Judge, and talked about the gospel importance again. Again spoke of the fact that they dont know when they will die. I asked if they had any other questions, and no one did. I told them that I come through here often, and if they see me and have thought of a question that they’d like to know the answer to, to just come over and ask me. I’d be glad to talk to them. At the end, I thanked them, shook their hands, and we left. During the conversation I had asked if any of them had repented and trusted in Christ, one girl said she had. I spoke for a minute with her, encouraged her, and continued the conversation with everyone.

After we left, The girl who was with me said we should have offered them a Bible. I told her I sometimes forget 'two' things after talking with people. I forget to ask them "if there's anything that would prevent them getting right with God today" and encourage them to do so. Not to let any pet sin stand in the way, because eternity in Hell is not worth it. And I also forget to ask if the have a Bible at home. If not, I could leave a Gospel of John with them. And encourage them to Read the Bible at home, either borrow a family members to read, or go to the Dollar store and get a KJV Bible for 1 dollar, or read it for free online.

I encouraged her "to remind me to do that today with other conversations we have, or to jump in and say that at the end". I know that when we witness for so long (years) we tend to forget some things that are beneficial to say, because we want to get the gospel in there, and we leave the rest to God. I know that if they want to investigate or read the Bible, they will. But it is a good idea to say something to them after the conversation.

We also spoke to a woman, her daughter and son, and her friend. They are catholic. We asked if they had received a tract before, and the daughter said they had, the same ones we offered. The mother took a tract and we began talking to them. I asked them a couple of questions and then moved into the Law. The lady didn’t want to say liar, but she said we all lie. I told her that is true. Then I said “if your daughter told a lie to your face you would call her what?” she relented and said “A Liar.” And the daughter laughed. I asked the daughter if she had ever stolen anything. She said she had. I looked at her mother and said “If the cops were chasing you down because you stole something, they would yell 'stop...’!”. She said, “thief.” I said yes. I then asked if they have ever used God’s name in vain, inappropriately. The daughter said she had. Then, their ride arrived and they had to go, though the mother was still sitting there and listening to what I was saying. I told her that the rest of the information we’d like them to know about God and Judgment day, is on the back of that tract. We wished them a nice day and moved on. I encouraged the shy lady, who was with me, that even if we only get in part of a conversation we can at least make sure they have a tract to take home.

I encouraged her to talk to the next person we encountered. I didn’t want to be the only one between us who was talking, and I wanted to give her opportunity to share the gospel with others that day. So we were about to talk to a guy but he stepped inside the white ring in front of the subway escalators, (that go down underground to where the subway is), which is apparently a place the metro security doesn’t want us at, it impedes traffic flow they say, so we don’t go in that small area.

The girl and I ended up walking around the corner and saw a high school or 19 year old guy and his girlfriend cuddled up. They were sitting down and talking. We walked over there and the girl with me said, very quietly, almost inaudibly “did you get one of these?” I let her talk so she could interact, but after a minute I wasn’t sure that they could hear her, she talks too softly. And with the traffic and the noise around the subway they aren’t going to hear her. I jumped in a couple times when the guy said he didn’t understand. I am assuming he didn’t hear what she was saying or he was faking that he doesn’t understand English. We gave him a tract in Spanish, I think he thought we were only talking to English people, haha. Not this group! We’re prepared. ;)

So anyway, we talked with him and I gave the conversation back to her a few times. The girlfriend only lasted one minute, then she got up and walked away. But we were able to tell the guy some of the same things we said to “the group” of young people we talked with earlier. It was a very good conversation. He was nice, and polite. I was glad that worked out for the girl who was with me, because I hoped she would have good encounters today, that would encourage her.

We switched team mates, and so I was going to take David with me, but he was having health problems, and needed to take some time to rest. I’m glad people who have physical limitations still get out there for the gospel. And I believe he just ran into our evangelism group at the church today for the first time. It was great. Anyway, he spoke to me about a lot of things, and stuff about evangelism. We never did get a chance to get to witness together during the rest of the time we were there. But at least he got to step out for Christ, and he had a good time with Jonathan, whom he teamed up with earlier.

David feels called to witness regularly, so maybe he will be back and participate with our team again. It’s always great to have new people come out with us to witness.

