A Street Testimony (confirmation)

In my last Post “A Street Testimony”, I wrote about a brother named Tim. Towards the end of the Post I said, “Also, God uses many different ways to reach people. I’m sure there has been many people that have planted seed into this man’s life.”

Well, when I got home this evening there was a phone message for me. It was a man named Richard who called me to thank me for working with Tim and being a blessing to him.

Come to find out, he and another man have been mentoring Tim at a local halfway house.

It just goes to show us how God works in peoples lives and that He often uses many people
along the way before they get to us. We may not even know it at the time. We just spread the seed for the moment, God gives the increase in His timing.

We may or may not get to see the actual increase. If we don’t, that’s OK. God is taking notice. We do this all because God loves us and we want to share Him with others.

He’s God and he’s so big!

Amen

A Street Testimony

His name is Tim. (not his real name) We originally met at a bus stop. He was sitting on a bench waiting for the bus. What struck my attention about him was that he was talking out loud, and was very angry. I listened a little closer and heard that he was very frustrated about the cops following him that day, every where he went.(weeks later he would tell me that he had just come off of Meth that day, and that he hadn’t slept in four days. One of the side affects of using Meth is paranoia)

I encouraged him that God was his only hope. Shortly after that the bus came and we parted. I put him on my prayer list which I had in my coat pocket, and prayed for him daily.

One week later, I’m getting on the bus at my local depot and I sat down and noticed that Tim walked down the isle pass me. I said, “Hey, How’s it going?” He nodded his head and walked by.
About 15 seconds later he came up and sat in the seat in front of me. “Good to see you” he said. He went on to explain that he had remembered me from the last time we met. He told me all about what had happen that day, the drugs, the cops etc. He felt really bad for acting the way he did that day.

Again, I encouraged him to turn to God through Jesus and that was his only hope. After sharing The Gospel with him (he had heard it before) we parted at the next depot stop.

About four days later we ran into each other again at the local bus depot. We visited, and he told me that he was staying at a local shelter in a major city about one hour away from where we live. He was receiving drug counseling there, and special classes etc. He said that the environment there was good, and it was helping him. He heard some good things about God and Jesus, and found a bible there.

I noticed this time, that there was a change in him. He was talking about God and his whole attitude was different. I could see the change in his eyes and on his face. He had found God.

During the next two weeks our paths crossed twice. Just like the first time we met, God had divinely appointed each time. Each time Tim would tell me how God was working in his life, and that God was so good.

What a blessing ! To see and hear his testimony. No more drugs (he told me that he had used Meth for four years). He was now clean in more in more ways than one.

One time we where on the bus and we had been talking about temptation. I told him to be aware of the enemy and his temptations. Two minutes later a guy gets on the bus and sits next to me. He had this small case with him, so I asked him what was in it. He opened it and it was full of glass pipes, used for smoking pot and other drugs. Tim looked over at me after seeing the pipes and smiled as if to say, “temptation” Later, I told him that is just the way the devil works.

This morning when I was heading out on my bus, I sensed that I would be seeing Tim today. Later that day around 3pm, I was downtown passing out tracts on this corner, when I looked up who do you think was there?, Tim was. Happen chance, I don’t think so. No way.

I had yet to see him downtown before than, let alone on this corner. There is just a few corners in a big city, to say the least.

He saw that I was passing out tracts and said, “I didn’t know that you did that”. I told him him that it is one of the things I do to share The Gospel. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out some tracts of his own and said, “I didn’t have anything to do today, so I have been passing these out.” I said, “Awesome”.

So we spent the next 30 minutes together on the corner passing out tracts. Now here was a guy, that just a couple of weeks ago was strung out on Meth. Now he was passing out tracts for God. I was so blessed today to see how God had performed a miracle in this man’s life. There is nothing like seeing a changed life!

What a testimony to what God can do. How He can change a life so quickly. Praise Him, for He gives the increase. All we do is plant the seed through prayer and sharing The Good News about Jesus.

Also, God uses many different ways to reach people. I’m sure there has been many people that have planted seed into this man’s life. Without a doubt, The Salvation Army where this man is staying has planted much seed also.

To God be the glory! Great things He has done!
The Angles have been rejoicing!

Amen

Ministers of the New Covenant

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our strength comes from God,
Who has made us worthy to be ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter of the law punishes with death, but the Spirit gives life.” (2Cor.3:5-6)

We should be ministers of the new covenant. Let us take a little journey into the new covenant.

Just as the first covenant and the first veil where like unto the old covenant, so the second veil was like unto the new covenant. The high priest went through the second veil, the Holy of Holies, with blood which he offered for himself and the peoples sins. The new covenant is Christ and His blood which made the final atonement for sin.

