This Monday I had lunch at the Mongolian Barbecue restaurant with Pastor B... a friend of mine at the Pavilions in Scottsdale. He was kind enough to offer to pay for my lunch and so I asked the cashier if she could give me change. I asked if she liked Michael Jackson and she said, "YES", so I handed her a Michael Jackson million dollar bill. She laughed and said, "WOW thank you! " I told her when she went home that she should read the back as it had the million dollar question on it, "are you good enough to get into Heaven?"
After filling up my bowl, I placed it on a counter where one of the cooks throws the food onto a very very large flat hot plate, and it simmers. I saw the Pastor place a dollar bill into a fishbowl and did the same but added a million dollar bill with it. That's when the lady in front of the Pastor made a comment about the million dollars and he turned to me to tell me she was curious about it. I then gave him one and told him to give it to her and to be sure to tell her to read the back.
Now the cooks saw the million dollar bill in the fishbowl and commented that they would be very rich. I then asked one of the cooks how many cooks are working here and he stated that there were (5). I then counted out five more million dollar bills and placed them into the fishbowl. I then told them that they have to read the back of the bill because you can't get any change from these bills because they don't make a million dollar bill, but it can change their lives if they read it. Is this what Paul had in mind telling us to be ready in season and out of season? In other word always? (2Tim 4:2)
Now comes the best part that I thank God for, because as my friend and I were finishing up our meal, the cashier, Maria, came to me because she wanted to talk to me about what the back of the bill said. At this point I decided to show her the pink & blue illusion cards which she really enjoyed. This illusion seemed to help her become more friendly and trusting of me. As I walked her through the Law, asking if she had ever lied, stolen or committed adultery, (Jesus said if you just look a person with lust you have already committed adultery with them in your heart) (Mat 5:28), she tried to justify her sin's against God and that God was a loving God and all she had to do was confess her sins and God would forgive her.(sound familiar?)
I then explained to her if I had violated her sister and got caught and was now standing before the Judge and then confessed what I had done to her sister and then said, "I was sorry", would he let me go? She looked at me with a new face and said, "NO". I then asked her how could a Holy, Righteous, and Just God do any less? Now when I asked her how would God have to find her based on what she just admitted to, she then stated she would be guilty, and God would have to send her to Hell. I then asked her if it concerned her that she would be in Hell, and she said "YES!" I could now see a changed look on her face as it seemed to really bother her that that would be her destination. I asked her if you knew what Hell was like? She said she never heard her church talk about it. I explained it's where your thirst is never quenched, constant gnashing of teeth and worms never die, being tormented for eternity in the lake the fire. I then asked her if she knew what God did for her so she wouldn't have to go to Hell and she said, "no". I then asked her a 2nd time and this time she stated that Jesus Died on the cross. With that I then said does that mean that everyone who has heard that Jesus died on the cross is going to Heaven? So all liars, thieves, murderers, or pediphilers are all going to be in Heaven? This time she became very somber and stated that wouldn't make sense!
I then explained to her that the only way we can be set free from our sins is to REPENT, which means to have remorse, regret with genuine sorrow, knowing that we have offended a Holy God, and that we deserve Hell. We need to turn away from sin and place our TRUST in Jesus Christ ALONE. The Bible states that when we do this we are now, "Born Again" (John 3:3) The old is gone the new has come. (2Cor 5:17) Only Godly sorry produces repentance that leads to Salvation! (2Cor 7:10)
Another example of how Maria appreciated hearing the TRUTH about how God's Law, the Ten Commandments meant to her. (Gal 3:24) As we were leaving my friend wanted to treat me to some ice cream, but I declined. But when I saw what he just bought I told Maria I changed my mind and would like to buy some. She came back with a cup for me to get my ice cream and told me it was a gift from her to me.
