Cactus Christain Fellowship Tuesday Night 4-24-13

Last night I had the privilege of teaching the middle age school children at Cactus Christian Fellowship on 2401 E. Cactus in Phoenix. They meet every Tuesday night for a study from 6:30 -8pm with the Worship Pastor Nathan Umbanhower.

 This Church recognizes the need to reach out to the lost. They are not only concerned about bringing them in, as many Churches do, they realize that those who cross our paths may not be able  to come our Church because of there location, but while they are in front of you,  you have the opportunity to share the truth with them. Remember this is not about you or about them coming to your Church, it’s about their Eternal Destiny.   

 It’s truly a blessing from the Lord that He would open the door to allow me to share what I have learned over the last 7 years on how to open a conversation with those who cross our paths on a daily basis. Example when your eating out, grocery shopping, buying gas, getting stuff for your house, the appointment at the Doctor or Dental office, in other words anywhere.

Here’s one for you that Catherine shared with them last night on how she shares the Gospel with telemarketers…how many of you do that?  Would you like to learn?

 I will be teaching this Biblical principle for the next 3 weeks. It will be exciting to hear back from these youngsters on how they were able to speak to strangers in our community. You don’t have to knock on doors to reach the lost, just do as Jesus did speak to them when you see them in public. Remember He asked us to follow Him NOT do our own thing. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mat 4:19)

 

If you would like more information go to my website www.tillthenetsrfull.org  

 

Honoring the Lord Today

I just had to post this today, as it truly was for the Glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I was able to give out twenty Gospel tracts and had one “One 2 One Encounter”.

It started out at McDonald's around 7am where I meet with two men to study God's Word and hold each other accountable for our actions.

A little girl came walking by our table with a very pretty doll with thick blond hair. I commented on the doll's hair and saw a big smile on the girl’s face. I asked how old she was and she said nine yrs old. She turned to sit with what looked like her grandfather and I asked him if I could show his granddaughter a trick. He nodded and I made the Ten Commandment coin appear out of thin air. Her eyes got really big and she asked how I did that.

Now what happens next is not unusual as this is the reaction I usually get. Her hand reached out for it as if it belonged to her. I then asked if she would like to have it, she said yes. I then told her that it was a commemorative coin and that it had the Ten Commandments on one side and the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the other and to have her grandfather read it to her. (If any of you know me, you know that I have a hearing problem and I’m sure that others heard me)

The next part is also typical because she had 2 sisters who saw her get something and they then had their hands out as well. I gave them each a coin and then gave the first one (3) of the million dollar Gospel tracts and asked if she would give them to her grandfather and her parents who were sitting at the next table. The grandfather read the back and thanked us for sharing!

From there Alan and I went to a meeting in Chandler to investigate a business opportunity. We were taken to this beautiful office building and had to wait for another person to show up before the tour began. While waiting I noticed that the reception desk was adorned with stainless steel covering. I asked the receptionist did she know how amazing this metal is, if you just know how to tap it, things can happen. I showed her my hands and asked if she could see anything in them and when she said no, I snapped my finger twice and produced the Ten Commandment coin. She said WOW! I like magic! I told her it was a commemorative coin with the Ten Commandments on one side and the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the other. I mentioned that most people I meet do not know the Commandments but that it would be a good idea if she knew them as one day she could be judged by them.

Being she mentioned she liked magic, and the person we were waiting for hadn't shown up yet, I stated that if she liked that one then she would love this one.

I took out the Pink & Blue illusion and she was amazed! I told her that her eyes could fool her couldn't they, she said,“ Yes”.
I then asked if she would sell one of her eyes for a million dollars, she said no! I asked how about both eyes for 10 million, still no.
I then stated that her eyes were precious to her weren't they. She said yes!
I then said maybe we should look at what Jesus said about our eyes, that if your eye causes you to sin then it would be better if you plucked it out because it would be better to enter Heaven with one eye then to be cast into Hell with both.
If that were true then maybe we should look at the other Commandments He gave us.

