It's Not a Secret Anymore! Even the Phoenix Magazines Knows About Us!

The other day a blessed sister in Christ, Jean a passionate Seed Sower for the Lord, (or you could say Evangelist) called with excitement in her voice, as she stated, "You made it! They have you in the magazine!" Catherine and I met with her as she showed us this magazine, Phoenix Magazine which posted 101 FUN Things to Do!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! READ WHAT IT STATES FOR NUMBER (95)

If you can't read it here's what it says.

Evangelical street-preachers. Atheist street-preachers. Crypto-hippie homeless dog owners. Steroid-popping bar backs. Press-on-nail center maidens. We could go on all day. Without a doubt, Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe boasts the most diverse human ecosystem in the Valley. After you turn 30, it becomes harder to justify actually going into any of the bars, but Mill's people-watching pleasures are an all-ages treat. millavenue.com

Now those who report what is going on using this 160 page magazine think that we are something to come to watch. How exciting is that!

 I PRAY THAT OUR CHURCHES WOULD ENDORSE US IN THE SAME MANNER! 

I pray that many will come to hear as we boldly proclaim the  reason why our Lord had to leave His Heavenly Throne and descend to Earth. His coming was not so that we would just know about Him, or accept Him as we have been told, but that He needed to show us how imperfect we are. (Even the demons believe in Jesus and they shudder!) 

He came to show us the standard God requires from us, "Perfection". In (Mat. 5:48)  He stated that we needed to be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect. How could any of us claim to have achieved such a high standard? What is the standard that we would be compared to? Sadly most of us compare our goodness to others. It's easy for us to look at others and claim that we are not as bad as they are. So we are decieved into thinking that we are GOOD... even good enough to get into Heaven. 

In (Mat 5:17)  Jesus clearly explained what it would take to be accepted, or as Paul states adopted into the Kingdom.  "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill."  He lived a perfect life, just like he proclaimed in (Mat. 5:48).  And again in (Mat 19:17)  And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." In (Luke 18:18-20) He explained what we would have to do to measure up to His standard.

Several times in the four Gospels, Jesus states that we needed to keep the Commandments. In (John 14:15) Jesus puts it simply,  "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

So with that in mind how many of the Commandments can you name? Oh, and for some of you just concentrate on the Ten that God took the time to write on the stone tables. You can find them in (Exodus 20: 3-17).

Remember this is the standard that God will Judge you by. Lets try a few to see how you do. 

• Have you ever lied, 
• Taken anything that doesn't belong to you, (the value doesn't matter) 
•  Used God's Name in vain, you know swearing. How many of you know that the Lord stated the He would not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain? (Ex. 20:7) Just that one sounds pretty serious but how many of us have violated that one and many times? 

I Pray that you understand the meaning of what I'm saying. This is NOT legalism as some have accused us of. It's just stating the fact, that none of us is good enough to be adopted into the Kingdom. Jesus is very specific as He stated in (Mat. 4:17) and several other places,  From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

So help me with this one, it sounds like we have to admit that we are Law breakers and  not qualified to be admitted into the Heavenly place with our Holy, Perfect and Righteous Lord. We deserve to be punished, correct?  Once that part is clear, I think He has opened our eyes to see how filthy we really are. It's the Grace of God who provides that reality. (Eph. 2:8-10), reveals that to me. Now because of that knowledge I must REPENT, have sorrow, regret, remorse, not to just turn from my sins but as Jesus told the woman caught in the act of adultery, "Go and sin no more"

Once I realize that I have offended God, and what Jesus had to go through to save a wretched sinner like me, how could I continue to violate the same Laws that Jesus paid the fine for that set me free by taking the punishment that I deserved. 

Now that I know why I have been set free and have been adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven I MUST, I MUST be an obedient servant and do as my Lord, my Savior commands... Go and tell everyone I meet! 

