FRIDAY NIGHT PLUS an EXCITING SUNDAY

Catherine & I rode down with Keith, his daughter Kate, to 1st Friday Night at 3rd & Roosevelt to share the Gospel. A little while later a first timer, Tony and his wife Lorna, met us there. We all go to Harvest Bible Chapel. As usual Friday night at the Phoenix Art Fair was swarming with thousands of people. Right after we set up the banner that asks the question: "ARE YOU A GOOD PERSON?", they can get a free glow-stick if they are. Immediately a crowd was in front of me willing to prove they were good. About 10 minutes into asking them about violating God's Ten Commandments, the police stopped me because I was drawing a crowd that always comes when I offer a free glow-stick to anyone who can prove they are a good person.

I've been on the triangle every 1st Friday of the month, which is on the corner of 3rd and Roosevelt, for over four years. I was told it was a hazard for me to do that because the crowd would block the sidewalk and others would have to walk on the street. At this triangle there is yellow tape that extends out from the sidewalk about 3 feet that allows pedestrians to walk on the street safely. (So I don't get it, do you?)
 
We then went across the street where we set up the sign again. Praise the Lord as that side provided more listeners and better lightning that ever before! Catherine came to me shocked and asked if I had any more Million Dollar Gospel messages as she had given away over 200 of them. She was shocked as it was only 9:30!

We were met by others who want to reach out to the lost. Patrick, and his wife Vinka and their young son Joey, as well as his Pastor from North Phoenix Baptist Church.  Matt, Leigh, and Matthew were there as well.

Now comes the exciting Sunday!

After worship Catherine & I went to Denny’s to get a bite to eat. An elderly couple was struggling to get out of their car. The man was out of the car and on crutches and the woman was trying to get out, to reach her walker. I walked over to lend a hand. As they followed us in I turned and gave her a Million Dollar Tract for allowing me to help her. She gave me a big smile and thanked me! As Catherine & I were about to open the door, her husband asked if I was a Christian.  I asked him why he asked that and he said I gave them a Gospel Tract. That’s when his wife said we’ve been believers for over 50 years and can’t remember anyone giving us a Gospel Tract. They sat us next to each other at Denny’s and were able to hear all that went on with our conversation with our waitress and the other waitress.

 I always ask this question after we give our order to our server. “We usually pray before we eat is that okay with you?” They always say yes. Then I ask them, “Is there anything that we can pray for you about?” This time I was pleasantly surprised as Catherine beat me to it! This is when I wish I had a camera as you should have seen the joyful look on her face. She told us that she needed to take a test so that she could go to nursing school and was concerned about doing it.  

She came back several times while we were eating to ask if we needed anything else. That’s when I will bring out the RED & BLUE illusion card which helps them realize that their eyes can fool them and then I can proceed to ask them about breaking God’s Ten Commandants. Interestingly enough she stayed to answer the four specific questions about lying, stealing, swearing and lust. She was truly convicted by her own answers and that God would have no choice but to send her to Hell.

Thankfully this concerned her, as many times those who admit to being law breakers believe God is love and would not punish them. Now comes the part we all love! Yadi, our waitress, turned to me and asked, “So what do I have to do to be saved?”  Praise the Lord as I could see a contrite heart at that moment!

I explained to her she should go home and get on her knees and ask God for forgiveness and repent, which meant having Godly sorrow and that she would now place her trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of her sins. That’s when I shared with her what it would be like to be born again, as that’s what happens. We are given the Holy Spirit and that’s what transforms us from the inside out.  I asked if she had a Bible at home and she said she did so I told her to read it her obey what it says, as the Word of God should not be read like a novel but as a love letter with instruction on what our Heavenly Father requires from those whom He has adopted into His Kingdom.   

Here’s a side note. While we were eating a man who was sitting across from us got up to leave and told me that I had dropped some money under the table. I bent down to retrieve it and immediately offered it to him for being honest enough to tell me. You should have seen the look on his face as he reluctantly took it, and I told him to read the back, as it was a Gospel Tract.

So as she is pondering her faith she goes to serve others and then a little while later bring another waitress who had just lost her infant 9 month old grandson. This lady wanted to know if it was okay to scream at God in anger. After expressing our remorse for her loss, she mentioned what a good person she was and why would God do that? That’s when I asked her if she would answer a few questions to see if she was GOOD? Sadly she didn’t believe in Hell or even Heaven! That’s when I looked at her and was amazed, that she would get angry at a God she doesn’t even believe in.

 Just as Yadi was going to serve another customer, before leaving our table, she said she was very appreciative about what I shared with her as she finally understood what she needs to do.

 As we are writing this, Catherine stated, “It’s good that we go out to eat so that we can engage with those who serve us so we can ask if we could pray for them.  If we hadn’t gone out after church today we would have missed this tremendous opportunity to share.”   


 

 

 

 

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.

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!" 

HEAVY RAINS DIDN'T STOP US!

Saturday wasn't looking like a day to got out and stand on a corner waring others about the danger of going to Hell, and then give them the Good News about what is needed to get into Heaven.. So as the dark clouds flowed over Phoenix, the gloom and darkness that proceeds a heavy rain storm was evident.

So just in case it was not raining at our favorite spot on Mill & 5th Ave, Tempe,  Keith picked me up around 7:45 and we headed south. The Lord must have been pleased as His faithful laborers were there. Al & Dan were at the parking lot already providing information to the lost. When we got to our corner Alan, Rachel & then Steve, then Marcus. Then later on Kat showed up with their newborn Caleb, talk about having a blessed evening this couldn't get any better, but wait there's more!

What a blessing to see these ordinary followers of Christ leave the comfort of their homes on a night that threatened to be filled with a heavy down pour.

