They That Feared the LORD

John 3:16 is a very familiar Bible verse for Christians, but as we close out 2021 there is another "3:16" that I want to mention. I use a daily Bible reading plan (available to download - see the link above) that keeps me disciplined in reading God's word throughout the year, and today I finished the Old Testament with the book of Malachi. 

It is Malachi 3:16 that I wanted to mention, specifically the first part of the verse:

"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another, and the LORD harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." Malachi 3:16

An excerpt from Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible regarding the people the LORD is speaking about reads: "They spake often one to another. They kept up the communion of saints. By mutual exhortation they strengthened each other's hands in the Lord." And although this was written regarding Godly Jews in Israel under the old covenant, there is an application that is confirmed for us in the new covenant:

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

We who have trusted in Jesus Christ must walk together through this world, to encourage one another, pray for one another, and serve one another throughout the days and weeks and years of our pilgrimage here. We need one another, so take time or make time to be a "doer of the word" in this regard. Redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16); pray about it, and then follow the leading of God's Holy Spirit in living out this part of the Christian life.

Maranatha!

Encouragement for Today

February 13, 2021

I was reading and pondering the account in Luke chapter 4 of Jesus reading in the Synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. Jesus infuriated the people by claiming the fulfillment (partially) of the prophecy in Isaiah, and with his references to God's work in the lives of Gentiles (the Sidonian widow of Sarepta, and the Syrian general Naaman). In their wrath they purposed to toss Jesus to his death from the top of the hill.

"But he passing through the midst of them went his way,..." (Luke 4:30) 

I guess every time I read this passage I wonder what exactly happened: how did Jesus pass through and escape their plans? Today I read the commentary on this verse from Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible. He writes:

"Passing through the midst of them - Either he (Jesus) shut their eyes so that they could not see him; or he so overawed them by his power as to leave them no strength to perform their murderous purpose.

The man Christ Jesus was immortal till his time came; and all his messengers are immortal till their work is done."

This thought brings a quiet confidence to the hearts of the saints: to consider we are in the hands of Almighty God brings me a sense of peace and strength independent of my circumstances.

David writes by the Holy Spirit:

"My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me." (Psalm 31:15)

The days we are living through have been challenging and even overwhelming. I was encouraged by Clarke's notes on Luke 4:30, and I am convinced that like David, my times are in the mighty hand of the Living God. 

If you are struggling with the circumstances of life today, I pray this might encourage you as well. Looking at our circumstances will rob us of courage & our strength. Look up! Look to Jesus and take courage. Walk close with God today and remember that because of Jesus Christ, we have a fantastic future ahead of us. 

Until our work is done.

Paul.

Impact: From A Handful of Dirt And A Question.

Today was a special day for me. I received a card and a letter in the mail from my cousin who is at a Christian substance and addiction rehab facility on the east coast. So far he has been there 8 months, and this is his second time out there. This was my first correspondence with him since he left to go live there, even though I write him between 1 and 2 weeks apart.

I'm not going to show or even write down everything that is in the letter, but he talks about being totally wrecked for Christ and how he had to lose everything to gain everything in Him. He is giving up his life to serve the Lord and not only that, but they have even put him on staff at this facility. At the end of his letter, he writes,

"You were the first to introduce me to my Christian faith. Although it has been a long, bumpy road, you have a huge role in this victory." 

Here is a public video of him sharing his testimony at the place he is staying.

The reason why I wrote about this is because most of us will never know the impact we have in souls we witness to and share our faith with. Most of us will never get a letter, or a thank-you, or a pat on the back. But we don't witness to get these. We do it for God's glory. But it's nice every so often to see some fruit on this side of heaven. The crazy thing to is to not give up hope and trust that the Lord is working, no matter how long it takes.

When I first witnessed to Rich, it was at the log cabins in West Virginia when this picture was taken. I was really young in the faith, newly married, and probably close to maybe 2005. That is like 13 years ago! Rich was borderline agnostic / atheist, who grew up Roman Catholic, but really questioning God's existence. But the story of the first time I witnessed to him was pretty funny. We were hiking along the top of the tallest mountain in West Virginia - Seneca Rocks 2,202 ft above sea level. While we were hiking, he stops at the very top, bends down and scoops up a handful of dirt. He brought it over to me and showed me that in his hands were ocean fossils that scattered all over the top of this mountain. There were so many that all you had to do is scoop up some dirt and you were sure to have some. They were everywhere. So I asked him how they all got here. He said the only logical explanation was that the top of the mountain had to be covered with deep sea water in order for them all to settle the way they did. So I said, "That must mean Noah's Ark is true, huh?" Well, he quickly denied it, but then went on as to what else it could have been. But nothing else made sense. And from that day it really made him think about God, the bible, afterlife, and why Jesus had to die on a cross. I've answered questions through the years, and had some pretty good conversations. But it all started with a handful of dirt and a question.