What happened next surprised me as my friend, who objects to using this method, stretched out his hand and stated that was awesome!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 24th Way of the Master Seminar
Today I was blessed to host this seminar as the Pastor from The Father's Fellowship had asked if I would do The Way of The Master Seminar for his people at Church. I just started going this Church about a month ago. They had just started the series from the weekly training for their Tuesday evening Bible study and I started to attend. It was the second time I was there and Pastor Jack took me outside before the meeting and asked if I would put on the 1/2 day seminar for his people as I had been sharing with him that I had been doing The Way of The Master seminars for the last four years. It was exciting to hear him announce that on Sunday, that this Saturday I would be hosting this seminar and that all should attend. I stood by the sign up table after the worship service prayerfully hoping that some would sign up. The Lord definitely touched the hearts of those who were there as about 30% signed up for the training.
The day came and the training was well received. There were many somber and humorous moments. Somber, because when they viewed the video that showed a group of teenagers who couldn't name any of the Ten Commandments, (Romans 2:15) but had no problem naming 10 different brands of beer. The humor when they heard some of the ridiculous answers from those who were taking the "good person test" (Galatians 3:24)
It was a blessing to have others who had been through this before come just to share what listening to this teaching had done for them. One of the ladies named Ann lives about 45 minutes away and shared how this training changed how she shares, as she admitted being a Christian for at least 50 years and never used the Law to help someone understand why they need a Savior.
Dan also wasn't a member of this church but had been out on the streets with us because of AL, another seed sower whom he knows. He tried to implore the group to at least come out on the streets to see us in action as this is what helped him to understand how using the tracts and the Law was an easy way to share and it gave him a desire to want to reach out to save those who are lost. (Acts 1:8)
Well the five hours passed quickly as now it was time for prayer and nourishment. Some came with me to Tempe to observe how this actually works with strangers. Below is a picture of me drawing a crowd by giving away money by asking trivial questions. At the right time I ask, "Who here can prove to me that they are a Good Person?" Someone's hand always goes up! (1Tim 1:8)
The lady you see in back of me is Ella. She has the beautiful white hair. This was her first Way of The Master Seminar and she came down with me as she doesn't like driving at night. She was on fire as she handed out several Million Dollar bills to perfect strangers. All her life she said she has wanted to share, but never did anything like this. She mentioned to me that she was going to call & order her own pack of Million Dollar bills so that she can give them away wherever she goes.
Then there was Andres and his 13 year od son. It was amazing to watch how this young boy on his own requested to have some of the Million Dollar bills so that he could hand them out like we were. (Matthew 18:3)
Well, today was a long day as we got finished around 10:30 pm. Lots of tracts were handed out and many one--2- ones were done. We praise the Lord for giving us the passion and desire to go out to reach and save the lost. We are nobody's who can share with anybody about somebody who can save anybody. (Mark 16:15)
The day came and the training was well received. There were many somber and humorous moments. Somber, because when they viewed the video that showed a group of teenagers who couldn't name any of the Ten Commandments, (Romans 2:15) but had no problem naming 10 different brands of beer. The humor when they heard some of the ridiculous answers from those who were taking the "good person test" (Galatians 3:24)
It was a blessing to have others who had been through this before come just to share what listening to this teaching had done for them. One of the ladies named Ann lives about 45 minutes away and shared how this training changed how she shares, as she admitted being a Christian for at least 50 years and never used the Law to help someone understand why they need a Savior.
Dan also wasn't a member of this church but had been out on the streets with us because of AL, another seed sower whom he knows. He tried to implore the group to at least come out on the streets to see us in action as this is what helped him to understand how using the tracts and the Law was an easy way to share and it gave him a desire to want to reach out to save those who are lost. (Acts 1:8)
Well the five hours passed quickly as now it was time for prayer and nourishment. Some came with me to Tempe to observe how this actually works with strangers. Below is a picture of me drawing a crowd by giving away money by asking trivial questions. At the right time I ask, "Who here can prove to me that they are a Good Person?" Someone's hand always goes up! (1Tim 1:8)
The lady you see in back of me is Ella. She has the beautiful white hair. This was her first Way of The Master Seminar and she came down with me as she doesn't like driving at night. She was on fire as she handed out several Million Dollar bills to perfect strangers. All her life she said she has wanted to share, but never did anything like this. She mentioned to me that she was going to call & order her own pack of Million Dollar bills so that she can give them away wherever she goes.
