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