WOTM Seminar 2/27/10

Once again I held a seminar to try to encourage those who claim Christ as Lord to learn how to share with those who come across their paths every day. (Not just friends and family members but, "everyone!) I have been sick with Bronchitis all last week and was praying that I would be well enough to go out to the streets of Tempe after the seminar, but this wasn't God's will. The Lord has blessed me in many was but now He was letting my sickness be a blessing to someone else. He sent me a quiet man named Al Gordon.

He called me in January and stated that he wanted to help me with my seminars. Well this time he came along side of me and played a more active role in speaking to this class. I thought of, Isa. 6:8, when the Lord asked who shall I send? Send me was the response! Al has been an inspiration to me as well. There have been times that I didn't feel like going out on Saturday night, I could stay home with wife, but Al would call and ask if I wanted to him to pick me up...knowing this was like the Lord calling, how could I say no.

I say this not to build up AL or myself but that as followers of Christ we need to have people in our lives who will confront us, oops there goes that word again, the word that most people hate. But isn't that what 2Tim. 3:16 is all about. I believe and I think the Scripture confirms we need to be held accountable by those who claim Christ as Lord. Please let me know if I wrong.

So now here he was speaking to this small group, as only two people signed up for this one. One lady had been a few times before and the one man had seen some of the videos at a Bible study.

The lady told us what had just happened to her husband John, who was killed in January in a freak automobile accident. The tire of a truck that was in another accident came crashing through his windshield and killed him instantly. She was now totally convinced that death could come at anytime. (I think it's 160,000 people die every year) The comments from most of the churches she had been to for about 40 years, referring to making friends first, invite them to parties, or invite them to church before you share with them was NOT for her!

Al was able to present his understanding of why and how we should be using the Commandments, and he did this with clarity and confidence.

Just watch and listen

Around 4pm another lady showed up who had been to other seminars.

So this time we video taped each person so that they could examine what they looked and sounded like using this principle that Ray Comfort uses in reaching the lost. (Remember this is not Ray's principle, Jesus showed us in how in (Luke 18:18-27)

As I mentioned I wasn't feeling well enough to go to Tempe but Al stated he was going and who would like to come with him. No one could make it, but the lady who came at 4 told me she was encouraged by what Al had said and the fact that he actually does what he says. was encouraging to her. Her comment in an email she sent me on Sunday night, " that you don't see Christians who are so dedicated".

This small group was like minded. (Rom. 12:16) What a blessing to see all who were present Leigh, Ann, Jean, Al, my wife Catherine, all in agreement with every area of why and how to share with the lost. That it made so much sense to use the Law to help someone realize why they need a savior. Believing in what the Scripture says NOT what men have told us. Psalm 19:7, John 14:21, Gal. 3:24, are just some of the places that inform us of what to say. But instead of preaching to the lost we should be asking them the questions that they will be asked on their last day, "Are they good enough to get into Heaven?" They agreed that the Ten Commandments should be internalized and that if they just would continue to practice the Good Person test, that they too could share with anyone they meet.

Outcome from Studying God's Word about reaching the lost

Tonight a small group of us looked at the Word of God to learn how to reach the lost. The Sriptures states that those who claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have been adopted into the Kingdom are commanded to reach out to the lost. John 14:21, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Acts 10:42 to name a few.

It seemes like claiming to use the Law was not popular and a few had negative feelings about it. One comment came up to justify why NOT to use the Law was we must use the whole Bible as a way of sharing and not just those verses were the Law is mentioned. (How many Christian you know even know the whole Bible, seems like that would be another excuse and limit the number of Christians who could share.) So when I quoted those verses that Jesus, Paul, Peter, & James used, they didn't want to hear them?

I'm looking for some help on this subject because as one who is a follower of Jesus Christ I don't want to be mislead by emotial sentiment, that God is only LOVE and would never send anyone to HELL. Those of us who have not been happy because of bad decessions, like to much drinking, drugs, failed relationships, or sex, can escape the Wrath of God because God is LOVE. Their solution is just say this prayer and you will be in Heaven. Is this true?!

I welcome any comments you may have, as I think this is a very important subject.

Eveyone's eteranl life is at stake!

