Missed Opportunity

Have you ever had one of those days where you wish you could rewind, even for a few seconds, to make sure you got in there to share the gospel? Today was one of those days for me. I went to take care of some things with my vehicle today at the D*M*V*. We’ve been trying for 4 years now to get the title to one of our vehicles. Finally found the lien holder company (they had changed their names twice since we had paid the vehicle off in the late 90’s). They had their name issued on the title instead of my husband’s so this has been a small nightmare. Anyway, today I decided since I had heard that you can’t tract at the D*M*V*, I didn’t bring a stash. But I had a couple Your Moment of Truth tracts in my purse. I took my MP3 player with my Christian Radio programming on it, and decided to listen to that while I waited.

When I got there at 9am the line was wrapped around the building all the way around. This was going to be a long morning. About 10 minutes after standing in line an older lady came out of nowhere and cut in front of me. She said she had forgot something at home and had to come back, and the guy in front of her “saved her spot”. Now, I know that those things are invisible, lol, but with such a line around the building, who cares if someone else is in front of you. I don’t. So I figured maybe this was a divine appointment. Her name I later found out was Nadia. When we started talking she was chit chatting about her vehicle not passing smog inspection and worried about it. I felt bad for her because she was older, and had an older vehicle, and probably couldn’t afford a new one. I took my earphones out of my ear, to make me more approachable. Then, while her back was to me, I told her [to chit chat] I had come to the D*M*V* yesterday both at this location and one another town over, but the lines were far too long and it took so long to wait for a parking spot that I decided to come back today, this morning. She said yesterday was windy, today is nice and sunny, and Sunday was sunny. [I was about to say that I was glad Sunday was sunny, because I do not like to be in the rain when I go to Church, and then I was going to ask her if she goes to church somewhere nearby, and find a way to hand her a good tract, but that didn’t come out of my mouth. And a few seconds later she picked up her phone and started calling people to handle some things while she was in line].

We moved closer to the entrance, and I noticed a sign that said “Products or services provided by advertisers are not promoted or indorsed by D*M*V*” And I wondered, can we hand out fliers here? I thought it wasn’t legal. Maybe the law changed, or maybe they can’t seem to stop the people who do it. I wondered if people leave fliers on the vehicles also. So I started watching the flow of people and looked for security cameras. There were no cameras.

Then, when we were close to the door I found out she cleans apartments and helps older people shop. I told her I had a few friends who do that. I have one friend who actually lives with a very old lady and assists her. I said it’s great when people help out older people, and its such a “blessing” that they have lived so long. I then told her that I have a friend who is turning 100 next weekend. She said Wow. [We were in the door at this point and she was next in line to grab her “number” to be seen. I had hoped we would run into each other again and I’d make sure to give her the tract, and mention to her that I might like someone to come and clean my apartment if she is not fully booked]. She went off her way and I went off mine. I had 35 people in front of me, and it ended up taking 3 hours of my time.

I heard a few people coughing and so I decided to go outside and wait around, popping in every 10 minutes or so to see what “number” was being listed available for the section on my ticket. I noticed a security guard behind me on the side of the building (where he had full view of the side doors and those on the sidewalk in front of it), I had no idea they had guards there. I then noticed another sign saying the same thing as before. Posted on each side of the building. I was walking around, avoiding any one coughing or smoking at the corners (which blows the smoke right to the door and down the side of the building, so the “no smoking 20 feet in front of the doors” sign was useless, because the smoke still blows that way. I started watching the security guard, in spy mode, lol. Wondering what his patrol patterns are. He was on foot. I turned around to see where he was a minute later, and he was gone. I have no idea where he went. How could he move so fast on foot, so quickly. Nothing was happening for him to be so fast. When I looked down the other way, I noticed another security person was there. I thought maybe they turned over at shift change, but not long after that I saw someone else. So I think they have 2 – 3 security people there regularly. Weird. Going to be hard to try and tract this place. And the funny thing was, once I got in the door originally, there was another sign saying said “Products or services provided by advertisers are not promoted or indorsed by D*M*V*” within the first 15 feet in the doorway, heading to the reception desk where you get your “number”. I am interested in seeing if I can tract there sometimes. Even if I get shooed away, there are other ones in the county I can go to.

I saw Nadia ½ way down the walkway as she was returning from her vehicle and entering the building again. I thought “bummer!” cause I wanted to catch her, speak to her for a minute saying it was nice to have met her, and then give her the tract. I kept an eye out for her to go back to her vehicle again, or to leave having finished her purpose there. Since I was outside most of the time it was easy to try to do, but unfortunately I did not see her again. Such a missed opportunity. I suggest anyone who has the slightest opening to say something to someone while you’re in line somewhere…DO IT!, don’t pause to think or wonder, just do it. Give the tract and say something to them related to what you were discussing.

The D*M*V* issue wasn’t resolved. I had the letter documentation from the lien holder bank, but not the D*M*V* forms my husband was supposed to sign. grrr... oh well, next time I'll be prepared with tracts!

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 .

Publicly Sharing the Gospel

A message in love (and to encourage) my fellow Saints:

In the New Testament, we are told about an African called Apollos, who was an educated man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, and had been ‘instructed in the way of the Lord’. He spoke with great fervour yet didnt have all the correct information. He still needed further study and instruction/correction because he had some parts wrong. Priscilla and Aquila provided this missing information to him in their home. From then on he taught about Jesus accurately. When he went on to Achaia, ‘the brethren’ encouraged him and gave him a warm welcome. Once there, he proved a great help to the believers, for he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 18:24-28).

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul arrived at Ephesus. Initially he got involved at the synagogue, where for 3 months he “argued persuasively about the kingdom of God.” Subsequently, he engaged in daily, public discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, and this went on for two years (Acts 19:1, 8-10).

The word most commonly used to describe Paul’s method of evangelism in Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth and Ephesus is that he “reasoned” with people, but the Greek word for ‘reason’ actually means ‘dialogue’. Paul and Apollos were doing their evangelism by public dialogue.

Through our blog and our ministeries we share "missing information" with believers today so they can be correctly equipped to reach the Lost. In todays American churches you will hear messages about God's Love and having a life of happiness if Jesus is in your life. However that is not really true. Its not the biblical gospel. American Chrisitans need to get the full truth in order to share the gospel message and rightly divide the Word of God with others. That missing information, which is Scripturally accurate and fully true, can be learned at the below website.

Information, http://www.hellsbestkeptsecret.com/
Book, What Did Jesus Do? http://tinyurl.com/yehv97h

Brethren please pray over this information seriously, consider it, meditate on it, search the Scriptures about it, pray about it and then implement it into your faith conversations with those you know and meet. Follow the Example of Christ and the Apostles and the Lord will be pleased with your service and desire to share the true gospel with those who are lost, and you will be able to equip the believers you know with this information as well.