Then there was Andres and his 13 year od son. It was amazing to watch how this young boy on his own requested to have some of the Million Dollar bills so that he could hand them out like we were. (Matthew 18:3)
Well, today was a long day as we got finished around 10:30 pm. Lots of tracts were handed out and many one--2- ones were done. We praise the Lord for giving us the passion and desire to go out to reach and save the lost. We are nobody's who can share with anybody about somebody who can save anybody. (Mark 16:15)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
August 2009 Way of the Master Seminar
This Saturday's seminar was certainly different....why, well no one had signed up for it. So around 11:30 that morning I told Catherine that I was going there to see if anyone might show up. I remembered that when I first started doing this that Catherine asked me, "What if only one person signed up would I still do the training?" I thought about that and then realized this wasn't about me or how many, but what the Lord wanted all of us who are Born Again to do, "Go share the Gospel." (Mark 16:15)
I was sitting at my desk not really expecting anyone, I didn't even put out the welcome sign that I had put out for the last four years. I heard a knock on the door and behold there were two women standing there who asked if this is where the Way of The Master Seminar was being held? Needless to say I was quite pleasantly surprised as I recognized that the Lord had sent me two potential laborers.
I asked how they heard about it, as all my invites require letting me know whether or not they are attending. They told me it was from some Women’s Organization in East Mesa and that one of there members said she had been and suggested that they attend. One came all the way from Chandler.
This was the first time that I had only two (2) attendees. I was able to answer more of their questions and hear more about them personally. One had been trained in the Evangelism Explosion method when she was in her teens. She was very impressed on how easy it was to hand out the unique tracts and to ask them about being a "Good Person". She had never heard about how Jesus Himself used the Commandments to show the unrighteous what standard God required to enter Heaven (Mathew 5:28), (Mark 10:17), (Luke 18:20) to name a few.
One of the topics that always comes up, is "confrontation". I made this big and bold because it seems to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks, beside personal fear of not knowing enough when sharing. I asked what thoughts come to mind when they heard this word, is it positive or negative? One of them quickly stated negative and the other thought for a moment and stated it could be positive but mostly negative. I then share what I found in the dictionary as one of the meanings, that "it is an attempt to reconcile!.
Maybe if we focus on this definition, then we wouldn't have much trouble sharing with the lost. Why? Because, by giving them the truth, the whole truth, which would help them see that they are Law breakers and deserve to be punished, then give them the Good News, would make sense. I'm sure you would agree that time does not forgive sin. So we should be careful about sharing with those we love and NOT be providing them with half the truth, that all they need is to accept Jesus! Check this out for yourself, (Mat 7:22-23)
Many of you know that the goal of the seminar, crash course, whatever you want to call it, is to help those who come to confront (Oops! There goes that nasty word again), their fears and Trust in Jesus. (Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I mentioned to them that I was going to Tempe to show them how we share with strangers, but they didn't know about that and had other plans, so they didn't come. It's truly amazing how almost any message I have heard about sharing with others, they almost always never mention sharing with strangers. Its family, co-workers, and friends. I don't know about you but I don't have 50 family members or friends or co-workers that I could share with, but I have encountered thousands of strangers over the last five years who have either been given a Gospel Tract and/or answered how God would see them using the Ten Commandments.
So while I was on the streets of Mill Ave, a young man on a skate board came by us and asked, "Were we with the same people he had seen before who hand out Million Dollar Bills?" My good friend AL responded by asking the young man if he had ever answered the questions on the back of the bill, and would he like to answer them now? Click on the link to watch how by using the Law, just some of the Ten that it helped this young man have a clear understanding.
I hope you understand that this is NOT the magic words that make someone a follower of Christ but it does help them understand why they need Jesus to save them from Hell.
My prayer goes out to all who claim Christ as Lord & Savior, to understand that as true followers we emulate what the our Lord did. He said He cam to save the lost so why is it we only think that our family, co-workers & friends are those who are lost? Please think about all those the Lord has placed in your path and because of fear, (you fill in what kind you have) one of them is to confront. We allow the world (which if I understand scripture is controlled by Satan) to dictate how we are to behave properly with one another. Being filled with the Holy Spirit tells our hearts we know that many are headed for a most unimaginable destiny...ETERNAL PUNISHMENT IN HELL, and we say nothing to warn them! This one concerned me! (Ezekiel 33:8-9 )
By using these tracts as "ice breakers" I have been able to confront & share with thousands of people over the last five years and can't remember any stranger being offended.
