A HOMELESS MAN WITH A HEART FOR GOD1

This is about a homeless man with a heart for the Lord.

This Saturday night in Tempe I decided to try to reach the lost from a different spot as the police gave me a difficult time last Saturday about being in front of the Post Office.  They told me I was not allowed to post my sign or even stand there, as it was tantamount to loitering.

While they were reading me the riot act I noticed a man alongside of me who you might guess was homeless. After they left and as I was packing up he stated that he loved what I was saying as he had heard me many times and wished he had said something to the officers about why they needed to hear what I was saying. Just before I left he said wait a minute and started to write on what looked like a piece of paper that he took out of his backpack. He handed it to me; it was a Christmas card on which he wrote, “You’re a blessed & highly favored Son of God, Thanks! (Psalms 68:17, Malachi 3:1)

I don’t know if you can imagine how I felt after this man did what he did. What a true blessing from the Lord! After being falsely accused the Lord sends me a messenger.

So this Saturday I set up by the movie theater across the street with my fellow sowers, Keith & Steve and started asking the question “Does any one want a FREE glow-stik, just prove to me you’re a good person!”

As I looked up there sitting on the curb was the same man who gave me the Christmas card. I waved to him & he gave me a big smile. A young lady and her male friend wanted to take the test, as she wanted her bulldog to have it. He was panting a lot, as it was a hot night. After taking the test and failing my brother in Christ Keith asked me did I notice what the man who was sitting on his backpack by the curb did?  I said no as I was concentrating on the two in front of me. He told me that he saw him get up and leave and when he came back he had a styrofoam cup in his hand. He then opened this backpack & took out a bottle of water and filled up the cup and them laid it alongside of the dog.

Later that night when we were leaving he came over to us and thanked me for speaking to all those who stopped to take the test and then asked if we had  $0.55 so he could get a refill for his coffee. I was able to give him a dollar and when Keith & Steve tried to give him what they had he wouldn’t take it as he restated that he only needed $0.55 for his coffee.  

I don’t know about you but I haven’t seen that kind of generosity or humility from anyone in his situation. He differently reminded me of the good Samaritan.

What happened to me at the Out Patient at Cigna

I wouldn't be sending this out except after what happened this morning at the hospital when I had my invasive procedure, which I rather not mention. 

The doctor who performed my cancer surgery five years ago walks up to my bed and said, “how’s life treating you?” I said I was blessed, how about you? He replied things were good. Then he asked an amazing question! So Tom do you still have those Million Dollar Bills? I'm in the hospital bed, totally naked just a smock around me and of course I had  about 20 Million Dollar Bills tucked under me. To say the least, I was shocked! 

Here it is five years later this man that did my surgery still remembered it. I asked if he had read the back he stated he did and it was convicting, as he still has it in his office. He's a surgeon! I say maybe he works 40 weeks of the year, takes some nice vacation time, and if he works five days a week in five years that's 1000 days that he's been with patients and for him to remember some old guy like me, well that’s a God sent. 

 So people please, please listen to this, as I pray that you see this as an opportunity for those of us who claim Christ as the Lord of our life and change your mind about handing out the Word of God… these Million Dollar Bills. They make an impact to those whom we meet no matter where… even a hospital. As the staff gathered around me before they put me to sleep, I was able to give each one a Million-Dollar Bill as a thank you for being so kind. 

 When I woke up a nurse, Mellissa was helping me get ready to leave. That’s when I offered her one and told her that the back was going to ask if she was good enough to get into Heaven? She said yes., I asked if I could ask her a few questions to see if that where true using some of God’s Ten Commandments. She said sure. When she admitted to breaking four of them, she still said that God would find her innocent, because God is a loving God. That’s when they need to hear the courtroom story, after that she changed her mind. 

 Because I was still groggy, she helped me to the restroom and walked me in and as saw the mirror over the sink I turned to her and told her to look in the mirror. I told her that keeping the Ten Commandments wasn’t going to save her, as know one has, but that mirror should show her how filthy dirty she and all of us are, and that God sees us nothing more than filthy rags. (Isa. 64:6). 

