Hijacking the Historical Jesus

Friday, December 6, 2019
Well, I've been home most of this week recovering from surgery, and I finally finished a book I bought a couple of years ago. "Hijacking the Historical Jesus. Answering Recent Attacks on the Jesus of the Bible" is a good resource book for public evangelists to have in their library, and I'm glad I added it to mine. It is written by Phil Fernandes, Kyle Larson, and Matt Coombe, and I became familiar with it from watching Phil Fernandes apologetics teaching videos online. Chapters include:

• An Overview of the History and Biases of Modern Jesus Research
• The DaVinci Code
• New Testament Reliability
• Redating the New Testament Books
• Is Jesus Just Another Myth?
• Identifying the Canon: Which Books Belong in the Bible
• And quite an extensive study on Bart Ehrman, his skepticism, his view of the four gospels, and the deity of Jesus 

It took me way to long to read because I can be a lazy reader, but also because there is so much information and research presented that I would read a little and then set it aside. It is an academic book and not a pleasure read, and I need to go back through and make notes & highlight data that I can use to help better engage with the skeptical worldviews we encounter as we take the gospel of Jesus out into the streets of post-truth USA. You should check it out if you want to consider good, scholarly responses to refute the skeptics and point people to the Lord Jesus.

Paul

Washington's & Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamations

Just a note of remembrance regarding two of our nation's presidents, in regards to a national day of giving thanks unto Almighty God for His abundant mercy, blessings, and grace. Sadly, as a nation we no longer fear God, and this is reflected in the decisions and actions that are driving us into darkness. Still, those of us who love and fear God may still cry out to Him for mercy in the midst of judgment, and for the manifold blessings He still bestows upon us...for He is good, and His mercy endureth forever.

Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789

[New York, 3 October 1789]

By the President of the United States of America. 
A Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Washington, D.C. October 3, 1863
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

Marshalltown Holiday Stroll 2019

Saturday, November 23rd, 2019

My table set up and ready to go with tracts & DVDs

We had a great time handing out Candy Cane gospel tracts, "God of Wonder" DVDs, along with free hot chocolate at this year's Holiday Stroll in Marshalltown, operating out of the Stepping Stones Christian Book Store on Main Street. A big thank-you to Mindy, the owner of the store, for allowing us to be there. I had a table set up outside with tracts and DVDs, and Mary, Karen and Priscilla were inside with tracts and DVDs plus hot chocolate to give away.

The weather was a lot better than what I was planning on. Friday night was so cold, I thought I would be in my insulated Carhart overalls and using "hot hands" hand warmers, and coming into the store to warm up. But is was not too cold at all - maybe just cold enough to want a nice cup of hot chocolate!

Looking inside Stepping Stones Christian Bookstore

There were a ton of people out this year. Main Street was packed with people for the Holiday Stroll parade, and then afterwards we had a steady stream of folks coming into the bookstore.

Thanks to Adam and the church family at Solid Rock Bible Church in Toledo for providing the funds for the tracts, DVDs and all the supplies needed to pull this together; for my wife Mary for helping organize and serve; for Karen M. and Priscilla S. for helping us out in a big way in the store; and for all the prayers that God would use this outreach to plant the seed of the gospel in many hearts and minds both here in Marshalltown, and for a similar outreach the church supported down in Grinnell, Iowa on Friday night. Please keep on praying for people to understand and believe the gospel, that they might trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and be born again into the family of God.

The last of the 100 DVDs and 200 Candy Cane tracts that went out tonight

My Wretchedness & God's Grace

Something my pastor mentioned in passing today (11/9/2019) stirred a thought in my mind, and I wanted to jot it down, so here goes.

A cherished hymn of the Christian Church, Amazing Grace, penned by John Newton, a man whose life was a demonstration of God's amazing grace, is known by heart by many of us.

And while well known, my Pastor remarked that many people want to change the wording in the first verse of this hymn:

"Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!"

The problem, said Pastor Adam, is that people do not want to be referred to as a wretch. According to Webster's 1828 dictionary:

Wretch

---

WRETCH, noun
1. A miserable person; one sunk in the deepest distress; as a forlorn wretch
2. A worthless mortal; as a contemptible wretch
3. A person sunk in vice; as a profligate wretch
4. It is sometimes used by way of slight or ironical pity or contempt.
Poor wretch was never frighted so.
5. It is sometimes used to express tenderness; as we say, poor thing.

