Free ticket to Heaven

I believe those who have been born with mental and or physical disabilities are blessed by God and are on their way to heaven.

They are sent here with no choice of their own as to how they came. God has placed them here for many different reasons, many of which we don’t understand and won’t this side of eternity.

Many times my heart has melted when I have had the opportunity to see or visit one of these special beings. Today was one of those special days.

I had just turned the corner (at work) with my cart filled with food items to stock the shelves. There was a man in a wheel chair waving his arms and trying to talk to me. I stopped to try and understand what he was trying to say. I listened for a while and smiled. The man that was pushing him made some comment as to how difficult it was with taking all three of them shopping. There was two other gentleman with him. The other two were able to walk but also had been mentally challenged. The one at the rear, made a comment as the difficulty in steering the shopping cart. We laughed and talked.

I said “God bless you all” as they headed off. What came to my again was “free ticket”. I was particularly blessed with the man who had taken on this responsibility to watch over all three. He made a comment as he was leaving, “you ought to see it when they throw forks at each other”. Oh my I said, having no idea what it must be like.

Tears came to my eyes again as I thought of these precious people trying to make to most of this life. Someday they will have new bodies and minds. No more sickness, no more sorrow.

And oh, the rich reward that awaits those that take care of the least of these.

May God again bless all three of you, and the gentleman that was caring for them.
Amen

Evidence of change

Sometimes change in ones life is gradual but it is indeed change. So it is with this young guy that we have been working with over the course of the last six months. Originally when we met him, he was far away from God and did not mind telling us so.

He was raised in a Christian home. His dad is a minister. So it is with some of the young people out there today. He is not the first we have met. For what ever reason besides rebellion, they have decided to check out of typical church and religion. They don’t want the usual status quo that comes with organized religion.

In one since, I can’t blame them. I do tell them that it is not all about “church and religion”. It’s more than that, a whole lot more. They are not interested in going through the motions of playing church. They want the real deal. If God is real, show me. Let’s see the power of God, they would say.

I believe the day is coming soon when many young people are going to be coming to God through Christ. I’m afraid it might be in a way that most are not familiar with. Could it come in a way that has never been seen before? Unusual ways, with unusual people? God truly only knows.

We are seeing some get on board, glory to God. However, until the church in the four walls begins to open it’s doors to all types of people and also get out to the people on a regular basis, it will remain stuck within the walls of religion. Also, some other good advise would be to minister to them right where they are at. Don’t just invite them to church, do some ministering on your own. Pray with them. Befriend them. Love on them right there. They may already have a church that is close by them, that’s OK. It is not all about numbers or bringing them to church.

Back to our brother who is soon going to get on track with God. Today, I walked into the coffee shop where he works and said hello. Just Hi, and asked him how he was doing. Nothing more. After about a half an hour he stopped by the corner where James and I were ministering. Now, he could have taken another route once he left work. There were several ways he could have gone to avoid us. But, praise God he didn’t and came right over to me as James was preaching.

He asked about James preaching. He asked if we were seeing any good things happening from his preaching. I assured him that if he would stay for awhile he would see. It wasn’t long before a whole group of young kids showed up to wait for the bus. As they waited, most listened, they got to hear The Gospel (these where kids around 8-10). James brought it right down to their level. Our friend smiled. He knew what was going on then. Who knows, it might have brought back memories when he was with God and his family.

He began to ask questions regarding his relationship with God. I could immediately tell that he was seeking after God. The beautiful thing was that he was now opening up to God. Where as before, it was obvious that he was running.

God can do something if their hearts are not shut and He is indeed drawing them. This is the case with Steve (not his real name, to protect the guilty). I am believing, that as we continue to pray for him (I’m sure there are family members that have been praying a lot longer than us) he will turn back to God.

All to the glory to God!

Looking out the window and enjoying your popcorn

This is a symbolic story of many Christians that never or rarely speak to those around them for the sake of the Gospel.

You just got on the bus and sat down. You have a nice bag of popcorn just purchased before boarding. You settle down for the journey home. You look outside through the window and see the beautiful sunny day. You start eating your delicious popcorn.

The bus makes another stop and several more people get on board. One man sets in the seat next to you. All the time you take little notice of him. You are enjoying the ride, looking out the window that is next to you. The popcorn is quickly disappearing as you get involved in the passing of different sights.

This man that has just sat down next to you hasn’t eaten in two days. He not only sees the popcorn that you are eating, but smells the wonderful aroma. Oh what he would give for just one handful.
Finally you look over at him and say, “Isn’t it a beautiful day?” He says, “It sure is”. You grab another bite and look intently out the window.

This is a picture of a life that is saying, “I got mine”. Oh how many times do we go through this life whether at work, school, at the grocery store etc. and never take the time to share with those God has placed in our paths. I always say, “God doesn’t make any mistakes”. “He is always about people”. He places people in our way for one reason. You have something that they need. We are suppose to be “light” shinning that not only attracts, but gives bread to those in who are hungry.