The only way we can become born again, righteous, saved, is to REPENT of all our sins and place our TRUST in Jesus Christ ALONE! For it was His death on the cross in Cavalry that paid the fine for all the crimes that we have committed. That’s when she turned and looked directly at me and stated, “Thank you, of all the years I’ve been in Church, I’ve never heard it explained like that, thank you!” 

So here’s my point! If it weren’t for that Million Dollar Bill how would you be able to open a serious conversation about their eternal live to a perfect stranger? (Oh I know just tell them Jesus Loves them) Please read (1Cor.1:18), to find out why you shouldn’t.

Saturday Night Live 6/22/13

Saturday night was a mix of every religious belief you can imagine. As Al and I were driving down to Mill Ave in Tempe he mentioned that tonight was going to be demonic because the moon was 13% brighter than normal. It certainly proved to be just that! Nathan, his son Aaron and his nephew Brandon were already on the corner there. These teens are a big help, as they help me set up The Good Person Test sign and sometime offer those who walk by the Million Dollar Gospel Tract. I offer these glow-sticks as a prize to those who pass by if they can prove to me they are a Good Person. They are very effective in attracting all kinds. After doing several tests to those whose belief went from not believing in any God to those who did believe in the God but NOT of the Christian Bible to those who claimed they accepted Jesus but didn't call themselves Christians.

 This couple came up to me after about an hour of giving many glow-sticks away to those who claimed they were good. age Once they admit what specific Laws they broke and show that are destined for Hell, I then give the saving Grace that can only come from Jesus' death and resurrection on the cross. I mention this first as this was why this couple came to talk to me, as the man stated he appreciated what I was saying as he had accepted Jesus and never heard it that way before. 

 

 

 She told me that he was a changed man because of Jesus, as he was a drinker and she told him she would not marry a man who gets drunk.  He smiled and stated that he accepted Jesus and he stopped drinking and he was now a changed man. He then made the comment that they don't go to Church or call themselves Christians. At first I thought they now had the truth but after hearing his last statement, I felt obligated to take him through the Commandments, to see if he really was saved, or just as many do think that Jesus was someone he just needed to accept.

 

Here is when I asked him if he thought he was a Good Person. He answered the questions quickly about him lying, stealing, swearing and lust in his heart, and stated he would be guilty like everyone else. (This is what they do, they like to place themselves in the same boat with all of mankind, so not be any different, and not really think themselves guilty)  But because he changed, he would be okay with God.

That’s when I was able to tell him that there’s only one way anyone can get into Heaven. That is to REPENT  and TRUST in Jesus Christ alone, not just because he stopped drinking, in other words him improving his life, but for what Jesus did for him and me on that cross. Jesus paid the fine for the crimes that he and I committed!

I explained what Eph.2:8-9, states it’s about Grace from God, not of works it’s a free gift, so that no one can boast. Both he and his wife now had a true picture of what it's like for one to be Born Again. They both thanked me as what they were now hearing made sense!  Praise the Lord for sending that couple to me so that the Lord could adopt another into the Kingdom (Eph.1:5)

 

Here are just 2 quotes from Charles Spurgeon on this subject:

Charles Spurgeon stated: Aim for repentance God doesn't want STILL BORNS!

 My Favorite: "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.

DIVINE APPOINTMENT TO THE LOST BY THE LORD!!!

DIVINE APPOINTMENT

TO THE LOST BY THE LORD!!!

 This is something I pray, NO I implore, NO I beg you to read! This is not about me. It's to show how anyone even me, can learn how to reacah out to the lost.

 Even at McDonald’s we have the opportunity with the right tools to reach out to the lost.

Catherine & I stopped in for an ice cream cone this afternoon. As were sitting in the booth eating, a little girl came over to me. She was about 7 years old. She quietly started to speak to me and those of you who know me know I have a hearing problem. I asked if she could speak louder and that’s when she told me her father sent her over to me to tell me to be careful that I had money falling out of my back pocket. I asked her where her father was and she turned and pointed to the other side of the store. My first thought was why would a father of a seven year old send his daughter to talk to a perfect stranger?

So, as I always do, I thanked her for letting me know about it  and gave her the Million dollar tract which I told her to take to her father and ask him to come to talk to me as I wanted to thank him as well.