We don't want to think of ourselves as that bad. We don't comprehend, we cannot wrap our heads around the reality of how repugnant our sin is in the sight of a Holy God. Proverbs 20:6 says,

"Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"

It seems our default mode of thinking when it comes to self-evaluation regarding goodness is a "horizontal" one. We look around us, and it is easy to find people who's behavior or life are much worse than our own. We compare ourselves to those with a more scarlet reputation, and it gives us a sense of superiority. And horizontally, this may be the case. However, I believe that when sin entered into the world, it affected everything including our thinking. Even our thinking is messed up and needs to be corrected and renewed.

The Apostle Paul, in replying to the Church at Corinth, comments on the wisdom of this horizontal look:

 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

 (2 Corinthians 10:12)

Why is this so? Because our standard is not the life or behavior of other fallen men and women. It is not a horizontal look, but a "vertical" look that we must take, and realize that God has a standard by which He judges "good", a standard that is so high, none of us can handle it: sinless perfection in thought, word, and deed.

I believe that Jesus, when delivering the sermon on the mount, was fulfilling prophetic scriptures regarding Messiah, and doing something else:

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."   

(Matthew 5:48)

That, my friend, is God's standard of good.
And that's our problem.

Isaiah the prophet wrote, speaking of the servant of the LORD:

"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." 

(Isaiah 42:21)

While it can be argued that Isaiah through the Holy Ghost is speaking of the nation of Israel, it may also be argued that this magnification of the law is a work of the Redeemer. Look back at Matthew chapter 5, and see how the Lord Jesus took the letter of the law ("Ye have heard that is was said by them of old time...But I say unto you....") and lifted it to a higher level. To hate without a just cause is equated with murder; to look with lust is to commit adultery in the heart. Jesus took the law and lifted it up to such a lofty height, he put it completely out of the reach and grasp of sinful men and women. And so, to understand God's standard of good is to better understand the Holiness of God, and also better understand my own sinfulness. My own wretchedness. And that is why me and you and everyone needs God's grace, and a verse that is comforting to me, when I see that I have nothing good to offer God in myself, even on my best day, even after God saved me, is this:

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
(Romans 5:20,21)

And so I say Amen. Thank you, Lord.
Maranatha!
Paul

All Who Live Godly in Christ Jesus

Mary just showed me an article from The Daily Caller, and the headline is, 

"Allegedly Transgender Woman Gashes 79-Year-Old Man's Head With Stiletto For Preaching On Subway: Report"

https://dailycaller.com/2019/11/03/transgender-attack-elderly-man-subway-religion/ 

Here's a screen shot of him holding his head after the attack. You can access some short videos through the link above from the article, and I also put another link to an Instagram account below.

It goes on to say that this brother in Christ was preaching the gospel and singing gospel songs. There are some video links in the article, and the person who took the video says:

"This old man right here was just singing some gospel songs and sharing the word of God to people on the train, he didn't say anything to hurt anyone, he wasn't even loud, you could barely hear him talk but this is what he got in return...."

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Ia3UhFN_e/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_mid=Xb9megABAAE69DTNL6GCkma0eFn3 

I don't know this brother's name, but if he was speaking God's word and singing gospel songs to the subway riders in New York City, God bless him! He's my kind of man. Not knowing the details, let me say this: we who engage in public ministry don't go out and proclaim Jesus Christ because we hate people. We love them, as fellow human beings. We want to make sure someone loved them enough in this life to point them to the One who alone can give them eternal life, even if that means not everybody likes us. We strive to make sure that is the message of the cross, and not ourselves, that is the offense, if there is one.

And so this brother in the Lord has experienced what the Bible says we will experience:

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12)

Gospel Outreach on Halloween

We are praising God for the 300 gospel tract-candy bags that were handed out to trick-or-treaters on Thursday evening. As you can see from the snow in the picture below, it was cold this year, and that kept some folks from coming out, opting for indoor activities.

Set Up and Ready To Go!

So I got out my insulated Carhartt's and my old felt-pack boots, and set up at our "borrowed" home at 1108 Main Street. Basically, the same setup as last year, with the light-up "JESUS SAVES" witnessing cross that really stood out as the sun went down.