But here is the one thing I want to stress. "When we do nothing...nothing happens". We won't have an impact on anyone if we don't share our faith. We need to get out there and make disciples. We can't make disciples if we don't share our faith first. The fish aren't going to jump in the boat. We have to take initiative and start the hard conversations, conquer the fear, and get out of our comfort zones. I hope this encourages many of you. To God be the glory.

The Forgotten Officer – A Book Review

Why does the church feel so ill-equipped to share the gospel?  Why are the laity, and even the leadership overcome with fear to share their faith? Why is it so difficult to get people motivated to fulfill the great commission in Mark 16:15 to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature? This book, The Forgotten Officer: Restoring the Fullness of God’s Design by Joe Kohler, brings to the forefront one of the greatest tools that the church has forgotten about, the evangelist. The modern church has pushed out the evangelist and replaced him with tent revivals, traveling preachers, and parachurch ministries. This book biblically shows how the evangelist is to work in and with the local church, alongside the pastor and teacher to grow the church, not shifting believers around from fellowship to fellowship.

The Problem

The main premise of this book is that the officers of Ephesians 4:11-13 (Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) were given by Christ to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, not for reaching the lost themselves. But he doesn’t stop there. He also insists that the local church leadership / eldership should be made up of the pastor, teacher, AND the evangelist. So, what is the model the modern church has taken on instead of the biblical one? The evangelist has been replaced with Youth Pastor, Maintenance Ministry, or Worship Leader.

Whether forgotten or neglected, the result is the same – evangelists are excluded from their proper place in their leadership roles for the church as they were given by Jesus, which will hinder the church from attaining unity of the faith, knowledge of he Son of God, maturity, and the measure of the stature that belongs to the fullness of Christ according to Ephesians 4:13.

The Solution

The solution that Mr. Kohler offers is that the office of Evangelist needs to be recognized and emphasized as an important part of the leadership structure in the local church in order for the church to grow outside the walls of the community it is in. We have inherited a church culture that does not rightly understand, appreciate, value, or recognize evangelists in the local church. At best, we recognize the ministry of evangelists as a parachurch ministry. We have nullified the word of God with our traditions and therefore lacking an important officer whose job is to help us speak the truth in love, which is critical for us growing up in all aspects into Christ. Pastors and teachers dominate the leadership structures, not evangelists. Sadly, the presupposition that evangelists equal those with the spiritual gift of evangelism has caused pastors to ignore the evangelists all together in the final assessment of local church governance. “Spiritual gift of evangelism” is nowhere found in the bible.

The local church needs evangelists to train the people of God to do the work Jesus commanded believers to do. Without the outward focus of a church being maintained through the leadership of the evangelist, it will naturally become inwardly focused. This is natural because the pastor exists to care for the body by teaching, preaching, counseling, and loving with a focus on the people the Lord has brought to the congregation. Churches are inwardly focused because if only pastors and teachers are present in the leadership and pastors/teachers focus on the health of the body inwardly. We will not become mature when we don’t adhere to all the leadership designed by Christ in Ephesians 4:11-13.
One has to have the recognition of the church as well as the gift and doing the work to be a bishop, evangelist, or deacon in the church. Without some formal recognition and establishment as an official leader, the ability to equip and edify is greatly hindered. Why does the evangelist require a leadership position in the local church? Because why should the congregation adhere to the demands of the evangelist if there is no accountability to the evangelist. We must recognize Christ’s gifting and publicly establish and recognize them in some form in the leadership. Otherwise, the encouragement to obey the evangelist is laughable. We must know who the leaders are if we are to submit ourselves to them.

But this doesn’t stop here. Once an evangelist is publicly established as a leader and recognized as one, many will want to still go to the pastor for guidance in the area of outreach, treating the evangelist as a second-class leader. This practice needs to be corrected thoroughly and quickly. Outreach issues concerning the church should be directed to the evangelist when appropriate. The pastor must clearly communicate that the evangelist’s vision and plans for the body are just as important as his own in order for everyone to work as a team.

