A few months before my oldest son passed away I was in a season of great joy. The atmosphere around our home was great, my wife and I were coming nearing 20 years of marriage and 10 years of that doing ministry. Our relationship was great, we were enjoying each other’s company and at times would go on little dates where we might just get some fast food and sit in a parking lot and eat and talk. Our daughter Sam was heading off to college and my other youngest children were excelling as well. I had changed my diet and was running each morning and felt physically good. I would come in after an early morning run and be so full of energy and would make breakfast, kiss my sweetheart, and get ready for a day of study and then off to open-air preach at one of my locations. It was such a great season.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
My daughter was home for her Christmas break from college, we had all been in the living room and our house was full of conversations and laughter. My daughter mentioned that there were police in our yard. I opened the door and an officer said he was looking for David Day. My son and I shared the same name so I immediately assumed he was looking for my son. He was not though, the police had come for me.
“Your son was found unresponsive. ”
He told me that my son was found unresponsive. Honestly, I did not expect to hear the worst. My son was tough and had had moments in his life where he always came through. However, I asked the officer if he had passed away and he told me he had.
Whether it was shock or something else, it did not hit me at that moment. As the dad, as the man of the house I knew had to hold it together. The officer gave me a moment and I told my wife, then our children. My joy was gone though.
That night I traveled to where my son was found. I was concerned and was worried if someone had hurt him, did he look okay. The police would not let me see him but said he looked like he had just laid down and gone to sleep. An hour or so passed and they rolled his body passed me and it just felt unreal. The heart I heard while in the womb of his mom, the heart that beat fast as I ‘let’ it appear he was winning in our wrestling matches, the heart of my youth had stopped.
We would find out he had died of an accidental overdose. That he probably did not hurt, but just as they said, looked like he went to sleep. The little boy who was my little buddy, who played way too much like his dad, who could make anyone laugh, who loved being a dad, who once told me he wanted to be like me was gone. Again with it, my joy.
I miss my son. I miss hearing his voice, I miss wrestling with him, I miss the soup he would make out of whatever he would find in our fridge. I miss the nights of him coming over for dinner or asking me for a ride to work. I miss those moments just driving with him and talking. I miss our adventures, staying up late when he was small just to watch the cartoon Gargoyles. I miss him drinking out of the jug, I miss him needing me, him wanting me. I miss hearing, “I love you Dad.”
I miss that joyful season so much. I miss the laughter at home, I miss the energy I had, I miss wanting to make breakfast for my family and kissing my sweet wife each morning as if I had not seen her in months.
Recently I have tried to get back into the routine that I was on before the passing of my son. Thinking that if I do those things, I might have that joy again. During a recent run around my neighborhood, I found myself on the side of the road crying, I realized that doing those things was not bringing me back to the place I was in before my son passed. Simply doing a routine was not giving me joy. I wanted so bad to forget and for everything just to be as it had been.
Then the Lord spoke.
I realized then that the Lord had brought me into a season of great joy to prepare my heart for the season of great suffering for me and my family. He was pointing me to Himself. He was directing my steps. He knew what was coming.
Yes, yes, I had asked the question over and over as to why? Who would not ask, right? The Lord has the power to save whomever He wills and I have seen Him save many, why not my boy? I have dealt with that. I have prayed and wept for the Lord to save people. If anyone that I desire to see saved, it is my family.
As a good brother told me who also lost his daughters shortly after their birth, “God’s ways are not our ways.” While much is a mystery, I trust the Lord.
My Lord who is my friend reminded me during my run that the joy that I had, that I now so much want to feel again is not found in my routine, but in Him, that it is He who gives joy.
I read once that happiness is circumstances, but joy, true joy is in the Lord, and no one, no death, no sorrow, nothing can steal that.
I have always found comfort in knowing that the Lord knows me, that His eye is on me. As with the Psalmist in Psalm 139, the Lord knows me before a word is on my tongue, before I rise or sit down, the Lord knows me. How does He have this knowledge of me? Well, He is the one who knitted me in the womb of my mom. He is the one who knew me bore I was born as He told Jeremiah the prophet.
The Lord knows me, he knows all my sorrow, all of my grief. He knows my wants and needs. He knows my sins, He knows me. In Him, truly is the fullness of joy and the pleasures forever more.
I am writing this not as a counselor to maybe someone suffering as I am, but I hope it does comfort you. The season will pass, and it may take time, but the Lord is kind, trust him, and grieve appropriately. Weep and look to Christ. Find that joy truly in the Lord.
I guess the main reason for writing this is for me. It is my way to grieve, talking about it. A way to remind me and help me not forget my son and to keep my eyes on Christ. To maybe help want to wake up early and make breakfast for my family, to look at my babies and really hold them before they walk out the door. To caress my wife and kiss her as if it has been months since the last kiss. To help me look to the Lord, longing for that joy I know only He provides.
As a dad, I will never forget or get over losing my boy. What I will not forget also is that in this season, the Lord was faithful, He has been near me, that He is kind.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
“And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door to faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:27
Looking at the text here in Act’s, I can imagine Paul getting excited talking about all that he has seen. I can imagine maybe Paul talking with his hands, elevating his voice with excitement, describing what preaching in Athens was like, being beaten, or standing up amazed at the open door given by the rulers of the synagogue asking him to share a word of encouragement (13:15). I call that “fish jumping in the boat.” What is he excited about? It was not just the new things he has seen and heard. It was not just people being Born Again, it was all that God was doing. It was how God was using him, “the chief of sinners” to make known to the Gentiles the God who saves sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).
I too get excited after a great witnessing opportunity. Some nights I come walking in rather late and tell my family about a certain conversation or something that happened. I will eventually lay my head down and still be overwhelmed by all that I had seen and heard that night.
But why am I excited? I love preaching, I love the fellowship with other believers that it brings. I love people stopping and listening, I rejoice so much when someone walk up weeping, having had their heart pricked by the Word. I rejoice even at being rebuked as I am made aware that they heard it. I then know who to pray for.
I am excited because I know that all I had seen and heard is all that God had done. He gave the conversation, He provided the opportunity, even had us pray for the opportunity which increased my faith when I saw it answered. Praise the Lord!
So much has happened since my last letter. I have traveled to other countries preaching and witnessing, had people hear the preaching and weep over seeing their sin, I have had my prayers answered for laborers, we have gained new support while loosing a few monthly supporters.
Sadly, we experienced the loss of my oldest son David Jr. a few days after New Years. He was found unresponsive one night and passed away. There were times my son and I would labor together, he would hold signs at the mill or help me pass out some gospel tracts downtown. There had been a season that stretched along time where David had been influenced by the world and it was costing him dearly. In the end, sin did what sin does. This has been the toughest time in my life, and even though months have passed, I really miss my son. The Lord is very kind. As I drove to where he was found the night we found out, it was as if the Lord was truly present with me in my car and I heard the voice in my head reminding me how, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Moving to London ~
Yea, you read that correctly. Last year I spent nearly two weeks in the UK preaching at different locations throughout London with Sports Fan Outreach International. It was an absolutely amazing time. We did not just preach but were able to sit down with local pastors and missionaries. These men admonished us in the Word and gave us spiritual food for the day before we went to the trenches to preach.
One great highlight was being able to attend the historic Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, the church of the late Charles Spurgeon. We attended a Sunday evening service to a packed sanctuary. Dr. Peter Masters is the main pastor and preached and seemed aged and frail. For me, I was not sure he would finish the sermon before being called to glory. Afterwards we were asked if we would like to me him, and we gladly accepted.