The old covenant could not make the conscience perfect. It could not purge (or clean) the conscience.(see Heb.9:9) The new covenant does! This is key to understanding the difference between the old and the new.

But Christ The High Priest, the perfect tabernacle not made with hands, not a building, but by His own blood he entered in, having obtained eternal redemption for us. A clean conscience and eternal redemption. This is The Difference!

Christ is the mediator of the new testament or covenant by His blood. There cannot be a testament without the death of the testator. In Hebrews 9:15, we see that Christ took care of the transgressions that were under the first testament. The testament or covenant is only under force after men are are dead. Otherwise it is no good while the testator lives.

How awesome is it to see the correlation between the Old and New Testaments. Particularly in relation to blood atonement. This is what The Gospel hangs on. THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS! Can you see the importance? Can you see the necessity of the blood?
“without the shedding of blood there is no remission (or atonement) for sins.” We are dead without it. It’s just that simple!

WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MINISTERS OF THIS NEW COVENANT, AREN’T WE?

For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with hands, which they were figures of the true holy place, yes. But Christ entered The True Sanctuary, Heaven itself. Praise God! Why? So He can appear in the presence of God for us.(Heb.9:24) Hallelujah!!!

Christ did not have to offer himself often, as the high priest did every year. Otherwise, He would have to suffer and die often.
“but now once in the end of the world he has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”(Heb.9:26-28)

Christ took away the Old Covenant, so He could establish the New Covenant.
Thank you God! Thank you Christ!

May we all be “Ministers of the New Covenant”
Amen

The people of the streets

First off, I would like to explain what I mean by, “The people of the streets”.
Most would say, “you mean the homeless people?” Well yes, that is part of my definition. However, there is another part I would like to bring up. Quite literally, they are people on the street with both feet (if indeed they have both). People who are on the street for one reason or another in a given point in time. For an example, people who aren’t in their house, in the work place, in a car or in a building.

I find not all, but most people on the streets usually are by themselves. This makes for good one on one evangelism, as the Spirit leads, of course.
One of the interesting things about people out on the streets, is that what you see is what you get. There is no car, no house, no building for them to hide in. They are exposed, out in the open.

Most use public transportation as their way of getting around. If you have never spent time using this form of transportation, I urge you to at least try it sometime. It’s certainly not for everyone, but you might be surprised with what God can do when you are around people in this type of environment. If nothing else, ride a bus or a train, and pray for the people on it as they come and go.

Your world view definitely opens up when you get out into the streets. You notice how people live outside the box, outside of their comfort zone and the norm. You see a completely different side of life. In short, you would see, hear, and smell people.

People are what God is all about. “For God so loved the world”…. That’s the people of the world. He gave His Son as The Sacrifice for the sins of the people. Not the dogs, nor the cats sins, but the sins of the people.

God’s ultimate business is, restoring humanity back to himself.

This is how He expresses his love to people, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation(atonement) for our sins”. (1Jn.4:10) If this be so, that people are His main concern, then what part do we play?

People were created in the image of God, all people. So when we look out upon humanity, upon the streets, we see all those who God has created. I can not help but see many times, people who have let sin run it’s course upon their life. The affects of sin show up in many ways. I try and remember that at one time they came into this world as a newborn baby. Most had a mother that held them, that fed them, that cared for them at one time. What happened? Sin ran it’s course in one form or another.

This is all the more reason to get out and get The Gospel to them before it’s too late. While there is still time.

In the end, I believe God loves the streets, why? Because the people that He created are there, and a lot of the times they are alone and lost.

What ever became of Sin?

Recently, I came across a book titled, “What ever became of Sin?” Written by a man named, “Karl Menninger” in 1973.
I went to the library today and found a copy. I sat down and read the first two chapters in the library. I came across something that was a real eye opener to me.

In 1953, President Eisenhower made his first proclamation. In it he made a reference to “Sin”. He borrowed the words from Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

“It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon.”

Wow! These were our Presidents.
This just goes to show us how far we have come. It puts it all into perspective.

May God send real men of God again. Those who stand up for God in the face of all odds. Not afraid to confront “Sin”. Not afraid to bring up “hell” or “repentance” either.

History tells the story,
Richard

Everlasting Punishment

Everlasting Punishment

(The following study is unedited. I did not want to bother someone with the task of editing this. I hope you can overlook the editing errors and get some good out of this study.)