Personal Thoughts

I thought this was an excellent book stating the most obvious problem and a solution in the church today. As I started reading the introduction to this book, I was overcome with a feeling equivalent to my team winning the Superbowl. I was overjoyed knowing that many of the questions I had regarding my calling were going to be answered throughout the pages of this book, and indeed they were. I had joy reading the testimonies of Evangelists who are leaders of their local church, teaching members to share their faith, and doing the work they were called by Christ personally to do. I wasn’t jealous or envious or them. I was genuinely happy for them and praised God that they found their place in their calling. That’s awesome.

But being a biblical evangelist that was called by Christ but whose calling is not properly recognized as such by my fellowship and the leadership is a lonely walk. I am active, but dormant. One particular elder numerous times publicly discouraged others in my local church to join me on the streets to reach the lost. No wonder I call it, “Club Frustration”. Ideas get shot down, plans go awry, reminder dates get forgotten in the bulletin. It’s hard to look at an empty outreach signup sheet next to a full one for a pot luck, women’s study, or some fun youth outing.  It’s disheartening. But when things do go well and something happens, it’s short-lived and the excitement doesn’t last. This never was intended to be a pitty-party. But the need for an evangelist leader in the local church is way overdue.

Conclusion

I encourage all Pastors, Teachers, Ministry leaders, and Evangelists who are or are not biblically inserted into local leadership roles to read The Forgotten Officer: Restoring the Fullness of God’s Design by Joe Kohler. Its only $3.99 on Kindle. Think about what is written, what the author is saying. If you are a Pastor, ask yourself why your local fellowship isn’t growing. Shifting believers from one church to another is not growing the church. It may be growing our fellowships, but not the church as a whole. Ask yourself why your programs in the past have died off, or were short lived failing to produce any excitement in the body. Ask yourself why your congregation is timid, fearful, and uninterested in reaching the lost, and what have you done to help guide it. How much consistent quality time have you put in it? Could you as a pastor even do that with your busy schedule as it is? Ask yourself why there is no specific budget for outreach and reaching the lost to which Christ said was our highest calling as children of God.

The only thing that will grow the church, is to preach and evangelize the lost who are outside of it. That is what all Christians are called to do. All Christians. It is the evangelists job to lead them by example, hand in hand with them, teaching them how to do it on their own and make disciples. This is a team effort, and always has been, to work together for the Glory of God.

To Encourage You!

Just sharing a simple worship song from the 70's that ministered to my spirit this week. I grew up in the Roman Catholic church, so while in the mid-70's I may have gone to the "guitar mass", I never heard this song until this past Friday. 

Brothers & Sisters in Jesus Christ: may this song minister to you, too, and may God's Holy Spirit refresh you & strengthen you in a real way today. Keep on living for your King; Heaven is just ahead!

Galatians 6:9 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

Do People Have to Get Mad When You Share The Gospel With Them?

The 18th century Methodist preacher John Wesley told his evangelism trainees that, "...people should either get angry or get converted." I often wonder if that is the correct way to win souls to the Lord.

I agree though that people should be uncomfortable with the Lord. There should be a level of uneasiness when it comes to the creator of the universe who has the power not only to end my life, but also cast my soul into hell (Matthew 10:28). Even more uncomfortable than if we met the President of the United States. Conviction goes along way. But I got to thinking, did Jesus feel the need to always make people mad or converted? From what I read in the scriptures that wasn't always the case. No. He didn't intend to make people mad, it just happened. The anger didn't come from anything that Jesus intentionally said, the anger came from the one who received it. Their hearts.

Just like Jesus, it's not the goal of the preacher to make people angry. Anger is just the reaction of the person listening to the gospel. When I share the gospel, open-air-preach, share one-on-one, I'm not intentionally looking around and saying, "Now who can I piss off today?" But anger is just one form of emotion out of many from people who hear the good news. Along with anger came offense (Matthew 15:12), joy (Matthew 13:20,44), sadness (Mark 10:17-22), thankfulness (Luke 19:1-9), etc, etc, etc.

Why am I saying this? Because I really don't want to piss people off. Why? Because I want the Lord to be heard and not be the one that keeps that from happening. This happened when I met with the two Mormon Missionary boys Elder Leavy and Elder Crook. You can read what happened in my meetings HERE and another time HERE. After I decided not to continue the Precept Inductive Bible Studies and to focus on evangelism and discipleship, I prayed that the Lord would show me what I should do next and these two show up on my doorstep 10 minutes later. But after talking with them I just wanted to love these guys and really care about them. I love talking with Mormons, but in the past I wonder if the missionaries in the past really listened. I don't know, and will probably never know. But what happened while I was meeting these guys for two months by just loving these guys in truth, and sharing truth in love.

