Free Candy Cane Tract Available

Just an FYI: I gave out the last of our candy cane gospel tracts today, to a couple of teenagers hanging out in the parking lot of Wal-Mart. And so now we pray for the Holy Spirit to work mightily in the lives of those who got them. I've also put a JPEG file of this tract up on our website that you can download and use, if you wish.

Here is the LINK.

11-19-2019 Update: A couple of things:
1. We use 100 lb. white card stock paper to make these. A print shop can print and trim your tracts which makes producing a large volume much easier. Just take the file into the print shop on a USB or email it.
2. Someone asked for a video on how to construct the Candy Cane tract. We made a short video for this, and you can view that HERE.

Looking Ahead

It's good to look back once in a while, and celebrate our accomplishments, and to give thanks for the victories the Lord has given us: in our lives, in our marriages, in our families, in our work, in our ministries. It's also good to look ahead, and to make plans for the upcoming days, if the Lord wills, and if the Lord tarries. What are you thankful for in 2015? What are you planning for 2016? Please share in the comments below, and let's encourage one another to live boldly for Jesus Christ at all times.

Wrapping up 2015 with a Candy Cane Tract

Here's a candy cane gospel message we made to give out over the Christmas holiday season, in hopes of redeeming the time and pointing as many people as possible to the Savior.

I looked up various versions of "The Candy Cane Story" on the internet, and using these as a reference I wrote the story in my own way using Microsoft Publisher. We used a local print shop to make about 200 cards. We donated a bunch for family gift packages for our church's bus ministry children, our friends Aquila & Priscilla Sletten took a box full over the the Iowa Veteran's Home. The rest we've been giving out around town. May the Holy Spirit water this seed sown, that many would come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The text of this message is below:

We Hope You Enjoy this Candy Cane! 

As you take it in your hand, turn it upside down: you will see
the J that reminds us of Jesus, who left Heaven’s glory 2000 years ago, and was born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem, just as the prophets had written many years before.
Turn it back upright, and you will see the shepherd’s crook, that reminds us that he is the Good Shepard who loves and cares for all who will follow him. The stripes remind us that he was wounded for our sins: the red speaks to his blood shed on Calvary’s cross to pay the penalty for our sin, and the white tells us how only he can wash away our sins, and make us white as snow. For all have broken God’s Law, the 10 Commandments, and all deserve the punishment … eternity in Hell. But God wants all to be rescued from this fate, and this is why Jesus came into the world.

We are glad you accepted this candy cane as a gift from us, but even more, I hope you will accept the gift of forgiveness and eternal life that comes, not from religion, a church, your sincerity, or by being a good person, but from trusting in this same Jesus as your own Savior. If you have not done so, why not turn to him today?

Days of Strong Delusion

We are living in the days that the apostle Paul wrote about, the days of the spirit of strong delusion. "Delusional" is an apt description of the following quote I read from an article on Sky News:

'France international footballer Lassana Diarra also said his cousin Asta Diakite was killed in the attacks. In a tribute, the former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder said: "She was like a big sister to me.
"In this climate of terror, it is important for all of us who represent our country and its diversity to stay united against a horror which has no colour, no religion. Stand together for love, respect and peace."'

Are you kidding me? No religion? Was it Mormon missionaries shooting up that concert hall in Paris? Did the killers shout "Krishna is Lord"? Excuse me, but we know e-x-a-c-t-l-y what religion these killers were following: ISLAM...the teachings of the prophet Muhammed.

Mary and I travelled down to Osceola to hear Mark Cahill speak at a church meeting down there. The person sitting next to Mark on his flight up to Des Moines asked him how did he know that Allah, the god of Islam, was not the true God? Mark's answer was something like this: "What kind of God would applaud the killing of all those people in the Bataclan concert hall by these terrorists? 

And after these men get killed (or blew themselves up), and their God shakes their hands and says "Thank you so much for killing all those people", and welcomes them into Paradise?" What kind of God anywhere would do that? No way."

Hope you are wide awake and looking around at what is going down in the world today. If you are born-again, you don't have to worry about any of it. The moment we die, our God welcomes us into His presence only because of what Jesus Chris has done for us. If you are not born-again, you are in big trouble and need to be born-again. Look to Jesus Christ alone, turn to him as a sinner, and trust in his shed blood on the cross as payment for all your sin, and the one true God of the Bible will forgive all of your sin (yesterday's sin, today's , tomorrow's & forever) and give you the gift of eternal life.

The Truth About Hitler (You Probably Will Never Hear About)

Atheists and others frequently use the actions of past historical figures to discredit Christianity, and slander our God. They set up a strawman argument, and then justify their willful rebellion against their Creator: sinful men standing in judgment of a Holy God! 

The Crusades are a favorite argument along this line. However, the Crusades were a product of the Roman Catholic Church, not followers of Jesus Christ, who commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), not put them to death. The Crusaders were following the Pope, not the Lord Jesus Christ.

