Farming the Field

5,000 Years of Religion

2010-04-15T06:31:00.002-05:00

This map will show the world's most well-known religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Also, selected periods of inter-religious bloodshed (religious wars) are also highlighted. Want to see 5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds? Ready, Set, Go!

Secret Service Seizure

2010-04-05T06:34:00.011-05:00

On Sept 4, 2009 (Click Here to read blog story) I posted a blog story about Darrel Rundas against the Secret Service Court case. Back in 2006 our US Secret Service raided the Great News Network evangelism offices and illegally seized 8,300 million dollar bill tracts claiming that they were counterfit bills. In Sept. 2009 Darrel Rundas took the US Secret Service to court, for the illegal search and seizure. This week the judge ruled in favor of GNN and demanded the return of the 8,300 million dollar bill tracts. Additionally Judge Solis stated that two of the US Secret Service agents "conspired together" to cover up their actions, including lying on the stand.

This is a GREAT win for evangelist that use these types of tracts. Often these tracts are under question because they look so much like money! But it is obvious to any reasonable person that they are not real money. Last time I checked, Michael Jackson and President Obama aren't on any legal tender. And since there is no such thing as a million dollar or trillion dollar bill, the tracts themselves testify to the fact that they are not deceptive or counterfeit. These tracts have had HUGE success and many people have come to Christ because of money tracts. Whether you agree or disagree with the use of "money tracts" is really not relevant, because God uses them. The HUGE implications of this court case is that evangelists can continue to use these tracts without fear of doing something wrong, and we all can continue to use play money when playing MONOPOLY! Money tracts can be purchase at www.livingwaters.com, www.onemilliontracts.com, and www.customtractsource.com

Biblical Answers to Catholic Questions

2010-03-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

FREE ONE NIGHT COURSE!
Coming Monday evening, March 22nd, 6:30-9:30 PM , Community Bible Church!!! RSVP to Doug Van Der Weide by Friday March 19, 2010
This one night, condensed, course is designed to provide a biblical perspective for those who have questions about the beliefs and practices within Catholicism. Topics include the authority of Catholic tradition, infant baptism, grace, salvation, justification, apostolic succession, Mary, purgatory, saints, priests, the pope, confession, mass, and the sacraments.

Spring...Way of the Master Course

2010-03-17T05:08:00.001-05:00

Good Messengers Ministries will be offering a Spring "Way of the Master" basic evangelism course hosted at Community Bible Church in Cedar Lake Indiana. Starting April 12 and Ending June 7th. Monday nights from 7pm - 9:30pm. Cost will be $40 (materials can be shared). All Christian Men & Women and Teens (ages 12 and up). You do not have to attend Community Bible Church to attend. Course is open to any Christians from any church. Last fall we taught 3 courses at 3 different churches and had 98 people come out to take the WOTM basic evangelism course. As far as we know 6 people came to know Christ (one was a student of one of our classes). 51 people road a bus with us to Chicago to the "Mag Mile Lights Fest" to learn to apply what they have learned....CLICK HERE to see some photos from this outreach.

Click Here for a printable "Registration Form"

You may either turn your registration with payment to Community Bible Church, or mail it to Seed

Sower’ s Christian Bookstore 10712 W. 133Ave Cedar Lake, IN. 46303 Please make all checks payable to Good Messengers Ministries.

GMM Not-for-Profit

2010-03-16T08:25:00.002-05:00

On February 2, 2010 Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana LLC (www.GoodMessengers.org) became a Not-For-Profit 501c3 ministries and is now legally called Good Messengers Ministries of NWI Inc. Which means we will be able to work with other organizations that will only work with Not-for-profits. It also means that any donations you make are tax-deductible. We will be taking checks, money orders and credit cards shortly. Also we will be offering regular FREE gifts with your donations!!! Membership will ALWAYS be FREE in this ministry, but we are encouraging people (and specifically members) to donate regularly.NO staff or Board Member of Good Messengers Ministries receives any financial support, and ALL of our positions are on a volunteer basis. That means 100% of your donation goes into the ministry. Which allows us to help this ministry with minor expanses but mostly your gift goes to purchase things such as Bibles, Cahill Books,Tracts, Educational Materials, Booth Space in Town/County fairs to witness, etc...

Please visit our DONATION PAGE to help get this ministry off to a great start this year!!! Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity in supporting the work being accomplished through Good Messengers Ministries of NWI Inc. Inc. http://www.goodmessengers.org/donate.htm

WHAT IS YOUR VIEW?

2010-03-12T05:16:00.001-06:00

What is your view of the Bible? Post your

comments below...

Inadequate Gospel

2010-03-11T05:08:00.000-06:00

Ugliness of Sinfullness

2010-03-10T05:05:00.000-06:00

Phil Johnson Highlights

2010-03-09T05:01:00.000-06:00

Pulpit Highlights - Phil Johnson from Grace Community Church on Vimeo.

Download the full video at:

http://www.shepherdsfellowship.org/media/details/?mediaID=5234

Call to Wonder

2010-03-08T06:38:00.003-06:00

Let us start this week off in worship!!!

HOT TUB WITNESSING

2010-03-05T07:48:00.002-06:00

I have been away from my blog for toooooo long!!! My dad has been in the hospital and I have been getting Good Messengers Ministries geared up for the 2010 season of witnessing. To get things off on a good start I would like to encourage you to watch this video. It has humor and truth!!! Lets share Christ with someone today!!!

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T06:48:00.002-06:00

"For God so loVed the world,……
That He gAve………….
His onLy………..
BegottEn……………….
SoN……………..
ThaT whosoever……
Believeth In Him……….
Should Not perish,……
But have Everlasting life.”

John 3:16

Shooting Street Preachers

2010-02-04T13:19:00.005-06:00

Boynton Beach Floriday - Preaching the word of God brought two street ministers to the man who killed them, police said.
Jeriah Woody, 18, was arrested Wednesday and charged in the double murder in Boynton Beach.
According to police:
Victims Tite Sufra, 24, and Stephen Ocean, 23, were shot and killed Saturday night after meeting Woody on Southwest First Street and Second Avenue standing under a tree.
They preached to him for 15 minutes when Woody got a phone call and told the preachers he had to go. They kept walking down Second Avenue when Woody suddenly started walking toward them. Sufra walked up to meet him and was met with a gunshot. Ocean then ran and was shot in the back.
When he fell, Woody shot him in the head, execution style, police said.
Police found Woody through his street name, Plug, and he was identified through a witness. Woody surrendered to police on Wednesday and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
According to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records, Woody has been arrested on burglary, theft and drug-related charges.
In her Boynton Beach home, Sufra's mother, Vertilia St. Remy, said her son left behind a widow, but would not comment further after being told not to by her daughter, who was "very shaken."
"Everybody loves him," St. Remy said. Time to pray for the families!!!

Click Here to read article.

Sharing the Gospel on a Sidewalk

2010-01-28T14:40:00.006-06:00

LOST LIBERTIES

EDINSON, N.J. — A court has issued an order dismissing criminal charges against a New Jersey man whom police arrested after he shared the Gospel on a sidewalk outside a public high school after the end of the school day. At the request of the principal of Edison High School, Robert Parker was taken into custody after his toe touched the grass on the school’s side of the sidewalk. He was charged with trespass and disorderly conduct.

“Christians shouldn’t be arrested and charged as criminals for expressing their beliefs on public property. They have the same First Amendment rights as anyone else in America,” said ADF-allied attorney Demetrios Stratis of Fair Lawn. “A person cannot be charged with a crime just because a school official has a complete misunderstanding of the First Amendment or doesn’t like what that person has to say. We are pleased that we prevailed in court in getting these unwarranted criminal charges dropped.”

In May 2009, Parker began sharing the Gospel from a public sidewalk outside Edison High School after students were dismissed for the day, at which time the principal told him to leave. Parker explained that the First Amendment protected his free speech and free exercise of religion rights, but the principal took no heed and called police.

The police instructed students not to go near Parker, and the principal insisted that he be arrested. While speaking with officers, Parker’s toe brushed against the grass along the school side of the sidewalk. The officers arrested him and issued him a summons for “defiant trespassing.” The events leading to the arrest were recorded on video.

Stratis filed a motion to dismiss the charges with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County, and the court subsequently issued an order dismissing the charges in State of New Jersey v. Parker. The Edison Municipal Court, where the charges and complaint were still pending, later complied with the higher court’s decision and dismissed the charges.

(story taken from the Alliance Defence Fund)

Cell Phone vs Bible

2010-01-25T14:14:00.004-06:00

Cell phone vs.. Bible

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go...hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh,and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don ' t have to worry
about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the
bill..

Makes you stop and think, where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

Three "B's" of Study

2010-01-22T13:14:00.008-06:00

Often when Christians go to study the Bible we are like "Butterflies," all over the place. We look beautiful but inside we really are like a worm. Or, Christians go to study the word like a "Bontanist," who are very book smart but never apply what they learn. Christians should be like the "Bee's" when coming to study. A bee enters a flower and comes out filled with pollen and then takes what he has to the rest of his hive. Let us be like the "bee's" and take what we learn to the world!

Spurgeon Quote

2010-01-20T10:46:00.004-06:00

"Brethern, the Savior's character has all goodness in all prefection; he is full of grace and truth. Some men, nowaday, talk of Him as if He were simply incarnate benevolence. It is NOT so! No lips ever spoke with such thundering indignation against sin as the lips of the Messiah. 'He is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap. His fan is in his hand, and He will throughly purge his floor.' While in tenderness He prays for His tempted disciple, that his faith may not fail, yet with awful sterness he winnows the heap, and drives away the chaff into unquenchable fire. We speak of Christ as being meek and lowly in spirit, and so He was. a bruised reed He did not break, and the smoking flax He did not quench; but His meekness was balanced by His courage, and by the boldness with which He denounced hypocrisy. 'Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; ye fools and blind, ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?' These are not the words of the milksop some authors represent Christ to have been. He is a man- a thorough man throughout - a God-like man - gentle as a woman, but yet stern as a warrior in the midst of the day of battle. The character is balanced; as much of one virtue as of another. As in Deity every attribute is full orbed; justice never eclipses mercy, nor mercy justice, nor justice faithfulness; so in the character of Christ you have all the excellent things " -C.H. Spurgeon

Re-Post Relationship Evangelism

2010-01-19T08:28:00.007-06:00

I was recently asked what was the biggest topic of discussion in 2009 with Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana. I would have to say that the debate over different means (or forms) of evangelism has been our biggest topic of discussion. Let me make myself clear that first of all God can use many, many forms of evangelism to His Glory. If God is using a method of evangelism that is presenting a Biblical message of salvation and He is using it for His glory...it is not for you to judge. One thing is for sure God is not predictable in His character. I have found that one of our biggest topics this year was the difference in "relationship evangelism" and "contact evangelism." Both forms being Biblical but also available for a topic of discussion, so with that in mind I have decided to do my vary first re-post of an blog back from Oct. 5, 2009 called "relationship evangelism" here it is...

==============

I personally know several people who believe only in "relationship evangelism." Although I am not opposed to this method, I do not find it to be as effective as other approaches. The problem I have is that the longer my friends or myself gets to know someone the harder it often is to share the gospel, and many times they /or I just don't do it at all! Can people get saved through relationship building...of course they can. Is it the only source of evangelism, or even the best option...I don't believe so. For those who have objections to my favored choice of evangelism... "Contact Evangelism" ... here is a quote from...D. L. Moody, when criticicized for his evangelism methods once said, "I like the way I do it better than the way you don't do it.". I have done this form of biblical evangelism for years now (even teach on it), and find it to be the best approach to sharing the gospel. Do we need to share the gospel in love? We sure do...there is a mighty difference in being offended by the message and being offended by the messenger. Let me note there are many forms of biblical evangelism...servant, relational, contact, etc...but no matter how you choose to share Christ we are ALL called to do it, and to do it biblically!!! This doesn't mean you need to be a street evangelist, or even an open-air-preacher, but we ALL are required to share Christ with those around us. My blog post for today is for those who believe "relationship evangelism" is the only way to share Christ. I wrote it in the hopes that people would start thinking about whether or not "relationship evangelism" is the best approach to sharing the biblical gospel. Please note: this blog post is written in love first and foremost...for the love of my Savior and for the love of the biblical gospel.

Have you ever heard anybody say this, "The gospel is only effective if you have an established relationship with someone?" Or, "I have to earn my right with someone to share the gospel." How about this, "The gospel is the power of God for salvation, only when you are friends with the other person."Ok, well I have not heard these exact phrases either, probably because they sound bad and shouldn't exist. But in reality, this is the mentality of many Christians today.Can the gospel be shared in the contexts of relationships? Sure they can and we should be sharing the gospel with people we have a relationship with,... if we truly love them. The questions is, how long should I get to know someone before I share the gospel? I don't know about you but it is harder for me to share my faith the longer I get to know someone, and in reality I can get to know someone and share Christ with them in a matter of minutes. People who advocate relationship style evangelism believe that evangelism is ineffective if you don't have a relationship with the person to whom you are witnessing. I personally have several problems with this mentality.

First, if this were true, then the Scriptures are not sufficient. The Bible says in several places that the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 1). These passages tells us that the gospel is powerful enough to save, regardless of whether there is an established relationship or not. What is so wonderful is that God does the saving...we don't! We are not even called to "seal the deal," because it is NOT our deal to seal. Christians are just called to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15). In fact, the only time we loose is when we don't share Christ with someone.

My wife is an ICU nurse and she can testify that we never know how much time we have left here on earth. That often waiting for the right moment to share our faith may never come, and again how long do you have to be friends with someone before your share your faith with them? How many people have waited to share Christ with others only to find out they have moved-away, or even worse, they passed-away. Life is way to short to wait around to be better friends with someone to share Christ with them. Would you build a relationship with someone before sharing the gospel if you knew they were going to die in thirty minutes? OK, that's a bit morbid I know. You might object and say, yeah but we don't have that knowledge. Exactly! We don't know when that person will die, so why are we so willing to play with time that we don't know we have? I am not advocating an overly harsh "turn-or-burn" message (or "hell-fire" message), but people need to be confronted with the gospel as soon as possible. What is the priority of our conversation with lost people, talking about the Chicago Bears, or talking about eternity?

Second, I often hear the comment that we can only share the gospel with people who we were friends with, or that we need to earn the right to share the gospel with people. If that was the case than going on week long mission trips to other places to share the gospel would be useless. Surely we couldn't share the gospel with someone we never met. Forget Jesus' command to make disciples (which the word disciple means "follower") of all nations. If this is the case we would need to change the command to say, "Go and make disciples of the people who are your friends, and if not make friends first."

Thirdly, It may be true to say, “God wants to have a relationship with you.” But the more proper way is to say, “God wants you to be reconciled to Him through faith in His Son.” He DOES have a relationship with all people: the unrepentant are under His wrath and are His enemies. This IS a relationship, albeit a bad one. So before a friendly and loving relationship is made between God and man, there must be reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-21).

Fourthly, We are called to make disciples. This assumes a close relationship between two people. But the definition of a biblical disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ...a Christian. A disciple is someone who: A) hates his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even himself compared to Christ (Luke 14:26). B) carries his own cross and follows Jesus (Luke 14:27). C) Someone who has counted the cost (Luke 14:28ff). So when someone has come to this point in his life, he can now be called a disciple. Until then, there is no “discipleship.” The relationship here is between 2 Christians.There are many warnings in scripture about having a relationship with someone outside of Christ: A) To be friends with the world is to be enemies of God (James 4:4), B) bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor 15:33), C) a little leaven leavens the whole lump (1 Cor 5:6), D) can two walk together except they be agreed (Amos 3:3), E) what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness an what communion hath light have with darkness (2 Cor 6:14).