"One Way"

It was cold, but clear; the wind died down and it really wasn't that bad...I was colder 2 years ago when we tried this at our house, and I was sitting inside our garage.

 Please pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes, hearts, and minds of the children, parents, grandparents...whoever might get their hands on one of the gospel tracts we placed in the candy bags. We were not celebrating Halloween, after all, but rather using it as a way to get the gospel into the hands and homes of our neighbors here in Marshalltown.

Notes (above) put in the bags (below)

I personally don't believe God saves people against their will, and our job is not to save them, but to deliver the truth of the gospel and Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit's job is to bring conviction of sin and the need for the Savior, and then it is the lost person's job to either receive or reject the Savior. 

So pray that God would do everything possible to bring understanding of the gospel message, that they would see their need and see Jesus Christ as the Savior God sent into the world for sinful man;  that they would "think again" (repent) and turn to God for the forgiveness of their sins by trusting in Jesus alone as their Savior.

Also, pray for any believers who may get one of these tracts:

• That they would be encouraged in their walk with the Lord
• That they would live boldly for him, reaching out to the lost around them, rich in good works, and telling everyone about Jesus Christ and the gospel.

Looking east down Main Street-part of our mission field

Thank you to my church family at Solid Rock Bible Church for helping with getting the gospel tracts, candy, and helping make up some gospel tract-candy bags. A big thank you to Mary, who helped fill many of these bags starting back in September! Thanks also for praying for the people who live here in Marshalltown.

Solid Rock Bible Church family helping to make the gospel tract-candy bags

Maranatha!
Paul

The Why and How of God's Forgiveness

Saturday, October 26, 2019.


FORGIVEN! witnessing cross

Last day of the 2019 season for the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market. I tried the past 2 weekends to make it down for public gospel ministry, but extreme cold weather, and rain, kept us away until today, which although it was on the cool side, we had sunshine and an open door to share Jesus with many folks at the Market. 

I wanted to share about the "why" of the forgiveness of God, and also the "how" and the "how not" as well. We all need to be forgiven, don't we. J. Vernon McGee reminded me recently that, although God is love, and that God does love you and me, God cannot us by his love, or you could say that God cannot save us by his love. But, his love motivated him to provide a way for us to be forgiven. I used my "FORGIVEN!" witnessing cross and spoke on that, this last day at the Market. The link to the audio is at the bottom of this post.


The "Dark Knight" heard the gospel, too!

And, Batman was there - right in the middle of the intersection of Court Avenue and 3rd Street, where we usually speak!  I don't know if he's born-again or not, but he heard the message we were sharing, and Mary got a picture with him, too.

Last day of the Farmers Market. 
Last days of things always calls for reflection. So, let me share a little....

You know, we've been allowed the privilege of doing this gospel outreach in Downtown Des Moines since 2008, and I have several "last day the the Market" photos I like to pull up and think upon. Many gospel tracts have been offered and taken...some rejected; many preaching messages have been written and delivered; time spent kneeling in prayer, in crying out to God for wisdom, strength, especially for courage and conquering fear; for souls to be saved and saints to be encouraged and challenged to live boldly for the Lord Jesus.


Last Day of the 2019 Farmers Market

There are people I met down there that are now gone on to be with the Lord. Some of the brothers and sisters in Christ that we've labored with have gone on to other things, and I miss them. Some new ones, perhaps, are around the corner. Many good memories.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:8, 

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture makes this commentary note on this scripture:

"The life which is lived for God, which is rooted in Christ, a life of self-denial, of love, of purity, of strenuous 'pressing towards the mark,' is better in its 'end' than in its 'beginning.' To such a life we are all called, and it is possible for each. May my poor words help some of us to make it ours."

The Apostle Paul writing to the Church in Corinth said, by the Holy Ghost:
"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)

"To such a life we are all called."

"...your labor is not in vain, in the Lord."

These are deep things to really reflect on. And so I am thankful to God for, among many things, giving someone like myself the chance to stand up in public and lift up the name of Jesus Christ. And for my wife's shared passion and partnership in getting the gospel out. Its been a good year, and more to come, Lord willing.

