” You don’t understand, I’m caught in a trap!”

He grabbed me by the shoulders and sobbed, looked into my eyes pleading for help and yelled, “you don’t understand, I’m caught in a trap”

Street ministry takes on many different turns in a given day, week, month or year. People from all walks of life need Jesus. That is why it is extremely important to know that you know, what you are called to do. I am increasely aware of how important it is in these days to be right where God has called you to be. It not time for “hit and miss” nor of “playing games.” This is not time to just “play church”. These are serious times. The devil knows his time is short and he is working overtime to “kill, steal, rob and destroy”. That’s his business. If he can just watch you go to church, go to work, go play, and then do it all over again, then he is contented.

Then there is Bradley. He is a 28yr old heroin addict. He lives on the street along with his friends and their dogs. Many of these guys and girls are so filled with demons, all that they can say as they pass by is “hail Satan”.

But this time, Bradley was different. He had a deep yearning in his heart to be set free. He didn’t want the usual, “we’ll let’s have prayer and I will tell you about our church”. In fact, he mentioned that churches won’t accept him. This certainly is not the first time I have heard this. I have heard on numerous occasions of them telling me things like, “if that is the way your going to dress then you are not allowed in here.”

He had a desperate cry for help while tears ran down his face. Several times he pointed to his wrist which had a tattoo of his 18mo old son on it, which he’s never seen because of his addiction and his girl friend wanting nothing to do with him.

See the problem is that we as “the church” can’t even began to relate to a human being like this. One that is caught in this endless demonic trap of drugs and the street life. Unless of course you have been there yourself. But most of us haven’t.

Here is a guy that can’t go a day without another hit. His body won’t let him.

His inner man cries for help, but all the time Satan has him bound.

He said repeatedly, “do you know how many times I have been resuscitated!” as he shows me his arms with the IV needle marks and left over bandage residue.

Another guy that I have not seen in a year or so comes to my mind. He also was battling Heroin. I remember him telling me every so often that he was in the hospital again and almost died. Over and over again is this repeated cycle. I remember one time, he ran into me outside a local mall headed into the mall to steal again to support his habit. That time fortunately, he decided not to go ahead with it because he was convicted by The Spirit.

Well, back to Bradley. I prayed with him. We hugged some more. He also prayed a desperate prayer for salvation and deliverance. I gave him a Gospel of John and parted. I hope to see him soon.

My heart was and still is grieved for those like him who so desperately want help but are caught in the trap.

That day The Lord renewed a long standing vision within me of a place outside of the city where people like Bradley can stay and start a new life with Jesus. A place removed from the city and it’s demons in people there. Most will end up dieing in that cesspool unless someone reaches out and does something by the power of God. Deliverance must come! And they need a place to get away from their present environment and heal. A place where they can smell the country air and work with their hands in the earth that God created. A refuge, if you will.

I went out to find that place today.

May it be so to the glory of God!

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us;” (Eph.3:20)

Touched today by God

Today at work on my last break I went into the restroom as usual. Once inside, I noticed a little boy about 8yrs. old just standing there. I noticed that he did not have any hands. I said, “hey what’s up?”. He stood and looked at me as I went over to the urinal. I said, “so what are you doing?” He spoke in a speech that I could not understand. I figured that he had a speech impairment and possibly a mental disability. I continued to talk to him as if nothing was wrong. He still talked in a speech that I could not understand.

He went into the stall. I said, “are you going to go to the bathroom?” Again he mumbled out loud. I washed my hands and headed over to grab a towel. As I did, I felt impressed to mention God and Christ to him. After I finished, he spoke and I could understand him only when he said God and Jesus. Wow! I thought. He actually said something that I could understand.

I asked him, “do you know Christ?” He said, “yes I know Christ”. Wow! I was amazed.

Here was a boy that the only thing I could understand him say was “God and Christ” and now he said, “yes I know Christ”.

As I was getting ready to leave, I said, “God bless you”. He said from back inside the stall, “God bless you”. Wow again! I smiled as I opened the door.