Please don't get me wrong...once a person becomes a believer it is important that he/she IS discipled, but there is a different between discipling a believer and "making disciples!" I will deal with this topic in tomorrows blog post.

Fifth, if relationships must be established before you can share your faith than the method of Christ and the apostles were ineffective. Jesus never sought to build years of relationships with people before getting around to sharing the gospel. In fact, he only had three years of public ministry on earth, and he travelled all over the place. There was no way he could build a relationship like the advocates of relationship (discipleship) evangelism propose. The apostle Paul only stayed a few days in some places as he preached the gospel. Certainly a thriving relationship cannot be established in a couple of days. I don't know about you, but I am sure glad the disciples just didn't stay in the upper room with the news they had, or wait to establish relationships with people before sharing Christ with them! Jon Speed said in his book Evangelism in the New Testament, "There are at least 89 instances of Christ, and His associates doing evangelism in the four gospels (Matt.,Mark, Luke, John) Of these 89 instances, 77 took place in the context of Contact Evangelism." Christ and the apostles witnessed more one-on-one than anything else. See one my past blog posting on Contact vs Friendship Evangelism. I would strongly recommend you getting this little booklet (click here to find out how to purchase).

With this in mind, lets look at Peter's sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2:22-39, as the church was being started.

22"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God withmighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' 29"Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord,Sit at my right hand, 35until I make your enemies your footstool.' 36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." 37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

Peter, began his evangelistic sermon calling the peoplemurderers...pointing out that they crucified the risen Christ. I can almost hear Peter saying, "You fools...you killed the RISEN CHRIST!" (Those are my words and NOT the Bibles mind you). Modern evangelism would surely say, "This is not a very good method at presenting the gospel...calling people murderers." Instead modern evangelism would say that, Peter should have found some common ground with these people, or perhaps asked how their families were doing. He should have had them over for a lamb roast BBQ, or maybe they could sit around and talk about the weather for a while. Surely Peter, overcome with zeal for the Lord, committed a vital mistake in presenting the gospel by calling these people murders. Some would say,...It was probably just how Peter gets...we all know how Peter gets all too worked-up! This is what relationship evangelism is suggesting!!! However, after being called a murder again, showing them that they had crucified the Christ in verse 36, these people were as Scripture says, "cut to the heart." That is just what the conviction of the Holy Spirit does!!! Then Peter then calls them to repent and in response 3,000 people were saved. How are the unconverted supposed to repent if we don't bring loving conviction? Peter's message did not include some emotional story, or some quick fix "sinners prayer." Peter didn't spend months or years developing a relationship with these people. He confronted sin in love, preached on the Lordship of Christ, the Resurrection of Christ, called people to repent, of which we know that without repentance...none can be saved. When we compare this to modern "Relational Evangelism," Peter did a horable job, because he even preached on doctrine in this encounter, and surely doctrine has nothing to do with evangelism. Yet, Peter's sermon was extremely effective and produced 3,000 true believers. Maybe we need to go back to the bible and start looking at how Christ and His disciples shared the gospel?

For the Son of has come to seek and to save that which was lost. ~Luke 19:10

Jesus' purpose for coming was evangelistic as this verse shows. May we be more Christlike in our purpose, and be more intentional with our evangelism, and be more desirous as we seek the lost and be more concerned with their salvation as we do all that we can to make the gospel known to them for them to come to Christ to be saved.

Ape Man

2010-01-14T05:03:00.001-06:00

"If Humans Came from Apes,"

and if Humans are the ancestors of Apes,

and if Humans are the evolved beings that have progressed from Apes, if Humans are better than apes, then how come there are still Apes?"

Father Saved!

2010-01-13T05:03:00.001-06:00

I gave my friend a couple of copies of Mark Cahill's book "One Heartbeat Away" www.markcahill.org over the summer, and he sent a copy to his father in Florida who is failing in his health. My dear friends father is an atheist. This book changed his life...here is the response that I received a couple of days ago....

"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29

"After 70 years of atheism, my father has professed faith in Christ. I visited him last week in Florida and we spent an hour discussing the gospel, the meaning of sin, the person and work of Christ, the need for repentance and faith. God used Mark Cahill's book "One Heartbeat Away", along with my father's failing health at age 88, to soften his heart and bring him to faith.

He said that intelligent design is irrefutible evidence for the existence of God. I took him through the Good Person Test. He readily admitted that he is a liar, a thief, and an adulterer/murderer at heart. He said, "I've broken all of the 10 Commandments." He asked, "Can God forgive somebody like me, who has spent decades ignoring Him?"

I said "YES!" and told him about the thief on the cross. He loves that passage now. God is might to save. God can save anybody. He can soften the hardest heart. "

- Wayne

May God get all the Praise and Glory...after all HE is the one who saved my friends dad anyway, and Thank You Mark Cahill for such a wonderful book. With the hundreds that we have handed out already who knows what God is doing with this fantastic resource!!!

Star of Bethlehem

2010-01-12T05:03:00.000-06:00

I know Christmas is over but the birth of Jesus is something that should be celebrated year long. In fact, there is much evidence to support the birth and even the star that declared His birth.

I encourage everyone to visit http://bethlehemstar.net and purchase the full DVD. This is an excerpt concerning the signs in the sky. The Star of Bethlehem talked of in the New Testament that brought the Magi to Jerusalem and subsequently to Bethlehem and the Messiah, it possibly has been found! It is not the star of the Maitreya or an alien spacecraft / UFO. Actual astronomy will be used to present what it is.

Apologetics Class

2010-01-11T05:06:00.003-06:00

BRIDGES Class is designed to help Christians connect with Muslims & Jewish people. This 12-session Group Study provides teaching about Islam and Judaism (six weeks each), including insights into the variations of belief and practice. Along with comparing and contrasting these monotheistic religions with biblical faith, participants will gain practical help in creatively sharing the gospel as we "speak the truth in love."　Anyone 12 years and older may attend. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about our neighbors and how to be a better witness to them.

When:	Thursday evenings, beginning Feb. 4 (ends April 22) Registration is required by January 24, 2010.

Times:	6:30pm - 8:30pm　 (arrive at 6pm for fellowship)

Cost:	$20 (includes 2 workbooks, which couples can share)

Instructors:	Bruce & Cathy Bell (Lessons on Islam will be on DVD; Wes Taber of Life in Messiah International will teach the Jewish evangelism sessions)

Registration:	Due with payment no later than Jan. 24, 2010
	w/ Cathy Bell 219-759-3006 or cathybell3259@hotmail.com

Where:	Cathy & Bruce Bell's Residence
	768 W. 200 North
	Valparaiso, Indiana 46385
	(219) 759-3006
	cathybell3259@hotmail.com
Directions:	Take Rt. 30 east, go past Deep River Water park and turn at the very next right (N750W), take to the very next right (W200N) turn and house is the second house on the left.

Books to Read in 2010

2010-01-08T05:04:00.001-06:00

What books do you plan on reading in 2010 other than the Bible?
I find it interesting that Christians don't spend enough time reading not only their Bible but other great sources of Christian literature. Why not make it a point to pick at least 3 books this year to read and give yourself a deadline. My suggestions would be 1) "Gospel According to Jesus" by John MacArthur, 2) "Pathway to Freedom" by Allister Beigg 3) "Evangelism in the New Testament" by Jon Speed...these would be great books to start with this year. My personal plans are to read...

1) "Jesus You Can't Ignore" by John MacArthur, 2) "Brothers We are Not Professionals" by John Piper, 3) "Preaching of the Cross" by Mark Denver, J.Ligon Duncan, G.J. Mahoney, and 4) "Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ" by John Piper.

My question is what books do you plan on reading? Post them in the comments area below....

Ambassadors Academy?

2010-01-07T05:06:00.001-06:00

Why not plan on attending LivingWaters evangelism training course

this year...

http://ambassadorsalliance.com/

If you are unable to attend this course in California why not consider

taking our class based on the Way of the Master this fall... visit

http://www.goodmessengers.org/wotm.htm for more information.

Talk Simplicity

2010-01-06T05:07:00.000-06:00

"I am sure our Lord Jesus Christ does not want His ministers to deliver magnificent orations, spread-eagle sermons, with long and elaborate sentences in them. He wants them to just come and talk as He talked, in all simplicity, so that the very poorest and most illiterate of their hearers may understand their meaning, embrace the Truths of God they proclaim and find everlasting life in Him of whom they speak."

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

The Gospel

2010-01-05T05:07:00.006-06:00

The Gospel Message of Jesus Christ needs to be our focus in 2010, and years to come. So often we get caught in the world and our focus is taken away from sharing Christ with others and knowing the Gospel message. The ministry I work for Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana created a Gospel website to direct people too. It is a HUGE site that goes through the gospel in detail and also trys to help answer some questions. At the end of the website people can send in to get a free copy of Mark Cahill's book "One Heartbeat Away."

Make sure you use this tool to direct people when they have questions or when you share Christ with them. Spend some time and read the website...get familiar with its context and use it! We created the site for Christians to use...if you are a Christian...it was created for you to use!!! If you are not a Christian it was especially created for you!!! So take some time today and visit... http://www.gotourtract.com/ It may change your life!!!

A New Year

2010-01-04T05:06:00.001-06:00

Over this vacation break I pondered what to begin this blog off with in 2010...it didn't take me long to think of the persecuted church. I think of my fellow brothers and sisters abroad (and at home) who have NO Christian liberties. Christians who can not express their faith. We in the United States of America have it SOOOOO good, but as an evangelist I also see our freedoms being taken away. It may not be soon and we could be a nation that silences Christians as well. So, in 2010 "Remember those in prision as if you were their fellow prisoners...." Hebrews 13:3a

PRAY for the PERSECUTED CHURCH...

Visit the Voice of the Martyrs on YouTube to watch and pray...
http://www.youtube.com/user/VoiceOfTheMartyrsUSA#p/a/u/2/qj9M93q3-jo

Also visit the Voice of the Martyrs website and get involved...
http://www.persecution.com

Real Story of Christmas

2009-12-17T05:07:00.000-06:00

I will be taking a break from my blog to spend some time with my family and also to focus on the "Real Story of Christmas." For many, Christmas is the time to think of Jesus Christ as a baby in a manger. While the birth of Christ is a special and miraculous event, it isn't the primary focus. You need to watch this important video below by John MacArthur and make sure to share this video with others this Christmas...

from the VanDer Weide Family

Held At Gunpoint

2009-12-16T05:11:00.005-06:00

These two college students, held at gunpoint, accidently share million dollar gospel tracts with their attackers... http://www.ketv.com/news/21961479/detail.html

How to Witness Honestly.

2009-12-15T05:00:00.000-06:00

It Will Cost You Everything!

2009-12-14T05:08:00.003-06:00

What does it cost you to follow Christ? Everything. Steve Lawson preaches on Luke 14 on the Cost of Discipleship. The sad reality is that many people are just part of a crowd, many are in the crowd of those who listen to Piper, Washer, Conway, MacArthur, yet they themselves have not truly submitted to the Lordship of Christ. Search yourself out this very day... have you come to saving faith? Or do you just wish you had the reality of Christ that you see others have? Don't be part of the wrong crowd.

The First Evangelists

2009-12-11T05:09:00.004-06:00

THE SHEPHERDS WERE THE FIRST TRUE EVANGELISTS!!!

Luke 2:8-18 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

After the shepherds found the baby Jesus in the manger the scriptures record, “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (vs. 17). The shepherds had been told by the angels that the good news they heard was for all of the people (vs. 10). Those men did NOT keep the message of Jesus to themselves; rather they proclaimed (preached) it to everyone who would listen. This Christmas season, and all throughout the year, may we follow in their example and spread the good news of Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. May we pray that God will give us the boldness to be witnesses like the shepherds, and that the people whom we witness too would be amazed at what we have said to them.

It's About the Cross

2009-12-10T05:00:00.005-06:00

Christmas song "It's About the Cross" by the band Go Fish (www.gofishguys.com) set to images from the Passion, the Jesus Film, the Gospel of John, The Nativity Story, It's a Wonderful Life, The Chronicles of Narnia, and other productions. Wonderful video for us to focus on what is the REAL meaning of Christmas!!!

'Cause Christmas is really about the Cross.

Pastor Repents

2009-12-07T05:47:00.001-06:00

This Pastor breaks from his emergent theology and preaches Biblical repentance. Oh, how this is needed in American church today!!!

Evangelism Conferences

2009-12-04T05:08:00.002-06:00

It is amazing to me how far we as Christian's have gotten away from the gospel. Evangelism isn't even a thought on many churches minds unless it involves a marketing plan to gain attenders. When is the last time you looked for a church and looked to see if it has an evangelism program in its line-up? How many pastors do you personally know that currently are, or are looking for a job in the role of evangelism? In a time not so long ago people would travel far and wide to attend evanglism conferences. Sure you still see a few of them throughout the US now and then but not like the days of old. In todays society you may only find a couple of hundred people in attendance, and if it is a good conference maybe a few thousand. But in days of old Christians came out in LARGE crowds to hear the gospel and to learn how to better share its treasure!!! It is time for us to train up in what Jesus has commanded us to do...preach the message of the gospel.

PICs: Large crowd gathered outside evangelist Billy Sunday's tent, called a tabernacle, set up just north of Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. The Rev. Billy Sunday was an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Spurgeon Quote

2009-12-03T05:09:00.001-06:00

"It is where you are that you fight the battle of life, not somewhere else. And it is as you are, the very man you are, and just now, this very hour, that God calls you to work in His vineyard." -C.H. Spurgeon

Chariot Wheel Evangelism

2009-12-02T05:03:00.003-06:00

Where does your worldview come from?

Faith is not believing that God can -
it is knowing that He will!

PARTING OF THE RED SEA. Chariot Wheels found at the bottom of the Red Sea -- See pictures below and the route

You will be surprised to see proof of Pharaoh's chariot and bones of horses and men found in the Red Sea. Evidence of the crossing of the Red Sea .. Pharaoh's drowned army.

Confirmation of the actual Exodus route has come from divers finding coral-encrusted bones and chariot remains in the Gulf of Aqaba. ONE of the most dramatic records of Divine intervention in history is the account of the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt.

The subsequent drowning of the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea was not an insignificant event, and confirmation of this event is compelling evidence that the Biblical narrative is truly authentic Over the years, many divers have searched the Gulf of Suezin in vain for artifacts to verify the Biblical account. But carefully following the Biblical and historical records of the Exodus brings you to Nuweiba, a large beach in the Gulf of Aqaba, as Ron Wyatt discovered in 1978. Repeated dives in depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet deep (18m to 60m), over a stretch of almost 2.5 km, has shown that the chariot parts are scattered across the sea bed. Artifacts found include wheels, chariot bodies, as well as human and horse bones. Divers have located on the Saudi coastline opposite Nuweiba as well.

Since 1987, Ron Wyatt found three four-spoke gilded chariot wheels. Coral does not grow on gold, hence the shape has remained very distinct, although the wood inside the gold veneer has disintegrated making them too fragile to move.

The hope for future expeditions is to explore the deeper waters with remote cameras or mini-subs. (ABOVE GILDED CHARIOT WHEEL - Mute witness to the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea by the Hebrews 3,500 years ago. Found with a metal detector. Coral-encrusted chario t wheel, filmed off the Saudi coastline, matches chariot wheels found in Tutankhamen's tomb.