Preface

I have always believed in Hell as a place of everlasting or eternal punishment. It never crossed my mind to believe otherwise, until last year when a brother in the Lord mentioned to me, “you do know that in the end, Hell is going to be destroyed and everyone that doesn’t make heaven will just be destroyed. They will both just cease to exist. You do know this, don’t you?” I must admit, I was a little shocked at the question. I had always thought everyone had believed otherwise. So, I just sat there listening to him explain his beliefs on the subject, still dumbfounded and in shock.

Since that time, I have heard two other believers say, “How could a God of love send anyone, or punish anyone to everlasting Hell?”
So, for the past several months on and off, I have been studying on the subject of Hell. I cannot find completely, where we could come up with such a belief, as to say there is no everlasting punishment. There are a few scriptures that could lead one to think or believe so, but in the end I have found that the over all consensus of the word of God is that there is such a place of everlasting punishment, called Hell.

I believe that this day and age we live in, we have lost some of our biblical understanding of the character of God, as contained in both the old and New Testament. We have let the churches and the world shape our view of how God is. Whether we like the fact or not our world, our media, our music both secular and Christian has played a big but subtle part in shaping our understanding of God’s true character. We have been influenced more than we realize. God’s true character can only be found in His word. I believe its past time that we study the character of God, with a prayerful heart and an unbiased mind. It’s going to be very important in the days that lye ahead.

I would also like to mention that my motivation for this study was not because I’m a hell-fire and brimstone preacher. I love to share about God’s love, grace and mercy, and I do so almost daily. Over the years this limited understanding of Hell has helped me to have the love, care and concern for the lost. It is my hearts desire to know God and understand His ways, not mans nor the worlds ways.
May God bless you in this study.

Understanding the word “Hell”

To try and understand this subject of “everlasting punishment”, let’s look at the word “Hell”. The Hebrew (Old Testament) word is “Sheol” which means, “The world of the dead, as if a subterranean retreat, grave, pit”. In some scripture contents it makes
reference to, “beneath” or “down”. Also, death is mentioned in a few cases along with “Sheol”.
In the New Testament we have, “Gehenna” which means, “a place or state of everlasting punishment”. We also have the word, “Hades”, “unseen, the place or state of departed souls, grave”. The word closely resembles “Sheol”. In one scripture (2 Pet. 2:4), it mentions the word, “Tartarus” which means, “the deepest abyss of Hades, to incarcerate in eternal torment, cast down to Hell”.

To begin to understand “Hell”, we see where there is a difference between the two words, “Gehenna” and “Hades”. It is important to note that, “Gehenna” speaks of “everlasting punishment”. The word “everlasting” means, “Perpetual, eternal, forever”. “Hades” on the other hand means, “the place or state of departed souls, the grave”. There appears to be a big difference between the two words. The differences here are very important to note as we look into many scriptures that speak of both types of “Hell”.

What did Jesus teach?

First off, I am of those that believe that what Jesus taught or spoke about is of most importance. It doesn’t really matter what I say or think. What did Christ say or teach, that should be the most important. Good books, good teachers and good preachers are all fine and well, but Christ is what should really matter the most.

Regarding our study on “everlasting punishment”, should we not go to the word of God and see if Jesus spoke or taught on the subject? If He did, should we not obey or believe it? Should we call it truth? Let us proceed on.

Jesus spoke twice about “everlasting fire”. In Matt.18:8, warning against becoming stumbling blocks he said, “….it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather that having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire”. In Matt. 25:41, the parable of “the sheep and goats” he taught, “Then shall he say also unto them (the goats) on the left hand, depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”(see also, Rev.20:10) We need to understand here, that this is Jesus teaching about what will happen when he returns at the last judgment. Those who did not feed the poor, those who didn’t take in strangers, cloth the poor, visit the sick, they will say, “when did we see you in these conditions?” Then Jesus said, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” And then, he finishes with these piercing words, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:” To refresh our memories, “everlasting” means, “perpetual, eternal, forever”.

With what we have studied so far, how can we say that there is no “everlasting punishment?” What did Jesus teach or say? He mentioned “everlasting fire”, “everlasting punishment” for a reason; there must be a place such as this.

Fire, in relationship to Hell

Without a doubt, scripture revels that in Hell there will be fire. Jesus talked about “fire” in relationship to Hell around twenty times in scripture. He even mentioned about “hell
fire” in a couple of verses. He talked about “unquenchable fire” What does that mean? Does it mean a fire that cannot be put out?
The Greek meaning for “unquenchable” is “not extinguished, perpetual, not to be quenched”. Jesus talked about “the fire that shall never be quenched” and “where their worm dies not” in Mark 9:43-48. Why would Jesus say in regards to Hell, that this fire would never be quenched, if it was not going to be?