Legalism says you must keep the law, the gospel says "you cant".

Chatting with Emmy

Sept 29, 2009

I chatted tonight online with Emmy. She needed prayer for her son, and sins shes struggling with. She wants to luve rightly and be a good witness for her adult son too. May it encourage you and help you as you reach out to people you know or meet.

Born Again Christian: Greetings. I'm here to help you with information on this site, help you get to know God better, and assist you with learning why you need Jesus and how to obey the gospel.
emmy has joined.
Born Again Christian: Good evening Emmy, How may I assist you
emmy: good afternoon!
emmy: lol
Born Again Christian: lol
Born Again Christian: Different times for different people
Born Again Christian: Where are you located?
emmy: its 12 mid day here in Japan
emmy: how are you
Born Again Christian: Im well. thank you.
Born Again Christian: I know someone in Japan
emmy: wow! where about?
Born Again Christian: Good question. LOL. She was in a city I cant pronounce (hehehe) but recently moved with her sister to another area there.
emmy: I am a Tanzanian living here in Japan
Born Again Christian: neat
Born Again Christian: So How Can I help you tonight with knowing God better?
emmy: i dont have much Christian company here. so i always grab chances like this one to chat online.
Born Again Christian: I see.
Born Again Christian: Ok,
Born Again Christian: So tell me, when did you see your need for Jesus?
emmy: well, i have always seen the need for Jesus but one thing or the other was holding me back
Born Again Christian: What do you believe is the "need" people have for Jesus?
emmy: this year i said no. i will go Jesus way. i failed after a few days because i put my strength in myself.
Born Again Christian: Would you agree that "sin" or a sin that someone really doesnt want to give up, is the reason that someone is "held back" or "holds them back"?
Born Again Christian: In my experience (in talking with others) that is the case
emmy: exactly
emmy: but i later realized that i had to put all my luggage in one pack and bundle them at the cross and let Him do the rest
Born Again Christian: What is the “luggage” you left at the cross?
emmy: lots!. adultery to start with
emmy: judging others
emmy: anger
emmy: bad speech
emmy: unforgiving others
emmy: lots… but the main was adultery
emmy: i was so misserable
Born Again Christian: Are you married? [going use this to Q to define adultery]
emmy: wanted to give him up. couldnt. feeling pitty for him. doubting how life could be without him ......
emmy: no iam not married
Born Again Christian: so how do you know you committed adultery?
emmy: but was living with a man who was married back home. he has been alone. i met him years ago and been living with him
Born Again Christian: I see.
emmy: is that adultery, or is it sexual immorality?
Born Again Christian: Actually (and to much shock to most people) adultery (in its original language meaning from the Bible) means so much more....
emmy: what does it mean?
Born Again Christian: It includes sexual thoughts, looking at things sexually (so magazines and movies would certainly be able to be included here), having sex before marriage,
Born Again Christian: also, it includes being with someone who is married, and your not the spouse,
it also includes sex with animals, with someone of the same gender, and so much more
Born Again Christian: Its not just connected with marriage
Born Again Christian: that's a misconception from church teachings, trying to make it simple for those they teach, their definition is more like a kindergarden definition that is never fully explained to an older person who goes to church. So they fail to do that correctly when the people get older. And so society thinks it only means one thing, when it totally means so much more
emmy: that doesnt exclude me does it :(
Born Again Christian: Most everyone (not just men) are guilty of doing that. And you’re right, it doesn’t exclude you.
Born Again Christian: We are each responsible for our own actions before God
emmy: certainly
emmy: yes...we both are guilty. unfortunately he hasnt seen that it is wrong to do either. im praying for him to see to see the truth i have seen
Born Again Christian: well its something to hope for and pray for, but not everyone will agree about the truth of it. People have treasured sins that they couldn’t imagine to give up for anything
emmy: i know. but we keep our hope that they wont perish
Born Again Christian: on that note, can i ask you some things about your conversion - turning to Jesus?
emmy: yes
midou has joined.
Born Again Christian: Midou, welcome. Please hold your questions a minute
Born Again Christian: (Please be as specific as possible), What was the reason you believe you needed Jesus?
emmy: i am not sure i can be specific enough. but the thought that i was breaking Gods commandments kept me uneasy.
Born Again Christian: So do you believe that your need for Jesus was to save you from your crimes against God (against His Law)?
midou has left.
emmy: at that time my mind is that my son is stuck on alcohol. there was a time i cried on the phone and told my son he doesnt love us otherwise he would stop drinking.
Born Again Christian: well addiction is something that people slowly let control them. they seek comfort in it instead of in God who promises to comfort and care for us
Born Again Christian: it's unfortunate that people get involved with alcohol.
emmy: you know what, for a while was a voice telling me......”but you are also on the same boat with your son. why do you keep on breaking my laws”
emmy: that if you yourself can not get out of adultery, how culd i think my son could. it became worse. i was miserable. then it said...you should repent before you can ask others to repent
Born Again Christian: Everyone is in the same boat, if we dont take the rope of rescue that Jesus offers us, then we are under God's wrath and our sins make us enemies of God.
Born Again Christian: ok. well. lets look at a few points here then. Just to go over it and give you something to think about today. Would that be ok?
emmy: ok
Born Again Christian: ok
Born Again Christian: Can you tell me what it means to "repent". do you know the definition? (give it a try, if you cant get it out right - I'll explain it)
emmy: i dont think i know. but for me it meant...there was nothing i could do by myself. but i should confess all my sins i know of and those i dont know. and ask Jesus to be in control of my life
Born Again Christian: you’re on the right track…
Born Again Christian: Repentance means to Call out to God, to not only admit your a sinner, but to ask Jesus to forgive you for all your sins. When you cry out to God, your hearts desire is to forsake any and all sin (from that day forward). To no longer want to sin (even though you'll make mistakes and do it again, but you will struggle against it and temptation to do what is displeasing towards God).
Born Again Christian: Is that your understanding of the word Repentance also?
emmy: yes
Born Again Christian: Your right that there's nothing you can do by yourself. God is the one who redeems us through Christ Jesus, based on his work on the cross. We need to receive the free gift and God applies it to our debt account/court case.
Born Again Christian: Do you believe that Jesus Christ has paid your debt (sin debt) to God, by His work on the cross? that your debt is paid in full by Jesus blood and death?
emmy: yes. thats the basis of salvation of what I know
Born Again Christian: To obey the gospel command is to (1) Repent and (2) Trust in Jesus.
Born Again Christian: When Jesus started his ministry the first warning he gave and thing he said regarding salvation was: “Unless you repent, you will perish.” Luke 13:3
Jesus stated this more specifically: “Jesus told them, it is written, that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations.” Luke 24:46-47
Born Again Christian: Have you had a talk with God where you repented of your sins and trusted in Christ? (its a one time event)
emmy: meaning??!!
Born Again Christian: oh...
Born Again Christian: I mean have you ever prayed to God (somewhere just between you and God) where you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, for God to forgive you, and at that time you placed your trust in Jesus Christ's work on the cross (his shed blood and death) to pay your fine in full.Born Again Christian: Its something you only do once
Born Again Christian: like a "come to God" conversation with God
emmy: yes
emmy: i went to God and said...here i am. i have failed miserably for depending on myself and in the process sinned against you. Please forgive and im so sorry. and take over. help me to obey you. help me to listen when you talk
Born Again Christian: So when you talked to God, you realized your serious situation before God, that God as a Just and Holy and Righteous God must by nature punish sin, and that sin's wages is death and eternity in Hell
Born Again Christian: you talked to him and in that conversation not only told him you were sorry for depending on yourself (like any works or trying to be better to get God’s approval, by what is called self-righteousness) but that you repented of your sins. Sins are crimes you have committed against God, violating the 10 commandments.
Born Again Christian: reflecting on that: God tells us in James that if we break one commandment we break the whole law.
emmy: yes, true
Born Again Christian: Sin is transgression of the Law
emmy: yes
Born Again Christian: But that God, by Jesus Christ, by his sacrifice on the cross, offered you a way to be rescued from the judgment and eternal punishment.
Born Again Christian: God's Grace and Mercy was extended to you by The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
emmy: yes. i asked for forgiveness cause the wages of sin is death
Born Again Christian: wonderful.
Born Again Christian: So even though you have problems in this life, and temptations just as any other human does, you can rest in the promises of God (for He is not a liar, and always does what He says He will). Philippians 3:13, we, through Jesus Christ, are to "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." God has created us a new person with new and right desires that are "God-ward" not self centered. Our desires are to be towards God and no longer to the former ways and desires of our life before we came to Christ. à2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come.” And the Bible says that we now "have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor. 1:16).
emmy: yes & Amen
Born Again Christian: That’s Great Emmy. Praise the Lord
emmy: we are new. the old person is dead
emmy: a new one have been created
Born Again Christian: Exactly!
Born Again Christian: You know, not many people realize Jesus said we have to Repent and trust in His Work on the Cross (nothing else).
emmy: we have to. without repenting there is no forgiveness. Dont matter how much we try to follow the rules and regulations we need Jesus.
emmy: we have to be born again
Born Again Christian: Exactly. That's also what Jesus said.
Born Again Christian: And we are born again by obeying the Gospel message
Born Again Christian: the gospel command is what God commands us to obey
emmy: yes
Born Again Christian: so as Phillippians 3:13 says above, “we are to look forward to what lays ahead” such as our eternity with Christ. On earth we persevere in the godly things in this life, center our life on Christ, do our best to show our gratitude towards Christ and love Him "Because He first loved us."
emmy: we know who God is and what God wants...from his Word. the Bible. and his purpose for mankind
Born Again Christian: That is absolutey true.
emmy: the more we read the bible the more we know God
Born Again Christian: In The Old and New Testament God has revealed special information to us, and it helps us to live a godly life and follow Jesus example!
emmy: yes.
Born Again Christian: So is there anything Else I can help you with tonight?
emmy: please pray for my son. i dont think you have much time that i can explain his problem to you
Born Again Christian: Its ok. God knows the situation. I will pray about it, and for your patience and love during all that situation too
emmy: Amen
Born Again Christian: A website you may find helpful, Emmy, as you live for Christ
is http://www.sbcfellowship.com/
emmy: thank you so much
emmy: God Bless, & thank you for listening
Born Again Christian: You're welcome. Have a blessed evening, and I look forward to meeting you in Heaven!