Mineralized bone, one of many found at the crossing site (above center). This one tested by the Department of Osteology at Stockholm University, was found to be a human femur, from the right leg of a 165-170cm tall man. It is essentially 'fossilized, ' i.e., replaced by minerals and coral, hence cannot be dated by radiocarbon methods, although this specimen was obviously from antiquity. Chariot wheel and axle covered with coral and up-ended. Exodus 14:25 'And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily...' Solomon's memorial pillars. When Ron Wyatt first visited Nuweiba in 1978, he found a Phoenician style column lying in the water. Unfortunately the inscriptions had been eroded away, hence the column's importance was not understood until 1984 when a second granite column was found on the Saudi coastline opposite -- identical to the first, except on this one the inscription was still intact!

In Phoenician letters (Archaic Hebrew), it contained the words: Mizraim (Egypt ); Solomon; Edom; death; Pharaoh; Moses; and Yahweh, indicating that King Solomon had set up these columns as a memorial to the miracle of the crossing of the sea. Saudi Arabia does not admit tourists, and perhaps fearing unauthorized visitors, the Saudi Authorities have since removed this column, and replaced it with a flag marker where it once stood.

How deep is the water? The Gulf of Aqabais very deep, in places over a mile (1,600m) deep. Even with the sea dried up, walking across would be difficult due to the steep grade down the sides. But there is one spot where if the water were removed, it would be an easy descent for people and animals. This is the line between Nuweiba and the opposite shore in Saudi Asia.
Depth-sounding expeditions have revealed a smooth, gentle slope descending from Nuweiba out into the Gulf. This shows up almost like a pathway on depth-recording equipment, confirming it's Biblical description, '...a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters.' (Isaiah 43:16)

The Bible writers frequently refer to the miracle of the Red Sea crossing, for it was an event which finds no equal in history. The Hebrew prophets describe the sea at the crossing site as '...the waters of the great deep...the depths of the sea..' (Isaiah 51:10) Knowing the exact spot to which the Bible writers were referring, what is the depth there? The distance between Nuweiba and where artifacts have been found on Saudi coast is about 18km (11 miles).

Along this line, the deepest point is about 800m (2,600 feet). No wonder that Inspired writers of the Bible described it as the mighty waters. And no wonder that not a single Egyptian survived when the water collapsed in upon them. ( Above right NUWEIBA BEACH- the spot where the crossing began)

Religion & Christianity

2009-12-01T05:00:00.010-06:00

What is a Christian? Who are considered Christians? Is Religion and Christianity the same thing? These questions can be hard to answer but we will try and help you understand what these terms mean. In NO WAY is this topic or web pages meant as a bashing towards these religions but rather we want to take an honest look at what the Bible says and hold these religions under the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God doesn't want Christians to be "religious", just going through the motions while they try to obey all the rules and Him somewhere in the dusty rituals. God doesn't want Christians to be concentrating on "don'ts" while they forget to do much that matters in a very needy world. And God doesn't want Christians to be confusing the gospel- the good news - with doing good works to earn enough Brownie points to deserve salvation. The truth is, we could never earn enough points anyway. And even more important, we don't have to.

Christianity has been called one of the world's great religions, but should a Christian be religious? According to Webster's dictionary, a religion is a system of faith and of worship...Christianity is certainly that. According to Webster, a religion is the service to and adoration of God expressed in forms of worship...Christianity is certainly that, too. According to Webster, religion is devotion, fidelity, conscientiousness, an awareness or conviction of the existence of a supreme being, which arouses reverence, love, gratitude, the will to obey and serve... Christianity is certainly that...and more. It's the "more" that we need to look at. Christianity is more than religion, because every religion has one basic characteristic. Its followers are trying to reach God, find God, please God through their own efforts. Religions reach up towards God. Christianity is God reaching down to humanity. Christianity claims that we have not found God, but that God has found us. To some this is a crushing blow. They prefer religious effort-- dealing with God on their own terms. This puts them in control. They feel good about "being religious." Christianity, however, is not religious striving.

To practice Christianity is to respond to what God has done for you. The Christian life is a relationship with God, not a religious treadmill. Many Christians, however, behave like they really don't believe this. With form, formalism, ritual, legalism, rules, systems and formulas we attempt to reduce Christianity to a religion - a system of some kind where works are really substituted for faith and trust, where law takes precedence over grace. We will not necessarily admit this, but it's true nonetheless. Instead of responding to God's love in repentance for our sin, we reach out for it - neatly keep God at arm's length while we do so. But God will not stay at arm's length. When He comes into your life He demands ALL of it. Away with religious pretense and pontificating. Away with your religious game called "church" that you play so well every Saturday or Sunday. God wants all of you -- your heart, your soul, your body -- as a living sacrifice to Him.

We want you to search the tomes of the religions (study them in detail, including your own denomination). See if their answers line up with God's (His Holy Bible). None of them truly claim to have an answer for sin and guilt. Many groups explain guilt away quite neatly by refusing to admit it is there. You'll have to make up your own mind about that. You'll have to consider the evidence: the pages of history, especially recent history. Or turn to the pages of your local newspaper. Crime is not going out of style. If you're still not convinced be honest and consult your own conscience. It all leaves us with one real claim to fame. We are ALL capable of self-delusion and deceit, of chicanery, and cruelty far beyond imagination. Someone commits murder or suicide. Someone gets mixed up in drugs, winds up in a shotgun wedding, or just double-crosses a good friend. We are shocked. We never thought a person as fine as "so and so" would be capable of that! But we are ALL capable. We are ALL sinners, fallen short of the glory of God. Christianity deals honestly with this basic problem of sin and guilt. Christianity says the living God entered history. The Bible's clear teaching is that God became human flesh, He died on the cross, not simply a misunderstood itinerant preacher who didn't get the breaks, but as a Supreme Sacrifice to pay the penalty for ALL sin. And that wasn't all. The Bible plainly states that Christ rose from the dead. His followers saw not a ghost, not a figment of imagination but a risen body that could be touched, that even ate food. More about the gospel can be found by Clicking Here. Either all of this is truth (not "myth") or Christianity is the supreme hoax of history, and not even fit to be called a "great religion." But if Christianity is not more than a mere religion, then it it not worth the paper that the New Testament is printed on.

And perhaps the strangest thing of all is that God has given all of us the freedom to treat Him as we please. God entered history, yes, but He hardly took us by force. A stable is not the usual setting for a coronation. A cross is not the usual spot for a farewell address. And so, if you wish, you can keep Christianity in the religion category. You can refuse to believe any of it's amazing claims. you can classify it with the quaint folklore of Greek mythology. You can relegate it to the escapism of the Buddists and Hindus. You can be generous and say it is filled with the wisdom of Taoism or Confucius. It doesn't matter how you want to disbelieve. The results are the same. You remain the captain of your own fate. You keep God cut down to a comfortable size, something you can handle, something that doesn't become inconvenient. Actually, you worship a replica of your own god --yourself. In effect you tell the true God, "I don't need any help." And you don't get any. But there's the other way to reduce Christianity to a religion.... from the inside. Instead of refusing the gospel, you accept it. You "get saved!" You join a church. You worship every Sunday with the fellowship of the redeemed. But despite your claim to faith in God's grace through repentance of your sins, you mix being a Christian with being religious. You couch it in warm spiritual tones, but you feel your relationship to God still depends on how well you follow the rules and regulations. In short, it's still a matter of who well you perform, how high you reach. Many of today's "Religious Denominations" still try to earn their way.

Examine Yourself

2009-11-30T05:09:00.004-06:00

The Bible says that God will cause everything that happens to the Christian to work together for his or her good, if we are called according to His purposes (see Romans 8:28). Today, there are many who name the name of Christ, but who never "depart from iniquity." They are not called according to His purposes. They are false converst who "ask Jesus into their hearts," but are actually unconverted because they have never truly repented and put their true trust in the Lord. So, it is important that you examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (see 2 Corninthians 13:5). Those who allow sin in their lives are actually opening themselves up to demonic influence. The Bible instructs us to "neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27). Again, afflictions only work together for our good, if we are "called according to God's purpose." Are we, as professing Christians, doing that which is pleasing to God? As Christians, we should have the fruit of holiness. We should be separated from this evil world, to God. We should have evidence of our repentance. If we have stolden, we will return what isn't ours. We will set right (where possible) that which we have wronged. Lastly, we will possess the fruit of the Spirit. If we are rooted and grounded in Him, we will have the fruits of His character hanging from the branches of our lives. Do we have love that cares for others? Do we care enough about the salvation of sinners to put feet to our prayers and take the Gospel to them? Love is NOT passive! Are you sure that you are saved? Many won't bother to examine themselves to make their calling and election sure. They will wait until the Day of Judgment. That may be too late.

Ultimate Sign

2009-11-28T08:06:00.006-06:00

Are you looking for a sign from Jesus? Jesus would perform countless miraculous signes and wonders (Matthew 11:5; John 21:25) in every conceivable sort of public venue throughout His ministry. Often He did them in the presence of the ruling elders, but they kept demanding more and more BIGGER signs anyway (John 6:30; Matthew 12:36; 16:1; Mark 8:11), showing their stubbornness and unbelief. Near the end of Jesus' ministry, John would say, "Although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him." (John 12:37) Christians today still look for signs from Jesus, but Jesus indicated that His own resurrection from the dead would be the Ultimate Sign to us. "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matt. 12:39-40). The only sign we need is that Jesus came to save us and defeat death. This has been accomplished!!! We broke God's Law; Jesus paid our fine and proof that the debt has been paid for is that He has been resurrected from the dead. Let us NOT be like the ruling elders of Jesus' day and look for more and more signs. I think we need to be more concerned with what He commanded us to do before He left earth...PREACH THE GOSPEL!!!

Lost Bible

2009-11-27T06:54:00.006-06:00

The Lost Don't Read The Bible.
They Read The People Who Read The Bible.

Mail Time

2009-11-23T05:30:00.002-06:00

Why does the postal service exist? What do we pay the mailmen to do? Do we pay them to write letters to us and put them in our mailboxes? No! We pay them to deliver faithfully the message of someone else. The mailman has been entrusted with other people's messages to us. The same is true with evangelists and ALL Christians. We are not to invent the message but to faithfully deliver God's message to his people. That is our command from Christ, which means that we are called as evangelists only insofar as we present God's message to His people. It is God who owns the church, and its is by His Word that He creates His people. Hence Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana. We are only the deliverers of the Good News to those who need the message.

Let Your Light Shine!

2009-11-22T10:16:00.005-06:00

Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana took the classmates from the three Way of the Master Basic Evangelism Courses (hosted at Community Bible, Wesleyan Church and Bethel Church) to apply what they have learned! Mark Anderson (of Spill the Beans Coffee Shop) donated his time and his bus to drive us downtown. Chicago was celebrating it's annual Mag. Mile Lights Festival (magnificentmilelightsfestival.com). What a wonderful way to bring in the Holiday's!!! We spent 41/2 hrs on the streets of Chicago handing out tracts, having conversations about our Lord and some even did some Open-Air-Preaching. On the bus ride home we shared on the Glory Bus!!! It was a WONDERFUL day, and a great way to end our fall courses. Make sure you visit www.GoodMessengers.org for future Events and courses!!!

See More pictures from this event here: http://www.goodmessengers.org/photos.htm#bn-photocenter-1-1-2836551920/58204/1/

Finished Basic Course

2009-11-21T07:57:00.009-06:00

This is my class from the host church...Bethel. We just finished our last Way of the Master basic evangelism course. For the first time in eight years I have not had one student drop out of this class or my upcoming Community Bible Church class. Our ministry (http://www.goodmessengers.org/) is teaching three WOTM basic courses this year at three different churches. I am lucky enough to be teaching two of the courses. For our fishing outreach our ministry has rented a charter bus and is taking all three groups to downtown Chicago for the Mag Mile Tree Lights Festival...
magnificentmilelightsfestival.com where we will apply what we have learned in this course. This year MANY, MANY arrows were being shot at us by the enemy to keep us from our task of sharing our faith. We have learned to pluck these arrows out and continue on. The key is where our zeal and compassion for the Lord is will also be where our zeal and compassion for the lost. This has been a wonderful group and I will miss our Friday nights VERY MUCH!!!

Sinners Prayer

2009-11-13T04:30:00.007-06:00

What is the difference between a "Sinners Prayer" and a "Repentant Prayer?" William Booth said it the best, "The chief danger of the 20th Century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell." When it comes to evangelism, I don't believe that we should be rushing for decisions. I would feel more confident if someone was to search the Scriptures, and searches their hearts to clear out sin first. We must be showing non-believers that they need a Savior and are doomed if they believe they can save themselves...they need to REPENT! Praying a sinner's prayer with someone who isn't genuinely repentant may leave you with a stillborn in your hands. When witnessing if someone is truly repentant I don't have to lead him/her in a prayer...it should spill from their mouth. When Nathan confronted David about his sin, he didn't lead the king in a prayer of repentance. If a man committed adultery, and his wife is willing to take him back, should you have to write out an apology for him to read to her? No; sorrow for his betrayal of her trust should spill from his heart. The same applies to a prayer of repentance. The sinner should be told to repent, to confess and forsake his sins.

Once someone has been shown the Law and is humble before God, and the Law has done it's job to stop the person from justifing himself.....Once a person realizes that he has personally sinned against a HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, JUST, GOOD GOD, and he realizes that he cannot save himself...then it is time to tell him to quietly confess his sins to God, asking Him to forgive him, and then to put his trust in Jesus the same whay you would put on a parachute to save you. You wouldn't believe in it; you would put it on, entrusting your life to it. If someone is not sure of what to say, perhaps David's prayer of repentance (Psalm 51 shown below) could be used as a model, but his own words are more desirable to God. Before I was a Christian I knew what sin was. Smoking was wrong. Sex before marriage was wrong. Lying was a sin. Beating somebody up was sinful, etc...I knew about sin in my head, but it was all intellectual. Any part of my conscience that warned me of sin was desensitized each time I practiced sin. My heart became harder and harder. It wasn't until I was convicted by the Holy Spirit that I understood how horrible sin really was. It was quite different than head knowledge. I was arrested and backed up against the wall by the Holy Spirit. Gripped in holy fear and terror at the realization that I could wind up in hell for the sins... I was guilty of. In hell for all eternity for one measly little swear word that I thought was funny. I had a revelation of hell and that Jesus offered a way of escape of it for me. He took my place of punishment on the cross for me. Then I made a real decision... Repentance. Receiving forgiveness, receiving Jesus Christ and heaven. Allowing God to be the Lord and Savior of my life!!!

We Christians in evangelism must use the stick of God's Law to gently tap on the human heart. Suddently, the cause of sin appears. And that's when sin can be put to death with the power of the gospel. It is God's Law that reveals the human heart as desperately wicked, and it is the gospel that delivers us from the power of sin. In Christ we are born again (John 3:3) and become new creatures.

"That is the reason we have so many 'mushroom' converts, because their stony ground is not plowed up; they have not got a conviction of the Law; they are stony-ground hearers." George Whitefield.

Watch this video of Paul Washer explaining the sinners prayer....

Now watch Duane Broom take someone through a "Sinners Prayer..."

And finally, this is what a "Repentant Prayer" looks like...