Another argument is that Hitler was a Christian, and that the Holocaust was a result of Christianity. The following video answers this false claim, and shines the light of God's truth and history on what Hitler really believed and did. Please watch:

Contrast

A couple of weeks ago, I received a text message from someone I do not know, telling me: "I found your Bible." Now, I knew they hadn't found my Bible, because I was reading it at the time. But Mary and I give away free Bibles, and we put our name and contact information inside the cover, because we want to be available to help answer questions, etc. We often pray that the Bibles that go out would not sit around gathering dust. I tell people, "This Bible is free, but there's one stipulation: you have to read it."

When I got this text message, I thought someone had just tossed it aside, or maybe misplaced it, so I wanted to get it back. Through a few texts back & forth, this person agreed to drop it off at our home during the day. What I didn't know was the condition this Bible was in (see photo). Burned....

Contrast: The next day, as I was listening to the Through The Bible Radio (TTB.org) daily broadcast, I heard a testimonial of the work of God in the country of Mongolia. Some background:

Back in the late 1980's, missiologists said there were only 4 known Christian believers in the country of Mongolia. Today there are well over 100,000. So, over the last 30 years we have seen the birth of the church in this country. The Bible has only been translated into the Mongolian language for about 20 years...the complete translation of the Bible in this language was completed around the year 2000.

A man from Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia wrote in to TTB to thank them for their Bible teaching radio ministry in Mongolia, and this part caught my attention: he said,

"My most precious possession is a New Testament of God's holy word that a friend gave me. Now I am beginning to understand what I hold in my hands: it is a gift from God to us. I turn the pages slowly because it is so precious."

Contrast: In West Papua, Indonesia, the Kimyal tribe celebrated the arrival of the Bible in their language with singing, dancing, and praise to God. In the short video clip below, one man says this:

"God is an amazing God. He's given us this wonderful gift: His word. We've received the Bible. We have it in our language."

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

An Unexpected Witness

Going out with the Gideon's this year for bible distributions have been pretty good this year. I did miss a few being away in New Jersey for business and visiting family.  I did though have some bible distributions of my own giving some family members some testaments (New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs). Those were really interesting, one which I will share one encounter in a later post. 

But before one of my distributions I got there early and saw this kid sitting on a park picnic table before school even let out. I really felt the desire to talk with him so I took a few tracts and a testament with me and walked over. I introduced myself, and started a conversation with him about what he believed. He wasn't a student at that school and graduated last year. He said he was a Lutheran Christian but when prompted to tell me what the gospel was he just didn't know. He never understood why Jesus had to die, what sin is, and thought God was just going to forgive everyone someday. It was a really good conversation and in the end he was really thankful for the talk and the testament. It was an unexpected witness for both him, and myself. 

It really bothers me though when talking with people, especially young people, about how much they don't know. Most grew up in the church and went to Youth Group, but can't tell me the basics of Christianity, and what it means to be a true follower of Jesus. What are kids learning today? Why are they so biblically illiterate? Is it because the parents are just as clueless? I just don't know. But what I do know is that we need to train up these kids in the bible and give them the strong solid foundation they need in life, before it's too late. This young man's name is Rusty. Pray for him. 

Birthday

Every day, and every year, are gifts from our God who is the giver & sustainer of life.

My birthday was this past Friday, and Mary made it a special day with balloons, rib-eye steak & birthday cake. Our youngest, Alexander, dropped by for supper, and we all had a good time.

Later that evening, I headed out to the busy corner by Walmart with some witnessing crosses and our Bibles, tracts, etc. Brian and his friend Steve stopped by for a Bible: Brian's been sharing the word of God with Steve, and while Steve believes in God, he doesn't yet understand the gospel message, and the need to be born-again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We had a good, short chat, and Steve got a beautiful Bible (same one I use), a "God of Wonders" DVD, and the gospel booklet "One Second After You Die." They had to hit the road, but Brian wanted picture with one of my crosses, so here it is.

So, I'm thankful for God's many, many blessings: another year of life in this world, a loving wife in Mary, expecting a grandson any day from my daughter Emily, Alexander out on his own and making his way in life, and the opportunity to love my neighbors here in Marshalltown by holding out to them the words of eternal life in the Holy Bible, and just being a signpost on the side of the road, pointing to Jesus Christ and the way to Heaven.

New Sign!

Did you see our new sign?

My old sign is perfectly fine:but, it is rather small for people driving by to clearly see, and I wanted a little more room to put extra stuff on there, like the Iowa Seed Sower QR code. If anyone wants to join me, we can now work the opposite corners of a busy intersection - we can grab an empty milk crate and be ready to go.

I hope & pray that this new addition will help get more of God's word out to people who need to read it; to open more gospel conversations, not just with me out on the street, but with other believers talking with their friends & co-workers about the gospel & Jesus Christ.

If this is your first time here, welcome!
Check out our pages: we have some good Bible study material, audio recordings of open-air ministry, a few video clips, various articles, some links to other websites, and a pretty thorough explanation of how you can have your sins forgiven & go to Heaven (not Hell) when you die. If you have questions or need some help, our email addresses are on the "Contact Us" page - we'd love to help.
Maranatha!
Paul

Посмотрите на 180 фильм на русском языке!

Check out the 180 Movie in Russian: LINK

To my brother Yura Evtuhovich in Belarus: hope you can use this to reach people for Jesus Christ in your corner of the harvest field (Matthew 9:36-38).