I thanked the Lord for this chat I had with a professing Christian tonight. I rarely run into anyone who appears to be a born again believer (protestant). I hoped that I was able to encourage her in the Scriptures, in the things of Christ, and through all the things she encounters in life, now and in the future. I hope that the way I explained things to her will help her share the gospel with others; articulate it, and explain it to those she meets. Please pray for Emmy's situation with her son, and that she will resist temptations to get involved with/date anyone in the future who is not "single" and that she will grow strong in the knowledge of Scripture and her trust in the Lord will never waiver but always grow more and more until the Lord returns or calls her to heaven.

Encounters of an ATH&IST kind

Recently, I posted “To P r o t e s t a n t s, Pastors and other likeminded people who love Truth]: I Love JESUS” to proclaim my faith to other believers online. I did not know a non-Christian would take that post and engage me, trying to debate me (thinking I was not a knowledgeable Christian). I interacted with him for a short time to try and reach him, or others who follow his posts ;). Anyone who is really open to the truth (wherever it leads them) might stumble upon our conversation and find answers they’ve looked for, and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. “The Lord is on my side and His Word never returns void.”

I am no Ken Ham, but I know a fair amount about Ath3ism& Evilution to be helpful when reaching out to ath&ists. I am a strong Christian, solid in Scripture & my relationship with God and the Lord Jesus, and the power of God and the Holy Spirit IS WITH me when I witness.

Ath3ists dont even realize that posting/replying to Christians (while trolling online as a wolf looking for a victim)...allowing us to reply ... and opened all the doors God plans for them to, to reach the eyes (heart and mind) of any Ath3ist/agnostic or person looking into the things of God, enabling them to see/visit the websites we post and to consider the truths of Christ. Scripture said if we search with all our being we will find the truth and the truth will set us free. God also told us in Scripture that he who seeks finds, and Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

We were limited on how many words we could post on this miniblog, but here is the conversation we had.

1. Ath3ist: My invisible friend is named Steveo, and I love him too!

2: Christian reply: Creation shows the Creator exists. I will not debate the facts of what U clearly can see naturally & http://ow.ly/hi0c (learn about).

2a. To Believers: Dear Christians , feel free to regularly share this link with Ath3ists/agnostics and those who believe in Evolution - http://ow.ly/hi0c2b. Extra Post (incase he came to my page to read what I post): There is no prison in the freedom of Salvation. Sin is the true prison, those who remain in it and dont come to Jesus for liberty are prisoners of Satan; enslaved in sin.

3.Ath3ist: You would think (reference to #2), but science disagrees. And let's not forget that proving a Creator does not mean proving your religion is right.

4. Christian Reply: Science does agree (but evolutionists just refuse to accept it). Also, I do not have a religion sir, I have the truth and Christ.

5.Another Reply: MzrAth3ist You didn't even check out the information at the website - http://ow.ly/hi0c - "did" you?

6.Ath3ist: Sorry, I don't do Flash (websites). But I find it ironic you claim to have no religion, though the only reason to believe Jesus was anyone…is because of the (Catholic) Church really, since no other documents corroborate any significant part of the Gospel."