After the service we were escorted to his study where we saw Spurgeon’s pulpit, letters owned by John Calvin, and a chair that once belonged to John Gill. The most memorable moment was meeting Mr. Masters. He was not the stuffy elderly gent I had perceived him to be. Instead, he was full of joy and humility. He was excited to meet these men who have come to his city to preach the Gospel. He took our questions and answered each of them. He shared his own personal testimony, his coming to faith in Christ and how he was called to be a pastor among other things. He was alive, a man who loved God and loved the people God has entrusted him to shepherd. It left a mark on me.
We sat down with other faithful men as well who pastor and preach the Word. All of them seemed to have that love for the Word and for the people God has given them to minister to.
My time in London really left its mark on me at I was reminded of the simplicity of the Gospel. That through the simple means of praying and preaching, God glorifies Himself in the saving of sinners. That this most proclamation of what the jewel of heaven, Jesus Christ has accomplished is so simple, that to the world, it is considered foolishness, rubbish. However, to those God is saving, it is nothing of the sorts, to them it is the “power of God unto salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18).
London is a city that mimic’s Vanity Fair in John Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress. Whatever your delight, you can have it. It was once a great steeple to the world that sent our missionaries, that produced men and women of God unashamed of the Gospel as to die for it. Today it is a city full of self-indulgence, pride, and worldliness. In the midst though there is a faithful remnant of God’s people. We met believers who made me feel lukewarm. Brothers in Christ who had this essence that was undeniable, they had been transformed by the power of the Gospel, they had met Christ. They expressed such gratitude and spoke how God had saved them through those simple means I refereed to. These were men and women not zealous for the traditions of men, but for God.
I met one brother who was passing out literature near where we preached. He was so joyful, so full of life. He used to be a Muslim in his former life. I asked him what had happened to him, how did God save him? I have not forgotten his answer. “I met Jesus!”
Elsewhere, I met an elderly 92-year-old brother who had one day picked of the bible and read it. He told me, “Romans, all the bible is summed up in Romans.” He was a Jew and had married a Christian woman and believes today, Christ is Lord! He was so thrilled to hear the voice of His Savior through the preaching of the Bible by us Americans.
We met many with the same testimony. “I heard the preaching, I heard the Word, I met Jesus.” It was so simple. The pastors and elders of local churches we met told us what London was like, what being a Christian was like there. We were presented with the simplicity of the Gospel to save. No pragmatism, they had tried that, and it did not work. We were told that America was 40 years behind Great Britain. They used to be as America is today, a nation of nominal Christians, but today, England’s largest religion is the “none” religion. Meaning, “I do not believe in nothing.”
We experienced the truth of that as we had men people mocking us, calling for my arrest, looking at us with disdain, all as if we were mad men. What an amazing place to preach! You do not have to get someone so called, “unsaved” to get them to believe in the real Christ. You do not have to deconstruct the false Christ many follow here, the “be a good person”, “live a good life”, “go to church or the devil will get you Christianity” but simply “tell all that God has done,” preach Christ!
The Lord did many things during that time. I returned home, praying with my wife, my local pastor, and others about all I had seen, I found myself rejoining in His faithfulness and getting to know God more.
Those days in the UK left a mark on me. I have prayed as I have noted with my family, my pastor, and some friends, but we are praying about the call to move to London to do open-air ministry there. My city needs Christ, my nation is wicked. But the Lord has placed it on my heart to preach Christ in the UK. There are so many people from every nation there. The Gospel is so simple, so powerful, I desire to go, stand, and preach where He leads me, to tell all that He has done. To preach at the local sporting events as we have done in the past. To leads local and teams that may come over through the city to preach in the open air. To work with my local church there and abroad to equip the saints.
Please pray with us on this. I do not want to go because I had a great mission trip, but because the Lord sends me. I have prayed for open doors, for confirmation from the Lord. I have spoken to local pastors in the UK and in London. I have sought the wisdom and direction of my local pastors here. I desire a receiving church in London that would be my church family there. That would pray for me, hold me accountable, that would be supportive in having an open-air preacher apart of their congregation.
I have been blessed to lead teams of saints to preach and love seeing people get out of their comfort zone. I would desire to see men and woman come and stay with us there and go preaching alongside me at the many spots the Lord provides.
I have much in my heart about this. Might you just pray for open doors for my family and I as we pray for them as well, to preach the Gospel in London.
A few things that I rejoice in sharing.
I have prayed for years for laborers and the Lord heard my cry. I love witnessing with others, but nothing is like witnessing with your family, especially your church family. A season is upon us whereas a church we are going out and preaching and praying. We are holding evangelistic signs, fellowshipping, growing in the Lord together through this simple means of grace of corporate evangelism. My brothers and sisters have seen people come up and request prayer, weep, and open their hearts. They have seen man’s depravity as even some people have become hostile toward the preaching, yelling and cursing, playing loud music to distract or drown out the preaching.
They are seeing the heart of man displayed, what they once looked like when they walked in darkness. Seeing that, may they have boldness and continue looking to Christ, sharing the Gospel without fear.
Praise the Lord for all that He does.
In the coming weeks and months, we begin baseball season here and that will provide many regular opportunities to labor locally. I have a trip in May to preach with some brothers in Boston, at Harvard and the surrounding areas, as well as leading a team to Nashville in August. I hope to return to London in October as well.
Thank you very much for your prayers and support. Please pray for more financial supporters. As you know many things cost a little more. The Lord provides though. Pray for opportunities to witness and to witness with my local church more. Pray for our trip to Boston, my prayer life and study time. For my family, that all my children may come to know Christ. We are working to adopt two of our grandchildren.
Please also, pray for open doors for London, especially a receiving church, what would we do with our home here and where would we live there, for the people the Lord will give us to witness to.
Bless you all,
David Day.
Here is a link to some pictures and videos for your enjoyment from our last trip to London. Enjoy!
Nearly two million people have voted in Georgia for a man to rule, to speak for, to represent them. A man who carries the name of a pastor but is far from it.
He is not a man of prayer, one who loves the sheep, Christ, and His Word. He is wicked and hates God.
He encourages men and women to fondle sin.
That which the scriptures instruct us to put to death, that which because of so, the wrath of God is coming.
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. Colossians 3:5-6
What is evident is the words of Jeremiah the prophet. We might ask how can a man carry the title of pastor and promote such evil, and deceive so many? How can people be so blind not to see it as well? What is wrong with them?
Jeremiah writes and shows the problem. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Jeremiah 17:9
The words of Christ in Matthew 15:19 elaborate more.
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.”
We see the problem and it is not the mind or the lack of education. Neither is race or social status. It is the sinful depraved heart that is full of pride.
Martyn Lloyd Jones said, “Many believe that education is the solution to all our problems.”
Politicians will easily and persuasively tell you they can fix all the problems facing our world.
The answer though is only and strictly the Cross. At the Cross, we see our unworthiness. That the only way for men to be saved, made perfect and righteous before God would be for the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life to come and shed His blood on our behalf. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21
I have learned how simple the Gospel is. How it destroys a man’s pride. How it crushes a sinner to make them realize how lost they are.
How it makes them want to “live pleasing unto to the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
The Christian’s goal should not be to make a nation great. Paul never once sought to overthrow Rome. Paul preached, Peter preached, John preached, and countless others preached the Cross to kings, rulers, to all the Lord gave them, praying even while in chains, for a “door to preach the Gospel.” Collisions 4:3
Even while swords were being sharpened before them, rocks being thrown, and certain death before them, they preached the Cross.
The results of their preaching turned the world upside down and here were are two thousand years later, having too heard the same Gospel and now believing.
Christ alone saves, but how will men and women believe unless they hear? With a preacher! Romans 10:14
Today we rejoice in the Lord because of His kindness to save, to call, for those who preached the Cross.