The Faith of the Evolutionist: Abiogenesis

Check out the latest article from Creation Moments regarding abiogenesis:

Evolutionists Still Defend Abiogenesis | Creation Moments

The world says you are un-intelligent if you reject the theory of evolution: that long ago, nothing exploded (the "Big Bang") and created everything; that (somehow - we don't know how) life arose from non-living matter, and evolved into every living thing we see around us. This is, of course, un-provable, un-observable and un-repeatable, taking it outside the realm of science...but you are stupid, ignorant, and really strange if you don't buy into it. In short, it is a fairy tale for grown ups, but don't be mistaken: there is a strong motivation behind it. And, an honest atheist will help us get to the root of it.

Enter George Wald the Nobel Prize winning biologist and atheist, who stepped into eternity some years ago and who is now a strong believer in God and Jesus Christ.

 He wrote:

"There are only 2 possible explanations as to how life arose. Spontaneous generation arising to evolution or, a supernatural God....There is no other possibility. Spontaneous generation was scientifically disproved 120 years ago by Louis Pasteur and others, but that just leaves us with only one other possibility...that life came as a supernatural act of creation by God, but I can't accept that philosophy because 

I do not want to believe in God.

Therefore I choose to believe in that which I know is scientifically impossible, spontaneous generation leading to evolution."

No, it's not science that supports the fairy tale of evolution theory...it is men & women repulsed by the thought of being accountable to their Creator: it cramps the style of people who are literally Hell-bent on being their own god, deciding for themselves what is right or wrong.

Brethren, love your Lord more than the praise of men,  and be bold enough to stand for your faith inthetruth of God's word. Yes, it may cost you something (2 Timothy 3:12) but the Lord Jesus Christ is more than worth it. And God's opinion on the issue is summed up by king David in the Psalms:

Psalms 14:1  

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."

And living for the Lord & the truth of God's word ("You mean you take the Bible literally?!?!?") will make you a target for all kinds of scorn and ridicule, but we know we're just following in Jesus' steps....

Hebrews 13:12-13  

"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, 

bearing his reproach."

Kevin DeYoung's 40 Questions

Paul here: I wanted to share these thought-provoking questions to followers of Jesus Christ, regarding homosexual marriage, from Kevin DeYoung's "The Gospel Coalition" blog. I suggest you actually print out these questions and write down your answers, and when finished, that you reflect deeply on any areas of your life that may not be fully surrendered to the word & will of God. Hope this is helpful.

Kevin writes:  "If you consider yourself a Bible-believing Christian, a follower of Jesus whose chief aim is to glorify God and enjoy him forever, there are important questions I hope you will consider before picking up your flag and cheering on the sexual revolution. These questions aren’t meant to be snarky or merely rhetorical. They are sincere, if pointed, questions that I hope will cause my brothers and sisters with the new rainbow themed avatars to slow down and think about the flag you’re flying.

1. How long have you believed that gay marriage is something to be celebrated?

2. What Bible verses led you to change your mind?

3. How would you make a positive case from Scripture that sexual activity between two persons of the same sex is a blessing to be celebrated?

4. What verses would you use to show that a marriage between two persons of the same sex can adequately depict Christ and the church?

5. Do you think Jesus would have been okay with homosexual behavior between consenting adults in a committed relationship?

6. If so, why did he reassert the Genesis definition of marriage as being one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-6)?

7. When Jesus spoke against porneia what sins do you think he was forbidding?

8. If some homosexual behavior is acceptable, how do you understand the sinful “exchange” Paul highlights in Romans 1:26-28?

9. Do you believe that passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9 and Revelation 21:8 teach that sexual immorality can keep you out of heaven?

10. What sexual sins do you think they were referring to?

11. As you think about the long history of the church and the near universal disapproval of same-sex sexual activity, what do you think you understand about the Bible that Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, and Luther failed to grasp? 

12. What arguments would you use to explain to Christians in Africa, Asia, and South America that their understanding of homosexuality is biblically incorrect and your new understanding of homosexuality is not culturally conditioned?

13. Do you think Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were motivated by personal animus and bigotry when they, for almost all of their lives, defined marriage as a covenant relationship between one man and one woman?

14. Do you think children do best with a mother and a father?

15. If not, what research would you point to in support of that conclusion?

16. If yes, does the church or the state have any role to play in promoting or privileging the arrangement that puts children with a mom and a dad?

17. Does the end and purpose of marriage point to something more than an adult’s emotional and sexual fulfillment?

18. How would you define marriage?

19. Do you think close family members should be allowed to get married?

20. Should marriage be limited to only two people?

21. On what basis, if any, would you prevent consenting adults of any relation and of any number from getting married?

22. Should there be an age requirement in this country for obtaining a marriage license?

23. Does equality entail that anyone wanting to be married should be able to have any meaningful relationship defined as marriage?

24. If not, why not?

25. Should your brothers and sisters in Christ who disagree with homosexual practice be allowed to exercise their religious beliefs without fear of punishment, retribution, or coercion?

26. Will you speak up for your fellow Christians when their jobs, their accreditation, their reputation, and their freedoms are threatened because of this issue?