God saved you to work through you, to reach the lost.(period)

Someday we will have all eternity to “worship” to “praise” to “fellowship” to “sit in His presence” or to go to another “conference”. But now we must be as Jesus said, “about my Father’s business”. “Night will come when no man can work (in His Kingdom).

May God help us all to be aware of those around us. Our neighbors that we quickly rush by carrying a bag of grocery’s as we yell out, “how ya doing?” Never taking the time to “stop” and say something to them that means something. Give them at least something to “chew” on.

The bottom line is, we should “love our neighbors (someone that is close to you) as ourselves”.
You love the fact that you are “saved” right? What about them? You are eating at the table of the master, what about them? You have what they need.

What if you are the only way they would ever come to Christ? Sober thought, but I’m sure that you don’t want to “camp out” on that one, right?

Get out there with a fresh outlook as to why you are saved. Start noticing people more than things, stuff etc. People, the apex of God’s creation! “For God so loved the world (people) that He gave? If we love, we will give also.

God bless you all as you go out!

We don’t need to know the results

How many of us could go through life like this man, and never hear any results from our ministry efforts until forty years had passed?

We must be reminded that God is taking notice of everything we do for Him. If nobody knows about it, it’s OK. We should desire praise from God more than man. We should be so in touch with Him, and know His presence and approval, and that should carry us onward.

To all those that say, “what good are tracts anyway?” “I never heard of anybody getting saved from a tract”.

May you be blessed with encouragement. as you listen

Check out this post

“How can this do any good?”

She came up to me as I was preaching and said, “How can this do any good?”

This is a common question that we hear out on the streets as we preach the Gospel. Many times it is the believer that questions us. Some will get in our face and really manifest the wrong spirit. It makes you wonder. Most have not been around long enough to see what takes place before and after the word has gone forward. They are just quick to judge.

Today was an awesome chance to see God move on a heart.

She came up to me as I was preaching and said, “How can this do any good?” I didn’t get alarmed, because I have heard that comment before on more than one occasion.

So I said, “Well, if you would have been here earlier, you would have seen three different young guys come up and would have been able to see God work upon them as I ministered to them”.

All because The Gospel was going forward. God through His Spirit drew them and then ministered to them.

She began to open up as God was moving upon her heart. She shared a little about her pain and difficulties that she has been going through. She admitted that she was away from God, and that He was trying to get her attention.

She was raised in a Christian home and her Dad was either a youth pastor or was one at one time. I sensed that there was some pain there and that had to do with some of the difficulties that she was experiencing.

Tears began to come to her eyes as she talked more about her need to get back to God.

This is why God places people in our path. With God working through me, I was able to relate to her on a level that her parents were maybe not able too. Many times God has to use other people to reach the kids of parents in ministry. I have seen it on several occasions.

All in all, God was moving. I asked her if I could pray with her, so we did. I also invited her to a bible study that we have on Tuesdays in a local mall, and gave her my contact information. She seemed to be really blessed and encouraged as she went. I hope to see her soon.

How can this do any good? She found out because she stuck around. Little did she know at first that her question would be answered. She yielded to God and He answered in the end. Praise Him!

Pray for her, her name is Jennifer.

Share The Gospel with simplicity

I am convinced that The Gospel when shared in The Spirit, will be with all simplicity and clearness. It will be like a clear, crisp sound of a bell ringing into their hearts.

When sharing the word with the lost, it is very important to put it into plain English so that the hearer can understand what you are trying to say. All the “thou’s” and the “ye’s” and the “saith’s” etc. must be put into modern English. (if you really want to confuse a young person, use the old English).

Recently, I was passing out a tract that has King James verses quoted in it. The man kept asking me what certain words meant. Then he would say, “oh, old English”. I would then break it down into words that he could understand.

The following scripture is an example of what I mean. I have put it into words that they can understand. If I was talking to a person one on one, or standing on the street corner preaching, they would be able to hear what is being said. Now we all know that it takes The Holy Spirit to illuminate these words, but first it must go forth with simplicity and be easy for them to understand.

This is taken from 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 21.
“God made Christ to be sin for us. He knew no sin, yet he became sin for us. Why? So that we may be made right (righteous) before God. Through Christ only can one be made right.”

May you be blessed as you go out and declare The Good News of Christ today. Do it with all simplicity in the power of The Holy Ghost (oh, I mean The Holy Spirit. They can understand that better.)

A must read

It may have been written years ago, but it is still relevant today. You may have read it before, but it’s time to read it again.
May God call more generals today! I believe He is, but are they answering the call?
General Booths Vision

God moves through our obedience

God is God. He will do whatever He pleases. But when it comes to reaching people, nine times out of ten, He uses people. I have seen it over and over again.

Since God is all about people, He will put people in our path (quite literally sometimes). He has reason and purpose for all He does.

In order for God’s will to be fulfilled in the earth, He uses His people to get the job done. The key to fulfilling God’s will in our lives is “listening” and “obeying”. If all His people would learn to do this on a regular basis, we would see a completely different church out there operating. But, for the time being, He is still trying to get their attention away from the world.