7.Christian Reply: I think you didn’t want to see that site, your answer was a “cop out”.

8. Ath3ist: (quotes me:) "I do not have a religion sir, I have the truth and Christ.” If I had a nickel for every time I heard that...

8. Reply: Christianity is not a religion, its a personal relationship with the person (God) Jesus Christ. You do not know Him... therefore you can not say that I do not [ reference to: knowing Him; a real person/the creator].

9. Ath3ist (this is when this post posted): "…is because of the (Catholic) Church, really, since no other documents corroborate any significant part of the Gospel."

9.Christian reply: Your facts are wrong sir. 1. Catholicism has nothing to do with Christianity. 2. the Bible is the most reliable book in all of antiquity (historically and as literature).

10.Another thought: Ur attempts to get us to leave our faith is really satan's attempt try and drag me to hell, but you should appreciate my attempts to get you into Heaven.

11. ...if you believe we're not created (& nothing matters; we're all accidents) why then do you-waste your time against Christianity instead of on other useful/enjoyable things in life?

12. PS: your bio says you don’t want to worry about Hell. I wouldn’t worry about that – you should be worrying more about God and his coming wrath against unrepentant sinners. (ie. Flee to Christ sir while there's time).

Then I blocked MzrAth3ist from being able to contact me further. You don’t have to do that, but I don’t believe this guy was open to reason. I dont want to waste my time with those who want to keep me from doing anything profitable for the Kindom of Christ. They have enough info available in what we said available online these days and several churches in their towns to go and speak to someone more on the issue, but they won't. My goal is to just get them thinking about spiritual things. This as well as the rest is in God's hands.

Christians----You can then Post these msgs:

1. ...Pointed the ath3ist to a Gospel site n "blocked" them. They are "closed" to reason and truth.

2. A tip for Christians: Don't let #Ath3ists and those who are against #Christianity continually waste your time in 15 words or less on miniblogs.

3. A great gospel site for Ath3ists agnostics and false religion followers can be found at a growing resource  ******

Side Notes:
I offered believers to send me a message to receive our conversation so they could use it to assist them with weeding out closeminded Ath3ists. To get a copy of that link for some reason… I went to the search section of the miniblog and looked up my name...I then realized the Ath3ist had replied back two times, but I had already blocked him. So it didn’t show up on my page. But I wanted other Ath3ists who may have read his final replies to me to know my response to that issue. If they reply back about "God sending people to hell" as this guy did (see below)...

11. Ath3ist: Any god who sends those who do not believe in him to hell is, frankly a @)#*%

Reply on your page (cause youve already blocked him). just post on your own blog wall:

11. Sir, God doesnt send anyone to Hell. People send themselves there. They chose to violate God's law. Criminals are punished for their crimes.

12. God is merciful, and gracious to undeserved criminals and He proved it by His lovingkindness offered through Christ. Yet you reject Him.

13. I blocked Mr foulmouth as you can see. I also find it funny he lists what Ath3ism hasnt done, but forgot to list the atrocities it "has" done.

note: Christianity has done more for the people of this world than anyone else. Ath3ists seem to remove the Christian faith from the Earth but don’t seem to have a problem with Muslims or other Religions or Cults as far as I can see. Based on what I learned about the philosophy and history of Atheistic views their end result is for Christians to be eliminated from the world (by various ways and methods), and only reward those who are conniving and dupe people or step on people to get what they want in life with their “survival of the fittest” mentality. Christians help the poor, they have compassion and empathy and care about others. They created hospitals and schools, colleges and so much more, they even take in orphans and care for widows. Ath3ists don’t do that and don’t care about anyone but themselves. Christians care about everyone, their physical needs as well as their most important need – to be right with God and have salvation through Christ. Eternity depends on it. It’s the truth, its reality. Ath3ists can continue to pretend it isn’t true, but deep down I believe they know it is true, and they hate that “fact”. They only have one hope in Christ:"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

If you have any problems with interacting with Ath3ists feel free to use the same responses i posted (above) to try and reach them. Sometimes when people receive truthful answers to their objections the bricks fall out of their wall and they learn something they dindt know before and it brings them closer to the knowledge of the truth of Jesus salvation. They will certainly leave a different person than they were before they interacted with you and that is because God's word doesnt return void.

If you have any idesas for tweet responses to common objections from Ath3ists please contact me with the info, so I can post them and we can all use them on the internet. May we reach some for Christ by all possible means available.

*******************************************************************
Additional Helpful Resource:
"Do you withstand God's Word?": http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1123081834580 Good Sermon, feel free to share it with those you know online. Christian, Atheist or other religious person. It too can break down barriers they have between themselves and God by humbling them and leading them to the truth.
********************************************************************

Four Questions Atheists Cant Answer http://www.bethinking.org/news-and-views/2009-09/did-darwin-kill-god

Mission: Street Fishin (Hawaii)

Mission: Street Fishin in Kona, Hawaii 

We hope you will enjoy it and be blessed by it. 

As Bible believing, Born Again Christians we share the gospel with those who are not saved. Our mission as believers is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ EVERYWHERE we go, to whomever will listen, to reason with people using the truth and the authority of God’s word. We sometimes find ourselves in the most challenging of locations locally ... on the streets in our area or while traveling abroad. Our mission field is in our own area, but we are to share the gospel on the highways and byways as we travel through life. 

So when we were on a trip to Hawaii we ensured that we would have the opportunity to reach out to the vacationers and the locals with the gospel, through prior arrangements with local believers. Hawaii is not a place like Heaven, the quality of life of those living on the island has many who live in tree houses, in cars, or are simply homeless facing just as much poverty, addiction, and heartache as people in other places in the United States and around the world. No place on earth is free of the consequences of sin! 

The group we met with usually witness at this location in downtown Kona because so many people stop for a port visit via cruise ships during the middle of the week. However, the day we were there the cruise ships had already visited for the week. So we talked to people who were vacationing nearby or who were locals. We also ran into some YWAM people and got an opportunity to talk to a few of these people about the biblical gospel and our commission by Christ to share the gospel with people, not just do good deeds. 

We do good deeds because of Christ in our life, and we share that information with those we help, so they know why we do it. It’s for the sake of the gospel because of our gratitude and love towards Jesus Christ for saving us from our sins and God’s coming wrath upon all who die without Christ Jesus as their God and Savior. So we have a divine appointment during that charity or deeds to share the gospel with those people and represent Christ not just as a lifestyle witness, but also verbally. For Scripture rightly says that they can not know the gospel unless someone tells them, and they can not hear it unless someone goes out to do that. 