Pro. 27:17 states that Iron sharpens iron. My understanding of that is when that happens you get sparks...without it the iron can't be sharpened. So sometimes our discussions can promote sparks. But because we have the Holy Spirit indwelling in us, our spirits are not embittered. We know we are to love our neighbor as ourselves and as brothers and sisters in Christ there is no greater love.

Discussing the Scriptures should be a healthy experience. Sometimes what we believed about it may be a challenge and maybe we should examine why someone else sees it differently, we may be missing something. Would you agree that too many times we accept the meaning from what others tell us, without taking the time to discern for ourselves what the Lord is trying to tell us. Have you ever wondered why you don't hear much about the wrath of God, and that He demands justice for those of us who have violated His Law.

2Pet. 2: 1-3, states: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (You may want to read the rest of this chapter as well.)

Remember when Moses came down form the mountain to find his people worshipping an idol? Read Ex 32:26-28. Moses by the Word of God had 3000 people killed that day. Also look at Ex. 32:31-35, You have Sodom & Gomorrah as well and then the man and his wife in Acts who lied about what they sold the property for died instantly, to name a few. (Doesn't sound like a loving God, does it ?)

Someone gave me a business card tract several years ago that showed a Blue Heart with a hole in it and only Jesus could fill that hole. It starts out with asking what's missing in your life, the well achieved goal, a degree, financial success, relationships that are exciting in the beginning but eventually fall short leaving a void. It's not like that when you invite Christ into you life.

Can't you see the misleading information in that message? So Jesus died so you would have success in this life? That's not what Jesus stated, that we should accept Him so we could be successful.

Read what He said in Mat 19:23-26, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

So, if the above message with the Blue Heart tract is correct, then what do you say to the highly paid very successful man or women. They have it all, the goal achieved, the degree, and financial freedom, they probably have a maid and someone to clean their pool. Tell them God has a wonderful plan for their life and watch as they laugh at you for making such a statement. I pray that you can see how that message doesn't apply to all mankind! Paul made it very clear in Romans 3:23, ALL have sinned. So who is all? NOT the successful person because they have been blessed with everything that the rest of us who don't have. The above message states they can have it only if they have Jesus! If that's true then how can those who have succeeded have done it without Jesus?

This passage in Matthew seems very clear, that seeking things of this world would only condemn us to Hell. The above message with the Blue Heart trying to help a sinner be saved is flawed... directly from Satan, but it sounds great to those who are struggling and whoever presents this message will be liked by the one who gave it. I thought the goal was to help them look to Christ as Lord for salvation, and not to us who can help them get saved? If we claim we saved them then when they die we need to stand before a Holy God and present them as blameless. (To me it looks like God does the saving. I asked the question does the child choose the parent or does the parent choose the child? Does not Paul say that we are adopted into the Kingdom?)

Read another verse: (Mat 7:13-17) "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

So I ask you what makes the gate wide that leads to destruction? Could it be our culture wants to accept anything and everything So I ask you what makes the gate wide that leads to destruction? Could it be our culture wants to accept anything and everything we do as being okay in God's eyes. So to get more people into Church we tell them that God is a loving God and understands your problems and about all the issues mentioned in the above tract, so tell the person they need Jesus in their life and everything will be fine. (Is that the TRUTH?)

If you read (2Ti 4:3-4) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. You also have (1Tim 1:7-9), which tells us why we need to use the Law and names who they apply too.

I pray that you can see that we need to be warning people about the sin in their life, that's what will keep them from having eternal life, NOT making a statement that they believe in Jesus so to have a better life.

This morning I was reading (Mat.11: 20-24) and there it was again!

Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hell. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

Isn't Repentance what Christ asked for? If we are to be faithful disciples then shouldn't we be telling others the same things? He didn't come to die so we would have a better life, He came to die for the sinners of this world. Are we more concerned about being liked, fearful that they may turn away from us rather then wanting to bring the truth and to warn them and then allow the Lord to convict them now, while they still have a chance? Have you every read (Eze. 3:18-20), about the blood will be on our hands if we don't warn them of the impending danger?