One example :
As I was walking to the bus today, I noticed a man ahead of me. I try to be aware of people around me. I believe this is a major key to walking in the Spirit (IE: be aware of your surroundings).

I asked the Lord, “If you want me to talk to this guy, cause me to catch up to him”. For he was up the road a bit. Sure enough, the next thing I knew, I was right next to him.

I said the usual, “how ya doin” (but didn’t just stop there). He began to talk and explain to me about catching the bus etc. We walked along talking about the weather, his job etc. All the time of course, waiting for an opportunity to share Jesus.

The bus came and I asked him if he was taking this bus. He said that he was. We got on, and I walked to the back of the bus as I usually do, hoping that he would follow. I sat down and noticed that he did not come to the back, but sat halfway back. So off we went.

I did some miscellaneous phone stuff, but after that, I continually asked God what do I do now. Do I go up there? If so, what do I say? You know the usual analyzation. I finally shut my mind off.

The next thing I heard was “get up”. So I did. Not knowing what I was going to say, I sat down behind him. The minute I sat down, I heard, “just ask him if he has a relationship with me”. So I did. He smiled and said, “oh yes”. I said, “through Christ?” (this is of top importance because of the teaching of “many ways to God”) He said, “yes”.

Then, he began to tell me about his girl friend. She has been praying for him, that God would put some people into his path to share and encourage him. I was the third person in the last few days that God had placed in his path. He was blown away about how God was doing this lately. He was very encouraged.

What if? What if I would have settled back for a nice peaceful bus ride? What if I would have just kept to myself? What if I would have said, “O well, I guess I wasn’t suppose to talk to him?

The point is, the will of God would not have been done for the given moment of time. He would have missed out. I would have missed out. And his girl friend would have missed out, not having her prayers answered.

Do you see how the kingdom of God works? Through people. It is all about people.

May we all seek to know more about being led of His Spirit. May we listen and then obey.
God bless you all.

Obedience is huge

It was required first in the garden as Adam and Eve were told to not eat of the tree of knowledge. All through the Bible we see how God required obedience. We also see the consequences of disobedience.
It is the same with us today. It is just as important now as it was then. God requires obedience.

Through His Spirit he speaks to us and lets us know what is required. What He is requiring is for our good, whatever it may be. Though we may or may not at the time completely understand what He is requiring, if we will just trust Him and obey, then it will be made clear in time.

Disobedience will stop the flow of anointing on your life. It will stop the blessings of God. The bottom line is, if we choose not to obey what God is continually telling or showing us, it is sin.

What he might be telling you may be personal. If so, it is between you and God. What He is requiring of you is not for the person next to you, your neighbor or your spouse. It is for you only.

Some examples may be as follows these are just examples to get my point across)
He may be requiring that you start waking up every morning at 5:30am and spend a hour with Him.
He may want you to visit every Wednesday evening at the rest home.
It may be something that seems so little such as, stop eating a certain food. Maybe stop drinking a certain drink.
Whatever it may be, He is faithful to speak to our conscience and tell us what is required. It is for our good.

If the anointing in your life is missing, take inventory. Are you obedient to His still small voice?

Was he mentally ill?

The young man that shot and killed students this week at the University of Illinois was labeled “mentally ill”. Of course we think that he was, who would do anything like this in his right mind, we say. But I believe it was much deeper than this.

My prayers go out to all the families that were hit by this terrible tragedy. May God comfort you during this difficult time.

When I saw this following comment, it made me think.
“His parents placed him in a treatment home after high school, because he had become “unruly” at home.”
What was his home life like? I don’t know. I believe if we where to know what went on in his home, this might provide many answers. But we don’t.

How many young people today are “unruly” and thus placed on drugs? Parents do not want to deal with their kids behaviors, so they drug them up. Hard to imagine, but true. They now have many behavior labels that they use and thus all kinds of drugs to deal with the problem.

This is real sad when we began to see the problem of overmedicating that is mounting at an incredible speed. Our society is severely drug induced. All ages, now have become the victims.

Now, I do think that there are real cases of mental illness out there, but I believe in most cases we are looking for the “quick fix” and not taking the time to look at the problem and what might be causing it.

What would happen if all the people that have been labeled “mentally ill” , depressed and ADD suddenly could not get their medication?

From what I hear in the following quote, this may have been the problem with this young man who did the recent killings.

“He never wanted to identify with being mentally ill” she said (the house mgr. for the home where he stayed) “that was part of the problem”. Part of the problem? I believe it may have been more than just “a part”.

Another quote was, “He had a history of resisting his medications”. Why? Was he forced to believe that he was mentally ill? Was it because no one wanted to deal with him? No one had the time?

The University police chief said, “He became erratic in the past two weeks after he stopped taking his medications”. Was he still crying out, I am not mentally ill? Someone listen to me? Someone help me?

Sorry, but it was too late.

This is once again, a wake up call for all of us.

May God help us to beware of the people that God has placed in our lives. Let us not be so consumed with our own agenda that we put blinders on and thus not notice those around us. May we run from the “quick fix”.