We were compelled to reach the lost while we were in Hawaii, because we know that 160,000 people die every day in this world and we couldn’t imagine not sharing the gospel that can and will save them from the wrath of God and eternal Hell. We know many who were there when we were, were walking down the streets unaware of whether that day or week or month was their last on this Earth. We did not want them to step into eternity without knowing their need for Christ and know how to be saved. Every individual has an appointed lifespan determined by God, and they have an appointed day in which they will be Judged if they leave this earth while they are still unforgiven sinners (Hebrews 9:27) and none know when their last day on earth will be. 

Therefore, as long as we're able to talk and others are able to hear, we will continue to share the gospel, glorify the Lord and reach souls for Christ. We are on a mission...to spread the Word to as many as we can wherever God takes us during our time on this earth. And we count it a privilege to share this message of salvation and this evangelism vlog with you. It is all to glorify the Lord, encourage the Saints in Christ, and to reach the lost while there is still time. 

If you do not know the Lord as your Personal Savior, or you profess Christ as your Lord but want to make sure you are correctly saved and will go to Heaven when you die or the Lord returns to take Christians to Heaven, please visit this website today. Get right with God today, sort it out now, because tomorrow is not guaranteed. Need God. com

Street Evangelism Hawaii Part 1 

Street Evangelism Hawaii Part 2

Street Evangelism Hawaii Part 3 

Labels: #evangelism, #gospel, #Gospel Tracts, #Hawaii, #mission trip, #Witnessing 

Published: July 6, 2009

Hawaii Witnessing (part 1)

We had a great week in Hawaii.

 We got to enjoy activities with the family by BBQing, snorkeling, hiking, zip-lining, making our way to waterfalls, got to see a black sand beach, we attended a Hawaiian Christian worship service and enjoyed a Christian based Luau (that we think was part of a YWAM organization). 

But we also were able to leave tracts at places we went, gave them to those who lead our tours and activities, and also we planned for spending one afternoon on the streets with a couple we met on through a Christian ministry. On Thursday morning we put on our sun block, got ready, ate breakfast, sorted our tracts, and headed out to the place we were going to meet with a couple of believers in Kona, Hawaii. We found our way down the main strip on Ali'i (ah-lee-E) drive to a free parking area. We walked down to the church area where we met. 

The church is a place that the couple witnesses outside of regularly on Wednesday's as the huge cruise ships pull into the port a block from there and they tend to get a bunch of those people on this main road heading to the "sites" (this church is popular for historical things), and to the souvenir shops along the water front and to enjoy lunch at the restaurants on the street that have breezy window free buildings to enjoy the scenery and the wind to cool you down.

I contacted them on my cell they had arrived already. I waited until we got out of the car before explaining to my nephew, who has never gone out with me to hand out tracts or talk to people about Jesus, that "we might run into people who do not want them, or they might yell or be mean, but it is only because they do not understand what we are trying to tell them about Jesus. So I told him not to feel bad if people act that way or if he see people behaving like that to anyone in our group." I didn't want to tell him this before we went or he would feel scared, so I just shared it as information for him to be aware of, once we got there. Especially since he has hardly ever been to church unless my mom brings him, and he might not understand various reasons why people might be hostile towards God and Jesus. Though she has conversations with him about Jesus since he was young. And we had shared a gospel children's book with him, so maybe he might understand it a little bit. But he wanted to come with us, and that would be a good experience for him. 

I walked toward the church with my parents and my 7 year old nephew, (who looks older than and is twice as tall as the others in his 1st grade class).  As we got closer to the meet up place I saw them in front of the church, and they were engaged in conversations already. Glory to God!  He had a cowboy hat on and a stack of tracts in his hand, she had some items in hers as well, and that is how I confirmed "they were them", lol. We hung back until they were done with the conversations and then we all were introduced. We prayed over the things the Lord would use us for that day in reaching out to those who are not saved, giving us the words to share and thanked him for the opportunity to come together and reach the lost. 

Then we took some group photos before we started.... 

They showed us some tracts and materials they had there, and offered that if we felt moved to share them with those we talked to we could. They showed us a neat gospel tract post card that they published this year. I think it is a good one. Plus, whoever sends these in the mail, no one will ever know who sent it to them, so it shouldn't cause anyone to be afraid to reach others for Christ. Then they showed us the celebrity millions, which I had not seen before "in real life", and wondered if they would actually work. Would they be a stumbling block or would they be useful in reaching people? We'd find out.

My dad sat down to observe how we witnessed, as he has not participated in sharing tracts in public yet and is a little introverted. It took me a couple years from learning WOTM material before I stepped out, so I am just glad that they came along, even just to watch and see how conversations happen in real life.

The last few years in Los Vegas I have been unable to get them to come with me on the streets, to observe (and be there because there is safety in numbers, esp. in that town). My mom has handed out some tracts to children at VBS when she was a teacher in it at their Church. She then moved on to showing the curved tract to children in restaurants in the last few years whenever she felt bold enough to do it. They do leave MDB's and other tracts at restaurants. Their favorite was the large Quarter sized tract Living Waters made.

Well, I wondered if she was going to step out and hand tracts to people today. I wanted to pair them with the couple, mom with her, and dad with him, so they could see how people minister in conversations, but we ended up doing all our own thing.

The guy went across the street and so did my nephew. He handed tracts out pretty boldly, even about 20 yards away from those who were coming our direction. I don't know that anyone refused a tract from him. Kids are kind of cute that way, no one wants to hurt their feelings.

The lady said the area is usually very hard to witness in and they are always encountering spiritual warfare there pretty intensely; which Mom would later find out to be true. She and I stayed on the side of the church and my mom hung out near us by the church, (as a tourist pretending to be a tourist, lol). We handed out tracts and people took them.

It was a little weird with the celebrity tracts whenever I tried using them. I had my own stash of tracts that I brought the living waters million dollar bill, a couple good person tracts from fellowshiptractleague.org, and the your moment of truth tract, (which are good to use because if you don't finish your conversation, they'll read it later and end up with all the things you wanted to share with them, and there is more information on the website the tract points to).

The guy ended up in a good long conversation with a big guy across the street and he took a full sized Bible with him. I hope he shares that encounter with us, because I overheard him telling the lady and my mom parts of it, as I passed out tracts a few feet away while trying to start conversations with people. Not a lot of people stopped to talk to us, but some did take tracts. Others didn't want them.

The Your Moment of Truth tracts worked pretty well and they enabled me to get a foot in the door to a conversation for a minute. However, regardless of the tract we used to start a conversation most people walked away not wanting to talk to us about religious things. It was a little hard to get people into conversations with the celebrity bills than with the other tracts. People did not seem as interested in them as the million dollar bill. I don't think I am going to offer them to people, even in my own area (Hollywood, CA). But maybe because it was Hawaii instead of Hollywood blvd the other tracts worked better.