Here is the link to the audio from today's public speaking: LINK

Thoughts on the Last Days

The world is spinning into chaos. 
The fabric of society is unraveling. 
The news is discouraging on so many levels & in so many ways.
Some days we feel like tuning out and giving up.

The Bible has been warning us for 2,000 years of what the future holds for this world & this world system, called in Scripture "the latter times" (1 Timothy 4:1-3) or "the last days" (2 Timothy 3:1-5), spoken of by the prophet Daniel, by our Lord Jesus, and by the Apostle John in the last book of the Bible, The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

But rather than getting discouraged, maybe we should understand the times we are living in, and redeem the time the Lord has given us. As we see Biblical prophecy aligning and casting a shadow of imminent future fulfillment:

• rather than being discouraged, let it energize & motivate us to really live for Jesus
• let's be the light & salt we are called to be despite the temptations, trials, pressure or persecution
• Instead of trying to fit in or impress this world, let's identify fully with our Lord Jesus: bear the world's reproach for His sake as a badge of honor (Hebrews 13:13)

Like some have said, "When the outlook is not that good, try the up-look." Live for eternity!

I believe the Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is restraining the ultimate evil that will come upon this world, the time described as the "Time of Jacob's Trouble." (2 Thessalonians 2:7, Jeremiah 30:7) When He is taken out of the way, at the catching up of the Church, then all the prophesies of the end-times will come to fulfillment. For us then that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles Peter and Paul's words should fill our minds:

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." 

2 Peter 3:11-14

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

Colossians 3:1-4 

In light of all this, let's encourage one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24), and look for and love the appearing of our Lord Jesus (2 Timothy 4:8). 

Live for your King.

Maranatha! 

 

By All Means

Coming to faith in Jesus Christ 24 years ago changed my perspective on a lot of things. One of them was the holiday of Halloween. The much anticipated & celebrated holiday was put into new focus, as I understood the dark history and ongoing relationship with pagan and the occult, especially from brothers and sisters in Christ who came out of heavy occult lifestyles. The day is a high sabbath for practicing witches, so the darkness is real, and present, and masked under the veneer of dressing up in costumes and going around in the evening asking for candy from the neighbors.


Because of this, I really wanted nothing to do with Halloween, and especially wanted to protect my children from its influence. So, on Halloween we kept the porch light off, the curtains closed, and prayed for the safety of all the children and adults who were out celebrating. 

My first attempt-October 31, 2017

My kids are grown up now and off living their lives. Halloween remains a dark holiday, but I have decided to redeem it for the purposed of getting the gospel message into the hands of children in my community (and their families). Two years ago, I got some Halloween-themed gospel tracts, put them in snack bags with candy, and waited for trick-or-treaters. Problem was, almost no one came. The street was empty. I had one car drive up and 2-3 kids ran up for candy, and that was it.

View of Main Street 2018

 A co-worker who lives on Main Street in Marshalltown told me that they had a ton of kids come by on Halloween, and suggested I set up at his neighbor's house that was for sale and currently unoccupied. These people happened to know about our little public ministry, and were excited to let us give out gospel tracts at their place. So, on October 31, 2018, I got home from work, got my stuff together and got set up just in time (see pictures right & below). And, my "set up" included my light-up "JESUS SAVES" cross!

My second attempt - October 31st, 2018

Mary & I had around 300 gospel tract candy bags prepared, but I ran out in around 45 minutes. And there were still hundreds of kids walking up and down Main Street! I had to quickly tear down, and as I drove home past all these children and parents still out and about, I thought, "Next year, we could do 1000 tract candy bags!"

And so as we rolled into 2019, I mentioned to my Pastor at Solid Rock Bible Church that we could reach a lot more of these kids, but that we needed to buy more tracts, more candy, and most important, we needed a place on Main Street to set up, since the house we used in 2018 was up for sale. When it sold, we started praying for a new location. I would drive to work down Main Street and when I pulled onto that street I would lift up this little prayer: "Oh Father, give us a place to give out gospel tracts this year!" 

150 gospel tract-candy bags ready to go!

 God has answered that prayer: my co-worker got into a conversation with the new owner of the home we used last year, and she was open to the idea of letting us use it again this year. I stopped by the other day to ask her directly, explaining what we did last year, and she gave us permission. With praise to the Lord, we've started on our goal of making 1000 gospel tract-candy bags. 