I saw a few other team members talking in various conversations while I was sitting with David. I saw the flow of traffic coming from the subway, pass us to the bus stop. There was one guy I saw I almost gave a tract to, but I felt held back and I’m not sure why, but I just left it as it was. You would think I wouldn’t have a problem breaking away from what I’m doing to walk up to people and hand them a tract. The guy had a buzz cut but he also had hair in the form of a short mohawk too. I don’t know if that is what deterred me or not, but that seems silly cause the guy appeared normal. I mean I just spoke to a huge crowd of young people and now I’m not going to give a tract to this guy. Its just weird how that goes. Well then a few minutes later I notice Jonathan and the new girl, were talking to him. They had such a great conversation with the guy, and it lasted at least 15 minutes. They even gave him a book and a cd in addition to the tract and he seemed encouraged when he left. He had a smile on his face and it was nice.

     

So I thank God that Jonathan got a hold of that guy and witnessed to him instead of me. Something that he shared with the guy had to have been something God wanted the guy to hear and know. So praise the Lord for that. It goes to show that even though we don’t reach out to someone, God will bring someone else in, or he plans for someone else to talk to them.

 It’s ok that we don’t talk to every one we meet and see, we get to many of them, but not all of them. God will use all of us to reach some and the ones he wants us to talk to, we will talk to. That is a great encouragement to all believers who go out and witness as a team isn’t it? It certainly is. But it also goes to show that if we are not lax in reaching people around us for Christ, and we are looking for opportunities to share the gospel, that sometimes we may not get to a certain person, or we feel held back, or we don’t end up talking to someone, God certainly has someone in mind to reach that person, and we just have to leave that in God’s hands. If it is you, it may be at a later opportunity, if someone else, they will interact with the guy. This was one of the first times I’ve seen this happen and it was all in front of my eyes, so I got a blessing to see that happen. 

 In all I was able to speak to about 21 people today, and I know that the rest of the people in the group had to have tracted and spoken to at least 100 people today. Praise the Lord. I always like talking to people on the streets. Their not weird people, they aren’t scary to talk to, they are normal people like me and you who need to hear the gospel. I pray that this evangelism posting has encouraged you to get some tracts and go to the lost on the streets. It certainly is so much easier to talk to strangers about God and salvation than it is to talk to those you already know. 

However I’ve got a great story on that subject to share with you too. God works in wonderful ways, and I always rejoice when opportunities arise and I take hold of them and step out in faith for the Lord, in boldness, and in kindness, sharing the Word of God with people. God be with you! 

 IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME VISITING, PLEASE WATCH THIS... www.NeedGod.com 

Then read evidences for the existence of God, and the Christian faith in "Reasons we Believe, 50 lines of evidence" by Nathan Busenitz .

Firefighter Loses Faith

The Evangelism Ministry, where I learned how to share the gospel, has received a very sad email this week and sent it on to me. I wanted to share it with you because it is something that everyone should gleen truth from and proper understanding about things in this world. I pray this information helps you as you live for Christ and reach out to others about God. 

 The Letter is from a man who had lost faith in God. He was a firefighter who was close friends with a woman firefighter. He said, "She brought me even closer to God and His word. She also did mission work. She was full of life and love, even though she was only 24 years old when we met. She showed me that no matter what, God should always come before anything else. . . . We decided to attack [a fire] from two different sides. Just let me say that we both had hundreds of hours of training and both knew what to do if anything went wrong.

 She was only 150 to 200 yards to the south of me when the wind shifted violently! We had been through this training a thousand times, but I could hear her screaming my name over all the other noises around me! The survival process is simple she would always tell me. First thing above all, before you do anything, is you believe in God! Then you take out your survival blanket and cover up, and God will do the rest. To me God didn't do His part! 

By the time I could fight my way through the smoke and fire, she had already burned to death! Her blanket had gotten hung on a small tree, so she had no chance! I carried her burned body over a mile and placed it in a body bag! I also placed my faith in God in that same body bag along with all my hopes and dreams." What this man endured was a horror beyond words. 

However, just this week hundreds died in an earthquake in horrific circumstances. Most were buried alive. Also this week, parents lost their children though cancer, others were crushed in car accidents, and others were horribly murdered. No doubt, many of these people prayed and believed in God. Some may even have trusted in the Savior, and knew that Jesus spoke of two builders. One man built his house on sand, while the other built his house on rock. Both builders were hit by the same storm, but only the one built on the rock stood firm. The one who stood firm was the one who heard the words of Jesus and obeyed them. So, even (especially) during the calm times, be obedient to the Scriptures. Read them daily and be totally surrendered to the will of God. That way, when a storm hits, you may be shaken, but you won't fall. 