• They shared me their first names (John Leavy and Chandler Crook). 
• They took tracts from me and read them. 
• They enjoyed being there, and knew that I cared. 
• They got a better and honest understanding of what Christianity is, and what belief in that looks like. 
• They know and can describe the Trinity better than any of their professors or Bishops. 
• They didn't freak out when I brought out my Quad (Mormon standard works in one book). 
• I gave them both a Gideon Pocket Testament, kept them, and read them. 
• We had a dialogue and it was not a monologue. 
• In the end I gave them my card with my email and phone, and hugged each other. 

But these things happen when we both listen. Yeah, there was an agenda. They wanted to make me Mormon, I wanted them to see what it really means to be a Child of God. But we moved past it (or at least I did). What happened? They have a new and honest view of what a Christian is, and maybe they will consider reading the bible more, the Book of Mormon less; learning more about Jesus, and less of Joseph Smith. They told me that Christians have thrown them off of their porch. Cussed them out, damned them to hell...and so on,..and so on. Jesus cared, even for the Pharisees. I need to be like Jesus. I need to care, and to love like He loves. And I hope they contact me. I really do. 

God's Strange Design & Amazing Love!

A little encouragement for the brethren, a favorite hymn from the pen of Charles Wesley. I chose this rendition from You Tube for what, to me, sounds like an assembly of believers joyfully singing in worship to and praise of their God and Savior.

Listen, meditate, be encouraged, and stand in awe of our mighty God!

I copied the words for the hymn below this video link. Title of this post? Well, almost anyone would recognize "amazing love", but "Who can explore his strange design?" is the second line of the second verse. Enjoy!

And Can It Be that I Should Gain
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 363
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: Thomas Campbell
Tune: SAGINA, Meter: 88.88.88 with Repeat


1. And can it be that I should gain
an interest 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?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2. 'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.

3. He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

5. No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Way of the Master Basic Training Course - Calvary Chapel Des Moines

I am very proud, and blessed to be teaching the Way of the Master Basic Training Course at my home church of Calvary Chapel Des Moines.  Back in 2004 Tony Didlo of Saving Faith Outreach taught various Way of the Master DVD Lessons and had an audience of 5 people.  I am pleased to announce that we now gave away all 50 study guides!!!  Last night we started Lesson 1, Cultivating A Compassion For The Lost.  It was a great evening, watching the video, breaking into smaller groups and talking through questions.  We even wrote letters to God sharing their hopes, desires, fears, and what they want from the class.  I was so blessed to receive 40 envelopes at the end of the evening. These will be returned to the students at the end of the 8 weeks for them to review and see what prayers God had answered.  Pray that all, if not, many get their prayers answered and we have a bold, strong army coming from my fellowship to win souls for Christ.

Another Unexpected Blessing

Our new brother in Christ
Dr. Udayakumar

Mary & I travelled up to Minneapolis, Minnesota yesterday for an appointment with a doctor at the University of Minnesota, one Dr. Prabhu Udayakumar. We didn't know this man - couldn't even pronounce his name - and visiting a doctor's office, especially a large medical office like UM, is really not on my list of fun things to do. But what an unexpected blessing it was to make his acquaintance!

We went from strangers to brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ in just a few minutes. Without going into details, we felt it was worth the trip just to have to met Dr. Udayakumar. It seems we were an encouragement to this brother, and he was an encouragement to us...the sweet "savour of life unto life" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.

You've got to hear this testimony he gave at a recent birthday celebration for his daughter, at this LINK. A native of India, raised in a traditional Christian home, you will hear how this brother was delivered from "religion" to a relationship with the God of the Universe, the Lord Jesus Christ, being born-again and become a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).Wow! I love it.

Pray for our brother and his family as they joyfully live for the Lord Jesus Christ: for encouragement, for the blessings of fellowship with like-minded believers and sound Bible doctrine in a local assembly, and to grow in grace. May God work through him to bring the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who cross his path. And may that be true for all of us who know and love the Lord. Amen.