Martin's Law

2009-11-11T05:32:00.014-06:00

"Satan, the god of all dissension, stirreth up daily new sects, and last of all, which all other I should never have forseen or once suspected, he has raised up a sect such as teach...that men should not be terrified by the Law, but gently exhorted by the preaching of the grace of Christ. I fear that after our time the right handling of the Law will become a lost art. Even now. Although we continually explain the seperate functions of the Law and the Gospel, we have those among us who do NOT understand how the Law should be used. What will it be like when we are dead and gone? ~ Martin Luther

Evangelism Tips

2009-11-09T05:00:00.003-06:00

It is important that you realize that you yourself cannot save an other person's soul, nor can you by your own power show that person to the point of salvation. A couple of things that are important when sharing the gospel is, The Holy Spirit must convict them of their sin. John 16:8,9
Second, the Father must draw them. John 6:44 And thirdly, it took the sacrifice of the Son in order to pay for their sins. II Corinthians 5:21 What is confusing to most is that God decided not to save people alone. He chose to include us in the work. While the supernatural act of salvation can be done by God and God alone, it is the Christian that God uses as his tool to bring about that salvation. We are farmers that must plow the seed, sow the seed, and water the ground. Matthew 13:3-8; Isaiah 28:24; Doth the plowman plow all day to sow?... I Corinthians 3:6 - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. We are preachers that must proclaim the Word. Romans 10:13-15 We are ambassadors that help lead sinners to be reconciled to Christ. II Corinthians 5:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:4

We must take the gospel to all the world. Matthew 28:19,20 It is an act of obedience or disobedience not a gift. In the power of the Holy Spirit we must be witnesses to all the world. Acts 1:8 When we present the gospel a man/woman must realize that he is a sinner. Romans 3:10,23
He must understand that God died for him while he was still a sinner, not after he cleaned up his life. Romans 5:8 And most importantly he/she must come to God with genuine, godly repentance. Romans 2:4; Acts 20:21; II Corinthians 7:10 and he must believe that he is justified by the blood of Christ. Romans 5:9 He should see that the payment of blood saves us from the wrath of God which is hell. Romans 5:9 Man must above all understand that it is his faith in the blood of Christ without any additional good works that saves him. Romans 3:28

But whatever we do lets start sharing our faith, people are dieing and many are going to hell. In fact, 150,000 people die on average every day. Life is short...it is a vapor. Share Christ with someone today!

Why Piper Abominate the Prosperity Gospel

2009-11-06T04:52:00.000-06:00

John Piper explains why the so-called "prosperity gospel" is not the gospel.

Piper's Message to Obama

2009-11-05T16:39:00.003-06:00

John Piper Addresses President Obama

Arab Fest 2009

2009-11-02T05:00:00.001-06:00

When Witnessing Goes Wrong!

This is a video taken from the Arab Fest in Michigan 2009, and is a clear case of our Lost Liberties...mainly our Freedom of Speech, and right to video / photograph. This is not a private fest but rather a public fest, and if I am not correct this is still American soil. Do these people even know the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES?

Out Sick

2009-10-28T08:27:00.004-05:00

The wife and I have been sick with the flu since last Saturday. So until we get better I will be not posting and new information. Keep us in your prayers.

Coming to America!

2009-10-27T05:22:00.001-05:00

TORREY POST: Open Air

2009-10-26T06:35:00.004-05:00

R.A. Torrey, wrote this over 100 years ago about street preaching:
“You can reach men in an open-air meeting that you can reach in no other way. I can tell of instance after instance where men who have not been at church or a mission hall for years have been reached by open-air meetings. The persons I have known to be reached and converted through open- air meetings have included thieves, drunkards, gamblers, saloon-keepers, abandoned women, murderers, lawyers, doctors, theatrical people, society people, in fact pretty much every class."

“Open-air meetings bring recruits to churches and missions. One of the best ways to fill up an empty church is to send your workers out on the street to hold meetings before the church service is held, or better still, go yourself. When the meeting is over, you can invite people to the church (or mission). This is the divinely appointed means for reaching men that cannot be reached in any other way (Luke 14:21). All Christians should hear the words of Christ constantly ringing in their ears, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor,’ etc.”

Saved Later

2009-10-23T05:10:00.001-05:00

Below you will see two wonderful encouraging stories on video of people who thought they were saved only to find out they were NOT, but God had plans to save them later!

Audio Only -Video #1 Charo Washer (Paul Washer's Wife) Testimony: (18:56 minutes)

(If you are unsure who Paul Washer is Click Here to watch one of his videos.
It will blow your mind. Note you will need about 1hr to watch this video but it will go by fast!
This is the message that Paul Washer preached that encouraged his wife to examine
herself to make sure she was in the faith...only to find out that she was NOT!)

Video #2 SAVED AT 71 FROM RELIGION: (15:33 minutes)

Lost Liberties: “Loud” Evangelists Arrested

2009-10-22T05:00:00.003-05:00

HAMPTON, N.H. — Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys filed suit Wednesday 10/7/09 in federal court on behalf of two Christians arrested for sharing their faith and singing worship songs on a public sidewalk in the Hampton Beach area. Police arrested the two men, charging them under a state law against “unreasonable or loud” noise, but the law has not been used against other much louder activities in the very busy beach district, including bands sponsored by the village precinct to increase business in the area. —From the Alliance Defense Fund, Oct 8, 2009

Then Sing's My Soul

2009-10-21T05:00:00.006-05:00

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4

The Fire

2009-10-20T05:00:00.005-05:00

If this video doesn't get you thinking...I don't know what will?

TORREY: The Use of Tracts

2009-10-19T05:22:00.004-05:00

R.A. Torrey (1856-1928) wrote this about the use of tracts:

" Oftentimes people who are too proud to be talked with, will read a tract when no one is looking. There is many a man who would repulse you if you tried to speak to him about his soul, who will read a tract if you leave it on his table, or in some other place where he comes upon it accidentally, and that tract may be used for his salvation.
A tract will often succeed in winning a man to Christ where a sermon or a personal conversation has failed. There are a great many people who, if you try to talk with them, will put you off; but if you put a tract in their hands and ask God to bless it, after they go away and are alone they will read the tract and God will carry it home to their hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost.
I once received a letter from a man saying, “There is a man in this place whom I tried for a long time to reach but could not. One day I handed him a tract, and I think it was to the salvation of his whole family."

R.A. Torrey also wrote in another message:

"Never be ashamed of distributing tracts. Many people hand out tracts to others as if they were ashamed of what they were doing. People are not likely to read tracts if you hand them to them as if you were ashamed to do it; but if you act as though you were conferring a favor upon them, and giving them something worth reading, they will read your tract. It is often well to say to a person, “Here is a little leaflet out of which I have gotten a good deal of good. I would like to have you read it.”

Slaves for Christ

2009-10-16T04:41:00.000-05:00

Bible Burning...in America...by Christians?

2009-10-15T11:07:00.014-05:00

Amazing Grace Baptist Church will be foregoing the traditional trick-or-treating and costumes this Halloween. In their stead, the Canton, North Carolina church will host a ritual scarier than a kid dressed as Jason, or Feddy Krugger—its a Halloween book and music burning.
According to Amazing Grace Baptist Church’s Web site (which is currently shut-down), attendees will be “burning perversions of God’s word,” including “Satan’s bibles” and “Satan’s popular books written by heretics” like Mother Theresa, Billy Graham, James Dobson, and the Pope. They’ll also burn “Satan’s music, such as country, rock, pop, heavy metal, western, soft and easy, southern gospel, contemporary Christian, jazz, soul, oldies but goldies.” (Any relation to oldies but goodies?) Why the book bonfire, and why, in particular, books by Evangelicals like Billy Graham, Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll, Chuck Colson, Tony Evans, John Piper, Bill Bright, John MacArthur, James Dobson and the list goes on?

The AP (Associated Press) reports that Marc Grizzard, the pastor (shown above) at the the Canton, North Carolina church, wants “to light a fire under true believers” and that “the King James version of the Bible is the only one his small western North Carolina church follows. … All other versions, such as the Living Bible, NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, TLB, ASV, The Message, etc... are ’satanic’ and ‘perversions’ of God’s word.”

The idea that the God's Word is only true and pure when it is written in early 17th Century English, with the "thous" and "thees" is still mind-boggling to me. The original books that make up the Bible were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and the King James Bible is 89% a copy of William Tyndale's translation. Anyone who knows me personally also knows that I am an avid studier of English Bible History. In fact, you can call it one of my hobbies. I like to teach on it as well...Click Here for my Power Point Presentation (wait for download...takes a while, make sure you check out the notes section or all you will see is pictures).

I really had to scratch my head on this one, because what is sensible about burning Bibles and other books...in America. Even if you don't agree with a book, CD's, DVD's or any media...DON'T BUY IT, DON'T LISTEN TO IT, DON'T READ IT!!! Besides having the strong odor of Nazi era book burning, the idea of a Christian church burning Christian books...and BIBLES... hits me as VERY STRANGE. What the Amazing Grace Baptist Church proposes to do lends to how the world views some Christians as religious nut-jobs! I understand that we shouldn't be concerned with how the world views us but at the same time to burn Bibles when so many throughout the globe will NEVER even own one Bible in their language...blows my mind. I do agree that some translations are much closer to the original manuscripts, but to burn Bibles because they are not KJV? Does that mean that when a close friend of mine takes months out of his year to smuggle Chinese Bibles into China that these books should be burned because they are not KJV? Does the indigenous peoples of Papua New Guinea have to burn the bibles they waited 26yrs for a translation in their native tongue because they are not KJV? Being radical for your faith in one thing, but to burn Bibles because the translation...is it the actually the English words that save or is it the power of God that saves? Gods written word is available to ALL in many different languages, and Bibles should NOT be burned!

DATE 10/15: The church’s Web hosting service has apparently shut down the Web site. The reason might be traceable to some fundamentalist fighting. The host, Anchor Webhost, has a link to what it calls “Fundamental Christian Links” at the bottom of its homepage. It appears their brand of fundamentalism doesn’t jive with that of Amazing Grace Baptist Church.

Watch the Associated Press Video that covers this story: CLICK HERE

Spurgeon Quote

2009-10-15T05:00:00.001-05:00

"If we had to preach to thousands year after year, and never rescued but one soul, that one soul would be full reward for all our labor, for a soul is of coutless price." - C. H. Spurgeon

Tract Storage

2009-10-14T05:00:00.004-05:00

(Click on Photo's to see Larger Image)

Tract Closet
One of the best ways to store your tracts and materials at home is also to have them organized and ready to go even if someone comes to your front door you are read! You may want to turn your front hallway closet into your resources area. This could be an area where you stock tracts, bibles, literature and other witnessing items. The pictures that are shown is of our tract closet at home. Now we just have to find a place for everybodies coats?

Tract Rack
One of the most unique ways of storing your tracts is to use a shoe rack for the door. Each pocket will help you organize your tracts so you know what you have In-stock and what you need to re-order. Plus if you put this "tract rack" on your front hallway closet door these tracts will be ready to go when you need them quickly (ie. Halloween, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.). Make sure you purchase a shoe rack with lots of clear pockets!

You may also want to watch a couple of unique tract ideas on the Good Messengers Tract Tip page...Click Here.

Playing Tricks

2009-10-13T05:00:00.004-05:00

Are these items moving?
Or are they perfectly still?

These pictures are used to test the level of stress a person can handle.
The slower the pictures move, the better your ability of handling stress.
Alleged criminals that were tested see them spinning around madly;
however, senior citizens and kids see them standing still.

None of these images are animated - they are perfectly still...this is an illusion.

Many things in life can be an illusion, but one thing is sure--ten out of ten die. It's sad but true--no matter what you do, you will die. This is because you have sinned against God. Let's see if that's true: Have you ever lied (even once)? Ever stolen (anything)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and we've only looked at three of the Ten Commandments. How will you do on Judgment Day? Will you be innocent or guilty? You know that you will be guilty, and end up in Hell. That's not God's will. He provided a way for you to be forgiven. He sent His Son to take your punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death. "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"--everlasting life. Then read the Bible daily and obey what you read. God will never let you down. Visit http://www.gotourtract.com/ for more information.

The Gospel

2009-10-12T05:00:00.003-05:00

The gospel is the most important message we can and must present.

But what is the gospel?

I believe Paul Washer did an incredible job in this video of presenting what the gospel of Jesus Christ is. We must all be engaged in sharing the gospel...in evangelism. Evangelism is not persuading people to make a decision, it is NOT proving that God exists, or making out a good case for the truth of Christianity; it is NOT inviting someone to a church or a meeting; it is NOT exposing the contemporary dilemma, or arousing interest in Christianity; it is NOT wearing a badge (shirt, hat, tie, etc.) saying 'Jesus Saves!' Some of these things may be right and good in their place, but none of them should be confused with evangelism. To evangelize is to declare the authority of God what He has done to save sinners, to warn men of their lost condition, to direct them to repent, and to believe in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The hardest part for my personally to learn when it comes to evangelism is that it does not mean to win converts...we don't close the deal...but to simply announce the Good News, IRRESPECTIVE of the RESULTS! All we can do is present the Good News accurately and biblically, live a life of love towards unbelievers, pray for God to convict them of their sin and give them the gifts of Repentance and Faith.

Squirl Cage

2009-10-09T06:02:00.004-05:00

" I believe that lack of efficient personal work of evangelism is one of the failures of the Church today. The people of the church are like squirrels in a cage...lots of activity, but accomplishing nothing. It doesn't require a Christian life to sell oyster soup or run a bazaar or rummage sale." - Billy Sunday.

Weeping for Souls!

2009-10-08T05:42:00.003-05:00

A message by Paul Washer, crying over the state of evangelism in our country. He speaks such truth!!!

Show Love - Tell the Truth.

2009-10-07T06:19:00.004-05:00

Ray Comfort shares with Chris outside of the Indianapolis Speedway after Good Messengers Ministry of Indy Conference this past summer. Do you really "love people" and are concerned for where they will end up without the savior? Remember it is about having conversations with people not going through a presentation. Show them that you really love them, but don't compromise the truth or the message...even though the gospel message isn't easy to deliver... it shows that you really care about someone if you share it in love!!!

Discipleship's Purpose

2009-10-06T05:34:00.004-05:00

As you may or may not know, all so called "Christians" are not disciples! Discipleship involves a conscious decision to follow the Savior, no matter what the cost. But all true "Christians" are His Disciples. Discipleship is also different than evangelism and should NOT be confused with evangelism, although they are closely related to one another. You became a Christian when someone who cared, told you about the gospel, or you were handed a tract...that is evangelism. Becoming a disciple of Jesus is the next step for you after you get saved. But now the Lord wants to extend His word through you to reach others, and disciple them. There are five primary goals that serve to fulfill the biblical command of what we call "The Great Commission" of Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 1:8. They are as follows:

[1]. To evangelize the world. Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15

[2]. To establish churches. Acts 11:19-26

[3]. To build individual disciples (followers). Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; II Timothy 2:2; II Peter 3:18

[4]. To bring churches and disciples (followers) to Christ-likeness. Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19

[5]. To bring glory to God. Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36; I Corinthians 10:31

Although Christ certainly evangelized and established His church, He never built what we would call a "BIG" church during His ministry. It was not His immediate intention to do so. His goal was to leave behind twelve men that could do what He had done, and reproduce it on a world-wide scale until He returned, and let me say I am so glad they didn't just stay in the upper room. In the establishment of New Testament churches, Paul the apostle understood and taught this principle when he said, 'And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2). The command being that, what you have learned and lived, now must be taught to someone else!!! Jesus said, "teaching them to observe all things... "This is not primarily to be from the pulpit, but rather by way of a personal, people-oriented process, one-on-one! It is an attitude, a biblical precept and a way of life. Discipleship establishes the new Christian in the foundational truths of Biblical Christianity (I Thessalonians 3:2), and provides the new Christians with a caring, comforting friend to help through the difficulties of spiritual growth (I Thessalonians 3:2).
Discipleship affords the new Christian additional spiritual protection through the counsel and prayer support of a mature Christian, and provides mutual accountability both to the disciple and discipler. The accountability factor affords both with motivation to grow in Christ and walk in faith. It provides fellowship, which is so important for a new Christian to have, and provides encouragement while the world goes out of its way to attack and discourage the young disciple in the Lord. Discipleship brings the new Christian to "perfection" or maturity in Christ, so that he too becomes a discipler of the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 4:11,12; I Thessalonians 3:10).