We have heard not only because they preached and obeyed the Great Commission, but because they had truly met Christ and were transformed by Him. Isn’t that what Christ does? He transforms a man, and He makes them new creations! The mute speak, the blind see, the dead life, and the one who fears man, who wants to be liked by others, the shy and timid introvert will become a fool to others to preach!
The disciples knew that if Christ could change them, He could change anyone.
They preached and died preaching Christ because they loved their neighbor and they loved Christ.
Even more, they knew that Christ loved them. 1 John 4:19
Be faithful. Remember Christ and keep His word. Pray, preach, feed the sheep, evangelize, suffer, die, and then be glorified in Heaven, all to the glory of God.
I am writing to you friends on the heels of having been in Nashville recently for ministry and wanted to give a short update on the work. I mention often in my letters and posts that the Lord is kind and I am positive none of you will disagree. If we are in Christ, we are partakers of His abundant kindness. He has looked on us and seen not a plethora of great works of charity and deemed us worthy of salvation. Neither has He seen through the portholes of time and saw we have the potential for good deeds and righteousness. No, God saw us in all our stench of sin, as many as they are. And for His own glory, has made us a people whom He calls His. Deeming us righteous not by our works of obedience, but through the work of Jesus Christ alone. Truly the Lord is kind.
His kindness was displayed this past week as I was in Nashville with a handful of other saints in Christ preaching that men can be justified before God by looking to Jesus. With all the opportunities the Lord gives to labor in the ministry, there is never a shortage of those who would mock us. There are also, not to be forgotten those who stop and listen. We rejoice in both because we know that the Gospel is not something to be ashamed of but that each response is evidence that it was heard and by being heard, some may believe as the Gospel s the power of God unto salvation. A few mentions of those memorable accounts that had me shaking my head would I am standing near my brother Terry as he talks with a guy.
I turn around and there is this young woman on the pole, dancing on it. I must be getting old because I looked at her and with a raised voice asked rhetorically, “What are you doing?” Earlier we had a young man named Andrew to come up and his mind was all over the place. He was talking about the Illuminati, needed 11 others to go and talk to some elders, was being chased by Satanists, and needed to stand in the wind for some other odd reason.
Needless to say, many spirits were moving about that were hostile to the Gospel. I think we had more people who professed Christ who boasted in their sin, who displayed vile immodesty, who cursed us, telling us they were Christian and that, “You are turning people away with this preaching.” Many believe, for even the demons believe and tremble. A great reminder to me was that as the scoffers came, the Lord sent them our way so that they might hear His Gospel.
There was though the fruit of the preaching of having some walk up and listen and engage in good gospel conversations. My brother Scott had quite a few as well did others on our team. Some would just walk up and stand with arms crossed and listen to Christ magnified.
Some had questions as our preaching was much different than what most hear on the radio. We were not preaching a nominal Christianity, but a Christianity that calls men to deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Christ. A Christianity that loves Christ and His word. That transforms you where being told to live a life pleasing unto the Lord is not just a command in scripture, but something you practice out of pure love and gratitude, because you love Him who loves you.
What was surely the highlight of this trip was the fellowship of the saints and the joyful kindness of the local believers who hosted us at their local church. I do not think I have seen kindness displayed like this before and it filled me with a spirit of joy and love for His people. We arrived at this local church and the local Baptist Association loaned us a shower trailer and cots were provided for each of us to sleep throughout the church. I gladly slept in the choir room and will admit that noises were made that night that have never been heard in that room before!
The pastor was truly a shepherd of the people. His congregation was small and elderly, a dying church some would say, but he labored faithfully to keep it alive. He served us by helping to prepare breakfast and lunches, brewing coffee, and emptying trash bins. He could be heard doing his work cheerfully, as unto the Lord whistling a tune. A few other brothers that were with us preached and taught us in the scriptures before going out each day and we had times of corporate prayer and worship. The Lord is kind and so are His people.
Lastly, the harsh reminder that my brother Scott and I talked about is that scripture teaches few will be saved. Matthew 7:13-14. In Sodom, God sent angels to rescue 4 people and only 3 made it out. God was willing to spare the city if just ten righteous people were found, but none were. Nashville is a very wicked city that celebrates many idols. However, with all its wickedness, it is where God would send my brothers and me to go and preach Christ and Him Crucified. May He save all or even a few. The Lord is Kind. Here are a few pictures to help bring to life this past week’s labors there. Thank you all for your prayers and support. I head for London next month and look forward to sharing with you the glories of the Lord in all He accomplished while there.
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you And give you peace. – Numbers 6:24-26
I have made this sermon sorta my own having taken the outline from “The Open-Air Preacher’s Handbook by Gawin Kirkham” I print it off in book form on card stock and it stands up pretty well. May it be a blessing to you and all who hear.
3. Where should men hide that truly protects them from what is truly chasing all of us, the wrath of God?
1.Why do men hide?
Tell of the Genesis account. From Creation to Man.
Genesis 1:26 -27, Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God, He created him; male and female, He created them.
God gave dominion and told him he could eat of every tree within the Garden, but one, the tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil. And said the day that you eat of that tree, you will die.
Genesis 2:16-17 But man sinned, rebelled against God, ate the fruit and knew what He had done and hid from the Lord.
What was Adam doing? He was hiding.
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
The very first question is the Bible is that right there, “Where are You?”
Did God somehow lose track of Adam, was God sleeping forgot to check on him, No. God sees all.
Can you really hide from God?
Proverbs 15:13, The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Hebrews 4:13, And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to His eyes of Him to who we must all give an account.
Job 34:21 “His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step.”
Why was Adam hiding?
Adam reasoning for hiding was FEAR.
Adam knew God, he had walked with Him.
And he said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10
Adams reason for Fear
God’s Holiness
God is Holy, without sin.
Isaiah 6:1-3
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above Him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two He covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!
Revelations 4:8
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil..” Habakkuk 1:3
Confronted my God’s Holiness
Exodus 3:6
And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Most of us will never be in the presence of the King of England, the President of the United States, or some dignitary…But each of you will stand in the presence of the Lord and give an account to Him.
Behind their confessions of innocence,Ignorance, respectability, sincerity, circumstances, religiousness.
Try to do the impossible – Good works cannot save.
Adam covered Himself- He knew he was naked.
Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever covers /conceals his transgressions will not prosper – But he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Describe sin, breaking of God’s Law / Ten Commandments
4. Only One Hiding Place.
The Wounded Side of Jesus
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
I have fled to you for refuge Psalm 143:9
For some it will be to late.
When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.
The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Briefly as this is a longer than normal post. Thank you saints who pray and support the ministry. I really am grateful for your sacrifice. Please continue to pray for the ministry and for the Lord to allow us to see souls saved. I hope this update brings you as much joy as having to experience it has brought me. Bless you, David Day.
Nominal “Christian”
I have been sharing my faith for over sixteen years, since the Lord opened my eyes to reveal the nature of my sin against Him and bringing to life the Cross of Christ for me. Before I was very nominal, even when it came to sin. I felt bad at times, but there was no Godly sorrow over it. Of course, being the state of my soul, I had no desire to tell others the Gospel as I really did not believe it.
I have thought that the reason maybe some “Christians” never share the Gospel at all is maybe they were as I once was. They have never been broken over their own sin and maybe they have never met Christ to begin. So, they too have nothing to rejoice over.