27. Will you speak out against shaming and bullying of all kinds, whether against gays and lesbians or against Evangelicals and Catholics?

28. Since the evangelical church has often failed to take unbiblical divorces and other sexual sins seriously, what steps will you take to ensure that gay marriages are healthy and accord with Scriptural principles?

29. Should gay couples in open relationships be subject to church discipline?

30. Is it a sin for LGBT persons to engage in sexual activity outside of marriage?

31. What will open and affirming churches do to speak prophetically against divorce, fornication, pornography, and adultery wherever they are found?

32. If “love wins,” how would you define love?

33. What verses would you use to establish that definition?

34. How should obedience to God’s commands shape our understanding of love?

35. Do you believe it is possible to love someone and disagree with important decisions they make?

36. If supporting gay marriage is a change for you, has anything else changed in your understanding of faith?

37. As an evangelical, how has your support for gay marriage helped you become more passionate about traditional evangelical distinctives like a focus on being born again, the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the cross, the total trustworthiness of the Bible, and the urgent need to evangelize the lost?

38. What open and affirming churches would you point to where people are being converted to orthodox Christianity, sinners are being warned of judgment and called to repentance, and missionaries are being sent out to plant churches among unreached peoples?

39. Do you hope to be more committed to the church, more committed to Christ, and more committed to the Scriptures in the years ahead?

40. When Paul at the end of Romans 1 rebukes “those who practice such things” and those who “give approval to those who practice them,” what sins do you think he has in mind?

Food for thought, I hope. At the very least, something to chew on before swallowing everything the world and Facebook put on our plate."

Contemplative Prayer or the Holy Spirit?

Good read on a subject extremely relevant today. Whether you claim to be a Christian or not, you have been influenced by this philosophy.  Time is short, and all the Bible says about the last days is going to take place, and its beginning to coalesce even now. Are you ready?

Here is the link to the article:
Contemplative Prayer or the Holy Spirit

2 Timothy 4:2-4

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The Strange gods of Zaphon

I had an interesting & strange encounter at the Farmers Market with a man named Timothy, and woman named Sarah that I assume was his wife. Timothy heckled me, in an acceptable way, just after 3-1/2 minutes into my public preaching last Saturday, talking about "the gods of Zaphon." (Remember, hecklers are a good thing when open-air preaching, so I'm not complaining.) You can check it out via the link to the audio on my previous post, or on the Audio: Open Air Preaching page above (should be the top link on the page, the file starts with the date 20150627....)


When I finished speaking and stepped off my box, Timothy showed up right away, again talking about "the gods of Zaphon." A young brother in the Lord by the name of Ray had just got up on the box and started preaching, and I actually wanted to listen to him, but this conversation started with Timothy & Sarah, so we talked.

Be my guest, and listen in on the audio recording of this street corner encounter: LINK

I tried to tweak the audio to bring up the conversation and quiet the background, but it's the Farmers Market, what can I say? That young brother, Ray, is preaching 6 feet away from me, there's a singer using amplification across the intersection, etc. etc. But I think you can follow the discussion, and I wanted to share it just because:

1. I've never heard of "the gods of Zaphon"
2. I wanted you to hear an example of what one encounters out on the streets, often around strange teachings & beliefs our neighbors have, that are founded in pagan religions, as I think this one is
3. People wrest the scriptures (2 Peter 3:16), and we need to be able to answer with truth (Sarah's belief we are all born children of God; that Jesus' first coming was more about showing us how to do what He did and more than He did, not so much to rescue us from eternal damnation; that all the people in Hell will one day be released - just some examples you'll hear in the audio)

Hope this is an encouragement to boldly share the gift of eternal life we have, who have turned to Jesus alone and been born-again. Time is short. I hope to be back down to the Farmers Market this Saturday, the 4th of July, but we don't know what tomorrow may bring. Jesus may come to catch us away before then, or I may go to be with Him. 

Here's a few notes from a quick search for "the gods of Zaphon."

Holman Bible Dictionary

Zaphon

(zay' pahn) Place name meaning, “north.”
1. City east of the Jordan River in Gad's territory (Joshua 13:27 ). It was probably a center of worship of the god Baal-zaphon in the days of Canaanite supremacy before the Gadites took over. It is identified with tell el-Qos, tell es-Saidiye, or tell el-Mazar. Shophan (Numbers 32:35 ) may be another spelling of the same city.
2. Mountain viewed as home of the gods in Canaanite thought, perhaps referred to in Psalm 48:2 (NIV), Isaiah 14:13 (NRSV), and Job 26:7 (NRSV), showing Yahweh controls what Canaan thought their gods possessed.

The Official King James Bible Online

'ZAPHON' in the Bible ... 1 Instances   

Joshua 13:27
And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.

Jesus Paid It Some?

Someone once wrote a list of "Songs of the Lukewarm Church." They took the titles of good doctrinal hymns of the past & re-wrote them for the modern church. For example (correct title is in parenthesis):

• A Comfy Mattress Is Our God (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)
• Take My Wife and Let Me Be (Take My Life and Let It Be)
• Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me (Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me)
• Above Average is Thy Faithfulness (Great is Thy Faithfulness)
• I Surrender Some (I Surrender All)

Kind of funny, but kind of sad given the lack of zeal we see around us, or sometimes in ourselves.