I pray that you read this and please feel free to comment on any of what I have stated, as I mentioned earlier that I do not want to believe in a lie. Jesus stated that the truth shall set you free, so I assume that a lie will keep you in bondage....Satan's domain!

Navajo Indian taking the Good Person Test

Check out this Navajo Indian taking the Good Person Test at McDonald's. He came to our table during our breakfst meeting and stated that he had seen us sevearl times and were alway taking about what the Bible said. He then asked if I knew the answer to his question, who was responsible for the earthquake in Haiti, God or the Devil. I told him that God was in control of everything and that the Devil can only control what God allows. This earthquake was not a suprise to God as He knows everything that happens now and in the future. He didn't think that if God allowed it then He wasn't GOOD. That's when I asked him if he thought he was a good person and would it be okay if I recorded his response.

1st WOTM Crash Course Jan 2010

This was the first teaching on how to share the Good News of eternal salvation with anyone.

I thought I'd have you read what someone sent me on what she got out of coming to this training.

I pray that you see from what she says that anyone who claims Christ as Lord can speak to strangers, not as most of you think that you have to have a special gift, which you convince yourself you don't.

But with this training you can become,
" A Nobody who can share with Anybody about Somebody who can save Anybody"

Here are (2)comments from one who came twice, her first one was in Oct 09.
***************************************************************************
Tom, when I first heard about The Way of the Master Method I was a little
hesitant because I tend to be very reserved, especially to people I don't
know. As I've grown with the Lord, He has given me compassion for people
that I've never had before. My problem was that I couldn't find the "right"
time and that I was too fearful of what they might say/think of me.

As I watched the video’s it really struck me how many people thought they
were going to heaven just because they believe they're a good person. So
many people are deceived and NEED the truth told to them. I realized that I
can't ultimately change these lost souls, but I need to do my part as a
Christian to spread the love of Jesus Christ. This series has made me more
knowledgeable in how to teach others about The 10 Commandments
and how God is not only a God of love, but a God of justice. We all need to
ask our Heavenly Father for forgiveness of our sins and make Him our guide
in everything we do.

These tracts are perfect icebreakers that really enforce individuals to think
about the ultimate question: Am I good enough to go to Heaven? After
watching Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort, and you talk to random people on the
street I could see how they were really pondering their status with God and
very thankful for taking the time to reach out to them. That would be so
awesome if I could also be that person to lead someone to Jesus. TWOTM
has changed my life in recognizing the value of people’s salvation and giving
me the confidence to lead them to ultimate fulfillment.
Thank you for all that you do in glorifying our Lord.

Sincerely, Christa

Here is her 2nd comment

Tom,
I want to say thanks again for everything you've done. It was such a learning experience for me. I will never forget my first time out there. I will for sure do it again...Have a blessed week,

Christa
************************************************************************
You notice that this time she came with us after the seminar to Tempe.

My understanding on what I mostly hear preached, is that we are to share with our family , friends and co-workers. Jesus didn't just talk to that group, if He did then only a select group would have been saved.

So how many times can we tell those people why they need to have Jesus? It won't make sense to those who think they have done nothing wrong. (1st Cor. 1:18) Just because their life is not going like they would like it, you know having a great job, making more money, better relationships, a happier marriage, if they just accept Jesus He will fix all of that. This is the NOT why He came. Read Mat 9:13, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32, to understand why from His own words. He didn't come to go through such an agonizing death just so you could have a better life! He came because of our sinfulness. If we're not being faithful servants and warning others about the horrible consequence of sin,(Romans 6:23) then we are spreading a different Gospel.

In Luke 18:18 Jesus gave us a way to show those who claim to be righteous, how they need to humble themselves and acknowledge that have violated God's Law. When they understand this fact, they can understand why they need to repent and place their trust in Jesus Christ alone!