The 9th, had she ever lied? She said, “ Yes”, What would you be called? She said, “Liar”.
The 8th, not to steal, she said, “Yes,” I then asked what do you call someone who does that, she said, “Thief”.
The 3rd, was not to use God's name as a curse word, again, yes.
I told her God was very serious about that one as He stated that He would not hold anyone guiltless who did that...He takes it seriously and yet most of us think nothing about doing it and she agreed.
I asked her if God were to judge her based on those commandments and we only did (3), would she be innocent or guilty? She said she would be guilty.
I then asked where would God have to send you, Heaven or Hell, she stated, as most of us who have the wrong concept of who God really is, ...Heaven.

I asked how could that be as she just admitted to breaking (3) of God's Laws and there were (7) more to go.
She stated that the Commandments were probably not what God would judge her by, because if He did, then everyone would be in Hell.
She then stated how she had been a good person and tries to live a good life by thinking of others.
I then explained that God has given us His Law and He stated that they are written on our hearts.
She knew it was wrong to lie, steal and swear, so if He is a just God He would have to punish those who do it.
I mentioned that time doesn't forgive sin and that one day we are all going to face Him and we will get what we deserve!
She then changed her demeanor and with her head down stated that she would go to Hell.
I asked if that concerned her and she said, “Yes!”

I asked again and then she said, “He died on the Cross?”

I then said that's not it, yet many people wrongly believe that. That would mean everyone would be going to Heaven.
I gave her an example that if I had broken man's law and the judge was going to sentence me to jail or pay a fine of $100K, which I didn't have, and suddenly someone came into the courtroom and gave the judge a certified check for it, the judge could let me go, right?
She agreed. I then said that's what Jesus did for sinners like me and you. He paid the fine for the crimes we committed against a Holy God and because of His shed blood, death and resurrection He saved us from that punishment. What we need to do is repent, turn from our sinful life and place our trust in Him alone!

I asked her that when she was at home tonight to seriously consider what she just heard and ask God to reveal the truth about her eternal life, as I didn't have the power to change her heart, only the Holy Spirit can do that.

I left her with a few more tracts and she thanked me for sharing with her.

I then explained to her that those of us who claim Christ as Lord are commanded to do. The Love He poured out for us even thought we don't deserve it, is to share with others that we encounter so that they too may have a chance for eternal life.

Her name is Mariah, so pray that the Lord can open her heart and the truth sets her free!

Just as we finished up with the tour another high level person greeted us and thanked us for going through it and stated that if we join them in this business would be millionaires! You guessed it! Everyone in the group as well as this executive and the guard got a million. Again you should have seen the excitement on their faces!

Thinking the day was done, Alan graciously asked if I would like to have lunch as he knew of a Chinese restaurant nearby. Inside was a little helper who was obliviously part of this Chinese family as she was helping clean up the tables as the customers left. I called her over and asked, “what was her name”, she said, Joyce, she was nine yrs old. I asked how would she like to see what magic this silver teapot had that was on our table. With two snaps of my finger a sliver coin appeared! You should have seen her face as she exclaimed WOW, how did you do that.

I told her it was a commemorative coin and that it had the Ten Commandments on one side and the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the other and to have her parents read them to her.

This place was small and her excitement caught the attention of the others who were eating, as well as her mom and aunt who worked there. Joyce asked if I knew of any other magic as she liked magic. I then showed her the Pink & Blue illusion card and she was amazed at that as well. Her mom was now really watching me with her daughter and I had them participate as well.

They were enamored with the illusion and I told them to read the back as it had an important message on it.

Yep all those who were working in the restaurant got a million as well as the customers who were eagerly watching what was going on. As we left we were thankful that the seeds of His Word were placed in the hands of those who may never have had the chance to have them.

What came to me at the end of this day was that I would be sending this out to over 200 of you who could also be able to share using this Biblical principle that is taught by The Way of the Master.

