Saturday Night Live 11/10/2012

This was another Glorious night for our Our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.! Those who claim Christ as Lord left the comfort of their homes, like He did, and came out to the streets of Tempe where there are hundreds who walk up and down Mill Ave all night looking for who knows what...

The Lord must have been pleased to watch as those who regularly come are now being joined by some new sowers, Tony and his wife Lorna.

While I was up on the large flower pot that stands on the corner of 5th and Milll, offering to give away free Glow-sticks to anyone who can pass the Good Person Test, a young man holding a Million Dollar Gospel Tract in his hand stopped in front of me and asked for one. Seeing the tract in his hand told me that he probably spoke to one of the other sowers., Al, Alan, Dan, Keith, Marcus, or Mike. Mike even brought his young son who is eleven, with him. I guess Mike believes in what the Bible says in : Pro 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.“

So back to this young man as I told him in order to receive the free Glow-stick he had to prove to me he was a good person. With that he immediately stated that he had broken all the commandments, so give me a glow-stick! That’s when I stated that in his own admission he didn’t deserve one as anyone who is rebellious and violates God’s Ten Commandments couldn’t be considered to be a good person.

That’s when he does, as most do, state their standard of what they believe. He stated that he was a Muslim, Hindu, and Christian and reads the Bible everyday and knows it backward and forwards. That one I’d never heard before so I replied he couldn't be a Christian, which means,”One who follows Jesus Christ “, and at the same time admitting believing in the other religions.

Now he becomes even more prideful and tells me that he has a 4.0 average at ASU, and teaches others and also is a professional dancer???? That’s when I asked him if he think that because of the blessing’s that the Lord has given him, that God would allow him to enter Heaven?

Now comes the amazing part of this man’s reaction to hearing the Law of the Lord. He stepped back took off his shoes and his hat, it was very cold that night, and got on his knees and started bowing up and down. Well since I have never...never had anyone bow before me I shouted to the other sowers, "Look I have a Muslim bowing down to me!!! " When he heard that he immediately stood up and angrily stated that he was not bowing down to me but to Mecca and he was offended by my comment. WIth that I looked at him and asked, "How could you be offended when that was exactly what you did. If you were really bowing to Mecca why didn’t you move over, left or right of me, so that you could face it without me in front of you, and as I’ve seen those on the news who are bowing to Mecca, they place a rug on the ground which you didn’t do".

Now he was quiet, just staring at me, that’s when I seized the opportunity to tell him about the provision that God had created. It was the love of God that He has for us that He sent Jesus Christ to pay the fine for the crimes that he and I committed. Jesus being the perfect sacrifice on the Cross. The Romans crucified the worst of the worst and yet Jesus, who was perfect in all areas went willingly, as an obedient servant at the Father’s request.

Our response to that wonderful gift is that we,

Repent, have a Godly Sorrow, 2Co 7:10 “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.”

then place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of us violating God’s Laws!

Here are a just a few of the several verse’s that you may want to read about Repentance:

Luk_5:32

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

Luk_15:7

"I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luk_24:47

and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

I then explained what is stated in Eph 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

This is when I explained to him, It’s not what we do but it’s what God has already done for us . Because of that I could now offer him a Glow-stick. I explained how this is a poultry example of what Jesus did on that Cross for me and for him. All he had to do was to reach up and take it.

Now I hope you’ve read this far as this part of what happened is the most unusual thing that has ever happened to me!

With both of his hands at his side, him staring at me and me staring at him, he took a deep breath and ever so slightly raised his right hand. Then another deep breath, our eyes still focused on each other, he raised his hand a fraction more. This continued for what seemed like 60 seconds until his hand was now where he could grasp the Glow-stick. Remember, I’m standing on a planter box that is at least 3 feet above the ground. He finally grabbed the stick placed it around his neck put his shoes back on and walked away.

As he was leaving I gave him another Gospel Tract, which he took, “Are You Good Enough To Go to Heaven”
If you would like to read what it says just click on the name above.

A BLESSING FROM THE LORD ON 1ST FRIDAY

You know that verse (Luke 10:2, Mat. 9:37,38)  And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

Well last night the Lord was at work! Those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ did just that, came out to the streets of 3rd and Roosevelt and being led by the Holy Spirit stepped up on a stool and challenged those hundreds who were passing by with getting a free gift, either money or a glow-stick, if they could prove that there were a Good Person. These ordinary people overcame their fear of rejection from others and instead placed their trust in the Only One who matters, The Lord Jesus Christ. In Phil. 4:13 Paul states what we can do through the One who paid the horrific penalty by willfully giving up His life for those He loved, could we not give up our time to serve Him as He told us to, by going out from the buildings and into the streets where the lost are to warn them of the dangers of Hell. (Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8)


Here are some of the names of those I know who came because they were led by the Holy Spirit to leave the comfort of their homes and face the crowds on the street. Al, Alan, Brandt and his wife Haley, Keith who brought his children Sam and Kate, Patrick and his wife Vivi brought their young son, Joey, and several people from his church, Joe, Steve, and  my lovely wife Catherine.

What was exciting to me was to see several of the sowers stand up on the box, this was the first time for Patrick, with microphone in hand and using the glow-sticks as a free giveaway to draw a crowd to take the Good Person test. Patrick told me he is being challenged to speak to more than just the one person at a time,  but to a larger group and tonight was going to be his night. He told me how frightened he was up until the moment he got up on the box and then the fear was gone. I had shared with him many times as that was exactly how I felt right before I had done my first one... praise the Lord for Patrick placing his trust in Jesus for his protection up on that scary box. Al, Brandt & Keith also went up to draw a crowd.

One of the encounters I had was with you two young ladies, Theresa and Tori. When they admitted that they had lied, stolen and used God's name as a swear word, I asked how would God find them using those commandments, innocent or guilty. They answered quickly innocent, that God would forgive them, as He forgives all of us, if we ask.That's when they needed to hear how a Holy, Just & Righteous God could not forgive them based on just asking as anyone who is caught in the act of a crime would do the same and a good judge would still have to make them pay the fine or do the time. Now they started to understand that that wasn't going get them set free and finally admitted that would be guilty and sent to Hell, and rightly so. Now comes the best part, as now they where concerned of where they could be headed and didn't like the direction. After explaining what Hell was like, as I find very few people even church people have any clue how the Bible describes it. These two young ladies were now at a place where the Lord through the Holy Spirit could do what needs to be done. That is to break the hardness of the heart to where they admit they don't deserve to be forgiven for being Law breakers. (James 4:6)  Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

 I wish I had the camera rolling on this one, as now I could see tears rolling down their checks as I asked  if they knew what God had done for them so that they wouldn't have to go to Hell.  They said they didn't even have a clue! Now I explained what Jesus did for me and them on that Cross, and how in (Eph 2:8)  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

It's a gift from God! It's His Grace! NOTHING ..., we can do can save us!  He did it ALL.
They needed  to have Godly sorrow, repent and place their trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and when that happens their slate would be wiped clean, now an adopted child into the Kingdom of  Heaven. (Eph. 1:5)

(Luke 5:32)  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance ."
(Luke 24:47)  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(Luke 15:7)  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

So looks like last night there was more JOY in Heaven than the night before.

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.