This teaching from Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron, "The Way of the Master", helps us do just that. Some of you know that it starts out by asking everyone if they consider themselves to be a "good person". Proverbs 20:6, states, most will. Then after asking permission if they would like to test it to see if it's true, we then can ask them some of the Ten Commandments, (most Christians I've meet don't know them, do you?) and if they have ever broken any of them, just like Jesus did to the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18. (Aren't we supposed to be following Jesus, so wouldn't you think, saying what He said would be pleasing to him ?)

This teaching will encourage you, convict you, and by the Holy Spirit transform you into a laborer for the Lord, just like His prayer in Luke 10:2. Here is a quote from Charles Spurgeon , "I do not believe that any man can preach the gospel who does not preach Law. The Law is the needle, and you cannot draw the silken tread of the gospel through a man's heart until you first send the Law to make way for it."

My prayer is that when this teaching is being held again that you prayerfully ask yourself why you wouldn't want to be one of His, to do what the Lord asks of you, as we are all His children and if we say we love Him then He tells us what He expects from us in John 14:21, Mark 16:15, as well as in Acts 1:8.

God's Saturday Blessing at Pat's Pizza

I want to make this perfectly clear that this story is NOT about me but about how anyone of us who claims Christ as Lord can experience the same kind of interaction. (Proverbs 11:30)

I met with my good friend Blace at Pat's Pizza, where God allowed me to show him exactly how to open a conversation with perfect strangers. We were discussing how the Lord expects us to share what we have recieved with others who may be lost. (Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Acts 10:42) He then commented on the verse in (Eze 3:18-19), that those who we do not warn, their blood will be on our hands, but if we warn them and they don't listen then are hands are clean. I agreed with him and just as we were ready to leave I asked him did he know of anyone who would try to share with the two ladies sitting on the other side of the restaurant. He sheepishly responded that he didn't, and probably wouldn't do it either.

Just then, several teenage boys came in followed by several other teens. Now the line went from the ordering counter back to the entrance, probabbly 15 to 20 teens. As I stood up to leave, I noticed that one was smiling and asked if he wanted to see something funny and then took the Ten Commandment coin out of Blace's ear. The young man was amazed and I did it again to another teen. Now they wanted to know how to do it. Now standing, as most of them were now seated, I mentioned that it was an illusion and asked them if they would like to see another one. I took out the pink & blue illusion cards, which are the same size and asked them which color looks bigger to them. Now about ten of them were watching and stating, Pink, Blue, Pink, as I moved the cards from left to right, stating how can that be when I've shown you that they are the same size?

This gave me the opportunity to ask them about the Ten Commandments and as I started asking the first question using the ninth commandment, have you ever told a lie, one young man admitted it with a big grin. I focused on him when I asked the next three commandments, the 8th, 3rd and 7th, I asked base on just those four which he admitted to breaking he stated he was guilty. I asked where God would have to send him and he stated that he would be guilty in front of a Holy God. I then I asked where would God have to send him, Heaven or Hell, he stated HELL! I asked if this concerned him, and he thought for a while and then he arrogantly, said NO! I then asked if he knew what Hell was like and he replied no. I then explained to him what Jesus said it was like. Your thirst never quenched, (Arizona 126 degrees, Hell 1, 226 degrees), constant gnashing of teeth, and where worms never die, being eaten alive for eternity! His attitude changed when I now asked him if it concerned him, and he said YES! I then asked if he knew what God had done so that he wouldn't have to go to Hell, and after a long pause he said no, and the other teen sitting with him said, we've been forgiven? I then asked does that mean that all of us are going to be in Heaven, LIARS, THIEVES, FORNICATORS, and he responded with a no.

Now everyone in the restaurant was listening so I gave the example of being guilty in front of a judge and telling the judge I was sorry please forgive me so that the judge would let me go, and they all agreed that a good judge would not do that. I could see the one young man on my right looking a lot more serious than before. I then explained what God had done for us. He sent His only Begotten Son to die on the cross to pay the price for the sins that I had committed. It's like being guilty, standing in front of that judge, now if someone was willing to pay the fine, or do the time, take the punishment for what I've done, then the judge can let me go. That's what Jesus did for those of us who know that they are guilty of breaking God's Law and deserve Hell. Jesus took the horrible punishment that I deserved, the beating, mocking and being crucified as the perfect sacrifice so that if I REPENT, have remorse, regret, for what I've caused Him to have to go through, and now place my trust in Jesus Christ alone, then my sins will be forgiven, past, present , future.