I still lift up prayer for protection from the adversary, for people out celebrating Halloween. And now, we also pray that God would use these gospel tract-candy bags to point children, their parents, and their families to the Jesus Christ: that they would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, and be given the gift of eternal life. Please join with us, and not for us only, but for many other Christians who are reaching out to the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ.

10 Commandments for Kids (and Adults!)

I'm adding a downloadable resource for anyone interested in sharing an effective way to memorize the 10 Commandments using word pictures, and also share the gospel message in a powerful way. The 10 Commandments for Kids is something I got from Living Waters (Ray Comfort), with some text and formatting revisions I thought made it a better and clearer presentation. Here's a picture of how to memorize the first commandment, as an example:

 

It goes on to share a story - an analogy - that brings the moral law to bear on the conscience of the hearer, and makes the gospel really good news. I hope you try this out on your kids, or your neighbor's kids, or really just anyone. I use the word pictures when I'm preaching open air, going through the 10 Commandments, and it really works.

 

You can find the downloadable file by clicking here (LINK), and I'll be adding a tab at the top to make it convenient for anyone who might want this in the future. Let me know if you get a chance to try this out! Paul.

 

Labor Day Weekend 2019

Mary and I ministered the gospel at the Des Moines Farmers Market this past Saturday, August 31, 2019. It rained off and on on the drive down, but it was fine down on Court Avenue and there were plenty of people at the Market. Here's the view from the corner of Court and 3rd where I speak:

 

I started off wishing everyone a good Labor Day weekend, and spoke on  John 6:27 and Hebrews 11:6  regarding the ultimate subject of what men should labor diligently for. Then I explained what we come down to the Market to do, and shared about what the gospel is, who Jesus is and what he's done for us; what sin is, and why we need to be delivered from its consequences. You can see the card with my outline, and the tabs I stuck in my Bible for the scriptures I shared, in the photo below.

When we arrived, Mary went across the intersection to pass out tracts, and as I was setting up my platform and my "Jesus Still Saves from Sin, Death, and Hell" witnessing cross, a woman and two young ladies stopped and asked if I was going to be teaching. I was getting my audio recorder ready, and started recording as we talked. Thought you might like to hear a part of that conversation: LINK.

I put a copy of the outline and all the scriptures I used in the message I shared at the Market below. If you don't know Jesus Christ as your savior, turn to him & trust in him for the forgiveness of your sins today. If you're a born-again child of God, please tell others about Jesus Christ while you can.

Maranatha!
Paul

OUTLINE

• Introduction: why we come to the Farmers Market

• To share Jesus Christ with you: who he is & what he's done

• John 17:20

• Sharing the gospel message that the Apostle Paul shared
• 1 Corinthians 15:3,4
• "...Christ died for our sins....": use the moral law (ten commandments) to explain what sin is.

• The Bible says that Jesus was "delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25)
• We need to be delivered because "the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
• 1st death = death of the body
• 2nd death = eternal separation from God's love in the lake of fire described in Revelation 21:8

• The Gospel is "good news" because God has made a way for us to be reconciled to him
• Our sin alienates us from God and we are made "enemies in our minds through wicked works" (Colossians 1:21)

• Jesus came into the world to save sinners, not "good" people (Mark 2:17, 1 Timothy 1:15)
• Because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Holy God and sinful man may be reconciled: "...that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them...." (2 Corinthians 5:19)
• God wants to be reconciled to you:
• Jesus did all that was necessary to pay for your sins 2000 years ago: on the cross he cried out "It is finished" (John 19:30) meaning "Paid in full."
• Righteousness is available to all, but not applied to any until they turn to God and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Romans 3:22)
• Salvation is doing nothing more or nothing less than believing on the Lord Jesus Christ...trusting in him
• Note: "believe" or "belief", "faith" and "trust" are synonyms as seen in Ephesians 1:12-15

Iowa State Fair Outreach

Frank and I gathered with some friends, and with the help of tracts supplied by Solid Rock Bible Church, we had a great opportunity passing out gospel tracts to some of the folks going to the Iowa State Fair on Saturday. I made up some canvas work aprons for holding tracts, and we set up on the northeast corner of E. 33rd Street and E. University Ave., where people walk to Gate 2 at the State Fair. 