I was sitting at my desk not really expecting anyone, I didn't even put out the welcome sign that I had put out for the last four years. I heard a knock on the door and behold there were two women standing there who asked if this is where the Way of The Master Seminar was being held? Needless to say I was quite pleasantly surprised as I recognized that the Lord had sent me two potential laborers.
I asked how they heard about it, as all my invites require letting me know whether or not they are attending. They told me it was from some Women’s Organization in East Mesa and that one of there members said she had been and suggested that they attend. One came all the way from Chandler.
This was the first time that I had only two (2) attendees. I was able to answer more of their questions and hear more about them personally. One had been trained in the Evangelism Explosion method when she was in her teens. She was very impressed on how easy it was to hand out the unique tracts and to ask them about being a "Good Person". She had never heard about how Jesus Himself used the Commandments to show the unrighteous what standard God required to enter Heaven (Mathew 5:28), (Mark 10:17), (Luke 18:20) to name a few.
One of the topics that always comes up, is "confrontation". I made this big and bold because it seems to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks, beside personal fear of not knowing enough when sharing. I asked what thoughts come to mind when they heard this word, is it positive or negative? One of them quickly stated negative and the other thought for a moment and stated it could be positive but mostly negative. I then share what I found in the dictionary as one of the meanings, that "it is an attempt to reconcile!.
Maybe if we focus on this definition, then we wouldn't have much trouble sharing with the lost. Why? Because, by giving them the truth, the whole truth, which would help them see that they are Law breakers and deserve to be punished, then give them the Good News, would make sense. I'm sure you would agree that time does not forgive sin. So we should be careful about sharing with those we love and NOT be providing them with half the truth, that all they need is to accept Jesus! Check this out for yourself, (Mat 7:22-23)
Many of you know that the goal of the seminar, crash course, whatever you want to call it, is to help those who come to confront (Oops! There goes that nasty word again), their fears and Trust in Jesus. (Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I mentioned to them that I was going to Tempe to show them how we share with strangers, but they didn't know about that and had other plans, so they didn't come. It's truly amazing how almost any message I have heard about sharing with others, they almost always never mention sharing with strangers. Its family, co-workers, and friends. I don't know about you but I don't have 50 family members or friends or co-workers that I could share with, but I have encountered thousands of strangers over the last five years who have either been given a Gospel Tract and/or answered how God would see them using the Ten Commandments.
So while I was on the streets of Mill Ave, a young man on a skate board came by us and asked, "Were we with the same people he had seen before who hand out Million Dollar Bills?" My good friend AL responded by asking the young man if he had ever answered the questions on the back of the bill, and would he like to answer them now? Click on the link to watch how by using the Law, just some of the Ten that it helped this young man have a clear understanding.
I hope you understand that this is NOT the magic words that make someone a follower of Christ but it does help them understand why they need Jesus to save them from Hell.
My prayer goes out to all who claim Christ as Lord & Savior, to understand that as true followers we emulate what the our Lord did. He said He cam to save the lost so why is it we only think that our family, co-workers & friends are those who are lost? Please think about all those the Lord has placed in your path and because of fear, (you fill in what kind you have) one of them is to confront. We allow the world (which if I understand scripture is controlled by Satan) to dictate how we are to behave properly with one another. Being filled with the Holy Spirit tells our hearts we know that many are headed for a most unimaginable destiny...ETERNAL PUNISHMENT IN HELL, and we say nothing to warn them! This one concerned me! (Ezekiel 33:8-9 )
By using these tracts as "ice breakers" I have been able to confront & share with thousands of people over the last five years and can't remember any stranger being offended.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
One of the exciting moments for me was when I got a call from a man who had been to the training a few years ago and came again last month. He asked if I was going to Tempe after the seminar & that he would like to join me as he still hadn't been with me to Tempe. I told him I was and could he come to the seminar around 4, so that he could share with the others what it was that he found it to be so difficult to reach out to those who are lost. He agreed and when he came he made it very clear how in all the years of being a Christian that he had never heard anyone using the Commandments as a way to share the Gospel with others. He mentioned that he was still struggling with reaching out to those he came in contact with but wanted to be an obedient servant for Christ. He realized that using the Ten Commandments to help them as to why they need a Savior made more sense to him now then ever before. Watch this video, Tom asking someone the Good Person Test in Tempe and watch how near the end of it, (about 4: mins) and after not knowing what God did for him so he wouldn't have to go to Hell, he grabs his catholic cross, to show that he wears his salvation around his neck and that's what's going to save him! It was another awesome night as we had many sower's out there sharing the Gospel and handing out the Million Dollar Bills that most people love to take.