I then passed out at least 20 more million dollar bills to everyone in the restaurant and thanked them for listening to me and that they needed to read the back of it because it has the most important question and answer..."Are you good enough to get into Heaven!" Why use the Law, the Bible tells us so? (1Timothy 1:8-11)

Now comes the most amazing part as the Pastor was still there with me as I thought he had left. Outside he put his arms around me and stated, "That was awesome!" I thanked him and then said, " This, you can do as well!" (Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8)

We need to be praying for these teens and others as it seems that they haven't a clue about what it means to be adopted into the Kingdom and to , "Repent and Born Again".

Joe Charles Mens Breakfast Meeting

Thanks for all you prayers and support. I was blessed to have Al Gordon & Dale Chase with me to help engage with these men after the breakfast.

With the five minutes I was given I emphasized why those who claim Jesus the Christ as Lord are commanded to share with the lost, not just friends and family as is the more acceptable tradition. In Acts 10:42,Paul stated ”And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.” (John 14:21, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8) (Know any pew sitters?)

One of the comments I shared with these men was what the Lord had given me early one morning. JFK’s famous quote,

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country!”
What we should be asking is, “Ask not what Jesus can do for you, but what you can do for Jesus!”

I then mentioned to these men what seems to be really difficult is to start a conversation with a perfect stranger, or maybe you don’t really care what happens to that stranger, it’s not your job, or maybe someone will become his friend who goes to a church and then that pastor can save him. If this was them then they should read(2nd Cor 13:5)


If you really appreciated what our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ did for you on that cross, you would be out shouting in the streets, so that everyone knew what an unbelievable gift you had received.

To quote Charles Spurgeon:
“We must school and train ourselves to deal personally with the unconverted.
We must not excuse ourselves, but force ourselves to the irksome task until it becomes easy."

So it looks like Training & Practice make it easy. The most common objections I hear for not sharing is that, I’m a quiet person, I don't like to speak with other people, I’ve been told to wait for God to tell me when to speak to someone, the final one is, I don't feel comfortable speaking to a perfect stranger about my faith as they could ask me a question that I don’t know. (So why not be honest and say you don’t know and then find out!)

Remember, He calls whom He equips, not those who are equipped.

To many of us say we follow Jesus but only if He is our co-pilot!
I asked some of the pastors if this concept of reaching the lost could be taught at their place. The response was almost the same. They had their own way and they didn’t think that scattering tracts was of much use because you wouldn’t be able to come along side a person or bring them into the Church where his teaching would save them. They said they were only interested in bringing someone into their church, so that through their message they could make them a Christian. Once that happened, then that person could go out and bring in another person, and so on.

I was told that it was a waste of time to just hand out tracts and speak to strangers who I may never see again. So to teach it to those who come to their worship would not be productive. These people need to have a close relationship with the person sharing. But they were thankful that God had given me the gift to evangelize to those people, but they were satisfied that what they were doing was what God had in mind for them to do. I even had one claim he would speak only to those God told him to speak to and he repeated that comment several times, so that I wouldn’t ask him if he would like to learn how to share with everyone.

Then Al commented about a pastor (with the cross around his neck) who was so against everything we tried to say really bothered him. Not the man himself, but that reaction from a pastor. I let him off easy and just moved on to talk to others, but maybe we should be a little more aggressive towards a pastor. They will be judged more harshly, according to Scripture. He’s either deceived or a deceiver and it doesn’t really matter which one. They seem to think that they are making the conversion; they’re building their church, puffing themselves up. I should have asked him, “What caused Satan’s fall?” Selfish pride caused it, and the Bible tells us that pride comes before a fall. If one thinks that scattering Gospel seed is useless, that man obviously thinks that he has the secret to bringing people to salvation, through his own works. God’s Word does not return void, and who are these mere mortals to speak of God’s Word with such derision in their voice? Anyway, there were people who were open to the idea, excited by the tracts, and a few of them even asked for extra tracts to give to friends and family. Al then mentioned how he liked what the guy who’d been in prison said. He said, “There was going to be a change this year, and people weren’t going to like it. No more sitting around being nice, we are to get out there and tell the Truth, whether anyone likes it or not.