Outside was another boy. I asked him if that was his brother inside. He said yes. I told him we talked about Jesus Christ. He smiled as to if he knew what the deal was.

I was smiling all the way back to the lunch room. Inside I had an opportunity to share it with a co-worker. Glory about God to God.
Praise Him! He is truly very awesome! He works through people.

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

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

What! Trouble and distress can be good?

Give me a break! I can hear them say, as they unload all their troubles and distresses upon us.

As you listen to them they unload everything. Wait upon God and ask Him what you should say to them. Give God time. The Holy Spirit is faithful to give you just the right words to say to them. Showing concern and taking the time to listen to them is huge in God’s economy. I have seen it work big time.

Remember, as hard as it is to fathom, God does allow “trouble and distress” to come into a persons life. It is for one good reason, and that is that it might draw them to Himself. It is that it might cause them to “turn” from their ways, and “turn” to God. It is that simple.

Over and over again in God’s word, we see how “trouble and distress” caused people to “turn” back to him. It is a major way that He works. I often say, “If God did not love you, he would let you go your own way and in the end crash and burn”. But no! He loves people so much that He allows “trouble and distress” to come into their lives. Why? So that they might “turn” to Him. Believe it or not, it’s God’s love at work.

Percentage wise, how many people could testify that they came to God when everything was going just fine. They had all things working for them, life was good, so they turned to God because of it? I gather that it would be a very small percentage.

Trouble and distress causes us to seek him, if we indeed let it, right? Oh sure, there is the opposite effect that we must mention to be fair. It can cause a person to run from God and shout, “If that’s the kind of God you are serving, I want nothing to do with him”.

In reality, isn’t that a selfish, spoiled way of thinking? If God makes everything good in my life, and I am prospering and all is well, then I will seek him, then I will serve him. Think about it for a moment.

Down through out history, it has always been the case that “trouble and distress” causes one of two things, it either draws people closer to God, or away from him.(period)

“But in their distress (trouble) they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them” (2Chr.15:4).

So all in all, it is a good time to find Him. It’s a good time to turn. Share Him with those who are in “trouble and distress”. What a perfect opportunity. And history bares the fact that many have come to Him because of it.
Praise Him!

To God be the glory, for great things He is doing!(Part#4)

All of this four part testimony took place in one day. It just goes to show you what God wants to do through all those who avail themselves and want to be used of God for His glory and His Kingdom.

After Dan stood up, we all hugged on him and such joy was in our hearts. Now here was a man who just a short time before, was totally intoxicated from drinking wine. Now he was sober and in his right mind. Praise God!

I have tried to do my best with God’s help to describe what took place, but words do have a limit.

He then asked if he could sing another song, we all said “by all means, let her go”. It was awesome to hear him sing every verse with passion and clarity. By the time he finished, we all knew something was about to break loose.

He yelled out, “DO YOU MIND IF I PREACH?” We smiled and said, “GO FOR IT”. First he started out with his testimony about how God had just delivered him from alcohol. Then he went into The Gospel. It was right on, every word. He shared also about seeking God while He can be found. He told the crowd how that God had said to him, “will you just seek me, I am here if you will seek me” It was awesome!

About that time a lady starts shouting and she walks over and tries to stop the flow of what God is doing. (this is almost standard procedure, the devil does not want things like this to take place so he fights hard.) This other brother goes over to her and finally gets her to go somewhere else.

Out of nowhere, walks up this lady and she says, “can I buy you guys some coffee?” She had been watching all that took place. She takes out her tablet and takes our order. Off she went, and returns with four large coffee’s. What a blessing she had been to all of us. She smiled and hugged us all, and off she went. God bless her richly!

Dan(the brother that just received Christ) continues to preach several times. Many were listening as they waited for the train. About that time another brother walks up and recognizes Dan. He said that he was with the local rescue mission. We then proceeded to tell him all that happened. His eyes began to water. He was very thankful. He said to Dan, “Are we now going to see you in church on Sunday?” Dan said, “You Bet”. Thank you God!