We handed tracts out to college age and older adults, and also to a few locals who might be homeless. A Korean lady with a stroller and her little 2 year old boy walking next to her stopped to let me show the boy something neat. I held up the two curved tracts & asked him which one is bigger? He pointed to the pink one, then I switched them and looked at his mom for a split second and asked him again "which one is bigger?" he pointed to the blue one. I told him "they are both the same size. They just look like they are bigger." And then I said "you can have this for free to take home with you" and he took them and started running gleefully down the pathway while his mom was still surprised by the illusion and smiled at me while she chased after him. He was like the happiest kid ever, it was so cute!  

Two more parts to the witnessing in Hawaii can be found below....

part 2 

Witnessing in Hawaii (part 2)

In Part one of our Hawaii witnessing blog… I shared how we got to Hawaii, and pre-arranged to meet with local believers there, to share the gospel in the main touristy area.

After handing out tracts for a while I saw three girls coming down the pathway. Two were preoccupied, with one having an ipod zombie-ing her out, the other was fidgeting with things in her hands, and the third one was not incapacitated so when they came by I had three MDB’s in my hand to give to them. One thing I like to do is to have two different kinds of tracts with me so that when I hand them out, their friends get a different design then they do, so it occupies them for a few minutes when they walk away. I handed them to her and told her they were million dollar bills and there was one for each of her friends there too. They walked away and Rhonda and I talked for a minute awaiting others to come by. The girls came back after reading them, and said they were “giving them back to me, because they were theology students and didn’t want them”. I told her “Oh, well there is good information on the back that they should at least consider” and I said something else to that effect as well. They didn’t want them. When they walked away I was perplexed as to why I was unable to move into a spiritual discussion with them. Perhaps the Holy Spirit was telling me not to continue. They were closed to the conversation, and I think they think they are “good to go with God” and are closed minded right now. When they walked away I told Rhonda that I originally though they came over as those who think they are intellectual because they go to college, and I thought they said they were “Philosophy majors” but really they said “Theology majors”. I couldn’t believe I made that error. Though I was glad to say what I did in hindsight, because both unsaved Philosophy and unsaved Theology students still need to be saved. 

 It was hot out, and Rhonda and I talked about how thankful we are for the trees that were there to shade us (between the walk way and the street). We then walked over to the other side of the street and Virgil traded places with us. I had hoped Virgil would get my dad to stand next to him, but he was so close to Virgil anyway, he could still hear any conversations. It might take a while for him to move into conversations with people, because he is really introverted.  Mom has come out of her shell a little more, he hasn't yet. I think he had a good time there though, and the experience. But I hope one day he will get a little bit bolder. 

 Rhonda and I stood on the other side of the street and not many people came by at all, so we decided to split up the group (there were too many of us there in one place anyway), and we headed down the (land based) board walk. I grabbed some tracts and caught up with Rhonda. We went over to a shop there and she got coffee and I got a lemonade drink. When I paid for the drink I told the guy I would put this (a million dollar bill tract) in the jar but he was right there so I handed it to him. We chatted for a minute and then I left to catch up with Rhonda. 

She had walked over to a couple and was starting to hand them a 10 commandment coin (tract item). And we found out they were from Egypt. Since YWAM (Youth With a Mission [that’s not about the gospel]) has a university kind of school thing nearby we assumed they were visiting to go there for a training course. I realized they had Egyptian Bible’s open and were studying something because there were papers or notebooks around them. We told them we go out on the streets to share the gospel with people and we hand them gospel tracts to start conversations. She gave them a couple million dollar bill and your moment of truth tracts. They took them and said they would keep one and give the duplicates away. We encouraged them to do so. We talked for a minute and then went on our way. 

 When we were almost leaving the boardwalk we ran into two girls at the corner retail shack (its an open air one with no windows). One worked there and the other one was shopping. I handed them a YMOT tract and we talked about the tv show your moment of truth for a minute. I shared with her about the girl on there who answered the question “are you a good person” wrong. Her conscience told her she was not a good person, though she thought she was. Because of that belief she lost everything. The information in the tract tells us that we are not good people and that if we think we are we will lose everything when we stand before God, that we will lose our soul and end up in Hell, but that Jesus did something for us so we don’t have to go to hell. They agreed about that and thanked us for talking with them. 

We went back past our group and down the waterway path and ran into a homeless looking Rastafarian guy (a colorful character with a few missing teeth) came by us holding a ukulele (guitar). Rhonda offered him a tract and the guy told us he believed in God. He stopped for a minute and we attempted to strike up a conversation with him and ended up asking him about his ukulele. He said he plays “backyard style” which means he just strums on it. So we asked him to play something and he strummed a little. I told him he “played really well.” I also mentioned that it appears one “doesn’t need to know how to play that instrument to make beautiful music” (it truly is beautiful). Then he asked us which church we go to. Rhonda told him where she goes and I told him I am here on vacation and go to a church in Los Angeles, California. So he then broke out in song with the ukulele paying “Amazing Grace”. And Rhonda started humming and singing along so I joined in and then before I knew it she was recording us singing. I’m not sure if you will find that popping up on Utube, but if you do… forgive my voice it’s just a joyful noise box. 

Short Video Clip of bits and pieces of the outing :)

We also spoke to a Hawaiian native on the street who then talked to us briefly too, cause he was sitting near where we talked to a homeless guy. I had given him a gospel tract earlier to take with him as he seemed in a hurry at the time. 

I love the your moment of truth tract because is great for situations like that! Whether you talk to them, only get part of a conversation with them, or just hand it to them…it has the complete gospel in it. (link)

So the young guy spoke to us a few minutes but we didn’t get anywhere in the conversation. At least he had the tract I gave him from earlier. He was with his mom who was next to us weaving baskets from palm leaves, as she sells them for a living. 

 Tune in next time for the rest of the witnessing trip… you don’t want to miss it!

Part 3 

Hawaii Evangelism pt 3

Witnessing in Hawaii, the Conclusion....

Rhonda and I walked on and ran into a mother and daughter sitting on a curb outside a shaved ice store. They were waiting for her husband to come out with their cool snack. It was pretty hot out. I walked up to her and offered them each a regular million dollar bill tract and told them it was free.

I asked the mom if she had a religious background. She said yes, catholic. And I told her the back of the million dollar bill asks an important question. Will you go to heaven when you die. I asked if she could name any of the 10 commandments. She said she couldn’t think of any. I told her I’m sure she could remember at least one. (I tried to get her motivated to talk with me). She said she couldn’t, and she really didn’t want to talk to me about religious things. It’s a personal thing for her.