He came over with her and I thanked him for letting me know about the money. I handed him another Million dollar tract and he never said a word. I didn’t think he spoke English. Then I showed the little girl a silver coin that appeared out from the edge of the silver chair that I was sitting on.  You should have seen the look on her face! I handed her the coin and explained what it was. “It’s a commemorative coin with God’s Ten Commandments on one side and the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the other”. She reached up for it and I told her to have her father or someone else read it to her.

As I went back to my seat I noticed 3 teens across the way staring at me and I assumed they had watched what I had just done with the coin. I approached them and asked what they thought of what they saw, as they all had big smiles and nodded their heads. That’s when I did it again using the edge of a silver chair next to them. Again their mouths dropped and they extended their hands to receive it. I told them the same as I told the little girl but asked them if they knew them? They looked at each other and shook their heads, NO! I then told them how sad that was, as one day we will be judged by those Commandment’s, and how very few know what they are.

 I gave them the example of someone speeding down Glendale Ave at 70 miles an hour. If a cop saw that he would pull the person over and ask, “Do you know why I stopped you?” That person would respond, “NO!” as they thought they were in perfect control of their car. That’s when they would be informed that they were breaking the law by speeding. That’s when I asked the teens would that person get a ticket even though they didn’t know they were breaking the law? They all said, ”YES” and that’s when I reminded them that’s what’s going to happen to most of us who are ignorant of God’s Ten Commandments. Not knowing them would not be an excuse to be let go. I then handed each one of them a Million dollar tract and asked if they would read the back, as it has the Million dollar question, “Are you good enough to get into Heaven?” They smiled and said yes they would.

 I started to walk back to my table when another little girl again about 7 come up to me this time with 2 other little boys and bravely asked me if I would do the magic for her. I asked her who told her I did that and she pointed to the room that has the kids playground and stated her mother.

 Again I had the Ten Commandment coin appear from out the sliver side of a chair and again got the same reaction from all 3 of them. They each got a coin and that’s when I walked over to the mother and told her that the next time she should stay with her child if she wanted her to get something from a stranger and gave her a Million Dollar Gospel tract and stated she might consider reading the back as it’s going to ask her the Million Dollar question.

 I’ve been told by many who claim Christ as Lord that they speak to others when others see their light shine. Well this afternoon it’s must have been a flaming fireball. The draw to me was MONEY and the coin appearance.

That’s what this world loves!

 The illusion is again just another means of getting their attention as they also love the unexpected. These people notice money and care enough to want to help others not to lose it, so they approach me with a compassion to help…would you? 

 

My reason for sharing this story is not about me, it’s about how we can reach all those who cross our paths on a daily basis. Can you image the revival we could have if the majority of those who cherish our Lord put into practice handing out this message?

 

Simply, Effectively, Biblically

 

As the Lord tells ALL of us that the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few. So pray to the Lord to send out more laborers. (Luke 10:2)

 

Would you like to become one of His laborers?

 

Please pray, fervently pray, that you see and desire to imitate the benefit of carrying with you this glorious blessing from the Lord…Million Dollar Gospel Tracts! And yes to even learn how to make a sliver coin with the Ten Commandments on one side and the Salvation message of Jesus Christ on the other appear out of silver things.

THIS FRIDAY NIGHT... SATURDAY NIGHT ...WHAT CAN I SAY?

Friday was a busy day, as I met with my brother in Christ Alan, at 6 am at McD's as we always do. I then had an apt at 7:30 in S. Phx to help a business owner with benefits for his ee's. Keith, a relatively new sower, picked me up around 7:30 pm to go the the Phx Art Fair. You can click on the video to watch what happens there when you get up on a box and offer to give away glow-sticks.

Healing the sick for free is what Jesus did, so giving away glow-sticks is a paltry example... but it does draw a crowd. I've been doing this for about 4 yrs, and I'm finding that more sower's and curious potential sower's are showing up to watch and share with the lost.

