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.

How to be Truly Free

This Saturday, July 6th, 2019, is the Fourth of July weekend, and I wanted to get down to the Des Moines Farmer's Market and read the Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech, as has become an annual tradition for us. Jesus tells us in John 8 that He alone has the power to set us free, really free, and that we need to be "made free" from our bondage and slavery to sin (John 8:31-36). I pray you know this freedom in Jesus Christ, and if not, take a listen to the message via the link below, and think seriously about Jesus Christ and your eternal soul. Contact me if you have questions.

Here is where I set up on the corner of Court and 3rd:

View of corner looking east down Court Avenue towards the river.

It was raining slightly when I got into the metro Des Moines area, but that passed and it was fine for the rest of the morning. Frank, another brother who speaks down at the Market stopped by to say hello as I was setting up, and Terry Daniel came across from his corner as well. I got to talk with Terry a little afterwards, and then Frank Chirico met me at the parking ramp and we got to have lunch together and catch up on life, etc.

You may listen to the audio by clicking this link: https://archive.org/details/20190706dmfmfreeindeed

Here are some shots from the corner looking south down 3rd, west on Court, and then northwest up 3rd Street, where you can see Mr. Soder's honey stand. You can't see him, but Terry is located right under the red traffic light in the 2nd picture down, looking west from my location down Court Avenue. As you look at the folks passing by, remember that all of them need Jesus Christ, and all will spend eternity somewhere, based on what they do with Jesus Christ and His message of true freedom because of what He did for us on the cross.

 

Memorial Day and the Wisdom of Solomon

I was able to get down the Des Moines Farmers Market this morning, the first time this season, and I spoke about Memorial Day and remembering. Our brother Terry Daniel was at his spot on the northwest corner of Court Avenue and 3rd Street, and I set up in what has become my usual spot across the way on the northeast corner. It was beautiful and warm, and a lot of people walking around.

This being Memorial Day weekend, I shared some comments about the holiday, stuff I'd read about and was not too familiar with (flag etiquette and the National Moment of Remembrance), and moved from there to the Holy Scriptures and Solomon's words about "remembering."  

The link to the audio is HERE.

 Below is a loose outline of what I spoke about. The small font is there because I did not quote those verses, I only referenced what Solomon spoke about here, and focused on the larger text. 

As usual, with moving people and the general chaotic nature of public ministry, you have to speak in short "bursts", repeat, go back and reference where you started from. I'm sure violate all the rules of public speaking, but oh well. I pray God will use something said from his word to encourage a brother in Christ, or cause one who does not know the Lord to think deeply about Jesus Christ and his eternal soul.

 The Wisdom of Remembering

Solomon reigned forty years over the united kingdom of Israel, from B.C. 1015 to 975. David, when near his death appointed Solomon his son (as king), whom God had chosen to sit on the throne of the kingdom.

He “had it all” - all that this life could offer, Solomon experienced: wisdom, wealth, power, pleasure. But as an older man (not too old…I believe he died at 58 years old), reflecting on life in light of his experience, he wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes. In it he says:

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

1) Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2) While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3) In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4) And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

5) Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

6) Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

8) Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

9) And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

10) The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11) The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12) And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

To understand how God will evaluate our lives, look at the moral law - the 10 commandments. God’s judgment will be according to his perfect, holy standard. Solomon said we have a “duty” - we should live a life in the fear of God. We can judge ourselves by the moral law to see how we’ve performed this duty, and when we do, we all must admit we are guilty & without excuse. We’ve all turned away from God, and need a Savior.

The Apostle Paul spoke of this future reality during his visit to Athens, and we should think seriously about his words (read Acts 17:24-30).

God has provided a way for all of us to escape His judgment: it is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Actually, it is Jesus Christ himself: he is “that man” Paul refers to in Acts 17:31. The gospel is…

1 Cor 15:3-4 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

We should think seriously about these things. Jesus paid it all on the cross, laying down his life as the sinless Lamb of God, and taking the judgment of God on sinful man. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:3)…the joy of obeying the Father and that he might bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10): you and me.

The gospel is available to everyone. The last chapter of the last book of the Bible says, “…whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev 22:17) Whoever wants it can have it.

 If you want forgiveness & a loving, family relationship with your Creator, you can have it.

Come to God His way, as a sinner trusting in the one-and-only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Good things to remember.

Maranatha.

Paul