My friend was excited that he was now able to reach out to perfect strangers and offer them these great "Ice Breakers, the Million Dollar Bills", and then experience what happens as we asked them the question, "Are you good enough to get into Heaven", and how every one was thankful that we took the time to share. I read story today about how someone asked a young girl about her religious beliefs. She told him that she just recently got baptized into the Mormon Church. He asked her why she did that and she stated that they were the only ones who spoke her about her religious belief. How sad is that, that those who are members of a cult go out of there way to share with others and thereby perpetuate there false doctrine to those who are still blind to the truth. So how many people have crossed your path and you choose to say nothing.
Imagine how the One who gave His life for you must feel? I've heard it said that, "That what you believe is a personal matter, but it's not a private one!" So please join us when we have this training as I promise you will never be the same again.
Saturday after the Seminar & Open Air in Tempe
Saturday July 25th was another training session for reaching the lost using "The Way of the Master" from Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. (Mark 16:15), (Acts 1:8)
We had a small attendance this time but there was on who showed up that had a degree form Fuller Theological Seminary. After the seminar they stated that they had heard some effective ways that could be used to help reach the lost.
One of the exciting moments for me was when I got a call from a man who had been to the training a few years ago and came again last month. He asked if I was going to Tempe after the seminar & that he would like to join me as he still hadn't been with me to Tempe. I told him I was and could he come to the seminar around 4, so that he could share with the others what it was that he found it to be so difficult to reach out to those who are lost.
He agreed and when he came he made it very clear how in all the years of being a Christian that he had never heard anyone using the Commandments as a way to share the Gospel with others. He mentioned that he was still struggling with reaching out to those he came in contact with but wanted to be an obedient servant for Christ. He realized that using the Ten Commandments to help them as to why they need a Savior made more sense to him now then ever before.
Watch this video, Tom asking someone the Good Person Test in Tempe and watch how near the end of it, (about 4: mins) and after not knowing what God did for him so he wouldn't have to go to Hell, he grabs his catholic cross, to show that he wears his salvation around his neck and that's what's going to save him!
It was another awesome night as we had many sower's out there sharing the Gospel and handing out the Million Dollar Bills that most people love to take. My friend was excited that he was now able to reach out to perfect strangers and offer them these great "Ice Breakers, the Million Dollar Bills", and then experience what happens as we asked them the question, "Are you good enough to get into Heaven", and how every one was thankful that we took the time to share.
I read story today about how someone asked a young girl about her religious beliefs. She told him that she just recently got baptized into the Mormon Church. He asked her why she did that and she stated that they were the only ones who spoke her about her religious belief.
How sad is that, that those who are members of a cult go out of there way to share with others and thereby perpetuate there false doctrine to those who are still blind to the truth. So how many people have crossed your path and you choose to say nothing. Imagine how the One who gave His life for you must feel?
I've heard it said that, "That what you believe is a personal matter, but it's not a private one!" So please join us when we have this training as I promise you will never be the same again.
We had a small attendance this time but there was on who showed up that had a degree form Fuller Theological Seminary. After the seminar they stated that they had heard some effective ways that could be used to help reach the lost.
One of the exciting moments for me was when I got a call from a man who had been to the training a few years ago and came again last month. He asked if I was going to Tempe after the seminar & that he would like to join me as he still hadn't been with me to Tempe. I told him I was and could he come to the seminar around 4, so that he could share with the others what it was that he found it to be so difficult to reach out to those who are lost.