Private Interpretation

Was really hoping that someone would shoot me some feedback re: "Conversation with Patrick." The thing about street work...you study up & pray up, but it is a fluid situation out there in the real world. I usually pray Acts 4:29 (boldness & filling of the Holy Ghost) and Philippians 2:12-13 because I don't have the power and wisdom needed to get the job done. I am depending on God to work through me as I yield to him and go.

I save audio out on the street for a couple of reasons. One: if someone accuses me of saying something inappropriate, I want a record so I can refute it (or not, depending on what is deemed "inappropriate"). And two:  also opens  a small window of sound into this ministry, and we share it for the edification of the body of Christ.

So guess what? I have to listen to myself and do the audio editing to get something worth sharing on the website. Yep, even the cringe-worthy times when I blow it. Last Saturday I read from Psalm 90:10-12, and kept losing my place. Sheesh!  Or worse, when I am inpatient with a heckler, or when I miss a sound biblical response, like a major one I found with listening to the audio of my conversation with Patrick.

And here I thought someone would call me on it! It was when Patrick was commenting on "my interpretation" of what the Bible says regarding salvation alone in Jesus Christ. So, class, what is the Bible-Believer's response to this statement?

2 Peter 1:20- 21

Yes, taken in context, comparing scriptures with scriptures, etc. If we have anything, saints, we have God's mind regarding the way of salvation. Jesus is indeed THE WAY, and no one comes to the Father but by the one-and-only Savior of sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We cannot encourage one another enough to be Bereans in these last days. Heresy and apostasy abound. The Bible is being questioned and attacked and neglected like never before. It is not uncommon for Pastors, Preachers, and other church leaders to set themselves above the flock and
make themselves un-approachable regarding what they teach and preach. Not so at Iowa Seed Sowers. We're just brothers and sisters in the Lord, and are open to questions, exhortation, and even a rebuke, if warranted (Proverbs 27:5).

Exciting Times Lay Ahead For 2014

If you were to ask Paul, or any of my friends for that matter if I were an excitable guy, they would probably laugh.  When I met my wife she said that I reminded her of the Winnie the Pooh character, Eore.  I guess that stems from being dissapointed too much growing up.  I don't get excited about anything really.  Few have seen it to tell the tale.  So when I say that there are exciting times laid ahead for the coming year...it has to be big. 

My pastor whom I respect, has been the head of our church for over 6 years now.  During that time God has been grooming him, and equipping him for ministry.  He recently came back from the Calvary Chapel Pastors conference where the Lord really spoke to his heart through His word, and the teachings of different men.  He basically laid on his heart that it was time to ramp things up.  That my pastor was accountable for the people at Calvary Chapel Des Moines as thier shepherd.  We do some things really good, and others we pretty much stink.  One of those areas that we stink is in evangelism.  After a lengthy conversation, and an apology from him to me as not supporting me along the way (I've been feeling really discouraged for the past 10 years being the "Han Solo" at my church when it comes to evangelism) that he said things are going to change.  I can't get into the specifics of how that is going to look, but I will tell you this.  Every person that attends Calvary Chapel Des Moines will be involved in all 5 pillars of the church (Fellowship, Discipleship, Service, God's Word, and Evangelism/Outreach) on a quarterly basis.  I will be the head of the Evangelism/Outreach part of it, with an elder overseeing me.  Accountability will be key. 

This is huge being that I should be having regular teams (from my church) go with me to events, and sharing the gospel out on the streets.  Of course this will stir the pot at first, but we despritely need a healthy church and it's the only way to do it.  I will be scheduling outreach events and evangelism outings throughout the year, along with training sessions to equip and guide those who need it.  For years I prayed that the leadership would be more involved, and that my brothers and sisters in my fellowship would join me.  Praise God my prayers are getting answered. 

Warren Smith & New Age Deception

Just a quick post to share something I stumbled across on the internet that I found encouraging. Warren Smith was delivered out of the New Age movement, and has some good information and exhortations for the body of Christ in these last days. I'm sharing a couple of them, and pray they will bless and encourage you as they have me. His website is called Mountain Stream Press, and you should check it out if you are not already familiar with him:

(http://www.mountainstreampress.org)

 

 

 

 

Let's continue to redeem the time. Now that I'm working on my 5th decade, I try to get some exercise in the morning before work, and I look for videos I can watch while hitting the NordicTrak or the elliptical that will help me run this Christian race with patience (Hebrews 12:1) that I "may obtain"  (1 Corinthians 9:24). Time is short, and multitudes are stumbling off into eternity without Jesus Christ. We must tell them.