Please pray for the fireman. If these things happen in your life or around you just remember Christians know that tragic things happen in this world - because of the Fall of Man: the sin nature and consequences of sin. There are other tragedies from the Fall also that permeate within creation itself. Disease, Floods, Tornados and even Fires that result in death. 

 While God’s will for the firewoman’s life was to call her to heaven at that time, the fireman is left behind, just as we are when these kinds of things happen. But they happen for a reason and God will always get glory from it. Perhaps those she knew will hear the gospel at the funeral and come to Christ. It could be her sister, her brother, her mother, her elderly grandmother, a coworker, several people she knows, or perhaps a friend’s boss upon hearing the employee is going to a funeral of a dear Christian friend ends up in a conversation about Christ. It could be the paramedic who just started on the job, it could be someone who passed by the fire and thought about a recent gospel message and was contemplating the shortness of life when he drove by the accident and saw a body bag being carried to the ambulance. It could be a number of encounters that happen all around the Christian firewoman’s death.

 I always pray that is the case every time I see an ambulance. I hope it will touch those involved, those around them, those they know and create a ripple effect. That Christians around these people will reach out, or if the person in the ambulance is not saved that someone at the hospital…perhaps a Christian roommate, a Christian Chaplain, a Christian family member, etc… will be able to pray with them and reach out to them in this delicate situation to reach them with the gospel so they can be saved. They may not have much time left, or they may recover. They may die on the operating table after a second procedure. Whatever it is… whether they are a Christian who will discuss these things with others they know after they leave the hospital, or with those who come to visit them during recovery, or among their circle of influence at home or at work or with a stranger, or someone who comes to Christ because of a Christian sharing the situation with someone else….God’s glory will be done and Christ will shine forth as the Savior and God will receive all the credit for whatever the results are relating to the firewoman’s death or the life of one who is in an ambulance that is racing down the street.  These are the reasons I pray in all situations that I hear of, and when any ambulance passes by. Because I care about the salvation of all men.

 I also pray that there will be laborers in the field around the situation so that the gospel can be proclaimed and God will receive Glory. That the Lord will compel a believer to step out of their comfort zone and speak to others a word of hope and share the gospel that saves souls. 

 Will you pray with me that this firefighter is a Christian who is just struggling with this situation right now because he doesn’t understand it, and due to the loss of this influential Christian woman and friend of his, he is confused and needs answers. Will you pray that he will receive a clear understanding of God’s will, purpose, glory and etc in the death of this firewoman at the funeral and or from fellow Christians, so that he can clearly 

*understand these things in life, and 

*thank God for all that he will do through her death in the coming days, months and years as those she knows testify about her, 

*the tragedy of a life cut short 

*the truth of no guarantee of a long life and 

*that God’s glory will be revealed as souls are saved and seeds are planted for salvation. 

*and everything else I mentioned in this email, and more. 

 Pray also that you will stand strong in the faith, with a clear understanding of God’s sovereignty and will and glory in all things, so that you can continue in Christ through tragedies, and assist others (for Christ) with this information and reach out to them with the gospel, so that they can become saved and have peace with God – even amidst storms in life and tragedies too. 

Resources that may help you as you life for Christ, witness to those you know and meet, and to encourage those in your church with evangelism training, can be found at:  livingwaters.com youtube channel under Way of the Master playlist

 PS. Feel free to share the link to this post to your Christian friends and those in your circle of influence   God Bless

Answering Email from Atheists

Dear Family, Friends, and Fellow seed sowers. Here's another great witnessing encounter. I hope it encourages you to boldly share the gospel, and gives you ideas on what you could say to objections or questions you encounter as you witness for Christ.

This was an email conversation I had with an atheist last night, via a conglomerate evangelism ministry that I volunteer at. I was glad to answer their objections and hope that they would gain some understanding as to why there must be a Creator (justice and righteousness must prevail), as well as how we should have such gratitude towards such a wonderful God and Savior; for doing what He didn't need to do, and for offering something to us that we don't deserve, and not giving us what we do deserve.

Dear Ms. Sanza,

Thank you for visiting our site to investigate Jesus more. Surrendering your life to God is the most important decision anyone will ever make in their life. I am here to help you to know God better. Let me start by answering your questions and sharing some things with you to consider.

Aren’t you lying about a God who doesn’t exist?