I don't get down to the State Fair much, but last year I was invited to come with my son Alexander: he had won some tickets for a lunch put on by an agricultural group. Walking into the fairgrounds at this gate, I saw Jehovah's Witnesses set up on this corner with a magazine rack, and it got me thinking that we need Christians out here with the real gospel of Jesus Christ, not the false message of the JW's.

So this year, I had the opportunity, and made it a point to "commandeer" that real estate to use to share the gospel message of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. That meant getting there early: Frank got there a little before 7AM and I arrived shortly after.

7AM: getting set up on the corner of E. 33rd Street & E. University Avenue outside of Gate 2 of the Iowa State Fair

Work aprons I prepped for carrying tracts

Tracts provided by Solid Rock Bible Church

See the blue arrows? That's Chris Brown (far left), then Priscilla and Aquila Sletten, who helped us giving out the gospel

The weather was great: cooler and a little overcast starting out, but later it warmed up and got humid - typical State Fair weather. We handed out as many gospel tracts as we could until after 2:00, and then wrapped it up. I didn't feel the fatigue from this work until I stepped out of my car in Marshalltown around 4:30PM, and then it hit me! It really is warfare when you step out to publicly share your faith, and it does take a physical toll. Frank had the same experience: physically tired, kind of "fried", and a bit of a sore throat.

However, it was a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with our neighbors, and I thank the Lord for it. Next year, if the Lord allows, I'd like to get more people involved so we could work in shifts and cover the entire day, and also to do the same at another busy gate around the other side of the fairgrounds. Wouldn't that be great?

"But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."

Matthew 9:36-38

 

Do You Know For Sure? Can You Know For Sure?

When I give away Bibles out on the street corners in Marshalltown, I always try to give a brief overview of the Bible, give out the gospel message, and ask the person a question like this: "If one of these cars passing by went out of control, (remember we are standing on a street corner with traffic going by), do you know with confidence that  God would allow you into Heaven?" 

Most answer by saying, "I hope so", or "I'm trying", or "I don't know." I understand that answer: it was my answer some 24 years ago, before I came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. I explain this and more in the audio message that I gave at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market this past Saturday, August 3, 2019, from the corner of 3rd Street and Court Avenue. You may listen to that message by clicking on this LINK and then hitting the play button with the audio comes up.

Hope this encourages you. Maranatha!
Paul

Milestones

I use a Bible reading plan (available in the tab above) that keeps me in God's word on a regular, daily basis. I've heard some criticism about using a plan like this, as being too mechanical, not allowing the Holy Spirit of God to direct or teach as we read, or not really "studying" the word. That might be true in some instances. However, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, so I must discipline myself to do those things which will help me stay strong in the faith, grow in Christ, feed the inner man on God's word, and get the whole counsel of God. Some days that might feel mechanical, but it's good for me, and I do it regardless.



 

 

Finishing up the Book of Revelation on July 1, 2019

The reading plan I use takes me through the Psalms and New Testament twice in the calendar year, and once through the Old Testament. That means come July 1st, I finish up Psalm 150 and Revelation 22, and start through this portion of scriptures again.

 

It is a comforting feeling to me to hit these milestones through the year, if I can call them that; a time of reflection on what God has brought me through, my victories, my failures, plans realized, plans that fell through. Perhaps it is sensing the flow of time, feeling the guiding hand of the Almighty in my life, and being thankful. Being content.

 

Andy Rau, former senior manager for content at Bible Gateway, wrote a blog post back in 2012 that reads, in part:

"Just as our bodies need a balanced diet, our souls require a steady diet of Scripture. Our spirits cannot survive without the Word of God. God sets us a banquet. He offers us 31,173 nutrient-rich verses about himself and encourages us to feast! We nourish our hungry souls when we devote a balanced and generous amount of time to feasting on the truths of Scripture. It doesn’t take long to notice the change. The Bible is life-giving—it revives every famished heart and breathes resurrection power into deathbed souls." (https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/08/the-benefits-and-blessings-of-reading-scripture/)

I like that thought: the word of God breathes resurrection power into my life. Just what I need!

 

If you don't have a regular plan for reading through God's word, you can download the one I use from the tab above.