There's another good hymn I was thinking of, one that flies in the face of the false teaching that Jesus has not done everything required to secure one's salvation. As a Roman Catholic, I was taught that Jesus indeed had done something significant: His death on the cross opened the door to Heaven, if I can say it that way, but we have to do our part to make it in...that salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ is damnable heresy. Of course, our part is a whole bunch of good religious works, and even then the poor Catholic soul has no assurance of salvation.

(Click this LINK to see how Rome denies justification by faith alone.)

No, the hymn I am thinking of is not "Jesus Paid it Some", it is...

JESUS PAID IT ALL!

So it was with this in mind on Saturday, June 27th, that God gave me a place to stand and speak publicly of the so-great salvation we have, by grace alone through faith alone on the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ alone. If you care to listen to what goes on in public ministry, you can listen to the audio by clicking HERE.

I Hope Someone Told Jimmy Lee

I just caught a headline on the Drudge Report that peaked my curiosity:

"Top JP Morgan Banker Dies Suddenly...."

Jimmy Lee

So I clicked on the article, and read about a man by the name of Jimmy Lee, a well-known Wall Street banker who was known for his deal-making.

Dead at 62 years old. 

Click here if you want to read about it: LINK. Dead physically, but alive on the other side. Alive in eternity...but where is he now? 

And so I have these questions in my mind:

Jimmy, I hope someone loved you enough, loved your eternal soul enough, to share the truth of God's word with you. To show you the moral law (Leviticus 20:1-17; Romans 3:19-20) so you could recognize your sin against God, and then the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-5; John 3:16), so you could see your only hope for mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life.

Because, Jimmy, you and I and every other person born into this world knows the God of the Bible exists. He has revealed Himself in us through both creation & our conscience, so we are without excuse if we will not turn to Him & yield to Him (Romans 1:19-20). 

You had the information you needed...we all do. I just cannot help wonder what you did with that information? I pray you turned to Jesus Christ! Rich people can be saved (though Jesus said it is hard!), and its not a sin to be rich: the Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil, not the money itself (1 Timothy 6:10).

 But, oh Jimmy! If you turned away from that truth, and lived for temporary things of this brief life,  like success & wealth, and did not live for eternity...then Jimmy, you blew the best deal of the Universe!

Mark 8:36 

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

2 Corinthians 5:21 

"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." 

Jimmy Lee's eternal destination is set: once we step into eternity, that's it. No do-over, no renegotiating, no changing (Hebrews 9:27).

But...if you know Jimmy or his family, will you love them enough to reach out to them with the gospel? 

From the article:
"Mr Lee is survived by his wife Beth and three children, Lexi, Jamie and Izzy."

Just Another Example of the Mighty Works of God!

Psalms 66:3-5 

"Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. 

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. 

Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men."

Check this out! Amazing what we learn about our mighty Creator when we study His creation.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Seven-Flagellar-Motors-in-One.html?soid=1101870705073

I Will Always Only Be....

Jeremiah 10:23 

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."

I will always only be...a sinner.

Rescued from the eternal consequences of my sin against my Creator God by a Mighty Savior.

Saved only by His mercy & grace.

I will never produce a righteousness that can commend myself to His near presence.

Not for all eternity.

I need a perfect righteousness that is external to myself, for I cannot offer my own.

I cannot purchase it, though I possessed all the wealth of the universe.

I do not deserve it.

The truth is, I deserve only condemnation & the fearful judgment of eternal Hell.

Thank Almighty God, that He has provided all I need.

All I need.

All I need, in the Person & finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Freely.

As a gift.

And the more I think upon this, the more I love Him.

Thank you, Lord. Thank You....

And I will say this for all eternity.

Romans 3:22

"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe...."

When The Church is Caught Up

We are living, I am convinced, in the last days of the Age of Grace, the conclusion of the Church Age, and as a disciple of Jesus Christ and a Bible believing Christian, I am looking for "the blessed hope" of my Lord's return for His people. This short video, that I've also put up on the Iowa Seed Sowers website, brings out the reality that this longed-for event will happen on what seems to be just another ordinary day. Check it out:

There's just one thing I wish was different in this video, and that is the scene where the dark-haired woman takes a seat on the bench next to the blonde-haired woman. I would have liked to see her engage in a gospel conversation with that woman, or sharing a gospel tract, rather than just sitting there waiting for her train.Watch that little segment again: the two young women sitting on a bench, looking away from each other. Its so easy to look away, to look at nothing. But I am called to look towards people, not away from them! How often do I pass up these opportunities to serve our King as an ambassador, calling the lost to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:19-21), and one day SOON, it will be our last opportunity. That's what I desire to be doing when He comes.

One last thing: when the believers are caught up, did you notice what they leave behind?

Everything.

We leave everything behind.

2 Corinthians 4:18 

Are You Ready?

Titus 2:12-14

"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

God of Wonders - Farsi Language

Mary & I have been giving away "The God of Wonders" DVD since our friend Jim gave us one 3 years ago. Mary has given many out through her treatment for breast cancer, and I give them out along with Bibles & gospel tracts when out with one of my witnessing crosses.