First Importance to The Believer
After truly encountering Christ though, after being shown so much grace, telling others about Him has always just seemed to be of what is of first importance (1 Corinthians 15:3). As a Christian, you follow Christ and you want men to know what you know, you want them to be saved, to be Born Again! You want them to give praise to the Lord, to worship Him, because He deserves it. You have a desire to see men truly live, to see men overcome temptation, to no longer walk in darkness, but to walk in the light, always pleasing God’s sight. You do not delight in seeing the earthy consequences of sin fall upon a man as the wages of sin is not just death, but also divorce, drunkenness, DUI’s, anger management classes, broken homes, the sorrow over murdering your child through abortion, etc.
As a Christian the eternal consequences of sin crosses your mind as well and your find yourself grieving that. even though you are aware that it is what all men deserve, especially you. This desire to see men saved is a desire that we do not have naturally, but comes when the Spirit of the Lord is in us. Our new nature wants to please Christ and has no desire to see men perish, but for men to come to the knowledge of the truth. Just like that of our Father (1 Timothy 2:4).
Seeing The Holy Spirit Work in A Man!
To add to that, I rejoice in saying that after sixteen years of laboring, the Lord gave me the gift of seeing the Holy Spirit move upon a man, of seeing His hand upon one as He was making him His own.
I have seen many in my labors those who seemed to listen and appear to understand. I have preached to thousands in abroad and here in my hometown. I have preached outside abortion mills and seen the joy of women changing their mind about abortion, but other than the testimony of my youngest daughter and that of my own testimony, I have not seen a sorrow that appears to lead to repentance and faith in Christ.
Wanting To See Someone Saved
Let me a paint the past year for you. I have been praying for some time with my pastor and others as I want to see someone saved. I want to see someone broken over their sin, weeping, “What must I do to be saved?” As I said, I have thankfully spoken to thousands about Christ, planted many seeds, but I really want to see the fruit of the work in this manner.
It is not just that I want to, but I feel I need to. I need the encouragement that the Lord is with me as the work is very hard at times and often lonesome. My pastor asked me once about how was I dealing with discouragement and I recall telling him that I think it is just something I am going to have to learn to deal with. If you are in ministry, I am sure you can relate. The Lord has surely given us a good work, although it is not an easy one.
However, back in February of this year I had the privilege to be a Team Leader again with Sports Fan Outreach International Super Bowl Outreach in Los Angeles. I can say I loved it very much. The Lord gave me a great group of men to lead, great opportunities, and great fellowship. While there though, I was praying for souls and longing for that one weeping soul. I did not see it there. It was not that our work was in vain, I just did not see with my eyes a soul weeping for their Father.I want too though, so badly. I did return full of joy and zeal anticipating an answer to my prayer.
Later that month, my brother Robert would asked me to go to New Orleans and witness with him and others during Mardi Gras. It has been maybe eight years since I had participated in a Mardi Gras outreach in New Orleans. What comes to my mind about Mardi Gras is the idolatry, the lust, the drunkenness, the preachers with no gospel, the loud noise, it just isn’t a place I looked forward to going.
Our Joy Is in The Lord, Not in Our Circumstances
You are forced to yell to be heard and it mimics the abortion mill here that I preach at daily. If I am going to get away from that dump, I usually go to a place less evil. However, I joined my Rob and the first night, I am just not being faithful. I had so much joy in the Lord coming back from the Super Bowl, but the joy was just not here. I took a walk off of Bourbon Street onto Jackson Square and while preaching some guy would spit his liquor in my face and go on a rant. The next afternoon we were back there and the atmosphere was much like the night before. Saturday night rolled around and I wanted to just get this trip over with and go home. Not the encouraging words you want to hear from an evangelist, I know.
I felt the Lord dealing with me and found myself confessing to Him and asking for some fatherly help. He reminded me that my joy is not contingent on my circumstances, but that my joy is in Him (Nehemiah 8:10). Amen.
Seeds Planted
After getting to work I would find myself confronted by demonic lady who offered to arrange a meeting between Jesus and I. Sure I wanted to be in His presence, I just had not planned on it be that night. She made her threats, tried to intimidate me a bit, then ripped the cord to my microphone, breaking it.
Later on, I had people boast in sin, describing how they were going to commit adultery and other forms of sexual immorality. How God forgives them for whatever they do because He is a “forgiving God.” Some would listen for a second, take a tract then stick in in their pocket, some would look at it and immediately throw the word of God on street where it would find a home among the liquor and bodily fluids. Holding up a “Is Christ Your Lord?” tract as people passed by, men and women would glance at the title and nod that He was and others boasted that He was not, when in fact, He is Lord overall, He just does not hold the throne of their heart, He is not what they love the most.
A Catholic lady named Angie would stop and talk. The conversation she and I would have would be up to that point, the best opportunity to present Christ that I have had since arriving in New Orleans. The Law and the Gospel was shared. She was urged to repent, to follow Christ, to read His Word and to obey it, and to find a godly church. I asked if there was anything I could pray for her about and she had a noble request, “Pray for all these people here.” I prayed as she asked, not just for protection for her and those around us, but what is of first importance, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I wanted her to hear about my Lord just once more.
She was appreciative and then walked away with her friends into the crowd. I would see her later outside a bar shortly thereafter dancing inappropriately, bringing more glory to herself rather than to the one whose image she was made in. A seed was planted and maybe some other laborer would water it, and maybe once day, all of Heaven can rejoice in the future at her coming home.Amen!
Are You Worshiping Christ?
The rest of this account I have told many people. The police came out to the mill one morning as someone called them because I was too loud. Before they left, I told them a portion of what you are about read. I have told strangers, friends, loved ones, even in my preaching I have described this as it was the Power of God manifested before me. This has blessed me so much, what the Lord allowed me to see with my own eyes. I have described this experience as having the Lord coming close to me. He answered my prayer to see someone saved, someone broken!
Holding the same gospel tract, “Is Christ your Lord?” up for those passing by to see, this big guy passes by and is blowing some sort of noise maker which he would drop on the ground. I made a joke about him not putting in back in his mouth or maybe getting a bigger one as he looked like he was having a good time. He leaned in to hear me better and fell over on me. I helped him gain his balance and asked if he was okay. He said he was clearly not in which I replied that I could tell. “Then why do you ask?” he said.
I replied, telling him that I cared about him and went on to share that which is of first importance (1 Corinthians 15:3), I asked him if he was worshiping Christ. He did not expect that for as the question rolled out my mouth, he had gone back to blowing his noise maker and stopped at hearing my question. He stopped and it was as if he took a breath and let it out. I went on to talk about Christ with him. No canned evangelism, no gimmicks, no sleight of hand, just sharing the word of God, letting scripture speak.
“Are you worshiping Christ? Jesus comes to save us, not merely from our sins, but from God’s wrath, in which we all, even I deserve.” I shared.
He uttered something about me telling him about Christ and I told him it was maybe God seeking after Him, as no man seeks after the Lord (Romans 3:11).
The Goal of Evangelism
He went on to asked about my goal that night, if it was to save one soul? I have learned that the primary goal of evangelism is not the salvation of souls, but first for the glory of God. I relayed that to him and how God is glorified even in His judgement (Psalm 51:4), how He commands all men to repent and to trust in Christ (Acts 17:30), that even if they do not, He is glorified, in which he agreed.
We want to see men saved! It is again not God’s desire for men to perish but that all come to repentance (1 Timothy 2:4). God showed us His love for us, that by giving of His Son Jesus Christ, men have not just life, but a promise, and assurance of eternal life (John 3:16).
His name was Daniel and he was from Houston Texas. He listened as taking everything I was saying to heart and said, “You are not wrong.”