It was time for me to leave and catch the last bus out for the night. All six of us gathered in a circle and lifted up prayer and thanksgiving to God for what He had done that evening.
As another brother was finishing prayer, I heard the sound of Satan again. I looked over across the way, and sure enough his messengers had come to try one last time.

There stood three of them all dressed in black with their long coats, yelling out loud about Satan and saying all their usual junk. They had known what just took place, and they were there to stop it. TOO LATE. THE WORK OF CHRIST HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. PRAISE HIM!

I pleaded THE BLOOD OF JESUS and we finished prayer and went on our way.

I trust this testimony was a blessing to you. This is just a drop in the bucket of all that God wants to do in these days. If you are not yet a part of what He is doing in the earth today, you need to be. Pray and ask Him, he will show you. He is about people. People are the apex of His creation. He loved them all so much that He gave His Son to redeem them back to himself.
May you be blessed also as you go out and do your part for Him and His Kingdom.
Amen.

To God be the glory, for great things He is doing!(Part#3)

In the last post, I had forgotten to mention that on my way to the city in the train, I needed to stop off and use the bathroom at a local store. After that, the Lord wanted me to go to a bus stop close by that I had been to several times before.

After praying, I jumped in and started to preach The Good News on one corner. One young kid didn’t like it, so he sounded off. (I spoke with this kid later, he is one step closer to Christ now) Then a young black guy came over to talk. He listened real well as The Holy Spirit moved upon his heart. It took probably close to an hour before he made the move to receive Jesus. But he did! Praise God! He went off changed by the power of God!

I called him that night on the way home. He said that he was at home resting. Now this was Friday night close to 8:00pm. He was saved from drugs and may have been either in a gang, or had came out of one. But glory to God he is changed! He said to me as we parted on the phone, “pray for me, I just want to live”. That tells it all.

Back to where I left off in “Part#2″.
It was 4:00pm at the train stop and it’s Friday night and there are people in need of hearing The Gospel everywhere as they wait for the train to go home from work. I started in and before long James showed up. We took turns preaching and God’s Spirit was moving as several came up to either take a tract or talk.

Then the distractions came once again. This young guy who had a plastic cup full of wine, starts to scream and yell and gets in our faces. James calms him down as I finish. I went over to him and tried to talk with him. He seemed surprised that I would have come over to talk with him after all his yelling and carrying on.

As we talked, God through His Spirit began to speak to him, a little at a time. He said he had to go use the bathroom, and asked if I would be there when he came back. I assured him I would. I miss out from time to time, but I knew there was hope for this guy. He came back with more wine and seemed to be even more intoxicated. What I really liked about this encounter was that the fact that he was still drinking, but God was still coming after him. I could see transformation taking place.

Now James comes up to talk to him, and gets real straight with him. The guy blows a gasket big time, screams and yells. The crowd turns and begins to listen in as to try and figure out what is going on. The guy storms off. I thought we had lost him then. James begins to preach again.

Minutes later he returns in a huff. I with the help of God, calm him down, and once again we(the Spirit and I) start to share Christ with him. He shares a lot of his problems and fears. Now, it was pretty obvious that this guy was a outcast by others, by the things he shared with me. But God was loving on him big time. I could see His love being poured out on our soon to be brother.

He takes off to smoke a cigarette across the street. I shared with James what was taking place. When he returned glass in hand, James apologizes for some of the things that he had said earlier. They hugged and forgave each other. It was powerful to behold.

James starts in again, sharing God’s love and power to change lives to the crowd. The guy who I will call Dan, comes over to me again. This time I am noticing that he is listening more and getting closer to The Kingdom as we spoke. All of a sudden, HE TAKES THE CUP OF WINE AND THROWS IT 30 FEET DOWN THE BRICK WALKWAY. Wow! I was taken back! HE THEN BEGINS TO SING THE SONG, “CREATE A PURE HEART IN ME, O GOD, AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME” He sings every word of the song. I noticed that he was sobering up as he was singing. God was moving!