I shared we are out today talking with people, because we know its important to make sure we know where we are going when we die. She was adamantly in her attitude, not really nice, and kind of non responsive (I could tell she did not want to talk). She wasn’t rude or mean, just in a weird way just not wanting to talk. Her preteen daughter was sitting with her and so, I tried to encourage her to read the back of the million dollar bill because its important. I felt like that was a swing and a miss. At least they had the tract, that is the great thing about it. The gospel does the work it is meant to do, by the power of God. So when they read it, hopefully what I was trying to say, would make sense after she read the tract.

We went back to our meeting spot with the group and attempted to give out a few other tracts. Some college age guys took some from me, a few younger girls, and a couple who were walking by.

When the couple was approaching, I wanted to call him a bit closer to us, and then my nephew reached out and offered the Million dollar bill tract. The lady nicely asked him what it was. He looked at me for a second and wasnt sure what to say or do, so he quickly flipped it over and showed her the text on the back. And read he it right out to her “the million dollar question: Will you go to heaven when you die?” She said yes and then they and I talked a minute.

She said her and her husband go to a church down the road from here [so they are locals] and that they know people at YWAM. We talked for about 10 minutes. We shared with them that we are on vacation and are out with a local couple who witness there to the locals and those who come off of the cruise lines. We told them how we share the gospel and etc. It was a nice conversation.

While we were with the others when witnessing (safety first), at one point a creepy older homeless guy (white but very tan, with long blond dreadlocks) came our way. We decided to try to talk to him briefly, to at least hand a tract, he was just not interested in talking. Then I spoke to another native Hawaiian lady who also appeared homeless and had a local friend with her. Most of the people there are Hawaiian natives, white, or tourists.

Later on we packed up and headed back to meet up with the rest of our family. I’m sure we were out for about 3 hours and that was a pretty long time for my parents’ first street “outing.” And I was glad to hear that my mom had been handing out tracts in the walkway in front of the church. After we got back to the resort, she told me she had the hardest people come past her when the other lady and I had shortly walked down the boardwalk.

She said she handed out to a few people as they were walking by and they took the tract and didn’t stop, others turned their face and snubbed her or would not only refuse the tract, (either thinking it was cult material or because they were anti-Christian), but they would also speak rudely to her or say “No” in a very mean way. She tried to hand a large 100 dollar bill to a mother of a couple young children who were walking by, offering it as “play money” and the mother grabbed her little children by the arm and dragged them away as she firmly said in a rude and aggressively way “NO!” Her kids didn’t understand and she treated her children badly because of her (the mom’s) behavior.

My mom told the believer she was teamed up with at the moment that she couldn’t understand how the mother would react that way since the kids can’t even read. When she told me, I mentioned that there could be many reasons; It could be due to a situation in her life where she is mad at God right now, had a pushy family member or someone else she knows try to get her to church, or she had a bad experience with someone who professed to be a Christian and ended up causing her to walk away from spiritual things. No one knows but God, and at least my mom tried. She did her part to share the gospel, even after several people treated her like that.

After we returned home from Hawaii the ones who lived there and joined up with us to share the gospel, had went back to see if the Egyptian couple was still there, so they could talk to them, and encourage them. They were there, and they had a great conversation! The very next day they ran into that couple in a local store and had mentioned to the witnessing couple that they were greatly encouraged by all of us to share the gospel. That was an encouragement to us because we’ve found it’s rare to get a YWAM’er interested in sharing the gospel. I look forward to hearing about their witnessing encounters from this outing too.

Praise God for all the opportunities we had to talk to people, and hand out tracts. 

Reaching Den

June 9, 2009

Chat with Den

Christian: Welcome to chat! Let me know how I can help you know God better, answer any questions, or help you to make sure you are saved.