The Law & Gospel
Bringing the seriousness of sin to Daniel, how his sin is not committed against some dignitary or some earthly king, I shared with him the cry of repentance from King David. The Prophet Nathan had confronted David over his of adultery and murder. David responded not in anger over this accusation, but bowed and confessed his sin to the Lord saying, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” (Psalm 51:4)
I urged him to put to death his sin as he knows himself and the evils he has done. To put it to death, to turn to Christ who is alive, who is King and Lord over all. That tomorrow is not promised him and to live for the glory of the Lord, because the Lord deserves to be praised, He deserves for men to show Him glory. That he has made him, so praise Him!
Daniel knew the word as he quoted part of Romans 5 when I mentioned how Christ died for the ungodly, “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to diebut God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).
God’s Salvation
I had the joy to share briefly my testimony with him, how I had sinned so much in my life and hated the Lord. But the Lord amazes me, I was once His enemy, only now He calls me His friend. Praise the Lord! I told Daniel how witnessing makes me love Him more and makes me want to be a better husband to my wife and father to my children. That telling others about Christ makes me want to be in His word more and to pray more. This truly is the message we have received, that we know, that we stand on, that gives us joy! That edifies us. The more time we spend with Christ, truly the more we look like Him. Evangelism increases that zeal for Him and His word. He knows what He is doing when He commands His Church to Go and Tell all that He has commanded. This command, like all commands is not just for the glory of God, for the salvation of souls, but for our good. This is Jesus-Yeshua-God’s Salvation, that Christ comes and saves us from our sins! Praise the Lord!
You Are Absolutely Right
Daniel turned the corner from darkness to light. The Word of God had its affect. Even if the conversation had ended with a rebellious swear word, God would be good and still worthy of praise. However, God came near and put His finger on Daniel. My friend was broken and confessed that all that was said was the truth. That before a word exited his mouth, God knew it (Psalm 139:4), that me being there that night, him walking by, there was an acknowledgement that it was all God. He agreed and noted, “That even in my drunkenness, that God was in control.”
Tears!
My friend Daniel would stay listening and lean on me a few times, hugging me, praying, and weeping. I saw a tear and I knew my prayer was being answered!
He admitted that he has had a feud with the Lord. Haven’t we all had one as we love our sin. Making the best of this time, I continued to share scripture, what God has said. Urging him over and over to turn from sin and turn to Christ. Not to go on sinning that grace may abound (Romans 6:1). To follow Christ not like Judas who followed only for the silver, but to follow Christ for Christ! That it is He who gentle and lowly (Matthew 11:29) and says to those weary and heavy laden to come to Him, that He would give them rest (Matthew 11:28). That if we love Him, we should keep His commandments!
The Holy Spirit Moves
“Once the Holy Spirit touches you, you know what is going on,…you can’t deny it, you know you have been evangelized!” He noted that was why he understood all that was said.Daniel smiled with great joy hugged me, knowing that all he was told was biblical, that it was scripture.
I told him that I had been praying for him. I plead with him over and over to repent and be Born Again! To read God’s word and to obey it before giving him my info and another gospel tract before he turned around from the path he was headed into the crowd.
The Blessing
Earlier this night my camera battery has died on me. However, I had turned it on hoping to get a little juice from in shortly before Daniel showed up. I am so thankful. My camera was on the entire time, beeping as we spoke. I kept wondering if it would die, but it just kept beeping, recording my encounter with him. My wife has asked me how many times I was going to watch the video. I love it watching it as I have loved being reminded of God’s kindness to Daniel and I in making us both His. I pray for often and hope I get the joy to see him in this life and praise the Lord together.
The Lord Will Have Mercy on Whom He Will Have Mercy
At the end of this night of ministry, I returned back to our place of stay and wept over what I had experienced. I saw a man who was once dead but now is alive. I had my prayer answered, the Almighty heard me of all people!
I have been so humbled by it. I began to weep thinking of how it was so easy for the Lord to save to this man. How easy it was to bring this man from darkness into the light. I prayed that, “Lord if it so easy for you to save this guy, then save my babies. Save my children that do not know you.” I am sure Christian if you have read this far, you are in agreement with me. If there is one person we desire to see saved, it is our family, our loved ones. I got down on the ground and wept, pleading for the salvation of my children. It was so easy guys for the Lord to save a sinner, so easy.
I was reminded of Romans 9 as I reflected on this encounter. How the Lord will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. Many had heard the word this weekend, but not all believed. The Lord is faithful friends. We preach first to glorify Him, trusting in the word to do what God intends it to do. We rest in His goodness and His sovereignty. He is Lord. Just be faithful.
The Most Joyful of All People
I have had so much joy from just knowing the Lord answered my prayer and that I had the opportunity to see someone saved. I have attributed this moment to Moses coming off the mountain after being in the presence of the Lord and having his face illuminated. I still rejoice thinking that the Almighty came near to me! That the hand of God touched this guy! I saw a man who was once dead, now standing before me alive! Listening to him, I see he knew the scriptures. So it tells me that someone had planted, someone had watered, but it was the Lord who brought the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Be faithful saints in sharing the message of Christ with others.
I am not always happy and joyful. In fact to my shame, I feel I have been grumpier than kicking my heels with great joy. The answer is to remember the Lord. To keep the main thing the main thing, Christ! To meditate on His goodness. To hide His word in our heart! To get our faces in the dirt and pray to Him, not just to ask for things, but to spend time with Him. He is our Good Shepherd, out Heavenly Father that cares for us.
Let me close with this note. Pray for Daniel, that he will stand firm and persevere to the end. That He would hate sin and love Christ so much that his love for the Lord would put us all to shame. But this, as Christians, once who have been shown grace upon grace, might we be the most joyful people in the world. Might the world look at us and think we are foolish people, but we are a people who love one another and who love our King, that it is He that we talk about all the time. Oh, may it be so! I love and appreciate you.
Year ago I came across an evangelism tool offered by Living Waters Publications, aka “The Way of the Master,” where you could design your own gospel tract and print it out. This was just one of the many tools that they offered to help you share your faith.
I have not thought about this tool for sometime till recently I started running out of the brochures given to me to hand out by First Choice, which is just one of three crisis pregnancy centers that offer help to mother’s. Remembering this great tool by Living Waters, I decided to make one that has some contact info for the three CPC’s locally as well as a short message. I plan to give this to them as well as a gospel tract with a bit more meat and concise message.
I just wanted to share this so that anyone who laborers outside an abortion mill can put together a simple and efficient info card to give to those they may encounter outside the abortion facilities. It might take some effort to figure out in Word or what other software you may use, but it is worth the try.
My Lord, You exist eternally and therefore have no beginning nor an end. You never change and cannot fail. You are full of wisdom and foresight is something you do not lack. You know all and control all. By Your word, You accomplish the impossible. You are merciful and have held back from us what all men have earned. Your greatest attribute may very well be Grace. For You love to pardon the sinner and take pleasure in overflowing Your people with goodness that shows Your grace and mercy. How great and good You alone are.
Reading Your word which is pure and true, it describes Your splendor and wondrous works that have no number. How You created the heavens and the earth an established their ends. How You gather the wind in Your fist and placed the stars in the sky and know them all by name. Again Lord, How great and good You alone are.
I remain in awe and find comfort reading how You protected Israel from Pharaoh’s army and made it possible for them to cross the sea on dry ground. How You made the sun stand still and gave life to a valley of dry bones. Water is turned to wine by Your power, demons obey and flee. The wind and seas obey with just a word! Is there anything to hard for You! How great and good You alone are!