He agreed and when he came he made it very clear how in all the years of being a Christian that he had never heard anyone using the Commandments as a way to share the Gospel with others. He mentioned that he was still struggling with reaching out to those he came in contact with but wanted to be an obedient servant for Christ. He realized that using the Ten Commandments to help them as to why they need a Savior made more sense to him now then ever before.
Watch this video, Tom asking someone the Good Person Test in Tempe and watch how near the end of it, (about 4: mins) and after not knowing what God did for him so he wouldn't have to go to Hell, he grabs his catholic cross, to show that he wears his salvation around his neck and that's what's going to save him!
It was another awesome night as we had many sower's out there sharing the Gospel and handing out the Million Dollar Bills that most people love to take. My friend was excited that he was now able to reach out to perfect strangers and offer them these great "Ice Breakers, the Million Dollar Bills", and then experience what happens as we asked them the question, "Are you good enough to get into Heaven", and how every one was thankful that we took the time to share.
I read story today about how someone asked a young girl about her religious beliefs. She told him that she just recently got baptized into the Mormon Church. He asked her why she did that and she stated that they were the only ones who spoke her about her religious belief.
How sad is that, that those who are members of a cult go out of there way to share with others and thereby perpetuate there false doctrine to those who are still blind to the truth. So how many people have crossed your path and you choose to say nothing. Imagine how the One who gave His life for you must feel?
I've heard it said that, "That what you believe is a personal matter, but it's not a private one!" So please join us when we have this training as I promise you will never be the same again.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Bad Day for Tom... Glorouis Day for the Lord
I was leaving for Lake Havasu on Tuesday 7/21/09 for a few days to see some new prospects. I had two appointments set up for that afternoon, so I needed to leave early in the morning. I was late getting out of Phoenix and even missed the exit off of I-17 that would take me to Lake Havasu. This added an extra hour to my trip.
When I arrived at the motel I misjudged the U-turn I was making and hit the curb hard. When I looked at the tire I saw a gaping hole in it and what looked like a dent to the wheel. My first thought was about the expense of replacing the wheel, as I thought I could change the flat tire and continue on to my appointment. When I opened the trunk to get the spare and the jack, I couldn't find the jack handle.
I went inside the motel and asked the person if he had a jack handle that I could borrow. As he was getting it I went back to the car to remove the spare and found it to be flat. Fortunately I have AAA, so I called them. They told me they would tow me to a tire place, and it would be about an hour wait. At this point I realized that I was not going to get to the two afternoon appointments I had, and became even more frustrated! That’s when I started to pray, and asked the Lord what was it that I was to learn from this experience? I was asking, Why Me? I was very frustrated and loosing my JOY!
The tow truck arrived and he said that I could sit in the cab while waiting for my car to be lifted onto the back of the truck. The guy from the motel came to the truck and offered me a bottle of water. As I opened the door I thought how thoughtful of him and it reminded me of what I'm called to be like, (James 1:2-3), so I thanked him and then gave him a million dollar bill and told him to read the back.
Then it hit me that the Lord was using me to do His work and that the work that I had in mind was to be postponed. My demeaner changed as now I realized that I now would be witnessing to people that I would not have normally met. So, besides giving out million dollar tracts to the driver and a few of the workers at the tire store, I was able to share with a woman and her two sons who were waiting in the store, like me. This time I was able to spend more time about the message on the back and afterward the mom thanked me for sharing with her.
The next day I met with my new client from a few months ago to go over her new plan. I had given her a million dollar bill when we first met a month ago and explained how I used it to share with others. She thanked me for sharing as she said she was also a Christian. I then gave her another one and asked her to give it to the next person she runs into.
When I finished explaining the benefits of her new plan I told her what happened to me when I arrived in town, and how the Lord used me to share with strangers. She immediately asked that I not be offended and would I take back the million dollar bills because she was not the outgoing type. I then asked her how outgoing does someone have to be to offer a million dollar bill to someone who had just been kind enough to offer you a bottle of water?