Den: hi. I am looking to chat. I am a Christian, I am saved.
Christian: Hi Den, Welcome.
Christian: Let me ask, how did you get saved?
Den: i have 3 uncles who are pastors and they shared about how to be saved
Christian: (rephrased - How do people get saved?)
Den: he just let me follow prayer to accept Christ as my personal savior
Christian: I'm kind of confused about your answer so I am probing a little. Please stay with me on this....
Den: ok…
Christian: why would someone need to do that. Why do we need to accept Jesus and pray? what I am saying is that your answer to my question is a little squishy. I am just trying to figure out how you got saved and the reason you wanted to be saved.
Christian: why do you think people need to be saved?
Den: to be in heaven, so that people can have eternal life..
Christian: but why cant people just get to heaven automatically when they die?
Christian: there must be a reason they need saving
Den: become all of us have sinned
Christian: ok. what is sin?
Den: um…
Christian: most people cant answer that, because they've never been told what it is and why its important, but its so vital to the reason we need to be saved.
Den: sin are the bad things we do and disobeying Gods commandments
Christian: can you name some of the commandments?
Den: love God above all
Christian: that's true
Den: honor your father and mother
Christian: how about adultery....
Christian: Jesus said if you look with lust, its adultery of the heart
Den: thou shall not kill
Christian: And Jesus said if we hate someone we are guilty of murder in the heart
Den: stealing is another
Christian: You're right! Those are some of the commandments.
Christian: They cut right to our heart, and they even compose of the things we do in our thoughts and the things we think we do in secret.
Christian: Den, who see's these things we think and do when no one is around?
Den: Jesus
Christian: We'll God tells us that we all fall short of the Glory of God, and his Standard. that standard is the Ten Commandments. God shows it to us as a mirror to our heart. So we see ourselves in truth...
Christian: and so if we break one Commandment in thought word or deed.. we have broken the Law...
Christian: and God demands the death penalty for our crimes.
Christian: Our crimes are not against other people, because they did not create the Law. No, our crimes are against our Holy God.
Christian: And he seeks the death penalty.
Christian: so there's nothing we can do to not want to sin by hating someone. we're all ready in trouble and we cant do anything to get out of it
Christian: This is why Jesus is so important.
Christian: We don't get saved to go to heaven or get eternal life. “We get saved”, or “come to Jesus” so that we will desire righteous, and with our repentance and faith, we are also saved from God's wrath and Hell.
Christian: And we come to Jesus out of gratitude and love for what he did on the cross for us.
Christian: We broke the Law, Jesus paid our fine. Does that make sense?
Den: yes,but what if i committed a mortal sin? what should i do not to hate someone?
Christian: all sins are sins. There is no difference
Christian: If we do something against the Law of God (whether towards God or man) its only a crime against God.
Den: then what should i do?
Christian: well, that is why we come to Jesus for salvation.
Christian: We come because we know we are sinners, that we do not do good (God's word says no one is good and no one does good). His word says “all the things we do are as filthy dirty rags that are only fit to burn.”
Christian: And “we can not earn salvation”, we can not bribe God (the Judge of our soul) with any deeds (because they are worthless).
Christian: All we can do is fall at the feet of Jesus Christ and obey the Gospel...
Christian: This is why I asked you earlier because not everyone who thinks they are saved... is. They hear a gospel message that sounds good but its not the real one. In the end it leads to destruction and hell, that is why I like to make sure anyone I talk to “is” saved by asking these kinds of questions, so that they can hear the biblical message of what we need to do to be saved, and the reason why we need to be saved.
Christian: Has anyone ever told you what you must do to be saved? What God's terms are...?
Den: all i understand is that to accept God as my personal saviour
Christian: But the question is… what does that mean. The gospel tells us that we do not accept God, God accepts us. And we have to know why we need God and what Jesus has to do with it all.
Christian: What we give God is not a flippant acceptance. its based on obedience to the gospel.
Den: after I’m saved i should do good things
Christian: Well, after we are saved we will do things that please God because we are saved, and because GOD does those things through us. We desire to live righteously. 
Christian: So this is what the gospel message of God declares and commands:
Christian: “God calls all men everywhere to repent, because he has appointed a day (judgment day) where in he will judge the world in righteousness (according to the Law) through the One he appointed (Jesus Christ)...”
Christian: He calls us to Repent and Trust in Jesus....
Christian: Repentance isnt saying a prayer or saying your sorry and continuing to live as you did before...
Christian: Repentance is a ONE TIME situation where you Talk to God (yourself personally in private - no one else around)....
Christian: Repentance is admitting to God that you are a sinner, that you have violated the Law of God... you name as many sins as you can think of.... and you ask Jesus to forgive you of those sins. Your sins (past, present and future) will be forgiven (once and for all).
Den: is that what should i do 2 be 4given by God?
Christian: I'm still explaining...hold on….
Den: what if im already saved and i committed a sin? can God still forgive me?
Christian: Well, lets first confirm that you are saved first. Because it doesn’t sound like you really are. (ie. since you couldn’t tell me how to be saved, why to be saved, and you gave me a different answer that a Christian should give to those questions…let's confirm you're saved, and then I'll answer that question ok?)
Christian: So, Repentance is admitting to God that you are a sinner, that you have violated the Law of God... (name as many sins as you can think of when you talk to God).... and ask Jesus to forgive you of those sins. Your sins past present and future will be forgiven (once and for all).
Den: ok
Christian: The other part of "repentance" is the turning from those sins. It’s a forsaking of sin. You no longer desire to do what is against God (rebellion, sin, etc)... and you abhor sin (means to hate it, hate it, hate it and want nothing to do with it anymore)...
Christian: So first is Repentance... and the second part is... Trusting Jesus.
Christian: (This is not a fluffy kind of trust.)
Christian: it means that you “believe” Jesus is who the Bible says He is, and who Jesus says He is in the Bible. It also means that you believe that Jesus died on the cross for you’re your sins… that only Jesus can save you from God's coming punishment that will fall upon all who die in their sins (unforgiven sinners).
Christian: If your sins are forgiven ... you are a “forgiven sinner” and not an unforgiven sinner.
Christian: The TRUST you have is that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your crimes against God. And if you receive it, it’s PAID IN FULL. And your case is closed before God.
Christian: You broke the Law and Jesus paid the fine. If you RECEIVE Jesus payment on your behalf, by Telling God you want that FREE gift God offers in Jesus (Forgiveness and eternal life)...
Christian: Then its as if Jesus comes into God's court room... and you are about to be sentenced for serious crimes. You dont have the money or the ability to get out of the situation, are about to be sentenced... and Jesus bursts into the court room... runs up to the Judge and says "I love this man, I sold all I have to pay for His fine." and the Judge looks at you and says you are free to go. This person paid your fine for you. Jesus paid the fine with his life’s blood on the cross. The Justice of God is served, because the fine is paid for IN FULL.... and you are now a free man…with an new friend in whom you are grateful to, and live out that gratitude from this day forward. Praising and Thanking God for saving you.
Christian: Does that make sense?

Den: yah
Christian: Repentance and Trusting in Jesus. That’s it. That’s all you need to do to be saved.
Christian: Once you do that, as you talk to God in prayer, GOD will ACCEPT Jesus work on your behalf, and you will instantly become a forgiven sinner, and an adopted child of God.
Christian: Does that make sense?
Den: yah
Christian: great.
Den: ill do it
Den: thanks
Christian: So when your relatives tried to tell you about the gospel and how to be saved, it doesnt sound like they gave the biblical gospel message. However, I am glad you are going to "Get right with God" and become saved today. You’ll be a Born Again believer!
Christian: You know Jesus not only said to “Repent”, but also that one “Must be born again to enter heaven”.
Den: i think they did tell me, i just didn’t understand so clear.

Christian: If you repent and trust in Christ then you will be born again, and God's spirit will make you into an new person. That transformation is amazing.
Christian: We no longer desire to sin, (but that doesn’t mean we don’t mess up and sin).

Den: im a born again
Christian: Being born again is what happens after you obey the Gospel. You're going to do that tonight, right now, right?
Den: yeah
Den: thanks
Christian: awsome! Praise God. I am so happy. You know... the Bible says that
when you get saved.. .”the Angels in heaven rejoice!”
Den: ive heard that verse 

Christian: Here is a website to help you as you begin to grow in the faith, study the Bible (your own personal time in the Bible between you and God).... *****************
Christian: There are important articles in there for new believers to know. But don't go there until after you pray/talk to God.
Den: thanks. i’ll visit it
Christian: Thank you for talking with me tonight!
Christian: BTW, I lead a Bible study class online for new believers. feel free to swing over and join us! **********
Den: okey,by the way its morning here today
Christian: have a great day then and God bless!
Christian: PS.. your question will be answered at that website!
Den: okey thanks

Den: thanks God for using you as a channel
Christian: Have a great day Den! I am blessed to have been here to help you come to know God! Den: thanks to you
Christian: thanks to God using me!
Den: yes
Christian: ok (Go pray to God now)!

Den: are you signing off?
Christian: yep, unless you have another question.
Christian: (I am usually here one hour earlier than we chatted tonight.)

Den: can you help me to share this gospel with my friend?
Christian: Yes. Send them to www.NeedGod.com and then just tell your friend about our conversation.
Den: he's a catholic
Christian: Great. Everyone needs to be saved. Even if they don’t want to hear the gospel of the Bible... YOU know it and YOU will obey it. Don’t let anyone discourage you from the faith! This faith is the only one that saves!

Den: its hard for me to share this with him because dont know if hes interested about listening to God
Christian: its ok. You can just tell him/her about your conversation, and that you became born again today by obeying the gospel of the Bible.
Christian: show him the website and let GOD do the work in him/her towards the truth.
Note…. It could be years and years before they come to Jesus, but God can save them right now if they are open to wanting to be saved!

Christian: Ok, have a great day....and Go pray to God right now before you do anything else!
den: okey, I will
den: thanks
den: good evening

**Chat ended**