More about “Hades”

A very important factor in understanding Hell and it’s meaning, is the word “Hades”. Its meaning again is, “unseen, the place or state of departed souls, grave”. It appears 10 times in the New Testament. It is important to note that “Hades” is not a place of “everlasting punishment” where “Gehenna” is.

In the story of “The rich man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31) “the rich man died, and was buried; and in Hell (Hades) he lifted up his eyes, being in torments,” Here we see that those in Hades will be tormented in body as was the rich man. Also, this was no cool place; he was “tormented in this flame”. It speaks of “his eyes”, “he saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom”. “Send Lazarus, that he may “cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame”.

The book of Revelations reveals some things about “Hell”.

First off, we notice in Rev.1:18 that Jesus is speaking of himself and says, “I have the keys of Hell (Hades) and of death”. The word “keys” is taken from the Greek word, “Kleio” which means, “to close or shut up”.

In Rev.6:8, John “looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell (Hades) followed with him.” In these two scriptures we see that “Death and Hades” are mentioned together. If we continue on in the book of Revelation we see the final deciding factor about “Hell” (Hades) and “Death”. John here is describing “the last Judgment”. This is crucial in our understanding about “everlasting punishment”. In verse 12 of the 20th chapter we read, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works”. Here we see the importance of our life. Our life works which are contained in the “books”, we will be judged out of these. The most important question here is, “Is our name written in the book of life?”

Continuing on in verse 13 we read, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works”. In this verse we see that “Death and Hell (Hades) delivered up the dead which were in them”. Just as a reminder, “Hades” is an “unseen place, the place or state of departed souls, the grave”.
Verse 14 explains what will happen to both “Death” and “Hades” in the end. “And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death”. This may be where
people get the thought, “don’t you know that in the end, Hell will be destroyed, it will be no more?” Yes this is correct, but let us remember it is talking about “Hades” not
“Gehenna”. This is the major difference here. It is important that we understand this verse. The “lake of fire” is the “second death”. In the next verse, verse 15 we see who else will be cast into this “lake of fire” besides “Death and Hades”. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”. I cannot find anywhere in the scriptures that says, “the lake of fire” will be destroyed, will cease to exist in the end. This lake of fire and brimstone is the second death, according to Rev.20:14 and 21:8.

I would like us to be reminded, that God’s word does talk about “God’s wrath”. Again, it would be good for us to study the complete nature of God, as far as the scriptures reveal him. In the book of John, chapter 3 verse 36, John the Baptist says, “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him”. Outside of the Son of God, if we don’t believe on Him, we shall not see life, and also God’s wrath in the end will come upon us. Wow! Let’s face it the fact, we don’t like to think along this line. It’s way too harsh! There is no love in wrath! It is truly the opposite of love. However, it is a part of the nature of God, like it or not. How can this be? We must remember the many scriptures that describe God as Righteous and Just. This goes back to what I mentioned earlier about studying the “balanced character of God”. It’s needful now more than ever.

Back to the “lake of fire”, the second death. In Rev.20:10 we see that the devil will be cast into the “lake of fire and brimstone” along with the false prophet and the beast. Now we need to notice that this “lake of fire” torment will be “day and night for ever and ever”. If we jump down to verse 15 of the same chapter it says, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”. My question here is, How can this “lake of fire” that will be “day and night for ever and ever” be any different than the “lake of fire” contained in other passages of scripture? The “lake of fire” which is the second death will burn for “ever and ever”. This goes right along with all the other scriptures that speak of “everlasting fire”, “everlasting punishment”, and “everlasting burnings”. Again, Jesus himself mentioned, “unquenchable fire”, “everlasting fire” and “everlasting punishment”. If it were not so, why did he teach it?

In the end, I will have to go with what Jesus taught on the subject. And also with what is found in the book of Revelation as regarding the final judgment. It does make since to me. I know it’s very hard to imagine that “everlasting punishment” is real, but the Word of God is clear.

May God help us to have a proper understanding of Hell and what it is going to be like. In having the proper understanding, it should help us to “rescue the perishing” and “care for the dieing” and “snatch them in pity from sin and the grave”.

May God bless you all,

Richard

Wanted : Men of courage

I believe that if there was ever a time in history that real men of God are needed, it’s now. Men of courage.
Face it or not, our society, our world is continuing to down play and degrade the God given authority He has placed upon men.
In society, when the man is taken out of the picture, a symbol of strength, of God given leadership, then society weakens. It begins to run to and fro to find itself and it cannot.