Saturday morning came early and I was going to start the project of painting our weather beaten stairs on our mobile home. Off to Home Depot to hopefully get what I needed in one stop...if you've shopped there you know what I mean. Well after sanding the stairs I was ready to give it the 2 coats it would need. Well the last coat went on around 1pm and after that I stared to feel extremely tired. I laid down but woke up around 4 as I remembered that I had promised to be at a baptism at 6pm for a woman, Dorothy, who grew up for 82 yrs professing to be Jewish.

The I think it was 2 yrs ago is when she became a born again Christian. To watch as her son and Pastor struggled to bring her into the water, as she uses a wheel chair, was truly a blessing for Catherine & I as we heard her profess her faith in Jesus Christ and was then brought down into the water and raised up again!

I found out about this exciting event because her son, who is a cinematography, heard last year I was open air sharing on Mill and came and asked if he could film me. Getting to know one another he mentioned his mom and I told him how I also help those who want to enter the kingdom, but also to help them plan for retirement and to preserve and leave a legacy for those they love. Most of the public doesn't realize that 5-8% of the gross estate, not net but your GROSS estate is taken before it is passed to the heirs. If you would like to know more about this call me.

Well back to Saturday night as now it was around 7:30 and I was really getting tired. I looked at Catherine and asked how she felt, as I was starting to feel weak like I had earlier. I wanted to go home but Catherine said she wanted to go to Mill even for just a while. I thank the Lord that I have her in my life as if it was up to me, this Saturday... I would not have been there. It's always a lot easier having someone else in your life who is as committed as you are to leave the comfort of you home and GO to the streets. Maybe that's why Jesus sent them out 2 by 2?

It's truly a blessing to see other men and women who recently attended the WOTM seminar come out on the streets to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. This had been something they had never ever have done before. This Biblical principle has given them courage to speak to others that they never would have. We truly need to thank God for sending Ray Comfort to the U.S., to show us HOW to share, not just tell us we SHOULD go share.

Well by attending this seminar some have become like fish that takes to water, maybe that's why Jesus said: "I'll be making you fishers of men!"

So congratulations to all of you who've come out with us, so prayerfully you can state that you are a, "nobody who can share with anybody about somebody who can save everybody!"

THIS NIGHT WAS CARTER'S NIGHT

This Saturday was a another blessing from the Lord! Linda, who has been to the seminar asked me during the week if I was going out on Saturday night to Tempe. I also got a request from Rachel, and she comes all the way from Gilbert to meet us in Tempe, even though it was raining!  It's heart warming to see how this Biblical principle, using the, "Ten Commandments", to share is catching on to more and more of the Saints. Alan, Catherine, Dan, Marcus, as well as Matt and Mark were there as well.

They are now seeing the benefits of ASKING questions, about how they have broken the specific Commandments are more likely to listen to them and more importantly understand why they need a Savior, instead of TELLING those they speak to that they just need JESUS.

It's clear, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1Co 1:18 KJV)

It's truly amazing that even on this rainy night we can draw a crowd just because we offer money for answering trivia questions. Now that we have there attention it's easy to ask them to take the, " Good Person Test. "

One example was a young man named, Carter.  He was one of several who stopped to take the Good Person Test, but in his case there was conviction. He understood that what he was doing was offensive to a Holy God and he himself admitted that he would be punished and sent to Hell because of what he was doing. This is the time when the Lord has prepared his heart to totally understand that there would be nothing he could do to prevent God rightly sending him to Hell. The look on his face when he understood that was refreshing, as now he was ready to hear and understand what our Lord Jesus Christ did for me and now him on that Cross. He now understood that just turning away from his sin wouldn't be enough. Jesus stated Himself unless you REPENT you will perish. (Luke 13:3-5)

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret,leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2Co 7:10 NASB)

I also gave him Eph. 2:8,9, that it was only by the Grace of God that he was in front of me hearing this message. If he would repent and place his trust in Jesus Christ ALONE for the forgiveness of his sins, God would wipe the slate clean, he'd be free, and be an adopted child into the Kingdom of Heaven!

Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (Eph 1:5 KJV)

So please pray for Carter as he was a happy camper when he first came by me to collect his money for having the correct answer to the trivia questions, but as he was leaving his head was bowed down as he now was pondering his destiny for his future, as the Lord had shown him his sinful nature and prayerfully tonight he would become , "BORN AGAIN!" 