Now the good news! Well a few men came to me and admitted that they did not speak to others about what God had done for them because they were shy and mostly kept to themselves. These were humble men, not using the excuse that almost all Christians use so then can justify their neglect and lack of love for what Christ has done for them. They knew they should share but were uncomfortable to even try. When I asked them could they ask a perfect stranger, “did you get your first Million yet,” they said yes they could, so I encouraged them to sign up for the Crash Course and watch the Lord perform a miracle.

Some asked if we had any extra Million Dollar bills, so that they could hand out some as well. I was encouraged by the woman who was serving us the food, as this was for men only. I gave her one for serving such a delicious breakfast and then asked her the Million Dollar question, “Are you GOOD enough to get to Heaven” She said yes and then I read the back of the bill with her and then she understood that she wasn’t and said, “WOW, this is awesome, I like how easy this is to explain. I’m a Christian do you have any extra as I would love to give them to some people I know.” I then gave her a bunch and then explained that if she would come to this Crash Course I would show her how she could not only give it to her friends but everyone she comes in contact with, if that were true how much more effective as a Christian do you think you would be? (You should have seen the look on her face, like a light bulb just turned on)

Well it’s a good thing that our Lord and Savior wasn’t like this. Can you imagine what He was thinking when He went with His disciples to Gethsemane and was praying, sweating blood, because He knew what He was going to go through the next day? Judas would betray Him, His disciples would abandon Him, falsely accused in a mock trial, He would be beaten, punched in the face, whipped, spit on mocked, striped of His clothes then, rejected by His own people, sentenced to a horrendous death by carrying a heavy wooden cross, wearing a crown of thorns and then be nailed to it and hang there for about three hours all the while taking on the sins of the world. This part had to be the most painful punishment as this Man Jesus who was God in human form never knowing sin now taking on the sins of the world to satisfy the only sacrifice acceptable to our Heavenly Father. Then came the worst and most agonizing torture of all…when he stated, “Father why has thou forsaken me.” Here we see Jesus all alone as our Father in Heaven turned away from the only Begotten Son. Jesus was looking for a plan "B" but did the will of the Father, can't we!(Mat 26:29, Luke 22:24, Mark 14:36)

So couldn’t we overcome our fear by placing our trust in Him, (Phil 4:13) and share with everyone with meet, not just friends and family?

Of course those of us who have been chosen and are adopted into the Kingdom understand that this was God’s plan of redemption for mankind and His death brought us life as He was raised from the dead three days later.

We now know we have the gift of eternal life because of what happened then, and those of us who place our trust in what He did that day and repent from our own selfish desires will spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

How then can anyone who claims Him as Lord not have the desire to do as He commanded to GO into the ALL the world and proclaim the Gospel to ALL creation (Mark 16:15)

Well the final blessing was when Al brought a man to me who asked if I would like to use his Tour Bus as a place to have my Crash Course. He explained that the bus takes them out for about 4 hours, each seat has it’s own TV monitor. They can be driven to a place like Prescott and while they are confined in the bus (can’t leave, ha, ha) they can be trained on how to reach the lost and then when in Prescott practice handing out and sharing with those we meet there. I asked how much would it cost and he replied that the Lord would provide! WOW, to say the least I was in shock!

I pray that those of you have not been able to communicate this message that our Lord suffered so much for to come to this Crash Course.

Remember what Spurgeon stated earlier well he also stated that:

If you’re not seeking to save the lost then you’re not saved yourself,
you can be sure of that!

