Good Days for a Little Maintenance

If your ministry is primarily out-of-doors, then January in the Midwest USA can be challenging. Now I don't let the winter weather get in the way of our outreach here in Iowa: we do plenty of "ice fishing", and just like the secular version, you just have to prepare for the cold (Carhartt insulated overalls & Hot Hands hand warmers, for example). Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are excellent times to point people to Jesus Christ, and I always try to get out on the street corner (in addition to getting out the decorated gospel tracts and books we make for this time of year.)

But there are days in January & February when its just better to stay indoors. This weekend was like that. Still, you can put these days to good use. Its a perfect time to work on new witnessing tools, or do a little needed maintenance on existing ones. My witnessing crosses get little wear and tear over the year. Here's part of my "Jesus Paid It All" cross (with "Are You Ready?" on the back side). I wipe them down with alcohol first, and then go over everything with a new coat of paint. I apply linseed oil and let them dry for a few days, and then wipe off the excess, and they are ready for another year.

If you're ever interested in how I make these witnessing tools, just drop me a line. And, if you are into woodworking and have the time & equipment to help, please give me a call! I lost my local lumberyard (Logs To Lumber) who used to cut, plane & notch the cross members to my specifications. I need to find a another resource for this so I can make new witnessing crosses. 

Is The Message of the Gospel for You?

Luke 5:29-32

(29) And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

(30) But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

(31) And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

(32) I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Why did the Lord Jesus call publicans and sinners, and eat with them?

It was true – that’s what he did. And the explanation is surely simple: he was a great physician. You don’t go around healing well people. He was healing the sickness of sin, and he came to minister to them.

The gospel is really for those who recognize their need. There are some people today that are too good to be saved…did you know that? That is, they think they are.

I want to speak very frankly: If you recognize that you have a need, then the gospel is for you; Christ can save you, and he will save you!

If you are self-sufficient, you recognize no need, may I say to you:

just go on your self-chosen pathway. It will lead to destruction. 

The message (of the gospel) is not for you. I’m very sorry; I wish I had a message for you, but I don’t have a message for folks like that.

Excerpt I made from the audio teaching of J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Radio, teaching on Luke 5.

Is God Good?

I was reminded today of this little 1-minute that addresses the subject, "If God is good, why is there evil in the world?" It has a lot of good answers packed into such a short video. If you've ever had questions about the goodness of God, you certainly can spare 1 minute now, can't you? Enjoy!