Not only does this video present great biblical truth, it does so in many different languages: some are dubbed so that you can listen to the video in that language, while others are captioned on-screen so you can read what is being spoken in that language.

Here is an example, in the Farsi language, that I found on the YouTube website of the Berean Call (where we buy the DVDs). Perhaps in posting it here, someone in Iran or another Farsi-speaking community might be reached by the one true God, to understand the gospel message & believe on the Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life, just as we have. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

You can check out the other languages for this video, including English - just go to You Tube and search for The Berean Call.(Or just click this LINK.) And, if you know the Lord Jesus as Savior, please commit to living boldly for Him in this world, right now, and reach out to the lost, in whatever language you can. Maranatha!

American Pastor ‘Black and Blue’ After Beating in Iranian Prison

I continue to pray for the release of this brother in Christ, and for grace & peace for his wife & children.
Please join me.
Hebrews 13:3
American pastor ‘black and blue’ after beating in Iranian prison

The Importance of Prayer in Evangelism

One great thing about reaching out to the people around you with the hope of the gospel, is that you meet a lot of people that you probably would never have met under normal circumstances. These are people made in the image of God, eternal souls that God desires to redeem through repentance & faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we meet & share with those around us, Mary & I try to get their names, and we jot these down on our little prayer chalkboard in our kitchen. I try to note the date and location, and it really helps me to remember to lift these dear ones up in prayer before our Father God.

Our Prayer Board

I don't pray for God to save them, because I know it is not God's desire that they perish (2 Peter 3:9), and I want to pray according to His will. Instead, I pray that they would read the Bibles or gospel tracts we gave them, or watch the DVD, or whatever, and that they would understand the gospel, repent towards God & trust Jesus as Savior. I pray God will direct other believers to them to water the seed planted, encourage them or challenge them, or whatever is needed (1 Corinthians 3:6). I pray the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin & a recognition of their need for a righteousness they can never produce, and comprehend that this righteousness is a gift from God to those who will believe (Romans 3:23).

Anyway, it is vital we be praying for those who we are trying to reach, and this old chalkboard is a helpful tool that works for us. If you have another idea, I'd like to hear about it. Send me a picture & your story, and I'll share it on the website.

Two things about prayer: we are taught to bring our requests to God with a thankful heart (Philippians 4:6-7), and the Lord Jesus gives us the example of desiring God's will to be done, because:

• God is all powerful - nothing is impossible with Him
• God is all knowing - He fully understands and is aware of the issue I am praying about
• God's love is so great, I can trust Him & His will for this circumstance

When I take this attitude & approach, I am never frustrated or wonder if God is hearing my prayers or cares about what I am praying about. Dave Hunt taught me this through one of his teachings, and it has been a tremendous blessing and help to me, so I hope it helps you as well.

Hope you are reaching your little corner of the world for the Lord Jesus Christ, living out this Christian life in a real & powerful way, out of thankfulness for what God has done for you in Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:6-7 
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Luke 22:41-42 
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Good Resource from J. Vernon McGee

Maybe you already know, but if not, the on-going ministry of J.Vernon McGee and Thru The Bible Radio Network has free downloadable booklets on a variety of topics. I have the TTB app on my phone, and when I can I listen while working in my lab, as I was today. I heard the announcer mention a free download book on the topic of Christian service, so I made a note to check it out later in the evening at home. This is a screen shot of the TTB website, under the "Resources" tab.

Looks like a lot of good stuff, so check it out and tell me if you find something helpful or interesting. The Thru The Bible Radio website is www.ttb.org, or just click this LINK.

Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing

What is it we want? What do we really want?
So many thoughts come crowding in at the mention of that question. So many things shouting for first place in my life. Oh the possibilities....

I guess it was Stephen Covey who said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."
I'm not a big fan of management guru's & their philosophies. The Mega-Church, Seeker Sensitive, and possibly even the Emergent Church movements, which are destroying much of the modern church in America, were birthed at least in part through the influences of Peter Drucker & crowd. I don't want any part of that! No thank you.

No, in my book, the main thing is God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and his will. So in that context, I am all for keeping the main thing the main thing. I can say amen to that.

As I grow in Jesus Christ, I want more and more for his will to be done in my life.

You know, I just realized, looking at that last sentence I just typed, that I will be 20 years old in the Lord on Friday, May 15th, 2015. How can that be? Where did the time go? I can tell you where I was, and what I was doing that blessed wonderful night when I cried out to God, and how he opened up my understanding of the gospel message, and my heart said yes to his offer of forgiveness and eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Wow.

God is so awesome....
Let's worship HIM!

Seek Ye First - Maranatha Singers 1974

Christian Pastors and Leaders – Exchanging the Word of God for a “New” Way of Doing Things

Christian Pastors and Leaders – Exchanging the Word of God for a “New” Way of Doing Things

Very, very timely article on what is happening inside the "church." Trouble is coming. Are we ready to loose all for the name of Jesus Christ, earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3)? Maranatha.