So do the math! 20 tracts times 200 laborers for Christ is 4000 people who in one day would have received the Word of God. I’m sure our Heavenly Father would be well pleased that each of us got out of our comfort zone to do that. Remember what Jesus went through for us at the Garden of Gethsemane? , Not my will but Your will be done!

Friday Night at the Phoenix Art Fair

WOW! Talk about reaching out to save the lost!

Tonight Roosevelt was jammed packed with lost souls. I wish you could only have been here. We had several seed sower’s preaching with microphones, offering money to draw anyone who maybe for the first time would hear the true Gospel. Most who come like trying to answer trivia questions to win some money, you know how the world loves money, so we use it to bring them to us. The final question, "are good enough to get into heaven?"

Just curious is there anyone out there who finds asking that question offensive?

I would really like to know your thoughts and why. Please click on comments at the end.

Some think this is important because almost everyone thinks they are. Proverbs. 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? So by helping them understand how God sees them, as in Isaiaha 64:6, we are filthy rags, then can then understand why they need a Savoir. You may also check on Luke 18:19 to read what Jesus said about how is good.

The one thing that amazed me was there were several people passing out flyers about the war in Afganistan, would you belive it ...to perfect strangers. I guess they have the gift of Afganistanism. I wondered if they were getting paid to hand them out? Maybe for money people would do something they wouldn't normally do...what do you think, let me know, please.

This principle of using God's Law to show the world how they would appear to a Holy God on Judgement day is a clear and concise message about where they are walking to. They need to be warned that Hell is real and most of them will enter through that gate. Don't take my word, read what Jesus said in Mat.7:13-14, and Luke 13:24. We have to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ and do as he commands us to Go out into ALL the World and share the Gospel.(Mark 16:15)

So how do you reach the lost? Please let me know what you would say to a perfect stranger who may be lost. You only have a few minutes because you know every one is sooo busy!

Please let me know as I would like to expand on my ability to reach those who like me didn't think it was so bad going to Hell.

I found one way, you do what Jesus did you go out to the streets where the lost are. Going to worship is what we are commanded to do, that being the forth one, but to only go to worship, or home fellowships for the rest of your born again life is not being a follower of Christ, that is only part of what Christ told us to do. Wouldn't you want to be a volunteer for the Lord as was quoted in Isa. 6:8, "Send me!" Remember Paul stated: that Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Sharing with everyone, which means speaking to them is what the Joy of being in the Lord is all about, come try it.

I met Pastor John there last night. I had given a seminar at his Church last year and he came by to see if I was still out sharing. He didn't have any tracts on him so my good friend Alan gave him about 200 of the million dollar gospel tracts, and he went out into the crowd to give them away.

Just a thought could you send me the names of your Pastor who goes out from the church walls to share with the lost. Would love to meet with him and learn how he does it.

Well about an hour later as I stepped down from doing another Open Air, I noticed the Pastor behind me. He had been watching me speak to several teens about being a,” Good Person”. He watched as I was able to share the truth about God's Wrath and Judgment, as well as His Grace to several Satan worshipers, as that's what they called themselves.

They challenged me with a question referencing Muslims who believe in God, God won't send them to Hell. I then reminded them about God's Law the Ten Commandments, and that they had admitted breaking several of them and it didn't matter what religion someone claimed unless they REPENT, turn away from sin and place their trust in what Jesus Christ did, alone, they would be eternally in Hell. He paid the fine for the crimes of us 2000 years ago. He took the punishment that I deserved, that they deserved, and if they continue to placed their faith in any man made religion, then, they would wind up in Hell for eternity.

The one young man I think his name was Danny, reached out to shake my hand to thank me as he had never heard it presented that way before. I asked if they would take some information I had, they all said yes, so I gave them the Gospel Tract, "Save Yourself Some Pain"

When I was finished with Danny the Pastor shook my hand. He had a big smile on his face and told me he was thrilled as he couldn't believe how many people he was able to share the Gospel with using the million dollar tract to get them talking about there salvation. He then asked when was I having another seminar? Praise be to the Lord for him wanting to learn more on how to share with the lost.

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!