The Lord Jesus Christ stated what some call "The Disciple's Oath" in Luke 9:23, "...if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. "This biblical commitment to discipleship involves at least these five things:

[1]. Desire - "If any man..."

[2]. Decision "will come after me..."

[3]. Denial - "let him deny himself.."

[4]. Dedication - "take up his cross daily..."

[5]. Determination - "and follow me..." "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever have commanded you..." Matthew 28;20

Relationship Evangelism

2009-10-05T06:50:00.004-05:00

I personally know several people who believe only in "relationship evangelism." Although I am not opposed to this method, I do not find it to be as effective as other approaches. The problem I have is that the longer my friends or myself gets to know someone the harder it often is to share the gospel, and many times they /or I just don't do it at all! Can people get saved through relationship building...of course they can. Is it the only source of evangelism, or even the best option...I don't believe so. For those who have objections to my favored choice of evangelism... "Contact Evangelism" ... here is a quote from...D. L. Moody, when criticicized for his evangelism methods once said, "I like the way I do it better than the way you don't do it.". I have done this form of biblical evangelism for years now (even teach on it), and find it to be the best approach to sharing the gospel. Do we need to share the gospel in love? We sure do...there is a mighty difference in being offended by the message and being offended by the messenger. Let me note there are many forms of biblical evangelism...servant, relational, contact, etc...but no matter how you choose to share Christ we are ALL called to do it, and to do it biblically!!! This doesn't mean you need to be a street evangelist, or even an open-air-preacher, but we ALL are required to share Christ with those around us. My blog post for today is for those who believe "relationship evangelism" is the only way to share Christ. I wrote it in the hopes that people would start thinking about whether or not "relationship evangelism" is the best approach to sharing the biblical gospel. Please note: this blog post is written in love first and foremost...for the love of my Savior and for the love of the biblical gospel.

Have you ever heard anybody say this, "The gospel is only effective if you have an established relationship with someone?" Or, "I have to earn my right with someone to share the gospel." How about this, "The gospel is the power of God for salvation, only when you are friends with the other person." Ok, well I have not heard these exact phrases either, probably because they sound bad and shouldn't exist. But in reality, this is the mentality of many Christians today.Can the gospel be shared in the contexts of relationships? Sure they can and we should be sharing the gospel with people we have a relationship with,... if we truly love them. The questions is, how long should I get to know someone before I share the gospel? I don't know about you but it is harder for me to share my faith the longer I get to know someone, and in reality I can get to know someone and share Christ with them in a matter of minutes. People who advocate relationship style evangelism believe that evangelism is ineffective if you don't have a relationship with the person to whom you are witnessing. I personally have several problems with this mentality.

Fifth, if relationships must be established before you can share your faith than the method of Christ and the apostles were ineffective. Jesus never sought to build years of relationships with people before getting around to sharing the gospel. In fact, he only had three years of public ministry on earth, and he travelled all over the place. There was no way he could build a relationship like the advocates of relationship (discipleship) evangelism propose. The apostle Paul only stayed a few days in some places as he preached the gospel. Certainly a thriving relationship cannot be established in a couple of days. I don't know about you, but I am sure glad the disciples just didn't stay in the upper room with the news they had, or wait to establish relationships with people before sharing Christ with them! Jon Speed said in his book Evangelism in the New Testament, "There are at least 89 instances of Christ, and His associates doing evangelism in the four gospels (Matt.,Mark, Luke, John) Of these 89 instances, 77 took place in the context of Contact Evangelism." Christ and the apostles witnessed more one-on-one than anything else. See one my past blog posting on Contact vs Friendship Evangelism. I would strongly recommend you getting this little booklet (click here to find out how to purchase).

With this in mind, lets look at Peter's sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2:22-39, as the church was being started.

22"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God withmighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' 29"Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord,Sit at my right hand, 35until I make your enemies your footstool.' 36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." 37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

Peter, began his evangelistic sermon calling the people murderers...pointing out that they crucified the risen Christ. I can almost hear Peter saying, "You fools...you killed the RISEN CHRIST!" (Those are my words and NOT the Bibles mind you). Modern evangelism would surely say, "This is not a very good method at presenting the gospel...calling people murderers." Instead modern evangelism would say that, Peter should have found some common ground with these people, or perhaps asked how their families were doing. He should have had them over for a lamb roast BBQ, or maybe they could sit around and talk about the weather for a while. Surely Peter, overcome with zeal for the Lord, committed a vital mistake in presenting the gospel by calling these people murders. Some would say,...It was probably just how Peter gets...we all know how Peter gets all too worked-up! This is what relationship evangelism is suggesting!!! However, after being called a murder again, showing them that they had crucified the Christ in verse 36, these people were as Scripture says, "cut to the heart." That is just what the conviction of the Holy Spirit does!!! Then Peter then calls them to repent and in response 3,000 people were saved. How are the unconverted supposed to repent if we don't bring loving conviction? Peter's message did not include some emotional story, or some quick fix "sinners prayer." Peter didn't spend months or years developing a relationship with these people. He confronted sin in love, preached on the Lordship of Christ, the Resurrection of Christ, called people to repent, of which we know that without repentance...none can be saved. When we compare this to modern "Relational Evangelism," Peter did a horable job, because he even preached on doctrine in this encounter, and surely doctrine has nothing to do with evangelism. Yet, Peter's sermon was extremely effective and produced 3,000 true believers. Maybe we need to go back to the bible and start looking at how Christ and His disciples shared the gospel?

For the Son of has come to seek and to save that which was lost. ~Luke 19:10

Jesus' purpose for coming was evangelistic as this verse shows. May we be more Christlike in our purpose, and be more intentional with our evangelism, and be more desirous as we seek the lost and be more concerned with their salvation as we do all that we can to make the gospel known to them for them to come to Christ to be saved.

How Important is the Issue?

2009-10-02T06:56:00.015-05:00

How Important is the Sin Issue?
If a CEO of a large company flies from New York to Tokyo to personally handle a matter, you know it's very important.

If the President of the United States takes time out of his busy schedule to push for the Chicago 2016 Olympics and travels to Copenhagen its an important matter. Why is this so important? Well, it comes down to the "position" of the person pushing, and the importance of the "issue." If the President of the largest country in the world shows up it's an important issue!

So how important is an issue that requires ALMIGHTY GOD to leave the perfection of Heaven, be born on earth as a baby, then grow up and die a barbaric death on the cross? VERY IMPORTANT!

Romans 5:8 "... God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Get REAL with your sin today! Repent of it (Not just confess it,turn away from it and turn towards God.), and put your faith (your whole trust) in God to save you; read the Bible and obey what you read, and He won't let you down. SIN is a VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE to GOD!!!

Does God Exist?

2009-10-01T05:26:00.002-05:00

Often, when witnessing I am asked several of the same questions, "Is there Really a God?", "Why would God would allow evil and suffering?" These are often hard questions for people who have not searched for genuine truth. There is only two view points on this subject matter. The worlds, and the Bible. The outcome depends on which viewpoint the person sees as truth. And, it is our job to preach the truth... Mark 16:15. Evil and suffering is all around us and will continue until the end of time. It is very hard for many people to understand why a loving God would allow evil and suffering in this world, and they use that excuse to deny that God exists. John MacArthur preached a very incredible sermon message relating to the topic of evil called Click Here to Listen:"Why Evil." (allow time for this message to download...worth the wait).

Prosperity Gospel

2009-09-30T06:41:00.006-05:00

I found this in this months "Heart Cry Magazine" article by Marc Glass called "Christ has called us to be UNASHAMED & UNCOMPROMSING."

A WARNING TO THE CHURCH IN AMERICA

"Brothers, Keep your country from sinful preachers that compromise the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they are getting to be many."

Your Lebanese brother and co-laborer,

Pastor Walid

Watch this strong message by John Piper relating to this topic.

Prayer Banned in Schools

2009-09-29T06:14:00.003-05:00

HISTORY IS OFTEN FORGOTTEN
There was a time in the United Sates when public schools opened in prayer every day. These were the words kids recited along with the Pledge of Allegiance: "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country." I believe that the liberty to pray and read the Bible in schools was given by God as an unalienable right:
"... all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights [a right that is 'not to be taken away'], that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776.

However, after one atheist complained that it was unconstitutional for her son to pray in school, in 1963 the Supreme Court ruled eight to one in favor of abolishing school prayer and Bible reading in the public schools.

They did this by creating something called "a wall of separation between church and state" (a phrase not found in the Constitution). However, up until that time the only "wall" was the wall that was put there by the framers of the Bill of Rights (ten amendments to the Constitution) to keep the Government from stripping America of its God-given liberties:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances" First Amendment, U.S. Constitution (italics added).

Tragically, in 1995, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, the atheist who had prayer banned in schools was murdered by another atheist. Police found her body in 2001. It had been cut up with a saw. In 1980, her son was baptized as a Christian and went on to become a Baptist preacher.

If your children go to a public school system like my children do you may want to check into a couple of things...

1. See if they offer "Prayer at the Pole" day. Many schools offer Christians the opportunity to pray at the schools flag pole during the National Day of Prayer.

2. Check to see if your school offers or will allow a before school, or after school program for Christians kids to get together pray, and to do devotions, etc. My children meet every tuesday before school at such a program in which the school allows them to use a room. If your school doesn't currently offer such a program you may want to ask and see if they would allow it. The program at my childrens school allows the kids to run the program themselves. They come up with the devotions, and prayer and it is not lead by an adult. This gives the kids an opportunity to prepair devotions themselves. They often bring friends to the group as well and some are not believers. What a better witness in our public school system.

One of the other things you can do for our public school system is to get involved in the "Orgin of Species Project." November 24th 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the publication of Origin of Species. Ray Comfort of Living Waters Ministries found out this book is of public domain, so he wrote a 50 page introduction that reveals the dangerous fruit of evolution, Hitler's undeniable connections to the theory, Darwin's racism, and his disdain for women. It counters the claim that creationists are "anti-science" by citing numerous scientists who believed that God created the universe — scientists such as Einstein, Newton, Copernicus, Bacon, Faraday, Pasteur, and Kepler.

It has many original graphics and (as it says on the back cover) is designed for use in schools, colleges, and prestigious learning institutions. The back cover lists the above information as well as saying the book contains "Information on Intelligent Design vs Evolution."

In recognition of this important date in history, teams on more than 60 university campuses will distribute thousands of copies of this special edition to students on each campus. The UC Berkley’s website says: “Anyone is free to distribute non-commercial materials in any outdoor area of the campus,” so there shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, what are they going to do--ban Origin of Species? That would be big news, especially when their own bookstore sells it for $29.99. You can also purchase the books yourself by the case for around $40 ($.99 ea) and make sure they get to teachers in your local school system. Make sure you watch the video below.

Seeker Sensitive

2009-09-28T05:34:00.007-05:00

" If we can get the world to like us, they will embrace the Savior. That has long been the philosophy of the seeker sensitive churches. It is also one of the driving assumptions of the emerging church movement. Such a philosophy suggests that Christians should try to make unconverted sinners feel comfortable with the Christian message. The whole point is to make the church completely non-threatening place where unbelievers feel they naturally belong - to tantalize non-Christians rather than confront their unbelief; to make friends with the world rather than to stand apart." - John MacArthur

GO BEARS! (extra post)

2009-09-25T10:18:00.017-05:00

BEARS Football season is in full swing. This means that the Bears or whatever team you follow are doing battle on the battle-field chasing a ball made of pig-skin. The fans are buying tickets, jerseys, and playing in fantasy football leagues. I love football! My wife and kids love football. The Van Der Weide's are a football household. I remember just this past summer I was playing two-handed tag football at a beach birthday party on Lake Michigan...mind you I am over 40, and out of shape...NOT a good idea! There were a few of us older gents playing against few teens who are 16-17-18 years old. Us geezers held our own and we only lost by 2 pts. I think it was the fact that we wanted to show that we could still play the game. I lost more than the game that day... I lost my ego...I was REALLY hurting the next day (physically that is)! Again, I love football but at what point does our enjoyment of the game become idolatry? When do we cross the line from healthy enjoyment to idolic obsession? Is it when we skip going to a church service to go to a game? When you know more about your favorite team better than you know the Bible? When we pay more money for a Chicago Bear's jersey than we put in our tithe envelope. Where is that line? I think its best to leave the answer to that question to each person to figure that out for himself. It is between you and God!

So when is idolatry, idolatry? It is whenever something or someone becomes more important than God Himself. Do you find more joy in watching a multi-millionaire sports figure cross a white line carrying the skin of pig than having a deep love of the one and true God! Don't get me wrong... there is nothing wrong with watching football, being involved in the game and rooting for your favorite team, but where is the line! When do we take it to far and go out of bounds. After all it is just a game. Will you remember the last game you watched 20yrs from now? Probably not! What will it all matter in 100yrs from now? I will tell you what will matter. How do you view God? Is He first in your life! Is God and what He desires the most important thing to you? How about the gents and gals that you know who spend every chance they can get watching the game, worshipping their favorite football team while they put God on the sidelines. What will happen to them when they die? Are you concerned for them? Jesus, came to seek and save the Lost. Are you concerned for what Jesus is concerned for. Maybe next time you are with some fellow football fans you can use that opportunity (that divine appointment) to share your faith with them. So, be a part of the real game (don't just watch it), and get involved in what matters most!

"Do you want arguments for soul winning? Look up to Heaven, and ask yourself how sinners can ever reach those harps of gold and learn their everlasting song, unless they have someone to tell them of Jesus, who is mighty to save. But the best argument of all is to be found in the wounds of Jesus. you want to honor Him, you desire to put many crowns upon His head, and this you can best do by winning souls for Him. These are the spoils that He covets, these are the trophies for which He fights, these are the jewels, that shall be His best adornment." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

Pray for Evangelism Courses

2009-09-25T05:39:00.005-05:00

(photo taken 2008 spring class)
Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana(www.goodmessengers.org) is teaching three Way of the Master basic evangelism courses this fall! We have 3 churches who are hosting it, and we have almost 100 people taking this wonderful course. Our first class at the Wesleyan Church started this past Sunday (9/20) and our second course at Bethel Church is about to get under-way this Friday (9/25). The third church, Community Bible won't be starting for a couple of weeks yet. I am asking for prayers for those taking the course and for myself. Any time Christian's start talking and learning about evangelism the enemy will try and put barriers in the way to prevent this all from happening. I have been teach Ray Comfort's evangelism materials since 1999 and have found this to be true year-after-year. But I am also encouraged that God brings to class whom He wishes to hear the truth about Biblical evangelism. Each year more and more people step out of their comfort zone and begin to share their faith. It has been encouraging over the past few years to have many pastors from different churches taking this course and using these biblical principles. Many, many, many people have emailed me how what an impact and how it has changed their life because of taking this course. Let me tell you that I am truly bless to be a part of it. We have had people even become saved just by taking this course. So as the fall of 2009 courses begin, please keep the people taking this class in your prayers, and lets see what God has in store for them!!!

Debra Drapper - Servant of God

2009-09-24T05:41:00.007-05:00

The BBC aired a documentary called Deborah 13: Servant of God. It's about Deborah Drapper a homeschooled 13 year old (who is now 14 yrs old) Christian girl who is unlike most teenagers. Deborah Drapper, who, unlike other British teens has never heard of Britney Spears or Victoria Beckham. She has been brought up in a deeply Christian family and her parents have tried to make sure she and her ten brothers and sisters have grown up protected from the sins of the outside world. She loves to share her faith. She has a clear understanding that time is short here on earth and that eternity is forever.