Now comes the exciting part! When I took a break from doing open air preaching, offering  glow-sticks  to anyone who was willing to take the good person test, I asked the new sowers if they would like to get up on the box and with the microphone and do the same. At first they were hesitant which is normal as doing it is probably one of the most fearful things for a person to do.

Well all of a sudden Steve came toward me and I handed him the mike, and up he went. He had done this before but he still was fearful, but by allowing the Holy Spirit and Phil. 4:13 he started to ask the question. He drew some takers and with a big smile stepped down. This seemed to encourage the others as now Rachel stated she was ready and this being her first time, it was awesome! Immediately some came to her and wanted to take the good person test. She asked with confidence the 4 questions from the Ten Commandments, you know, have you ever lied, stolen, taken God's name in vain, or looked at another person with lust. It was exhilarating to watch her engage with these perfect strangers! Not done yet, as  Keith who has only been with us a couple times now came forward and stated how hearing Rachel do it he was willing to get up on the box as well.

So I thank the Lord for giving us the desire to come on a night that we would have had a perfect reason not too. The rain storm we got was the blessing of watching 3 new sowers overcome the fear that we all express, and being able to reach to the hundreds who passed by.

They BOLDLY PROCLAIMED  the BAD NEWS and THE GOOD NEWS! 

If the public doesn't recognize what SIN is, how can they REPENT  from it?

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)

Charles Spurgeon stated,"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.

Friday Night at the Phx Art Fair

Another awesome night for the Lord! It's starting to look like the Lords prayer is beginning to be answered! Luke 10:2. Jesus asked His Heavenly Father to send more laborers into the harvest as the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.
As you read the names of those who came Friday night to do just what the Lord requires from those whom He has chosen, you will begin to read new and more names. 

Tonight Catherine, Brandt and his wife Haley, Alan, Joe, Steve, Keith, a newcomer, and his 10 yr old daughter Kate,  J. J. and his wife and his young 13 yr old son Jacob, Patrick his wife Vinka, and their 10 yr old Joey, and a real blessing to have a Pastor who leaves the pulpit to meet the lost on the street, Pastor Jon Magnum.

Several hundred tracts with God's Word written on them were handed out. It was pure joy to watch the 3 young ones confronting the adults and asking them, "if they got one of these" . The message they receive from the tract first is God's condemnation of mankind, they get to read His standard of Goodness, "The Ten Commandments" and then, "His Grace", Salvation by no other way but through repentance and trusting in what Jesus did for those He called by His death and resurrection from the Cross.
James says this way: But He gives a greater grace. Therefore
it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (Jas 4:6 NASB)

Watch this video as Brandt conveys the truth of the Gospel to those who pass by. Interesting though is if this message is do offensive then why do they stop to listen to what is being said. No one is forcing them to stay, the only thing we mention is that if they can  prove they are a Good Person, they get a free glow-stick.

Brandt Reaching out to the Crowd at the Phoenix Art Fair

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who wanted a glow-stick More

I pray that some of you come the next 1st Friday night to be a part of the Lords laborers.

Saturay Night Live

This was another awesome night for the Lord!  Proverbs 11:30, states: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls.

Well we  had 2 new wise people, Rachel and Gregg who attended the seminar this past May.  They both live in Gilbert, came separately, as they are not related.  It's awesome to watch how this teaching effects those who come!  It changes their perception on how easy it is to speak to those who are strangers. I'm not saying that you are not able to speak to strangers, as many have told me  they do that, but it's what words we use and how we approach those who pass by us that makes the difference. 

This teaching is specifically designed to open up a conversation about their salvation, not just a general conversation. Rachel, after offering several of the Million Dollar tracts to those who passed by her, stated, "how easy this is!"  Gregg saw the value in doing Open Airing by using glow-sticks to draw the lost so that they themselves take the, " Good Person Test" (GPT), to show them WHY they need a Savior!  This makes the message more personal instead of a general statement that, "God is Love and He died for the sins of the world."

One of the " GPT"  that stood out was when a father and son were passing by, and the son returned to get a glow-stick. His father stayed were he was by the corner. When I found out he was only 12, I challenged the father to come closer to be with his son, which he did. As I asked the questions using God's Commandments to see if this young man was a, "Good Person" as he claimed, he admitted to breaking 3 of them. He was a liar, thief, and a Blasphemy.  I then asked how would he think God would find him, innocent or guilty, and he stated guilty. I then asked would God send him to Heaven or Hell? He stated Hell.

 I asked if that concerned him? With that his father immediately shouted to his son, "NO YOU WON'T!"  You have accepted Jesus and He died for your sins. This he repeated this several times to his son who know had a dazed look on his face as he starred at his farther.That's when I asked the young man if he knew what God had done for him so that he wouldn't have to go to Hell. After a few seconds of silence, and the boy still with a blank look on hi face, the father again shouted out the his son that he should tell me that he has a relationship with Jesus and wasn't going to Hell.

I understand the concern for a man's son or any loved one, but wouldn't it have been better to allow the boy to answer the questions on his own. On the day of judgement the father isn't going to stand in front of his son claiming to the Lord that his son has a relationship with You Lord, is he? 

This is when I turned to the father and stated that I hadn't heard any mention of repentance, as Jesus Himself states in Luke 3:3-5,  that unless you repent you will perish!  With that the father shouted out, " that we need to repent every day, as we all sin every day!"   That's when I tried to share with him what 2Cor. 7:10 says, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."

That's when he grabbed his son and took off. So maybe the scripture (1Cor.1:18) is plausible?  "For the preaching  of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. "
How sad that for some of those who claim Christ seem to think that they have to force feed that information that leads to salvation to the young without allowing the Holy Spirit reveal it to them.

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.