And of course we must honor our Lord when He prayed in Luke 10:2
And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

So if you’re still struggling with reaching out to others, need some practice, I pray you come to the next Crash Course.
(no more excuses!)

Just Another Lunch Nov. 2, 2009

This Monday I had lunch at the Mongolian Barbecue restaurant with Pastor B... a friend of mine at the Pavilions in Scottsdale. He was kind enough to offer to pay for my lunch and so I asked the cashier if she could give me change. I asked if she liked Michael Jackson and she said, "YES", so I handed her a Michael Jackson million dollar bill. She laughed and said, "WOW thank you! " I told her when she went home that she should read the back as it had the million dollar question on it, "are you good enough to get into Heaven?"


After filling up my bowl, I placed it on a counter where one of the cooks throws the food onto a very very large flat hot plate, and it simmers. I saw the Pastor place a dollar bill into a fishbowl and did the same but added a million dollar bill with it. That's when the lady in front of the Pastor made a comment about the million dollars and he turned to me to tell me she was curious about it. I then gave him one and told him to give it to her and to be sure to tell her to read the back.

Now the cooks saw the million dollar bill in the fishbowl and commented that they would be very rich. I then asked one of the cooks how many cooks are working here and he stated that there were (5). I then counted out five more million dollar bills and placed them into the fishbowl. I then told them that they have to read the back of the bill because you can't get any change from these bills because they don't make a million dollar bill, but it can change their lives if they read it. Is this what Paul had in mind telling us to be ready in season and out of season? In other word always? (2Tim 4:2)

Now comes the best part that I thank God for, because as my friend and I were finishing up our meal, the cashier, Maria, came to me because she wanted to talk to me about what the back of the bill said. At this point I decided to show her the pink & blue illusion cards which she really enjoyed. This illusion seemed to help her become more friendly and trusting of me. As I walked her through the Law, asking if she had ever lied, stolen or committed adultery, (Jesus said if you just look a person with lust you have already committed adultery with them in your heart) (Mat 5:28), she tried to justify her sin's against God and that God was a loving God and all she had to do was confess her sins and God would forgive her.(sound familiar?)

I then explained to her if I had violated her sister and got caught and was now standing before the Judge and then confessed what I had done to her sister and then said, "I was sorry", would he let me go? She looked at me with a new face and said, "NO". I then asked her how could a Holy, Righteous, and Just God do any less? Now when I asked her how would God have to find her based on what she just admitted to, she then stated she would be guilty, and God would have to send her to Hell. I then asked her if it concerned her that she would be in Hell, and she said "YES!" I could now see a changed look on her face as it seemed to really bother her that that would be her destination. I asked her if you knew what Hell was like? She said she never heard her church talk about it. I explained it's where your thirst is never quenched, constant gnashing of teeth and worms never die, being tormented for eternity in the lake the fire. I then asked her if she knew what God did for her so she wouldn't have to go to Hell and she said, "no". I then asked her a 2nd time and this time she stated that Jesus Died on the cross. With that I then said does that mean that everyone who has heard that Jesus died on the cross is going to Heaven? So all liars, thieves, murderers, or pediphilers are all going to be in Heaven? This time she became very somber and stated that wouldn't make sense!

I then explained to her that the only way we can be set free from our sins is to REPENT, which means to have remorse, regret with genuine sorrow, knowing that we have offended a Holy God, and that we deserve Hell. We need to turn away from sin and place our TRUST in Jesus Christ ALONE. The Bible states that when we do this we are now, "Born Again" (John 3:3) The old is gone the new has come. (2Cor 5:17) Only Godly sorry produces repentance that leads to Salvation! (2Cor 7:10)

Another example of how Maria appreciated hearing the TRUTH about how God's Law, the Ten Commandments meant to her. (Gal 3:24) As we were leaving my friend wanted to treat me to some ice cream, but I declined. But when I saw what he just bought I told Maria I changed my mind and would like to buy some. She came back with a cup for me to get my ice cream and told me it was a gift from her to me.

What happened next surprised me as my friend, who objects to using this method, stretched out his hand and stated that was awesome!