All of my works and deeds has not earned Your love. Long before I was born, You knew me and ordained my redemption by the shedding of Righteous blood. You took what was broken & vile and called it Yours. Although, if it had been my choice, I would rather have slapped You in the face and followed my own will. My limited vocabulary does not grant me the words to describe properly how appreciative that I am, that my will would never trump Your good and perfect will. My heart was full of treason and hatred toward You and yet,…You saved me. You granted me faith and repentance and helped me to believe. Your love towards a sinner such as me is a mystery that I cannot grasp. You love me though. How great and good are You alone!
At one time, I was a rebel full of hate towards You. Now with the lens you have given me, I see the wicked deeds of men all around me. They fuel my burden as they provide a constant reminder of the treachery I had towards You. In my sinful state, it was I who yelled over every other, “Crucify Him!” It was I who yelled for the murderer to be set free rather than the Righteous. You knew this and yet, You make me Your treasure.
The knowledge of this leaves me in the company of your servant David who desired that men would know and come to You. That they would know Your sovereignty an all of Your attributes. That You are El-Shaddai, God Almighty ,”the God who is all-sufficient and all-bountiful, the source of all blessings. That You are faithful and keep Your promises. That Your wrath is unlike human anger; it is never capricious, but a necessary response to evil. How Your word is to the soul as breath is to life. How salvation is not found in work other than the work of Christ. That He brings life where there was none.
With all of this knowledge of You, I humbly ask, “Where are Your evangelist?” Where are Your people pleading and preaching Your word so that men would be saved? Where are those lifting your name in the highways and hedges compelling men to come? Where are your servants willing to sell themselves into slavery so that men would not die without hearing Your name? Where are those who hear “Follow Me” and picture a hard road paved with afflictions that end with the Lamb receiving the reward for His suffering, rather than an invitation to a lavish meal in their honor? I know that Your plan cannot be thwarted. That you will have mercy on whom You will have mercy, and save all whom You choose. It is Your glory that I desire the most. And what better glory for You, than for those who would hold the robes of murderers, that they would be converted only to proclaim the One who they would have zealously tried to extinguish. I know that Your people are everywhere Lord working and doing Your will. I pray for them that they would persevere and fervently work to make Your name great.
If they are fearful, remind them of how you protected Elisha with an army of angels. Remind them that the one who would wish them harm, is nothing more than a pitiful dog on a leash. That he is too a created being and with no might except that which You allow. If they fear a loss of words, remind them how You gave words to Your prophet Moses and Jeremiah. How Paul’s preaching was a demonstration of the Spirit and not of eloquent speech and pervasive words. If they struggle with unbelief, help them with their unbelief. Oh Lord, and if they have simply forgotten what they have been saved from and saved for, will You remind them of the Cross. Show them Your glory and how great and good You alone are.
You have said in Your word,
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me? “
A thousand earthy kings could not equal Your power. A thousand legions of strong men could not bend Your arm. An infinite number of stars combined could not bring light to the darkness like Your word. So I beg of You to raise up laborers to proclaim your glories. May You help Your people see what You see, to love what You love, to hate what You hate. Break my heart continuously as well as the heart of my brothers and sisters over the plight of sinful men. Help us to die for Your glory rather than seek it for our own. Please Lord, raise up laborers so that all may know You.
“Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.” ~ Alexis de Tocqueville
Alexis de Tocqueville was the famous 19th century French statesman, historian and social philosopher. He traveled to America in the 1830s to discover the reasons for the incredible success of this new nation. He published his observations in his classic two-volume work, Democracy in America. He was especially impressed by America’s religious character. Here are some startling excerpts from Tocqueville’s great work:
Upon my arrival in the United States the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and the longer I stayed there, the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this new state of things.In France I had almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom marching in opposite directions. But in America I found they were intimately united and that they reigned in common over the same country.
Religion in America…must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country; for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it. Indeed, it is in this same point of view that the inhabitants of the United States themselves look upon religious belief.
I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion — for who can search the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society.
In the United States, the sovereign authority is religious…there is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America, and there can be no greater proof of its utility and of its conformity to human nature than that its influence is powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth.
In the United States, the influence of religion is not confined to the manners, but it extends to the intelligence of the people…
Christianity, therefore, reigns without obstacle, by universal consent…
I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors…; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution.
Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.
The safeguard of morality is religion, and morality is the best security of law as well as the surest pledge of freedom.
The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other
Christianity is the companion of liberty in all its conflicts — the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its claims.
Tocqueville gives this account of a court case in New York:
While I was in America, a witness, who happened to be called at the assizes of the county of Chester (state of New York), declared that he did not believe in the existence of God or in the immortality of the soul. The judge refused to admit his evidence, on the ground that the witness had destroyed beforehand all confidence of the court in what he was about to say. The newspapers related the fact without any further comment. The New York Spectator of August 23rd, 1831, relates the fact in the following terms: “The court of common pleas of Chester county (New York), a few days since rejected a witness who declared his disbelief in the existence of God. The presiding judge remarked, that he had not before been aware that there was a man living who did not believe in the existence of God; that this belief constituted the sanction of all testimony in a court of justice: and that he knew of no case in a Christian country, where a witness had been permitted to testify without such belief.”
Glory to God for His work in drawing men to Himself! John 6:4
Yesterday outside the abortion mill, a young man was walking by and I met him halfway and handed him a little gospel of John.…
We spoke for a bit about its contents, noting that Jesus was God and what an amazing thing He did for us on the cross. Not why we were good either, but why we were sinners rebelling against God, that it was then that Jesus died for us.
Sharing the whole gospel with him, he said he already knew Jesus and soon was on his way.
Moments later he returns walking down the sidewalk with his head down reading John’s gospel. I engaged him in another conversation and he says to me, “This book was what I needed!” As I elaborated a little more with him about God’s word, a mother walks up and the pro-aborts go into a frenzy with a fellow laborer that was with me and my focus was misplaced. When the smoke had settled, Terrance was off walking down the street still reading with his head down.
Later on in the day, a friend that I had met on the sidewalk in front of the abortion facility too, walked up and tells a God glorifying story on how God pursues after us.
With much excitement in his voice, he goes on to tell me that he had seen Terrance earlier in the day reading the gospel up the street and knew where he got it when he saw it. The two began a conversation and Terrance went on to tell him how this book saved him, that he could be in prison as he was on his way to rob someone when it was given to him. My friend was amazed at how God was working and realized also how God had worked in his life so many times.
Praise Jesus! I am reminded of Saul on the way to Damascus to arrest believers. God is not blind to the plans of men and met Saul when he wasn’t looking for Him. He saved Saul and made him the greatest missionary the Church has known. God did this, all of it! Salvation is indeed the Lord’s. Glory to Him.
Please pray for Terrance & my friend Edward.
Consider too my friends, the world is our mission field. Not just in front of abortion facilities, homeless camps, street corners, or far away lands. Our mission field is everywhere and they is so many to tell about Jesus!
Go and share JESUS with the world and expect Him to save sinners as He glorifies Himself. AMEN
Look at my new baby! Look at my ring! See my new car! Jesus saved me!
There are times and instances that occur in our lives that leave us wanting to tell everyone. Such as the couple who just had their first baby, the young lady who is newly engaged and wants to show off her engagement ring, or the teen who got their first car and cannot wait to show all their friends. These are instances that for at least a few weeks or so, they are the highlight of one’s life and the world must know of them.
Then there is the greatest event to occur in a believers life. Jesus saves them! For a period, they are on top of the mountain, full of joy, reading their bible daily, the first one in church when the doors are open, they are praying and hopefully telling others how Jesus saved them and how He can do the same for them too. Then they come off the mountain. Jesus isn’t new anymore, people do not want to hear about Him, you see others believers who have been saved longer with no joy, no desire to tell others and you loose your zeal. After time, you just get over the fact that Jesus saved you. The greatest miracle to occur in your life looses its flame.