Our media, our T.V. and movies all continually make fun of the man. He is degraded, laughed at, and made fun of on a regular basis. His authority is being undermined. How many times have you seen a show where the dad and his authority are laughed at by the children and or the wife.

There is a spirit in our world today that desires to crush all of God’s given authority to the man. The enemy is no dummy. He strikes at where the strength lies.

Real men of God are needed today.
Men that desire above all else, to stand in the gap before God and the people. God is searching the world over today, just like He did in the day of Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joshua, and Jeremiah.

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” (Ezekiel 22:30)

“He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor;” (Isa.59:16)

God given men of courage are needed today. I believe they are out there, but many are caught up in worldly pursuits and the cares of this life. May God get their attention soon. May He raise up men that desire God’s will for their lives above all else. Men that would rather do God’s will, than have all the riches of this world. Men of courage come forth!

Men that need to hear like what David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; (this is way better than Nike) do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God – my God – will be with you”.(1Chr.28:20)

The word “courage” here means, “to be alert, be courageous, steadfastly minded, strong, fortify, prevail “. In the Greek it means, “boldness”.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that goes with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”. (Deut.31:6)

“Only be thou strong and very courageous,” (Jos.1:6)

MEN OF TODAY, TAKE HOLD OF THESE SCRIPTURES !

Just like men of old, may it be so !

SEND THEM LORD, QUICKLY !

Amen !

…”this is my body which is broken for you:”

HIS BODY.

As those of us who have seen the movie, “The passion of The Christ” remember how vivid, how torturous, how cruel He was beaten. It seemed endless in the movie, what He went through for us. Most would say that the movie went on too long in showing all the gore. I say that the movie was just a very small picture of all the suffering that our Saviour went through.

The Prophet Isaiah prophesied some 700 years before Christ. “But he was wounded for our transgressions,”. The word “transgressions” here means, “a revolt” (when we revolted against God), “rebellion”, “sins”, “trespasses”. Do we remember rebelling against God?

“he was bruised for our iniquities:” The word “iniquities” here means, “perversity”, “evil”, “faults”, “mischiefs”.
“the chastisement of our peace was upon him;” (another version says, “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him”).
His body was severally chastised for us, all our sins, all our transgressions, all our iniquities.

The Good News is, “and with his stripes(his beatings, his sufferings, his whippings) we are healed. The word “healed” here means, “to mend by stitching, to cure, to heal, physician(The Great Physician), repair thoroughly, make whole”.
This verse is most always used for physical healing, and rightfully so, but I would like for us to focus on the meaning of “make whole”.

All Christ’s grueling sufferings, his beatings, all he went through was to make us whole again. To restore us back to The Father of life. No longer dead in trespasses, sins, transgressions, iniquities. HE BORE IT ALL UPON HIS BODY FOR US.
He suffered “the wrath of God” upon himself, for us.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all”.
It was all laid upon Jesus,”The Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world”.

“he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter,”
“for the transgressions of my people was he stricken”(beaten).
Yet in all this, “it pleased the Lord to bruise him” ( to beat him, to wound him, to crush him). Why? Because sin was finally being destroyed, being atoned for. The word, “bruise” here means, “to crumble, beat to pieces, break in pieces, crush”.

And yes, it pleased God that His Son was The Sin Offering for the whole world. And God did “see the travail of Jesus’ soul, and He was satisfied”. By all this suffering, torching, scourging, Jesus God’s “righteous servant justified many;” for he (Jesus) shall bear their iniquities”.
“he did pour out his soul unto death:”
“and he was numbered with the transgressors:”
“and he bore the sin of many,(for all of us He died) and made intercession for the transgressions”.

God did destroy sin, all our sins were laid upon Jesus’ body. He literally beat, broke, crushed, Jesus’ body (yes, we know that his bones were not broken, but his body was crushed, beaten to a pulp) For what?
The sins of all mankind, from the beginning to the end.
Christ is the sin barrier. All must come to Him alone, for the forgiveness of sins. And you must have forgiveness of sins to escape the wrath of God that will come upon all those who have rejected the Saviour.

I often say out on the streets, ” Where in all of history, has there been a man that has died for the sins of all mankind? Did Buddha die for your sins? Did Mohammad die for you sins? Joesph Smith? etc. etc.

The next time you take communion, and take the bread which symbolizes His body, remember what Christ went through for you. Not only to the cross, but what He went through leading up to the cross. Let us not forget!
Picture in your mind if need be, the suffering, the whipping, the spear jabbed into his side, all of this for us! Why? Because, “For God so loved the world” (that’s you and I and them out there).

His body should mean everything to us. Oh yes, lest we forget, His body contained His blood.

Amen