Deborah is a bright, confident girl who has big ambitions for her life and the film spends a summer with her as she ventures out in the world to see what life outside her family could be and starts putting her beliefs forward to a wider audience.

After the BBC show aired Debra has been flooded with so many emails that she doesn't know what to with all of them. One email was from a gentleman who wrote to her dad after watching the program. Here's what he writes:

"Recently, I have become more and more aware of my "Sins" and my need to be saved, this awareness has been made all the stronger by my health problems. Also, I feel as though something is missing in my life, something that cannot be filled by anything worldly. Most of all, I am starting to realize how much control I have been holding onto in my life, I have completely failed to recognize God's rights over my life. Maybe this heart problem is just a wakeup call. I am ready now, to give my life to God, to do whatever God directs me to do, and go wherever he wants me to go."

Please pray for Deborah, her dad (Andrew) and her entire family as this broadcast has opened up wonderful doors for them to proclaim the gospel.

(Some of the above information taken from www.FishwithTrish.com)
Watch Video Here.

Debra, her father and some of her family were just in the United States this past August 2009 for the Ambassadors Alliance evangelism training courses held in Los Angeles, CA. Debra and her father Andrew were able to visit with Ray Comfort (founder of Living Waters Ministries), and on the last few days of class they all were able to go out witnessing and doing open-air on Hollywood Blvd.

Debra's story has a important meaning for me because I have two girls similar to Debra. My daughters Sarah (14yrs.) and Allison (12yrs.) are VERY bold in their faith. They are both with me when I go out witnessing. They are with me helping me when I am teaching the Way of the Master evangelism courses. And often, I can't even keep up with them. The picture off to the side shows both of them at one of our Good Person Booth Displays and they never took a break from sharing their faith. I am so proud of them! So that is why I have a special heart for Debra Drapper and her father Andrew.

In Debra's Ambassador Alliance class was not only Ephraim (the man whom was disfellowshipped from the Amish community) I wrote in my first blog (Click Here to learn of Ephraim's story), but also Eric Hovid of Creation Science Evangelism, and several people from his ministry. After the evangelism training course the Drappers were flown down to Florida to visit Eric's ministry and they had the following interview...

As you see Debra and her family are VERY bold in their faith, and it goes to show us that age (young or old) has NO IMPORTANCE on whether or not we are to witness to others. It is a point of obedience or disobedience! You can't say looking at Debra she is too young, and someone can't use the excuse I'm too old to witness. We need to be encouraged by Debra and follow her example. Take note of her name because I believe we will see much more coming from Debra Drapper! Below are some pictures of her adventure in the United States.

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On their way to the United States of America

At Ray Comfort's Home

Eric Hovind, Debra & Andrew Drapper

At Living Water Headquarters

Out on the streets of Hollywood

Storm Trooper Evangelism

2009-09-23T06:13:00.006-05:00

Talk about being creative in evangelism Daniel Ecklund frequently goes out on the streets with a movie quality Storm Trooper costume drawing crowds and doing some street preaching. He wanted Custom Tract Source (http://www.customtractsource/) to come up with a Star Wars-themed money tract that would fit well with what they were doing. The Star Wars Million is what they came up with! At their first trial run using the tracts, Daniel said they used 1,000 tracts in the first 3 hours of their outreach!

What a creative way to get people to stop and have a conversation with you. This is definately thinking outside of the box! What most people don't realize is that many of these tract sites (http://www.customtractsource.com/, and http://www.onemilliontracts.com/) will make a tract to suite your outreach. Be creative and start thinking outside of the box, or if you have an old storm trooper costume hanging up in your closet...start putting it to use!

Below is a YouTube video of them on the streets in the Storm Trooper costume... Check it out. Have fun. Be creative!

Help Distributing Food & the Gospel

2009-09-22T06:15:00.004-05:00

Good Messengers Ministries needs evangelists to help with a local food outreach program. Children's Hunger Fund has been using the local churches to distribute food to people in need. There have been many people that are in need of this food --- more needs than workers! Good Messengers Ministries will be partnering with a local Pastor who works directly with the Children's Hunger Fund, to distribute food boxes to needy families.

Each box of food is designed to feed a family of four for one week. Yet, we know the greater need is salvation coming to each home. A specially designed Bible study has been created to be used in each home visit. Children's Hunger Fund is a non-profit organization designed to work through local churches and desires that the church get into the homes to meet the needs of people and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Children's Hunger Fund does not distribute the food directly but works through the local church. Children's Hunger Fund seeks to alleviate the suffering of children by equipping God's Church to communicate the Gospel through effective compassion ministry. One of our members, Pastor Mike Matiscik of Christian Fellowship Church is in charge of this "Special Ministry" opportunity.

Pastor Mike has a waiting list of people who have asked for food. For those interested, Pastor Mike will train you and then continue to supply you with the food and names of those in need. The commitment is once a week for twelve to sixteen weeks. You can work with one or more families depending upon your schedule. You can visit the homes at a mutually convenient time.The Bible Study program is also very flexible to fit your abilities and background. During your training you can learn how to adapt the program to your Bible knowledge. Like any evangelistic opportunity, you will grow in your knowledge of God and His Word as you share the gospel.Know this is hard work but also very rewarding work. Sometimes the people are extremely grateful for the food, other times they are not. Sometimes the people want nothing to do with the Bible and will stop delivery. Sometimes you will see poverty in abundance and it will disturb you. This work requires a person dedicated to prayer.We require that two or three people go on every visit. If a third person goes, that person can remain in your vehicle to pray while the other team members are inside. We are looking for men and women who desire to reach the lost to be involved in this work. Those that have a compassion for the lost and for those in need will truly find a perfect ministry for themselves.If you are interested in committing to this work, please contact Pastor Mike Matiscik 219-931-5177 augedog@ameritech.net Know we really need your help... NOW We are praying for God to send us more workers.

Visit http://www.chfus.org/ to learn more about Children's Hunger Fund.

Children's Hunger Fund Midwest recently embarked on a trip to capture video footage of CHF's and the church's ministry in the Chicago area and western Michigan. Compassion, sorrow and sadness are present as you watch families desperately struggling when they live within minutes or blocks of those living the American dream. However the joy that God brings into seemingly impossible circumstances is also present. Pastor Mike Matiscik is in this video he is the first gentleman that is interviewed.

8 Reasons I don't Share my Faith

2009-09-21T05:52:00.005-05:00

Here are some questions to begin asking yourself. How many times have you been witnessed to by a Christian? What percentage of Christians do you think actively share their faith? Well the answer to that question is 2%. What do you think are the main reasons the vast majority of Christians don't share their faith? You will see 8 common reasons in the video below, but let me tell you what I think the #1 answer is.... ZEAL FOR THE LORD!

Scripture says, "...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." - Matt. 12:34 Where your heart for the Lord is...is your compassion for the Lost! Jesus came to seek and save what?... the LOST! Jesus before He left this earth gave us the command to "make disciples" (followers of Jesus). Matt. 28:18-20. He said in Mark 16:15, "...Go into all the world and proclaim (preach) the gospel to the whole creation."

The question becomes what are you personally doing to advance the kingdom of God? You don't have to be a street evangelist, or an open air preacher but are you sharing Christ with those around you? Are you sharing Christ at all?

Charles Spurgeon said, "Your one business in life is to lead men to believe in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirt. EVERY OTHER THING should be made subservient to this one objective." Do you live your life that way? Do you live with eternity in view? Seeking and saving the lost! Is there a gift of feeding starving children, a gift of Bible reading, a gift of tithing, a gift of worship, a gift of service, a gift of prayer...someone can be gifted in these areas but ther is no such thing as a gift in these areas! Let me tell you the same is with evangelism... it is ALL ABOUT OBEDIENCE or DISOBEDIENCE. Christ commanded you to share your faith...NOT asked you.

Do you realize that in an average day 150,000 people died everyday, and according to statistics 32% of the world population identifies themselves as Christians (this does not include false conversions). This means that on the average day more than 102,000 people walk off this planet into eternity without Jesus Christ. In the average week, about 714,000 die in their sins. And, in one year, an average of 37,230,000 people walk off into hell for eternity. Look at the death counter I have on this blog at the bottom left hand column of this page...Where is your ZEAL for the Lord and what HE is concerned about....the LOST!

One of the driving forces for me personally to share my faith is my love of the Lord! I not only desire to worship Him but to please Him also. I often think of this question... When I stand before God and He says, "Welcome good and faithful servant, but where are the 'disciples' (followers) that I asked you to bring me?" What would I say? Sorry Lord, when you told us to go out and be a witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth (Acts 1:8) I thought you were directing that to someone else?

Why don't you share your faith?

Post your comments below...

Ready for What?

2009-09-18T05:30:00.003-05:00

Here is what happens when the faithful goes
out to witness and just carries his cross.

The Jesus Rant

2009-09-17T05:30:00.012-05:00

What are you going to do with Him? Post your comments after
watching the video below...

Still have questions? Visit http://www.gotourtract.com/

After watching this video myself (on YouTube) I looked at some of the posted responsed below the video. Many of them were from Athiests and Agnostics. One of the comments stuck out to me. The person made a comment, " I have a question for you. What are YOU going to do with Horrus? You have no way to prove that he isn't god. If you don't repent, he's going to torture you forever by rubbing your face in his feces for all eternity." It is sad to me that many people view God as a tyrant. We often get asked when witnessing, "Why did God create mankind if He knew man would sin?" So, I thought I would try and answer it for you today.

It is so easy for some people to paint God as this tyrant because He made man knowing that man would sin. But often we only look at what we want to...or people just don't get the complete story! Often, people make judgment-calls not based on their own homework but on feelings or what someone else has said.
Let me explain it in a different way (which by the way this story is NOT true), "When I was a child, my father beat me, left my mom, and once killed a defenseless animal with his bare hands." Now, with that information you could be quite justified in saying that my father (which he is not) was an abusive jerk of a man. But again, you're missing some information. "He physically corrected me when I lied or stole. He left my Mom because he worked long hours at the steel mill to financially take care of his family. When he found a helpless dying animal on the side of road, he put the poor aniimal out of its misery, and it grieved him to do so." The missing information shows that my dad was a very loving man and not a tyrant.

Often people make comments about videos like the one above because they don't have the whole story. No one has taken the time to show that God has deliberately lavished His kindness on us by giving us His only Son to die for OUR SINS! His kindness also gives us eyes to see the sunrise in the morning, sunsets in the evening, He gives us ears to hear the birds, taste buds to enjoy good food, and so many other good things, which we rarely even recognize (Psalm 68:19; Romans 14:17). God didn't create us as puppets. We as humanity chose to disobey got and thus sin. God knew that man would sin, but by allowing it to happen He was able to show the redeemed how much He loved us, by giving His son as a living sacrifice for OUR SINS! If that isn't love I don't know what is?

But I do know something else about this all-wise, all-powerful, and incredibly kind and loving God. He is also a God of justice. His very nature demands both perfect justice and perfect love. So what did God do about man's sin? He gave His life on a unspeakably cruel cross, taking the punishment for our sin, so that we coule escape being JUSTLY punished in hell. The Bible tells us that all of us are desperately wicked and deserving of hell. We broke God's Law (the 10 Commandments), and Jesus paid our fine, knowing that every sin we would commit before He made us. Because of HIS sacrifice, He can legally dismiss our case. Upon our repentance (which is necessary for salvation) and faith (which is also necessary and different than just belief) in Jesus, we can leave the courtroom innocent in God's eyes. He invites all of us to receive this free gift.

So again, What are you going to do with Jesus?

If you still have questions visit http://www.gotourtract.com/

Gospel Archives ~ Old Tract

2009-09-16T06:11:00.020-05:00

"Oh my friends we are loaded down with countless church activities, while the real work of the church, that of evangeliszing and winning the lost is almost neglected."

~ Oswald J. Smith
1889-1986

Oswald Smith (1889-1986) was a Canadian pastor and evangelist, enthusiastic missions supporter, pastor, poet, hymn lyricist, and author. He pastored congregations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto, but is best known as the founding pastor of The Peoples Church, a large congregation in greater Toronto. He also traveled throughout the world and used radio broadcasts to share the gospel message and stimulate missions awareness. The image above shows Smith just before the start of a revival service in Canada in the early 20th century.
The centerpiece of this page is Smith's talk (5:45 minutes), "Who Can Pay So Much? a sample of his evangelistic preaching. This message also became a popular gospel tract of the day and the published tract is permenantly stored in the Billy Graham Center Museum. Let's take a look at the past and take a look at this tract...

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Who Can Pay So Much?
The Russian Czar used to love to disguise himself and mingle with his subjects to hear what they might have to say.
One night he visited the barracks and listened to the conversation of the soldiers.
While passing a tent he observed a young officer sitting at a table with his head on his arm, sound asleep. The Czar tiptoed to the back of the chair and looked over his shoulder. There on the table before him he saw, to his amazement, a loaded revolver. Beside the revolver was a sheet of paper and on the paper a long list of gambling debts.
The Czar noted the total and was about to turn away when, suddenly, he saw that there was something written below the column of figures.
Stepping closer, he read the words: "Who can pay so much?"
Like a flash he grasped the situation. The young officer had gambled everything he had. He was deeply in debt, and he had no way of meeting his obligations. Hence his decision to blow his brains out and end it all.
But, after writing the words, "Who can pay so much?", he had fallen asleep. Soon he would awaken, and then--
The Czar at first decided to report him. Then, remembering that he was a friend of the young man's father, he changed his decision.
Taking up the pen that had fallen from the hand of the young man and dipping it in the ink, he looked for a moment again at the question before him:
"Who can pay so much?"
Then, stooping over, he wrote one word underneath--this:
"Alexander."
Quietly he turned away.
Presently the young officer opened his eyes, picked up the revolver and slowly raised it to his brow. But, just before pulling the trigger, he glanced for the last time, at the list of his debts. Then he read once more what he had written: "Who can pay so much?"
Suddenly he bent nearer. There was another word on the paper. He read it--"Alexander."
In amazement he dropped the revolver from his hand. He had recognized the handwriting. His Czar had been there. With great joy he read again the writing: "Who can pay so much?" "Alexander."
Next morning, sure enough a messenger came with a bag of money from the Czar. His debts were paid and his life saved.
Friend, you, too, have accumulated a debt, a debt that you can never hope to pay--a debt of sin. And when you realize it, you too, will cry: "Who can pay so much?" and then God will answer,
"JESUS."
Yes, Jesus settled the account. He became the payment for your debt of sin. Listen!
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." (2 Cor. 5:19).
Isn't that glorious? Not imputing (charging against or reckoning to) their trespasses (sins) unto them."
And why not? Because He imputed, charged against, or reckoned, them to Christ.
Your sins were placed to Christ's account when He died on Calvary. Therefore you can go free. Your debt has been paid. "Jesus paid it all." What wonderful news!
But not only did He die to make an atonement; He rose again, and now He lives to save.
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. v. 20-21).
Oh, my friend, believe God and accept His Son. the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Saviour, for He has paid your debt of sin that you might go free. Will you do it? Do it and do it NOW.

_____________________________________________

LISTEN: hear Smith give the message, and read along in a full-text transcript.

The Good Person Test "Booth"

2009-09-15T09:42:00.010-05:00

Most men will proclaim each his own goodness. In fact, Proverbs 21:2 declares "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts."