Good Friday an AWESOME night to go out to serve the Lord

Tonight was an awesome night for the Lord. These are the names of those who came out to honor the Lord on the day He died for them.

AL, his wife Jill and their girls, McKayla and Kylie. Brandt and his wife Haleh. Edwin and his wife Anna.  Keith, this was his first time out with us. Marcus and Kat with Alex and new born Caleb. Jeremy and Tish with their teenage son Josh. Steve, who did his 2nd open air. Vittoria, who brought her friend Bonnie, as well as Matt and his two teenage daughters. There was another couple with their young son as well, and a man whom I'll call motorcycle Joe
Those who understand that being one who believes in Jesus we must also be a follower. So instead of going into a building, which is being done probably 50 times a year or more,  these men and  women with their young ones came out into the dark streets of Phoenix to engage with those who may be lost.

Isn't that what our Lord Jesus Christ did? He didn't just meet with those in the synagogue, He went out into the streets where He could proclaim the Good News. Well, that's just what happened this Friday night. It's called Good Friday, and this was the day that the Lord allowed Himself to be brutally put to death by being nailed to a cross. He did that so that those whom God has called could be saved! 
He commands all of us who are His to go do the same. Mark 16:15, is very clear as well as Acts 1:8.

With this group, all with the same intention. it was like an army of laborer's. Maybe the verse where Jesus prayed to our Heavenly Father in Luke 10:2 is starting to get answered.

I'm having the next seminar to learn how to conquer your fear and share the Gospel with anyone, "Simply, Effectively and Biblically" on Saturday April 28th at Redemption Church at 4141 E Thomas Rd  Phoenix AZ  Call 602-482-4868 to sign up.

To watch some video's of actual witnessing encounters CLICK here.

JUST LIKE A DOUBLE HEADER

What can I say that I haven’t said before! This 1st Friday and 1st Saturday night of the year was like being at a double header baseball game. On Friday night, the lost came in droves!

We also had many seed sowers these two nights. Here are the names of those who came out to reach the lost. Al, Alan, Brandt his wife Haley, David and his friend, Edwin, Anna and their baby of 14 months in a stroller, Jason and a few of  his friends, Joe, Leigh and some of his friends, Matt, Matthew, Mike, Phil, Robert and his young daughter. You should see her approach strangers and offer them a Gospel Tract. And finally Steve.

On Saturday night many heard a message that they had never heard before and accepted the Gospel Tract that explains why they are not good enough to get into a heaven. They now see that their proclamation how they attend church regular, or have accepted or believe in Jesus isn't what God requires, as even the Demons believe in Jesus and they shudder! James 2:19

On Friday night I set up the sign that asks, "If they can prove that they are a Good Person”, they can get a souvenir. Those who think they are, and almost everyone does, they start to hang around. By using a microphone I now stand up on a step stool and bring out the glow-sticks, and ask who would like one, it amazes me how many come forward at once to get one.

For the next couple of hours, by the Grace of God, I'm able to present to many small groups the very reason Jesus came... for sinners. (Matt. 9:13)

Buy asking them just four simple questions;
Ever lied, stolen, sworn using God's Name in vain, or looked with lust? All say they have, but when asked if they would be innocent or guilty the majority say, INNOCENT! What would you say?

But thankfully, some that the Lord shows that have violated His Laws and
are deserving their punishment in Eternal Hell!

Then on Saturday night on Mill Ave in Tempe, Brandt was offering the glow-sticks and a young lady maybe 20, who came up to him in a wheelchair, wanted to take the test. It was heart wrenching to see this young lady, in a wheelchair and on the streets of Mill Ave in raggedy clothes. Even more heart wrenching were her comments about her beliefs!

As he asked her the questions, she tried to justify her lying, stealing and lust. She cut to the chase and told him that she was married, and the guy who was with her is the boyfriend and she is living with him.

Then she made her profession of faith, that she was a Christian and had accepted Jesus several years ago and God understands her situation and God is okay with her living the way she does.