He finishes the song and immediately DROPS TO HIS KNEES AND STARTS TO REPENT BEFORE GOD AND CONFESS. It was really powerful to hear him repent before God and ask Jesus for forgiveness and to be his Saviour and then his Lord. I knelt down with him and prayed for complete deliverance through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. (now remember, this is all taking place in a public square with lots of people standing around watching and listening) Praise God!
We finally stood up together and gave praise to God! He is Born of The SPIRIT OF GOD!

I will continue with “part#4. Wait and see what happens next. It’s a real testimony, glory to God!

To God be the glory, for great things He is doing!

I woke up early this morning giving God praise and glory for what He did yesterday. God is showing forth His power on the streets, big time. He is changing lives. Restoration is taking place right before our eyes. To God be the glory! I pray that you will be inspired to get out and use what gifts and callings that God has blessed you with. You are unique and because of that, you can reach people that I can’t, and vice verse. Isn’t that so like God? He is unique and He made you unique to reach unique people.

It was one of those days where I did not receive orders from Him as to where to start exactly. I was impressed to just set out and see what happens. This is something that I did on a regular basis for about a year, and it was “oh so awesome”. Going out, but not knowing where. I pray that if God has yet to impress you by His Spirit to do this, that He would and that He would do it soon. Amen.

The first human encounter was a young guy at the traffic light on my way walking to the bank. I shared with him and he really listened. I believe it was another seed planting. He took a tract, and I pray that He will come when God again draws his heart to come to Him.

After the bank, (praise God there was money in the bank!) I went to the bus stop and talked (tried to) with a Hispanic man. I don’t know Spanish (but I should) so lately God has had me use a key from my pocket and tell them that the key to God is Jesus Christ. He smiled and nodded his head. I pointed to the heart also.

When I got on the bus, I immediately saw a young kid that I have talked to before. He is very quite. I sensed that there was pain and sorrow in his life, so I asked him, “has there been some painful things happen in your life?” He said yes. I said, “Have you lost a mother, or father? “A family member?” He said no, but that he did not want to talk about it. God knows and I can pray for him.

Soon I got to the first city and the local transit mall. The Lord had me do the usual prayer walk around the block. Then had me stand and start to pass out tracts and do some preaching. A young guy and his girl friend came up and wanted prayer. I first asked them if Jesus Christ was their Lord and Saviour. They said no. So I went through The Gospel with them and praise God they turned from the old life to the new! We prayed and they received Him as Lord and Saviour! The Angels where singing again! Hallelujah!

Well, of course about that time a messenger of Satan shows up (standard procedure) and we rebuked him in Jesus name and pleaded the blood of Jesus Christ. He flees, praise God!

Another brother which I just met a couple of weeks ago, stops by and we have an awesome time talking about God and His goodness. We share out loud what He has done. This is real powerful in a public setting. Whether on a corner, or in a building elevator, or on a bus or train, give God the glory out loud. You will be amazed at what takes place.

I moved across the street and there stood a young black man who was blind. My heart went out to him. I stood there praying for him quietly. Then God’s Spirit moved and I began to talk with him. I asked him if Jesus was his Lord and Saviour. He smiled and said “oh yes”. I asked him how long he had been blind, he said “since I was a year and a half old.” My heart swelled with compassion for the man.

I stood there and The Lord reminded me of my morning walk to the bank earlier. As I was walking along, God began to show me my five senses. I went through all of them one by one. I smelled, I saw, I heard etc. I ran my fingers along the concrete divider. I began to weep and appreciation came over me. Why me? as I thought of others that don’t have some of these senses. I certainly didn’t deserve it. God in His love and mercy has given them to me for His glory. May they be used for Him.

So as I stood there with this blind man, tears of compassion began to flow as I prayed to The Father for him. I looked up and saw the blue sky. The trees with their leaves turning. I pleated with God that he might see again. I asked him if I could pray with him for complete healing of his eyes. He said, “sure”.( before this I was a little reserved, because I have learned that you need to be very careful and sensitive with people who have disabilities). But I really sensed that God’s Spirit was working and He wanted to heal him.

Just as we started to pray, I looked up and there was a girl standing next to us that I have met out on the streets before. I had to refresh my memory and ask her if she was a believer or not. She said she was. I explained to her what was taking place and asked her if she believed that God could restore this man sight. She said, “yes” so we prayed together.