In an article by Chuck Lawless, Professor of Evangelism & Missions at Southwestern Seminary, he list Nine Reasons Christians Don’t Evangelize. Of all the reasons given, he says one reason is that,
“We’ve gotten over our salvation. When Jesus becomes routine to us – that is, our passion for Him has settled into mediocrity – we won’t readily tell others about Him.”
I have a trouble with this among all other reasons he gives. The greatest event to occur in a believers life, and how do we get over JESUS! Look at who Jesus is and what He has done! People have asked me what happened to me to make me the way I am. It is simple. Jesus saved me. Jesus took a filthy sinner who wasn’t looking for Him and found me. He took away my sins, changed my heart, He loved David when David did not deserve to be loved.
I have often prayed to the Lord this one question. “Why do you love me Lord?” He doesn’t have to respond with a reason. He loves me because He loves me. That is it! How can I get over the fact that He saved me?
Consider that Peter never got over breakfast with the Lord. Even later in life and death on an upside down cross, he never got over the fact that Jesus saved him.
Paul in chains sang to the Lord and counted all he had learned as “rubbish” to that of knowing Jesus Christ. He never got over the fact that JESUS saved him.
Jim Elliot, missionary to the Huaorani people of Ecuador, killed trying to take them the gospel. Risked his life so they could hear of Jesus. It wasn’t just his love for these people that made him consider his life not his own, it was his love for his Lord. He too never got over the fact that Jesus saved him.
I could go on and on of people in the bible and history who lead lives that never got over the fact that Jesus saved them. Let me emphasize something clearly saints, “We get over new cars, engagements, and even the cute faces of our newborn babies, but we should not get over the fact that Jesus, God in the flesh saved us!”
So how is your walk dear friend? Have you forgotten what God did for you? Have you gotten over the fact that JESUS saved you?
That verse kept coming to mind this past weekend as I stared at the faces of those in a midst of a literal sea of lost souls this past weekend.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
I thought to myself if they only knew what awaits them or what a Savior has come to deliver them from their sins? If they only could see how much God loves them as to send Christ to suffer and die for them. But many wanted nothing of grace. They gnashed their teeth mocking and hating the Word and the preacher often.
In Jackson Square, I remember vividly seeing this young man with face paint on charge at us and yell, “Hail Satan!” At the same place, some young girl lifted her shirt toward us and called us faggots for covering our eyes. Soon after, a powder keg seemed to have erupted when one preacher mentioned abortion. It struck the nerve of one couple who cursed and yelled enough to have the police arrive. My guess is that the two had killed their child through abortion and the guilt had manifested itself.
Later that night our team of around 150 – 200 soul winners marched onto Bourbon Street singing unto the Lord prepared for battle. As we sung, screams could be heard echoing down the street that made us think of demons screeching. Looking up though, it was just two men pretending to have sex moaning and laughing as we passed by.
Into the night, the crowds increased and the atmosphere worsened. I stood off to myself praying and taking in all that I was seeing. Thinking of Jesus weeping. These are His created beings that were made by Him and for Him. He promises everything that we get that is good, yet they as my pastor notes, “Sits in the lap of God and slaps Him in the face.”
On the ground was an endless litter of broken bottles, trash, human waste, and gospel literature. Before me was a few girls enjoying the attention of perverted men who traded beads for moments of lust with them. On a nearby box sat half emptied containers of beer and liquor. To my utter disgust, I watched a few people come and empty them into other containers and walk off drinking them.
There were moments that left us with knowing God was remaining faithful to gather His sheep. Even though many came here not looking for God, He found them.
As with Saul on the road to Damascus. He was not looking for Jesus, but to kill and imprison those who followed Him. Christ interrupted Saul and the rest is history.
God was working in the midst of the darkness. Ryan was the man who yelled ,”Hail Satan!” He tried to walk off after but I caught his attention and we talked. He apologized and said he was just being silly.
As with so many I encounter, Ryan had a knowledge of God’s existence, but no true knowledge of who God truly is. Ryan told me that he was from Seattle and had hitchhiked and rode train cars to get here. “I am here to get drunk and have sex with as many random woman as I can!” He boasted. That terrified me as I would learn that he also is infected not with just liver cancer, but Hepatitis.
Ryan speaking with some others on our team
It broke my heart to hear his story and understand that if he dies in his sin, hell for all eternity awaited him. I gave him a hug before he walked off and he was okay with that, but when I began to pray for him, he mumbled, “Please don’t.”
The girl flashing us and the couple going irate were used by God as well. The commotion drew a crowd and more opportunity to talk to those standing nearby. A homosexual girl stood next to me watching. In the same manner I engaged her in conversation. There were some turn or preachers that we were not associated with us down the way yelling how much God hates homosexual people and she asked if I love gay people. I replied, “I love liars, thieves, murderers, gay people, etc.” She asked my view point on gay people and I pointed to the bible. How it was sin, that God tells her to turn from her sin, but that He also sent Jesus to die for not just liars and thieves, but homosexuals too. She just shook her head and walked off.
Going to Mardi Gras is not a mission field for everyone. Honestly I could not wait to return home to love on my wife and kids. To breath fresh air and “shine my armor” you could say by spending time alone with God and His word. .To worship with my home church. But now, I am looking forward to next year and seeing the souls the Lord will give me to speak of His great name.
I hope to encourage you my friends that while Mardi Gras may not be for you, tell your friends, co-workers, neighbor’s, everyone you meet about Christ. Don’t live this life having never told others how Christ found you when you weren’t looking and what He did.
Consider that in heaven when you stand before God. If there is anything you could bring to Him to offer as a gift of gratitude, what better gift than to stand humbly before God and point to a multitude of souls behind you and say, “I did as You commanded, these are the souls I told about You.”
Light the darkness saints, make Christ famous to all.
Randy & Olivia who stopped to encourage me in the Lord.
Grace & mercy to you all that are in Christ.
The Lord blessed the time greatly this past Saturday in Auburn as they played Georgia. As usual, the opportunities were endless to distribute gospel literature and to declare the glories of God in the open air. I must confess though, It was an early game, it was cold outside, I was tired and wanted to stay home badly. I made a commitment to brother Bill that I would take part in these events, and more importantly, I knew the Lord would glorify His name to some lost sinner. So I continued on.
To give a recap, I live about a 45 minute drive from Auburn Al. That’s what my GPS says. it takes me 1 1/12 though. To get there and to get on my post at Toomer’s Corner. I’m a slow driver and have to park half a mile from my post, so I leave early to get a good start. It make for some good drive time prayer too.
This weekend wasn’t much different that other outreaches, there was the scalpers and brochure girl yelling as usual for people to sell them a ticket and to get a brochure. There were the many who looked at you at if a mosquito had given you a large hicky on your nose as you preached. I had tracts end up on the ground and in the garbage can down from me. But the delight of my entire day was the encouragement the Lord sent my way. Often you may wonder in anyone is listening. Multitudes of people walk by you saying nothing and if you get a response, it is usually just a War Eagle or something you don’t want to repeat to kids.
While preaching through the gospel of John, a man turns around after walking past and places his hand on my arm and bows his head and prays for me. I thank him and off her goes disappearing into the crowd. Later, Randy a brother in Christ from Birmingham who was here with his daughter Olivia come up to me. He said that they had passed by me earlier and heard me preaching and wanted to thank me. We stood there talking about the fate of the sinner and all the Lord has done for us. I shared some tracts with him and told him about SportsFan Outreach International, him in the Lord and to be a bold witness wherever the Lord has him.