This is when those who claim to be Christians need to understand the 2nd of the Ten Commandments..

You shall not make for yourself any graven images!

In other words, don't create a God in your own mind that whatever you do is okay with that God. The "god", that you create is tolerant of everything you do and would never punish you. But the REAL God, the Just and Righteous God, must punish the Law breakers. Read 1Cor. 6:9-10

So help me out here:
Shouldn't we be bringing the truth to the streets?
Can you see the possibility, that we could reach more of those who are held captive by Satan where they are hanging out, then by trying to bring one or two to church?

The Lord Himself stated, in Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation, and then again in Acts 1:8,” but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you hall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, (Phoenix) and in all Judea (Tempe) and Samaria, (Scottsdale) and even to the remotest part of the earth." (A little humor with the the towns in the parentheses)

He commands us to GO reach out to the lost, not stay at the Temple! Why not come out on the next 1st Friday night and be the one who answers His prayer. Luke 10:2 "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Experience the joy of knowing that you are being an obedient servant for the Lord.

John 15:14 " You are my friends if you do what I command you." and in John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Catherine suggested that  you may also want to read John 14:21.

Saturday Night on Mill Ave in Tempe 11/27/11

WOW! Tonight we had in one place more of those who are concerned about saving the lost then we have had for a while. It must have been a blessing to the Lord as we all gathered in a circle and prayed that our message would go forth to the lost of this town and beyond. 
Those who showed up were, Edwin, Anna and their baby in a stroller, Rob Roy and Tammie, Phil and Jessica, Tim, Katlyn, Sean and Mia, Cole, Leigh, Alan, Al, Marcus and Alex.  After praying we split up to cover several corners so that we could be more effective reaching out to the crowds.

Offering the free glo-sticks still seems to be effective, as I was able to do several open-airs to those who stopped by to receive one.

Above is the banner I hang up at the Post Office to draw their attention

One that comes to mind was 3 young sisters. I asked how old the one was and she said 16.  All 3 professed to being, a "Good Person". I noticed that they were with a mature couple but the couple continued walking to the corner as the children came back to were I was. As I asked the questions that Jesus used to the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18, a few of God's Ten Commandants. We need to be careful not to share with the lost a man centered message that makes people feel good about themselves. instead we need to use the Words that Jesus Himself used to help others understand what being GOOD is. 

After asking a few of the questions, I turned my attention to that corner and shouted out, "are you their father?"  He nodded yes, and that's when I stated that he should be here with his daughters, as it wasn't right for them to be talking to a perfect stranger without him watching over them. He just stood there turning his head from side to side.
Well now the 3 of them admitted to lying, stealing, and taking God' name in vain. I asked how would God find them, innocent or guilty, because of that behavior, and they stated; guilty. Then came the tough question; "Where would God have to send them if that were true?"  Now their chins fell into their chests and without a word they pointed towards the ground. I can't tell you many times that has happened, as those who have heard about Hell have a very difficult time saying it.
At that point I noticed Dad right next to them, as I know he could hear me from where he was standing, as the sound from the microphone I use is loud.  This is when he tried to protect them, as he grabbed the arm of one, and said let's go.

That's when I stated that this is what he and his daughters need to hear and they should not leave. (Can  you believe it they stayed)  I now asked the important queston; "Does that concern them that they may be headed for Hell? "
I was grateful that they said, "YES" as now I knew that they understood. That's when I shared with them what Jesus did for them, as well as for the rest of us who can't pass the Good Person test.

Once we understand and admit that we rightly deserve Hell and that Jesus' death on the cross is the only payment acceptable to God for our sins. He took the punishment for our sins by shedding His blood, dying a horrible death on that cross, then three days later He rose defeating death. Now if we REPENT, turn from our sins, having a Godly sorrow, remorse, regret, then place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. (Luke 3:3)  Our dirty slate will have been wiped clean, remembered no more. It's not what we do but what He has already done for us. (Eph 2:8-9) IT'S FINISHED!

So I give thanks to the Lord on High who allowed that message to be heard by that family who was just passing by and stopped to get a glo-stick, as well as to all those who may have heard it on the corner of 5th & Mill Ave n Tempe AZ.