When we finished praying, I asked the man if he could see. He said. “not yet, but I believe I will”. Praise God he will! I believe!

He gave me his telephone number and I expect when I call him, that he will tell me he now sees. Praise to God! He is healing our brother! He will see this side of eternity! He will look up and see the blue sky, the trees! Oh praise God with me! For He is great and greatly to be praised!
“To God be the glory, for great things He is doing!”

I will stop here because I personally don’t like long posts. So if I don’t like them, I will not make them, right?
The above is only one quarter of what God did that day. With His help, I will try to write some more later.

I write these testimonies so that first God would be glorified in them, and second that you the reader would be encouraged to go out and use your gifts and callings for Him and His Kingdom. Amen

A good question to ask them

Today through circumstances, the Lord gave me this question to share. Are you prepared spiritually for what is coming upon the earth?

I arrived this morning at the park where we minister at from time to time. While prayer walking the park, I noticed that there was a lot of police, homeland security and also FEMA personal hanging out at a hotel across from the park. I also noticed the usual security guys with their dogs. However, this time they are sniffing all the cars and trucks that are around the area. As time went on, I began to notice that something was going on outside the norm.

There was a disaster preparedness convention going on at the hotel. Seemly, everybody was there. You name it, I saw the works gather.

After about two hours went by, sirens went off and all of a sudden there were unmarked cars all over the place. The bomb squad showed up with their many vehicles and surrounded the place. Soon they evacuated the building and yellow taped the place.

Ah! Here came the question to ask the many people as they looked with curiosity. “Are you prepared spiritually for what is coming?” Many listened as the Gospel went forward. Many took tracts.

WHAT A OPPERTUNITY! Here they were wondering what was going to happen next. I believe one reason was so they could face uncertainty right in the face. Change is happening right now in our land. Everyday, things like this are taking place. God is allowing people to wake up, hopefully before it is too late. Oh the mercy of God. But for how much longer?

PREPERATION DAY IS HERE!
TODAY IS THE DAY TO PREPARE!
DON’T PUT IT OFF, TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE!

We are living today in the best time of opportunity. It’s wake up time. Get out there and tell somebody, before it’s too late!
They hear the news, see the TV, they know. What they need to hear is that IT IS time to “prepare spiritually”. The trumpet needs to sound. Will you?

What I failed to tell them was that our city is one of two cities in the nation that have been picked as top places to prepare for disaster.(I wonder why) All the heads of security are showing up here. ( This was shared with me in the morning as I was coming in on the train by a guy that worked in the local county security).

Naturally, they are preparing, and that is good. But what about spiritually? Do you have a relationship with God through Christ? What if today is your last day? What happens after this?

What a day of opportunity!
Lets keep our eyes and ears open for every opportunity!
May you be blessed as you GO and TELL.

Love gives them another opportunity

Picture in your mind if you will, people that you come in contact with in one given day. Now realize that if they are not in relationship with God through Christ, they are dead in trespasses and sins, and if they reject Him and continue going their own way, they will spend eternity in death, separated forever from God their creator. If we take a minute and consider the magnitude of that, it should shake us to our core. May we get just a glimpse into eternity separated from God.

If God’s love is working through us, it will move us to have compassion upon them. It will cause us to “love them as ourselves”. Many times when I think about God’s love and mercy upon the lost, I consider how loving and merciful he was to me, drawing me to himself when I was dead in trespasses and sins.

How many opportunities did we get before making the choice to receive Christ? Time and time again, the lost (the dead, if you will) are given another opportunity, a chance to receive life and turn and be saved from their sins.

Sometimes while on the street corner I will say, “another opportunity, another chance to turn and live”. God in his love is giving them the opportunity again. Why? Because He is merciful and long suffering.

Be reminded this day that as you go about your day and come in contact with people, ask Him to help you to give them another chance by His Spirit working through you. Plead for His mercy upon them. May His love flow out of you as you reach out and share The Good News.

“He wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth”(1Tim.2:4)

God bless you as you go.