God most certainly does exist. All you have to do is look out side and see the creation. Just as a painting has a painter, and a building has a builder, so creation has a Creator. He is the master Scientist. His amazing design weaved into creation shows a brilliant intelligent God. This is so very evident if you look into anything in creation, for example the complexity of DNA and the little microscopic like machinery that makes the tiniest parts of our being work and reproduce. God is so very evident in creation.

Where does God define marriage the "Bible?

God defined marriage when he instituted it in the beginning. See the book in the Bible called “Genesis”. This is where God created man and woman and told them to multiply and fill the earth with more people.

If there was a God he/she/it would never allow the kind of hate and things you people spread on it’s behalf anyway.

First, God does not teach us to hate others. He cares about people and that is why he sends his Christians to share the gospel of Love with everyone. Also, God clearly tells us throughout the Scriptures that He is a “He”. Jesus himself in the flesh was a male. However, the Triune God, as a spirit has no sexual gender. Only created beings do. However when Jesus came to earth he took on the masculine form. We were created in God’s image. The first human created by God was a male.

You should be ashamed of spreading lies about God, instilling fear and hate in the hearts of people...

Believers are not ashamed of “the gospel of truth” because it truly offers “truth and life”. By this, God offers us a personal relationship with Him and it is available through the Savior Lord Jesus Christ. We only share what God has said. *Note: We are not ashamed or feel guilt any longer over our sins, because God has removed our crimes against Him forever, by the work of Jesus on the cross.

God is so kind that he offers us a warning about our sins and where it will lead us. Just as a parent tells a child to stay away from the fire or they’ll get burned. Since we have sinned “one time” in our life… the decision to rebel against God, (committing a crime against Him), has caused us to be in trouble with Him. Serious trouble.

This God who created all we have, all we see and has given us the blessings in this life that are good… He deserves our respect, honor, and has every right to call us to be accountable for our lives. He has every right to govern over all that he has created and make the rules for those he created and placed into the world that he owns and rules over. The fear we have towards God is a good and useful fear, just as one who knows a cliff is up ahead on the path along a mountain trail (ie. it is good to fear going near the edge for it will end their life if they slip and fall to their death). So it is good to fear offending God and causing his wrath to abide upon us, to fear the consequences (because we know we are guilty). However, God in his love, grace and mercy has offered us a way out of this serious situation… We are criminals who will be called to the eternal court room to have justice served in our court case before God. However, we can escape this Judgment Day if we are humble and gratefully receive the free gift God offers in Jesus Christ; forgiveness of all sins, right standing with God and eternal life in Heaven. Instead of what we rightly deserve – eternal punishment in Hell for our crimes against God. What a wonderful God and Savior! We do not deserve what he is offering us. God himself came to earth to save us from himself, from his wrath and the consequences of the Law of sin and death. He is not only gracious to warn us of the punishment that is coming, and telling us what it is, but also to offer us a way of rescue and escape from that deserved fate…by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, and victory that came from His resurrection.

This information alone should melt your heart towards God, and assist you to move from the realm of hating God, to having gratitude for all that God has done for you through Jesus Christ. You can have a right relationship with God, know God personally and live free from sin (by way of life and liberty and freedom) that is found only in Jesus Christ. Your sins and the guilt you have over them can be removed permanently, and so can your case before God – if you (1) repent of your sins, forsake them and stay away from sinning against God, (2) by trusting in Jesus Christ. So, Turn to Jesus and cling to him as you would a parachute…knowing the jump is near. Perfect love in Jesus Christ casts out all your fears and allows you to rejoice and thank God for all he has done for you, as he has for me too.

To learn more about you crimes against God visit http://www.needgod.com/ and see the real reason why you need Jesus Christ.

I hope this helps you in your search for the truth.

May you be blessed!

PS> If you have any other questions please feel free to email me. I will answer any reasonable and thoughtful questions you have that will assist you in your search for the truth. However, you will find many answers to your questions through the below reference materials which are available online or at local (or online) libraries. So check them all out first. They will probably answer all your questions or objections.

How to Know God Exists http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=160

Intelligent Design vs. Evolution http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=0882701665

Scientific Facts in the Bible http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=0882708791

Real Evidence and Answers http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=0882709054

Reasonable Discussion about Evolution for Grown Ups http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=163

There are no Atheists http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=0882709224

Again, I hope this helps you as you seek to find the real truth.

God tells us all that" if we will seek him with all our heart we will find Him". And His Truth will set you free!

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