Watch 17 min. video on taking a Good Person Test

Our ministry (www.goodmessengers.org) often uses a Good Person Booth to share the gospel with people. Good Person Booth's at Fair's & Fest's can be VERY rewarding. We have found that this type of booth offers lots of opportunities to have conversations of the gospel with people. Most people do not find the booths to be offensive and many people are eager to find out if they are truly a "good person. Below is our top 10 tips for starting your own Good Person Booth.

10 Tips for Starting a "Good Person Test Booth!

1) Purchase Canopy w/4 side-walls & Awning
http://www.elitedeals.com/ezup4wa10x10.html
Canopies are great with sides. Need sides for rain and also so you can close-up shop if you are working a multi-day event. Many fairs and fest require you to have a fire-extinguisher even if you are not selling food/drink. Also see if you are required to have insurance? Some locations will require these things even if you are giving away drinks or water. Figure on spending around $300 on a canopy like this one.

2) Purchase Good Person Banner from Living Waters Ministries.
This is a great banner to start a conversation. It also helps complete your booth. It is a very durable quality banner of high color, and it will cost you around $140. + shipping.
Click Here to purchase banner.

3) Workers must go through a proper Biblical Evangelism Course.
The Most important thing is making sure the people working your booth have gone through a Biblical Evangelism course such as....the Way of the Master basic evangelism course, Ambassadors Alliance , School of Biblical Evangelism, Mark Cahill's Ministries, Andy Lapin's Transfired Ministries, Paul Washer, John MacArthur's Grace to You, Lost Cause Ministries, or through Worldview Weekend. We have had others Not from our ministry try and help us out and we found out that they were presenting a different gospel message to people. Some tried to use the decisional prayer approach. Some were there just to promote their church (we never use evangelism as a marketing tool). Some when questioned about the gospel couldn't even tell us how they got saved (so we even questioned their salvation). That is also why to work in one of Good Messengers booths you must be a member of our ministry, and to be a member you must have had taken an approved evangelism course. Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana works with various denominations that typically have different doctrines, but those in our ministry do agree on the same Biblical gospel message. Ultimately ask yourself...what are you at this event for? Who do you represent? The gospel MUST be Biblical and MUST be the most important thing on your agenda. Protect and Present the Biblical gospel message at ALL costs!!! Click here to see what courses Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana has to offer.

4) Use a Good Person Test Survey Form.
Even though all of our people who are working the booth know how to go through the gospel using the law and don't need to use a survey form...it does give legitimacy to the person you are talking to. When you are done you can also give the person the survey. We typically have around 500 of these printed for a 2-4 day event, and sometimes we go through all of them.

Standard Black and White Good Person Test:
Survey Cover: http://goodmessengers.org/handouts/evangelismsurveycover3.doc
Survey Inside: http://goodmessengers.org/handouts/EvangelismSurvey3.doc

Color Printing Decorative Cover Good Person Test:
Survey Cover: http://goodmessengers.org/handouts/evangelismsurveycover2.doc
Survey Inside: http://goodmessengers.org/handouts/evangelismsurveyinside2.doc

Have the people who are working your booth go through the surveys with people. Don't just have people fill out the survey. The purpose of the survey is to have conversations with people. Ultimately, you are trying to talk to them about the things of God not to go through some kind of presentation. Our ministry NEVER uses the Good Person Test Booth to market ANY church or organization. We are there to share Christ and His good news of salvation. People will often asks us what church we are from and our response is, "We are just a bunch of Christians from various churches who get together to share Christ, and we are not representing any church." Most people are shocked!!! So often churches use events like these to market their church and evangelism should NEVER be used as marketing. We don't even point them to our website unless they are a Christian who is looking to get involved in evangelism. Also we never take donations in your booth (even if they try and through the money at you)! Show people that you are their to give and share Christ with no strings attached!

5) Consider creating a Gospel Message Website or use ours.
We have a website that we point people to http://www.gotourtract.com/ that many other organizations use. You are free to point people to this site as well. We put a website together that has a long gospel message and a section to answer questions (from the Evidence Bible and other resources). At the end of this site aprox. pg 13 the person can apply and get a 100% Free copy of Mark Cahill's book "One Heartbeat Away" sent to them. Good Messengers Ministries wanted to have a site that promotes the gospel and not some organization. The purpose of this site is to provide people with more information than what we have room for on most of our tracts and booklets. This site is also available in 11 different languages!!! This website is what we print on all of our tracts and booklets. We have even created a "What If?" tract (our #1 tract to hand out other than the money tracts) that matches the website... you can view this on our resources page...http://www.goodmessengers.org/resources.htm

6) Select a Good Location for your Booth.
You may want to check out several locations (fairs, flea-markets, fests, etc.) before committing, especially if it is summer time and there are several locations to choose from. Where is the best traffic? What is the cost and requirements for the booth space? How many days and hours is the event? How many workers are going to be needed to operate the booth? Will the event coordinator allow you to select the booth location for your tent? Make sure you aren't being placed in a grouping. For instance, one fair that we had a booth set-up they placed all the Christian churches together in a row, side-by-side. Many fair-goers would just by-pass our whole area. The location of your Good Person Booth is very important to having great conversations.

7) Booth Workers are VERY important.
Don't have to many people working the booth. Use a sign-up sheet to get people to commit to working a certain time slot. We have anywhere from 4-8 depending on the crowd. If you have too many people try take turns working the outside of the booth as well as the inside. We typically put two-three people in front of the booth handing out tracts and getting people to take the survey. Depending on your location you may or may not be able to go into the walk-way in front of your booth to try and talk to people. The canopy booth helps because once they are willing to take the survey you can take them into your booth to have a conversation.
Dress. Have your people dress casual (jeans, t-shirts [no religious shirts], etc.) I would not recommend allowing people to wear Christian clothing (ie. Jesus saves shirts, etc.) You are trying to removed as much offense (not in the gospel, but in your presentation of the booth) to try and have conversations about the gospel. The gospel can be offensive enough without our Christian marketing of shirts, signs etc. Again, ultimately what are you trying to do...present Christ to a lost and dying world! You need to try and start-up as much conversations as you can. We try and remove as much offense as possible to have conversations without compromising the Biblical message. That is why the "Good Person Test Booth" works REALLY good. It has no mention of Jesus, Bible, etc... and people will tend to stop at your booth to find out what this "good person test" is truly about? That is also why our booth members carry pocket Bibles (for reference only if needed). We don't go around waving BIG Bibles, or carring them around because it scares people away. Why? Think about it this way: Before you were a believer, what did you think when you saw a guy standing on a structure and waving a Bible around? Were your first thoughts, “Gee… I wonder what that guy is saying? I think I’ll go over there and listen.” Of course not. We aren't offended to carry them but in the same aspect we want to remove the offense to have as many conversations about Christ and the cross that we can. Let them hear your Bible words; let them hear your message; let them hear the tears in your voice as you proclaim the Law and Gospel. Why turn off a potential listener to your message before they even hear it by waving around a Bible?

8) Have Good Biblical Resources to Give Away on the Table.
We like to have two 6' tables with vinyl table cloths on them (easy to wipe-off). One table has handout Bibles and booklets. The other table has tract materials and extra clip boards with the Good Person Test Surveys. We put signs on the tables...saying, "ALL items on the tables are FREE. Please, DO NOT take multiples of each item" You will find that kids especially like to take handfuls of your tracts, and books and at the cost of the materials we try to limit people and watch what they take. Good Messengers Ministries has a member who owns a Christian Bookstore his name is Mel Huitsing He provides materials at great discount. I would recommend talking to him about purchasing some resources for your booth. His cell phone number is (219) 228-0656 (http://www.seedsower.net/).

Below you will see some of the resources that we ALWAYS have on our tables...
a. ESV handout Bibles
b. Is there Really a God? booklet
c. Why is there death and suffering? booklet
d. One Heartbeat Away book. We purchase this book by the case and keep them in a tub under the table. This is a fantastic book to give to someone who is seeking. We don't leave this book out because of the cost (Mel will give you a GREAT deal on these), and we only give it out to serious conversations.
e. We also get many, many booklets from RBC ministries...with topics on marriage, addictions, divorce, death.
...Our most popular booklet is Where Do We Go From Here - Life After Death.
f. Make sure you have resources for the police. Some recommended items are...
Right to Remain Silent tract...
Take up the Shield Book...
Parking Ticket ... make sure if you put these on cars that it is ok to do so (we got in trouble for putting this tract on cars in the parking lot at a fair) and make sure you put them on the passenger side. Get permission to do this at fairs and fest first, but this is also a great tract to hand to police.
g. We also have countless tracts that we print ourselves or purchase through one of these three vendors. Living waters is not the only place that provides great tracts..
.http://www.livingwaters.com/ http://www.onemilliontracts.com/ http://www.customtractsource.com/

On the top of the inside of our canopy you will often see stuffed animals (purchase from your local dollar store), and toy items that we staple kids tracts to and give away to children. Often giving toys away to children are done in teams... while someone is giving a child a toy someone else is talking to the parents. We also do the same approach with the "curved illusion" tract...
...we use this tract to draw children and while someone is using the tract on the children someone is talking to the parents. It is a way to give back and a way to share Christ with a family with smaller children who would most likely not visit your booth. Typically we only do the stuffed animal give-away at an event such as a fair or fest that has carnival games. Being thinking of the event you are at before using certain items.

9) It is very important to keep your tables neat and clean.
No personal belongings on the tables (put workers personal belongings [purses etc] in tubs under the tables), no left over drink bottles, food etc. Consider keeping your tracts and booklets rubber banded and leave them that way on the table (in case of wind and it is also easy to pack-up again). People tend not to take items from a table that is all messed-up and covered with personal belongings.

10) Look for creative ways to share Christ.
Start to think outside of "the box" and how can you create ways to get into conversations
with people about the Lord. It is about having conversations not doing gospel presentation. We tend to look for opportunities to give back to the community and also to share Christ. Ultimately we want to talk to people about the most important thing...the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

For example, in the past we received a donation of 36 cases of Gatoraid to give away in one of our Good Person Test Booths. The event was at a 4th of July Fest during the hot summer heat. We offered FREE Gatoraid to anyone who took the "Good Person Test." Some people took the test just to get a FREE cold drink. Make sure you have lost of ice. We have a 100 gallon cooler (cooler costs about $78 from Walmart) which uses Qty. 4 22lb bags of ice each day (about $15 of ice a day). Some people who took the test for the Gatoraid forgot to even take the Gatoraid. They were so blow away by the test they were more concerned now with the state of their soul than getting a cold drink. Of course, we would offer them the Gatoraid anyway. Its not about what you can offer, the drinks, the tracts, the books...its about what Christ has to offer. Keep that in the front of what you do and you will do fine!

Again, let us know if you have any questions....click here to send us an email.

I'm Sending You To Open Their Eyes. - Piper

2009-09-14T05:44:00.009-05:00

The video's below are John Pipers end in a sermon series on regeneration—the biblical teaching about the reality of being born again. John states in his message that, "We’re ending on the ground. On the street. In the car. At Dunn Brothers. In the back yard. In school. At work. Over lunch. On the phone. On Facebook and My Space. And text messaging. And Skyping. And blogging. And airplanes. And a hundred ordinary conversations. We’re ending with personal evangelism—an old-fashioned commitment in new contexts for the sake of new birth in thousands of spiritually dead people for the glory of Jesus Christ."

This is SUCH an encouraging message on putting the rubber-to-the-road and getting out to share our faith. I felt I had to share this message with everyone. The message is broken down into six videos (ea. video is about 10min). Enjoy the videos...and lets put the rubber-to-the-road!!!

2 Corinthians 4:1-7

"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. (2) But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (3) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. (4) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (5) For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (6) For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."

Video Presented by John Piper April 13, 2008

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

PART 6

God Has a Wonderful Plan for your Life?

2009-09-11T05:30:00.012-05:00

Have you ever said, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?" to someone when sharing the gospel? Is that a Biblical statement? Watch the video below and see how would you answer these questions?

WARNING: Video shows graphic footage, and audio from the 9-11 World Trade Center attack.

9/11/01 Didn't surprise God. He is Sovereign over everything!

Today is the last day for signing up for the Way of the Master basic evangelism courses (3 church locations to choose from). Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana currently has 74 people, representing 12 different churches taking the course. The host churches include Bethel Church of Crown Point, Indiana (Friday nights), Community Bible Church of Cedar Lake on Monday nights, and the Wesleyan Church of Merrillville, IN. on Sunday nights.

Who do you know that isn't saved?
Where will they go if they die without Christ?

Do you feel like you don’t have the courage to share Christ? Maybe you are just having a hard time sharing the gospel because you feel that you don’t know enough. You feel like you need to be an expert in apologetics before you can share your faith. Maybe you are afraid someone will ask you a question that you won’t have the answer too! Maybe you are just fearful of how people will act or respond when you tell them about Christ. Maybe you have been a Christian for many years and have never shared your faith. Well this is the course for you! This course is open to teens, adults, seniors...men, woman, and children (8 and older).

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE COURSE.
REGISTRATIONS END TODAY!!!!

Watch Way of the Master Course Promo Video:

Encouragement

2009-09-10T06:45:00.008-05:00

Does Contact Evangelism Work? I can tell you many personal stories that it does, but how about I show you one. I want you to watch the video of Kirk Cameron witnessing to a scary group of guys. Take special note of the guy in the sunglasses as he gives Kirk a hard time.

When witnessing, you may be speaking to more than one person in a crowd, and often the person you think is supposed to hear the gospel is differant than who God decides.This is the man who was agitated with Kirk in the witnessing encounter. They ran into him on Hollywood Blvd and this is what he was up to. He said the Lord saved him and he was born again. Now he is out sharing Christ and speaking against Abortion!
Watch the video below and tell me if you see a man who was changed by God?

Don't be afraid to share your faith with someone today. You never
know what impact you may be having on someone's life!

Today Why Don't You?

2009-09-09T09:43:00.008-05:00

Contact & Friendship Evangelism

2009-09-08T10:16:00.019-05:00

In a past article, "Lost Liberties" I wrote of a Christian brother named Jon Speed who was subpoenaed to testify in a US District Court in the case "Darrel Rundus vs. the United States of America" regarding the illegal search and seizure of 83 packs of Gospel tracts by the Secret Service. An update blog about this court case will be posted in the near future. I want to tell you about how Jon has written a short booklet (around 42 pages) called "Evangelism in the New Testament." Which can be purchased from One Million Tracts.com for around $3.50.
I was introduced to this booklet at an Evangelism conference over this summer. Many fellow evangelist were talking about its content and I thought to myself what can a little 42 page booklet contain that I hadn't already read somewhere else before? Well let me tell you I REALLY enjoyed this little booklet. Mind you this blog post is not an advertisement for Jon's book, and he did NOT put me up to writting about it. Jon's book deals with the topic of Contact Evangelism vs. Friendship Evangelism.

First, let me make the point that in no-way is Jon's book or my blog article saying that Friendship Evangelism isn't important, or that it is to be dismissed as a model of evangelism. Clearly our Lord also used relationships to reveal Himself. I am also NOT stating that Contact & Friendship Evangelism are exclusive either...there are other forms of biblical evangelism such as Servant Evangelism (which I will discuss Servant Evangelism in a later blog). I do however want to share a little bit from "Evangelism in the New Testament" that deals with just these two forms of witnessing, but more exclusively it deals with the importance of us Christians being involved in Contact Evangelism. Every Christian (Pastors, Directors, and Ministry leaders included) should read this booklet with an open-mind and think of possiblities of what would happen if we were ALL involved in Contact Evangelism on some level.