The "Map of Your Life"

I copied the following devotional by Anton Bosch from the Herescope blog that I follow on this Iowa Seed Sowers site. Mr. Bosch's challenge lines up with Paul's message to the Church at Corinth, and we can always use a good challenge, right? Enjoy!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:58

Diversion and Destiny

A Devotional  

By Pastor Anton Bosch

Paul writes about the devil that “we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Yet it seems that many of us are ignorant of the tricks and devices the evil one uses to thwart the plan of God. Satan knows that most of us cannot be persuaded or intimidated to give up the good fight, so he does what serves his purpose just as well – diversion. He uses many tricks to accomplish this, including pressure, temptation, weariness and obscuring the issues. As long as he can get us to focus on minor issues and not continue with what the Lord has called us to do, he is happy.

Such diversion can take many forms. Some of them are good on the surface, noble and godly things, while others are worldly things. Some of the “good” things include: overemphasizing a doctrinal viewpoint, focusing on legalism, or even getting bogged down with the things related to Christian ministry. Some of the worldly things include careers, hobbies, sports, recreation, family and possessions. The Devil will keep us busy and make us feel we are doing the right things as long as we miss the call of God on our lives.

One example of a man who seemed to fall in this trap often was Saul, King of Israel. First he took upon himself the role of the priest to present sacrifices, when he had been called to be the King (1Samuel 13:9). Then he was tricked into sparing Agag when his instructions were to destroy all of Amalek (1Samuel 15:8). Finally he wasted the rest of his reign hunting David instead of fighting the real enemies. No wonder Saul came to the end of his life and cried these pitiful words: “I have played the fool and erred exceedingly” (1Samuel 26:21). It has to be the most disappointing thing to come to the end of your life and realize that you just wasted the one life God gave you – on trivialities! May I plead with you, my brother and sister: you have one life and one shot at fulfilling your destiny. Don’t allow the devil to rob you of God’s high calling.

Paul, on the other hand, had even more opposition, and temptation to take a side road. But he persisted in doing only what he had been commissioned to do by the Lord. There were the Jews who pressured him to perform miracles. And the Greeks wanted him to display some of his brilliant intelligence and argue with them over philosophical issues. He did not acquiesce to either of them, but insisted that his calling was simply to preach the Cross, and this he did with all his being (1Corinthians 1). At other times Paul was so beaten up, stoned and ridiculed that it seemed impossible to continue. But again he displayed a singular commitment to complete the purpose for which he had been saved.

When Paul felt that the Lord had called him to preach to the emperor in Rome, his well-meaning friends tried to prophesy him away from his destiny while others clung to him, begged him and wept over him. But Paul was committed to do what the Lord had saved him for to the very end. Not even the prospect of prison and death could deter him. Paul could not be bribed, discouraged, tempted or beaten into a diversion, not even for a single moment. He summed his attitude up like this: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Unlike Saul the King, this man Paul came to the end and boldly declared: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day” (2 Timothy 4:7). What a difference! Will you be like Saul or like Paul?

Let me also remind you of our Ultimate Example – Jesus. He came for one purpose and that was to do the will of the Father and to finally die on the Cross (Hebrews 10:7-9). Every temptation and obstacle was placed in His way to divert Him from the exact path that had been chosen for Him. In the wilderness the Devil three times offered Him alternatives to the Cross. Peter, his friend tried to persuade Him not to pursue the Cross. On two occasions the mob tried to kill him. On Palm Sunday the crowd tried to crown Him as king – all in an attempt to divert him from His mission. Finally, in the Garden of Gethsemane, His own flesh cried for another way. But in all His 33 years He set His face as a flint to fulfill the call of God (Isaiah 50:7). Not for one minute did He digress but steadily made His way to Calvary, and when it was all done He cried, “It is finished.” This He shouted not in defeat but in triumph as He fulfilled every word that had been prophesied concerning Him and fulfilled every detail of the Law. Nothing was left undone or incomplete! If you had to draw a map of His life, it would be one continuous straight line from the manger to the Cross.

How does the map of our lives look today? Are we on track or are we, like the people of Israel wandering around in circles? Are we, like Saul, off chasing rabbits and indulging our pet projects, or are we like Paul, pressing towards the mark for the high call of God? We all take the wrong crossroads sometimes, but more often we take those sidetracks that seem to head in the right direction, but eventually end so far from our destination.

Where are you today? If you are not exactly where the Master wants you, doing exactly what He has called you to do, then it is time to make a correction to your course. An aircraft may be pointed in the right direction, but the wind will slowly and imperceptibly blow it off course. This is why the pilot has to check his position frequently and make corrections to his course. Don’t leave the adjustment undone. Don't wait to turn around until it is too late. Do it now while the Captain is speaking

Abusive Tyrants in the Pulpits

Good video post from our brother in Christ, Mark:

The Harvest of Moral Relativism (and Everything Else Contrary to God's Word!)

I saw this article by Ken Conner on Townhall.com, and thought it worthwhile to share on the ISS website. He talks about what moral relativism has done to our society. Check it out by clicking HERE.

Our choices, and our beliefs, have consequences. You really do reap what you sow.

 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

Galatians 6:7-8

"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind...."