Indeed my friend, what a great time in the Lord blessed me with. I had the encouragement of believers, my brother Scott join me for a short while, free pizza by the way from #Pieology that just opened. But what I treasure the most, was the time with the Lord. Preaching & hearing His Word and being reminded not just what He has done for all of mankind, but what He has done to save a wretch like me. This saints is why we take the ridicule, why we suffer the rain and cold, why we proclaim His Word to all that may hear. Because He is worth it. Continue on my friends. Make Him known to all men.
My next outreach is Saturday November 21, 2015 as Auburn plays Idaho. Kickoff is at 4pm. Ministry time is 1:00pm to 4:30pm. Come and join me and the Lord if you can.
“One of these days,” replied the old man with the raspy voice when asked if he was living for the Lord.
On a slow day outside the abortion facility a few days back, I glanced up the road and saw a man smoking on a cigarette walking toward me. He looked vaguely familiar, but with the sunglasses he was wearing, I was not sure if I had met him before. He made his way closer to me and I greeted him with my usual, “Hello my friend.” He returned the greeting and then asked for one of my gospel tracts. By now, I was remembering who he was. His name was Terry. Not the Terry I had mentioned in online post, but another man who frequents the neighborhood walking back and forth to the service station at the top of the hill.
As I gave him the gospel tract he requested, I told him it was the good news of Jesus Christ an asked if he was living for the Lord? With a puff on his cigarette and with his raspy voice, he said, “One of these days.”
“One of the days! Why not today!” I exclaimed. What if you do not get tomorrow? What if today was your last day? Terry displayed absolutely no concern to live for the Lord, and looked away from me and pointed out a gentleman walking toward us, telling me to ask him as he walked off puffing his cigarette.
If I had asked Terry if he believed and feared the Lord, mostly assuredly I would have received a quick yes. But ask Satan himself and the answer too would be no different. My pastor recently noted that if you simply say you believe in God, you have qualified yourself to be a demon. As the book of James states even the “demons believe and they tremble” James 2:19.
One of the points that I simply desire to make is if we truly believe, we will do more than profess, but our life will be different. Get hit by a truck and you will be changed. If God has saved you, there will be a change as well. Most agree that the opposite of “love” is “hate.” Jesus said that ,”If you love Me, keep my commandments” John 14:16. Do you have a longing my friend to keep God’s Commandments?
Again, if you question Satan on if he believes in God and fears him, expect nothing but a yes. Ask him though if he has a desire to do that which please the Lord, by no means does he. And what he says will be proved true by the fruit he produces, as will it be with all who profess Christ. “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit.” Matthew 7:18
Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He hates God and hates all who belong to Him. He is the very opposite of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our example to follow. He came to do all that pleases the Father. To do the will of Him who sent Him. Jesus was obedient to the Father, even to a criminal’s death on a cross, as it should be with all who bear His name. Philippians 2:8
My other point. Consider who God is and the condition of your soul.
I have a former co-worker that I ran into a few weeks back. We worked together nearly twenty years ago. I left the job and hadn’t seen them since till recently. Now I say I have known them, but in reality, I have only known of them. We worked at the same place, we said hello at the beginning of our shift, but there was no relationship. I didn’t know if they were married with kids, where they lived, etc. There was only a belief of their existence, but no knowledge of who they were.
Quite often this is with God. We live with a belief of His existence. But show no knowledge of who He truly is or of His attributes. He is God and has split time in half to show the crown of His creation how much He loves them. When He should have crushed His enemies and been just in doing so, He showed mercy and made His enemies His friends. He sent Jesus to die this criminals death on a bloody Roman cross as payment for our crimes against Him. This is how God forgives sin. Not by us saying a sinners prayer or simply saying ,”I’m sorry.” Consider that we should be sorry, we’ve sinned / rebelled against a Holy Righteous God!
Oh consider my friend what we deserve and what we have received! Consider all the more what Christ received and what He rightfully deserves! 2 Corinthians 5:21 notes, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” John MacArthur calls the verse the heart of the gospel and sums it us by saying,
“Here God treated Jesus as if He had lived our lives, then turns around and treats Jesus as if He has lived our lives.”
My friend, do not be as Terry was. Do not put off what must be done today for tomorrow. Consider the great King of the universe and what He has done the lowliest of sinners, what He has done for you. Run to Christ, run to His throne, don’t walk. Run to His thrown and know His great mercy. Consider greatly who God is and the condition of your soul. Live a life pleasing to the Lord, a life worthy of the price paid.
I’ve always wanted to be in an elevator or in a room where a group of people have gathered and just out of the blue, stand in front of them and say, “The reason I have gathered you all here today is..”
Today, I got that opportunity!
I applied the other day for a part-time job at a local delivery company and was scheduled for an interview this morning. When I arrived on site, there were a number of applicants vying for the same position as I. So the interviewer gathered us all in a large room and one by one, took us into their office and performed the interview.
The interviewer took each person back in the order that they had signed in at the front gate. As time went slowly by, one person exited the office and another went in. I knew that I had plenty of time as I was about the fourth from the last to sign in.
As I worked up the nerve to talk to the group waiting, I struck up conversations with those sitting close to me, but also eavesdropped on some conversations of others in earshot. I knew I was among some worldly guys and may never get the opportunity again to tell them what God has done for sinful men.
So with a shot of adrenaline, I stood in front of them and asked them their names and introduced myself to them.
With an awkward gaze, they listened to what I had to say.
My friends, sorry to interrupt you, but I wanted to share something with you before I am called back. I may not the opportunity as I probably will not be hired as I have a broken arm (then patting my brace on my arm). All of you are here because you need a job. You have bills to pay and families maybe to take care of. But I wanted to offer you something. And with grin and chuckle, I said, “Now I have gathered you all here today for.” I laughed because it was too funny. These guys must have thought I was nuts as I told them that I have always wanted to say that.
To help break the ice more and get them to feel comfortable listening to me, I told them that before I offer them something, I wanted to give a quick test. So I figured my Genius Test that I use often would suit just fine.
To one guy I asked, “Spell the word “SHOP“ out loud. What do you do when you come to a green light?” He replied with “STOP.”
To another guy I asked, “Spell the world SILK out loud. What do cows drink?” He said, “Milk.”
And another, “What is the name of the RAISED PRINTthat deaf read with?” “Braille?”He replied.
One by one, they answered incorrectly and laughed at themselves and one another when I showed them how they were wrong.
Then I shared the Good Test with them, asking them individually if they had ever lied, taken something that wasn’t theirs, or looked with lust which Jesus said was adultery. Matthew 5:38
As I finished with the sharing the Law, I found myself in the presence of liars, thieves, and adulterers.
As I moved n into the gospel, that all men must give an account to God for their sin (Romans 14:12), one young man blurted out with all you need to do is pray every day. I agreed with him to a point, you need to pray, but praying won’t save you. Sharing Hebrews 9:22 with them, I informed them that without the “shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
As I said that, the interviewer opened the door and out walked the previous applicant. I pulled out a few gospel tracts and told them I had to go, but to please read this as I handed each one a tract.
I hope this encourages you to be creative, be bold, be biblical, but take every opportunity to make God known. Share the gospel with lost people. Don’t assume people automatically know God and what He has done.
Please pray for those I spoke with today. God knows their name.
“This book was what I needed!”
Look at my new baby! Look at my ring! See my new car! Jesus saved me! 
On the ground was an endless litter of broken bottles, trash, human waste, and gospel literature. Before me was a few girls enjoying the attention of perverted men who traded beads for moments of lust with them. On a nearby box sat half emptied containers of beer and liquor. To my utter disgust, I watched a few people come and empty them into other containers and walk off drinking them.
So that all may know Him 