What I love about this booklet is Jon's sincere desire to see more Christians, getting involved with Contact Evangelism. Contact Evangelism is a part of our heritage as believers and it shouldn't be dismissed either because we also have this as a model from Jesus. I also believe that if more people were involved in Contact Evangelism they would also see an increase in Friendship Evangelism, because then EVANGELISM becomes a lifeblood of a Christians life.

Before I introduce you to a little excerpt from Jon's booklet let me define the terms Contact & Friendship Evangelism...

Contact Evangelism:
Sharing the Biblical gospel in direct contact with strangers.

Friendship Evangelism:
Sharing the Biblical gospel within the context of friendships.

Below you will find a little excerpt from Jon Speed's booklet "Evangelism in the New Testament." This excerpt is not intended for our Christian brothers and sisters to feel guilty about not being involved in evangelism, but rather to show that Jesus did in fact have MANY direct contact witnessing opportunites with strangers. In fact, He did that form of evangelism more than any other as you will see...

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Click Image to See Larger
"There are at least 89 instance of Christ and His associates doing evangelism in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). Of these 89 instances, 77 took place in the context of Contact Evangelism. For example, Jesus preached the gospel in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), and He traveled throughout the region, preaching the gospel (Matt. 9:35). Only 12 instances happened in the context of what could be considered Friendship Evangelism. These include the often cited example of Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners (Matt.11:19), and assume that eternal truths were shared during casual, friendly encounters. These findings are represented in the following pie chart. These incidents provide us with a clear model for evangelism, based on sheer volume of examples of Christ Himself doing contact evangelism. Furthermore, it is instructive that most of the friendship evangelism opportunities in the Gospels were the direct result of previous encounters in the public. For example, consider Zacchaeus. He is often touted as an example of friendship evangelism because he and Jesus shared a meal together. The fact that he met Christ in the context of His public ministry is entirely neglected by most proponents of Friendship Evangelism (Luke 19:1-4). This is true Friendship Evangelism: a friendship that begins (not ends) with the proclamation of the gospel. It is based entirely on the gospel rather than on sporting or social events designed to sneak the gospel into the conversation at some later date.

There are at least 46 instances of the early Church engaging in evangelism (both contact and friendship) in the book of Acts. Of these 46 instances, 38 took place in the context of Contact Evangelism. The apostle Peter’s sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-38) is a fine example. Paul’s sermon at Mar’s Hill is another instance of Contact Evangelism with the intellectual giants of his day (Acts 17:22-31). Only 8 incidents happened in the context of what could be considered Friendship Evangelism. Examples counted as Friendship Evangelism include Paul’s lengthy ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:8-10) as well as his time of house arrest, since he was able to teach the Word of God to those who came to visit him (Acts 28:23,30,31). Again, since this time was spent “persuading them concerning Jesus,” keep in mind that a verbal witness is essential in addition to the friendship. These findings are represented in the following pie chart. It is interesting to note that the ratios are comparable to those in Christ’s life – within three percentage points. It’s probably not wise to make too much of this, but considering the fact that the apostles were taught by the Lord Himself, it’s not surprising that they followed His example."

Information is taken from: “Evangelism in the New Testament” booklet written by Jon Speed. Purchase a copy from http://www.onemilliontracts.com/

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Let this excerpt be an encouragement to you today. If you are unsure of how to share your faith biblically our ministry would like to help you. Good Messengers Ministries offers basic evangelism courses and we are getting geared-up for some new courses. We will not be calling you to be an "open-air-preacher" or even into "street ministry", but we will show you a biblical model to share your faith without fear. We are ALL commanded to share our faith with those around us whether they are our unsaved friends, family or strangers. There are 3 basic evangelism classes being offered this fall (at 3 different host church locations in Northwest Indiana), and registrations are almost full so get signed up today... Click Here for more information. Questions about these courses or this blog article can be sent to 4hisservice@sbcglobal.net

Door Knockers

2009-09-04T17:34:00.007-05:00

_____________________________________________

Have a Great Labor Day Weekend!

Lost Liberties

2009-09-04T06:35:00.039-05:00

It's a Million Dollar Question?
The Case of: "Darrel Rundus vs. the United States of America" regarding the illegal search and seizure of 83 packs of Gospel tracts by the Secret Service back in 2006. My Christian brother Jon Speed of Lost Cause Ministries reported on what happened that day,"Back in 2006 the Secret Service came to the ministry offices I worked for at the time and confiscated 83 packs of Million Dollar Bill tracts, saying they were in violation of the statutes for counterfeit currency. The issue is whether or not their confiscation of them was legal since they had no warrant and we asked them several times to leave. We're contending that the only reason we surrendered them is because Tim Crawford was threatened with arrest, which would also be illegal. The question of the legality of the tracts is also being debated in court."

Does this sound all so surreal? Well it is happening in a court trial right now in Texas! This court case could have a HUGE impact on anyone who uses money tracts in the United States. Some biblical evangelist friends of our's are in a court trial this week defending their "Lost Liberties." We need to keep them and this situation in our prayers. Take a look at this story and tell me if we might have lost some liberties?

In 2006, three United States Secret Service agents confiscated 8,300 religious hand-outs from the Great News Network office. These hand-outs resembled Federal Reserve notes (dollar bills), but were each in the denomination of $1 million, a denomination never issued by the United States Department of the Treasury. Darrel Rundus(director of the ministry) filed a civil rights lawsuit against Defendants-Appellees Michael Chertoff, Mark L. Lowery, and Roy Whatley, Jr. (collectively, "the government"), claiming that their actions violated the Darrel's constitutional right, since they seized the tracts without a warrant!

On the same day that they filed their complaint, the Darrel Rundus sought a preliminary injunction from the district court that would permit the continued use of the hand-outs. The district court denied the Plaintiffs' preliminary injunction, concluding that they had failed to establish a substantial likelihood of success on the merits.

The Great News Network, which is similar to the ministry that I am a director of (Good Messengers Ministries of Northwest Indiana). The Great News Network is an evangelical training ministry with approximately 1,000 members in ten countries. Its headquarters are in Denton, Texas, and again Rundus is its president.

As part of its ministry, GNN distributes the gospel tract hand-outs, which are designed to look like Federal Reserve notes with a face value of $1 million. Darrel admits to having distributed over one million of the hand-outs in the three years preceding this lawsuit.

GNN does not produce or create these hand-outs. Rather, they obtain them from Living Waters Publications, Inc. ("Living Waters"), which operates out of Bellflower, California. 1 In his affidavit of June 15, 2006, the president of Living Waters (Ray Comfort) averred that, in the previous four years, Living Waters had distributed over 5.3 million of the hand-outs world-wide, 95 percent of which were distributed in the United States.

The hand-outs are in the general style of the Treasury Department's Series 2004 notes. Each bears a portrait of former President Grover Cleveland on its face and a vignette of the United States Supreme Court building on its reverse side.2 In addition, the hand-outs are of the same dimensions as the Series 2004 note designs, and have nearly identical color schemes and layouts.

There are, however, myriad intentional differences that distinguish the hand-outs from actual legal tender. First, the paper on which the hand-outs are printed is palpably different from that used for Federal Reserve notes: The paper on which the hand-outs are printed is substantially thicker and more rigid than that of real currency, the hand-out's stock having a consistency similar to that of smooth construction paper.

Second, there are numerous verbal indicators on the hand-outs that distinguish them from real currency. These include (1) on the left side of each hand-out's face, the faux Federal Reserve indicator reads "Reserved Federal System," contrast to that of the official indicator, "Federal Reserve System;" (2) the lower left corner of each face contains the statement "This note is not legal tender for all debts, public and private;" (3) also in the lower left corner, each is purportedly signed by a representative of the "Department of Eternal Affairs;" (4) on the lower right side of the face of each is a notation of the website "www.WayOfTheMasterRadio.com;" (5) on the top border of the face of each is written "Reserved Note," instead of "Federal Reserve Note;" (6) the ostensible seal of the United States Department of Treasury on the right side of the face of each states "Thou Shall Not Steal -- Isaiah Fifty Five One;" and (7) the border of the reverse side of each reads:

The million-dollar question: Will you go to Heaven? Here's a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Jesus said, "Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you looked with lust? Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things, God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty you will end up in Hell. That's not God's will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then He rose from the dead and defeated death. Please, repent (turn from sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it. www.livingwaters.com Early in June 2006, after an individual in North Carolina attempted to deposit one of the hand-outs into his personal bank account, three United States Secret Service agents traced that hand-out back to the Plaintiffs, went to GNN's headquarters, and seized eighty-three packs of hand-outs, each of which contained 100 individual hand-outs. In addition, the agents informed Darrel Rundus that the government intended to issue a cease-and- desist order requiring them to discontinue their use of the gospel tract hand-outs.

Ten days after the seizure, the Great News Network filed a civil lawsuit in the district court, alleging that the seizure and threatened cease-and-desist order violated their First and Fourth Amendment rights and seeking a declaratory judgment that distribution of the hand-outs was protected First Amendment expressive activity. In addition, the Great News Network sought a permanent injunction (1) prohibiting the government from seizing additional hand-outs and (2) requiring the government to return those that it had seized. As an alternative measure of relief, the Great News Network sought monetary damages in the event that the government had already destroyed the hand-outs or otherwise made their return impossible.

On the same day that they filed their complaint, the Great News Network filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to restrain the government from issuing a cease-and-desist order that would prohibit the Great News Network from thereafter acquiring, distributing, or using such hand-outs. The Great News Network argued that the government lacked statutory authority either to seize the hand-outs or to prohibit their future use.

The district court denied the Great News Network motion, determining that they had failed to establish a substantial likelihood of success on the merits. The Great News Network timely filed a notice of appeal, and it is in court this week.

My friend, Jon Speed of Lost Cause Minstries has been in court all this week and he said, " I am praising God for the amazing favor He showed us today in court. Testifying went very well, all of the decisions the judge made that went our way, and the Secret Service's counsel inadvertently admitted some evidence that we had been looking for for several weeks. It was all the work of God. I am going back tomorrow to drop off some tracts for the judge to look at and watch some of the testimonies of the Secret Service agents." Jon also stated, "All of the Secret Service agents got the old Living Waters "Your Day in Court" tracts (and read them) and Darrel Rundus got to read the back of the Million Dollar Bill tract in court! Darrel also shared the gospel directly in the court room." God is being Glorified through all of this!

Please be in prayer for our fellow brothers in Christ, and for the outcome of this court case. There is a lot at stake with this case. One of the biggest issues that could effect many evangelism ministries in this country is if they deam the "Million Dollar Bill Tract" counterfeit, and could stop ministries from producing and distributing these tracts in the US. Retail giant Toys R Us has been selling "million-dollar bills," printed on both front and back, for years. In fine print on the back, the bill says, "This instrument is NON negotiable." World Class Learning Materials sells a set of 100 bills of different denominations it calls "play money" A website called Prank Place says its currency for sale "looks and feels real. Great conversation tool. Our funny money and fake million dollar bills look just like real U.S. Currency. These are very high quality, designed by an incredibly talented artist. Our fake money make great gifts, additions to greeting cards, or even sales promotions and sales tools." Why isn't the government trying to shut these fake-bills down as well, or is the issue that our million dollar bill tracts have the gospel on them? So ask yourself, is our Liberties being Lost? What do you think? Post your comments below!!!

You can also read some more coverage on this case from World Net Daily News.

Click on Image to Watch the News
Coverage Video from 2006

Coke or Pepsi?

2009-09-03T11:32:00.023-05:00

When it comes to evangelism Christian organizations and Churches have seemed to change their direction. Evangelism has become more of a marketing tool rather than means to share Christ, and believe me I have a degree from Ray College of Design in Communications Design and know the advertising marketing field. But I do also know that there is still a large remnant who keep the main thing the main thing: Jesus Christ at the center. The church I attend has a motto… “It’s All About Him.” This motto is constantly in front of us, reminding us of what is really important…Jesus Christ. My senior pastor often talks about how we have to, “keep eternity in view.” I often wonder, do we have those eyeglasses when we look at unconverted people or are we just trying to get them to come to church. Do we see people as where they will spend eternity? Christians put the responsibility to save people on the Church. The church’s primary job is not to evangelize the world, it is our job as Christian to share the biblical gospel. The church’s main job is for corporate worship, fellowship, discipleship, and the building up of believers. What we must realize is that Jesus commanded everyone to share their faith. Sharing our faith is a matter of obedience or disobedience. There is no gift of tithing, no gift of Bible reading, no gift of prayer, and there is no gift of evangelism. Individuals can be gifted in these areas but we are ALL called to share our faith.

The problem in the American culture is we no-longer see the importance of sharing our faith. According to Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, “Only two percent of believers in America regularly share their faith in Christ with others.” For a true Christian, that cannot be. One of the most exciting aspects of being a believer is telling other people about the Lord of your life.
And for those who DO want to share their faith, they are looking for the next “best technique” rather than getting back to Biblical principles. Since we are talking about marketing and evangelism, lets look at the marketing of two popular soda-pop manufacturers. I saw an interesting post on a friends blog the other day entitled "Why Coke beat Pepsi for the last 100+ years."

This picture speaks a thousand words:
(To view larger click on image)
Duncan Riley from the Inquisitor points out, “If you’ve got the real thing you don’t need to change your branding, as this very clever brand mash-up points out.”

How true this is, yet how often we fail to apply it in evangelism or to the Church for that matter. I believe we often fail because we have forgotten that we’ve got the real thing: Jesus Christ Himself.

When it comes to modern evangelism, Christians are looking for the next best technique. They are using the Pepsi approach, trying to clean-up the gospel message to make it more palatable, trying not to offend someone, and in turn the gospel is watered-down to the point it isn’t even a biblical gospel message anymore. There is only talk of God's love. There is no explaination of sin, repentance, judgment, justice, hell or even God's wrath. We only talk of God's love and often use the fruits of salvation as a draw card to bring people to Christ such as, "come to Jesus and He will bring you joy, peace and happiness." The problem is most people "try" on Christianity expecting better lives and they get what the Bible teaches,...trials, tribulations, persecutions. They then discard Christianity and want nothing to do with it anymore. They are worse off than when they began...another bitter backslider. Or even worse than that is those who profess Jesus as Lord and live differently. It also seems more and more Churches are trying the Pepsi approach, changing the name on the sign out front, adding new worship music, changing the paint scheme, adding movie clips to the sermons, offering more programs and series, etc..

Maybe, like Coke, we simply need to keep offering the real thing, and get back to proclaiming the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ.

Are you following the Pepsi model, or are you keeping the real thing the main thing? Is is truly ALL ABOUT HIM?

When we get away from the main thing we can often create false converts. It breaks my heart to see people who profess to be Christians… who profess Jesus Christ as Lord in one breath and in the second breath we see pictures of them getting plastered at a party, or doing things that show no evidence of a changed heart or lifestyle. What is wrong with this picture? Where is the evidence of true saving faith in these people… which is a renewed mind, heart, and spirit….desiring the things of God and not of this world? Realize that we have not arrived yet and ALL Christians struggle with sin, but the desire not to sin and wanting to live for the Lord is evidence of true saving faith. Our problem stems back to how we share our faith…we have gotten away from the real thing model of plowing the field (using the law in evangelism to convert the soul and point a person to Christ Gal. 3:24) before we plant (sharing the grace of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us) the gospel. We need to take the plow (w/the law) and break-up the hard-hearted soil to prepare the way for the seed, only then do we plant and God will give the increase. God is the one who saves, and we are just called to plow and plant!

In future articles I will explain how to share your faith Biblically the way Jesus did, and to challenge those who are not sharing their faith to plow and plant again! If you want to learn right now our ministry is starting some basic biblical evangelism courses.

I am not a big fan of Christian Rap music but this video says it all...enjoy.