At that point she became quiet and did not respond. Her trying to justify herself for not sharing now didn't make sense. I then asked her if she understood what Jesus Christ went through on the Cross? His punishment was brutal, severe, and painful. He did all that so that we would have a chance to be reconciled with God. Now that I belong to Him, how could I NOT hand someone a Gospel Tract who may not know what it means to be "Born Again". How selfish is that!
After a few more verses on what Christ commands of those He calls His own; (Mark 16:15), (Acts 1:8) She now started to understand that it’s not about our personality or whether we are outgoing or not, but our obedience to the One who saved us. At this point I offered her a few more million dollar bills and asked if she would like to give it a try? She said she would and thanked me for sharing with her.
I guess by confronting her about her false belief, which seems in our culture today to be something horrific to do, the Lord opened her heart to see what a blessing it is to openly share with others.
As I was leaving she walked me to the door and stated, “The reason she bought the plan from me was because she trusted me.”
When I arrived at the motel I misjudged the U-turn I was making and hit the curb hard. When I looked at the tire I saw a gaping hole in it and what looked like a dent to the wheel. My first thought was about the expense of replacing the wheel, as I thought I could change the flat tire and continue on to my appointment. When I opened the trunk to get the spare and the jack, I couldn't find the jack handle.
I went inside the motel and asked the person if he had a jack handle that I could borrow. As he was getting it I went back to the car to remove the spare and found it to be flat. Fortunately I have AAA, so I called them. They told me they would tow me to a tire place, and it would be about an hour wait. At this point I realized that I was not going to get to the two afternoon appointments I had, and became even more frustrated! That’s when I started to pray, and asked the Lord what was it that I was to learn from this experience? I was asking, Why Me? I was very frustrated and loosing my JOY!
The tow truck arrived and he said that I could sit in the cab while waiting for my car to be lifted onto the back of the truck. The guy from the motel came to the truck and offered me a bottle of water. As I opened the door I thought how thoughtful of him and it reminded me of what I'm called to be like, (James 1:2-3), so I thanked him and then gave him a million dollar bill and told him to read the back.
Then it hit me that the Lord was using me to do His work and that the work that I had in mind was to be postponed. My demeaner changed as now I realized that I now would be witnessing to people that I would not have normally met. So, besides giving out million dollar tracts to the driver and a few of the workers at the tire store, I was able to share with a woman and her two sons who were waiting in the store, like me. This time I was able to spend more time about the message on the back and afterward the mom thanked me for sharing with her.
The next day I met with my new client from a few months ago to go over her new plan. I had given her a million dollar bill when we first met a month ago and explained how I used it to share with others. She thanked me for sharing as she said she was also a Christian. I then gave her another one and asked her to give it to the next person she runs into.
When I finished explaining the benefits of her new plan I told her what happened to me when I arrived in town, and how the Lord used me to share with strangers. She immediately asked that I not be offended and would I take back the million dollar bills because she was not the outgoing type. I then asked her how outgoing does someone have to be to offer a million dollar bill to someone who had just been kind enough to offer you a bottle of water?
At that point she became quiet and did not respond. Her trying to justify herself for not sharing now didn't make sense. I then asked her if she understood what Jesus Christ went through on the Cross? His punishment was brutal, severe, and painful. He did all that so that we would have a chance to be reconciled with God. Now that I belong to Him, how could I NOT hand someone a Gospel Tract who may not know what it means to be "Born Again". How selfish is that!
After a few more verses on what Christ commands of those He calls His own; (Mark 16:15), (Acts 1:8) She now started to understand that it’s not about our personality or whether we are outgoing or not, but our obedience to the One who saved us. At this point I offered her a few more million dollar bills and asked if she would like to give it a try? She said she would and thanked me for sharing with her.
I guess by confronting her about her false belief, which seems in our culture today to be something horrific to do, the Lord opened her heart to see what a blessing it is to openly share with others.
As I was leaving she walked me to the door and stated, “The reason she bought the plan from me was because she trusted me.”
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Daily Spurgeon: The enemy of timidity
The Daily Spurgeon: The enemy of timidity: "Another common weakness among Christians is timidity. Modesty is beautiful, but it may degenerate to cowardice. It is well to be humble, it is never well to be weakly fearful."
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