Hosea 8:7

You sow, you reap.
This is true in the natural world, and also in the supernatural.
And how does the saying go? "Adult choices have adult consequences." Something like that.
I doubt our society is able to recover from our choice to turn away from the one true God. King David tells us where a turning like that leads (Psalm 9:7).

And it is all so unnecessary! That is the really sad thing about this. Our society doesn't have to be this way. Our world doesn't have to be this way...and I meet some people who blame God for this!

God is so good.
It is hard to put into words.
It cannot be over-stated or over-emphasized.
Do you realize what God has done for us in the person & work of the Lord Jesus Christ?
It is so amazing...so awesome...so incredible.

Charles Wesley wrote out these thoughts in his hymn:
And can it be that I should gain, an int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued? 
AMAZING LOVE! How can it be? THAT THOU, MY GOD, SHOULDST DIE FOR ME!

And throughout the Scriptures, God demonstrates his amazing faithfulness and goodness, and calls for us to turn to HIM, to trust HIM, to listen to HIM...
to choose HIM!

But time & time again, man turns away from what is on the heart of God, and turns away from what is pleasing in his eyes (Numbers 15:39). It truly is the story of our lives. It surely was the story of mine. Glad that God from eternity past made a WAY for us to escape this mess, both in this life, and the life to come. "I am the way....", our Good Shepard told Thomas & the disciples (John 14:6). The one and only way. He is the answer to the world's problems. Tell someone about HIM today. Maranatha!

Jon Voight Sends Urgent Message to Israel

I don't know if Jon Voight is a brother in Jesus Christ, but he is taking a stand for Israel, and I applaud him for it. Who can say? History will play out exactly as God has planned. His will be done.
Watch this clip below, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the people of Israel, that they may come to faith in their promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Arutz Sheva Exclusive Interview With PM Netanyahu - Inside Israel - News - Arutz Sheva

Arutz Sheva Exclusive Interview With PM Netanyahu - Inside Israel - News - Arutz Sheva

Please watch this interview with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem. Prophetic history is coming to pass before our eyes. The time of Jesus Christ coming for his church must be very near, and God's plan for the Jewish people will then kick in:  time of Jacob's trouble. All Biblical prophecy will be fulfilled, just as the Holy Bible says, exactly when Almighty God says.

Keep looking up, brothers, and live in the light of Jesus' soon return...maybe today!

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11

Two People - One Question

With the warm, sunny weather, and daylight savings moving the clocks forward an hour, I was able to get outdoors with a witness cross and free Bibles a couple of times this week. Got to talk to people, and gave out some Bibles, DVD's & gospel tracts.

It was interesting that I had basically the same question from 2 different people. It was basically something like this: "I've seen you out here before. What's your story...why are you out here, what are you trying to do?" Same basic question: "what?" and "why?" However, one was from a believer, and the other from an un-believer. They both got the same message, with a little variation.

What are we doing? Encouraging & challenging the saints, calling sinners to consider their eternal soul, and to look to Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Wherever we can, in whatever way that we can, while we can.

When I meet brothers or sisters in Jesus Christ, I just want to encourage them in their walk with the Lord, and also encourage them to share the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible. Sometimes I'll hand a tract to a person, and they'll hand it back while telling me that they are saved and don't need it. My response is to tell them that they probably know someone who needs to hear this message, and most of the time they will agree and take it with them. This week, after some good conversation, this person left with a "God of Wonders DVD", and the booklet "One Second After You Die."

If it's clear that the person does not know the Lord - is not born again through faith in Jesus Christ alone, then I want to point them to the Lord, and encourage them to seriously look into what the Bible says. With the young man who stopped by yesterday, I gave him my last copy of the book "One Heartbeat Away." We had an amicable conversation, and I explained that my job was to deliver the message of the hope we have in Jesus Christ, and it was up to him what he did with that message. I hope the questions I asked will get him to think deeply on both what he believes, and why he believes that way. I pray that God will do everything possible to help this young man understand the message of the gospel, and that this young man would turn in repentance & faith to Jesus Christ.

Why do we go out? Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And second greatest was to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). If I saw a person here in Marshalltown about to step out in front of a bus, I would at least yell to them to look out. That is, if I cared at all about them. If I couldn't care less, well, too bad for them...not my problem. Right?

Stepping out in front of a bus is nothing compared to the reality of an eternal Hell. Conversely, being the richest, most successful person in the world is nothing compared to the reality of an eternal Heaven, in the presence of our Creator God. Because the Bible is God's word to men, and because all of us have indeed sinned against God and have placed ourselves under his righteous judgment; because Hell is the just punishment for our turning away from God, and because God did something so that he could give us mercy instead of judgment.."The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14). Because forgiveness of all our sins and life eternal is a gift bought & paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ, offered to "whosoever will" (Revelation 22:17). Because Jesus did all of that for me - out of a grateful heart - out of appreciation for the great love that God has shown me - and out of obedience to my Lord who said:

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

So this is what we do, and why we do it, by the Lord's grace and by his Spirit. Check out the video, "Lost At Sea", that I embedded on the upper right of page. It portrays the "why?" in a dramatic way. And don't miss the credits at the end of the video: they are very challenging!