Challenged

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. (Jude 1:3 NASB)

At 5 years old, I graduated from a tricycle to a bike that had training wheels. I can remember the first ride in the front yard of our house. Every body (Dad, Mom and my sister) was watching to see if I could make it. It was like watching a fawn trying to take it’s for steps, or maybe like a baby bird that was just learning how to fly. Of course, as you could guess, the momentous occasion of peddling the bike by myself ended in 30 seconds or so. I was on the ground, but ready to get back up again. Have you ever felt like this when it comes to sharing your faith with someone else? Unsure, unstable, and winging every word you say. You don’t have to be.

Yesterday while at the mission, I watched something unfold from the distance that inspired me. First, there was a homeless guy named Raymond who has visited 49 states and 4 Canadian provinces. He is in his early 60s. He is tall, toothless, yet talented with words. Second, there was a group of high school students participating in a mission’s outreach program called M-Fuge. They are living at a local college and reaching out into the community of Nashville at various ministries. They are right out of school for the summer, saturated by the world, yet willing to serve. As the students began preparing the trays for those eating, Raymond comes in and begins questioning them. He says, “Are you really Christians or are you just pretending?” With a smile and a laugh, he realizes that he has taken these high school students off guard. How would this make you feel if you were asked this question? The girls respond to some of his questions to defend themselves about why they are there to serve. They responded, “We are trying to do good that God’s light may shine through us.” Before everyone gets into the cafeteria, he asks them, “What can God do for a sinner like me?” He told them to hold that thought, and he would be back after lunch was served.

Taken back, the girls talk among themselves and then disperse to meet and greet some of the homeless that are coming in for lunch. On this day, there are not as many people eating at the mission, because it is the first of the month. Many get there checks, and the day on the street is called, “Dope Day!” In a week or so, the money will have been spent on drugs, alcohol and women. They always come back looking for help in a few weeks. Raymond seems to be clear headed and often has a smile on his face. He comes back after lunch and begins questioning the young girl’s faith about Jesus, salvation, the One True God, and how to deal with sin. He probes them for answers about this great salvation that they speak of. He acts like he doesn’t understand anything about the gospel of Jesus Christ. One young girl is drilled about how she knows this is real. She gets so frustrated and almost mad as he refuses to believe her answers. They take Raymond to the Scriptures and try to explain John 3:16 and God’s amazing love in giving his own Son as our Substitute and ultimate Sacrifice. He said, “I get it.” He then asks, “Do you know what 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us?” All of their Bibles were on the bus, so one of the chaperones pulled his from his backpack and allow the girl to read, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Behind his worn clothing and toothless but priceless smile, he explained the purity and purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He talked about the sinfulness of man, the imputed righteousness of Christ, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the joys of eternal life. He told the girls that his hope was in Christ and that he was following Him. A High School Junior named Baillee said, “I knew it!” As we all walked away, we learned the valuable lesson of not just knowing what you believe but making sure your beliefs line up with Scripture. Eventually, you and I will be faced with people where the rubber meets the road. Will you be able to stand, ride or fall? It all depends on how much training you have done in your front yard at home!

The Reality of Hell must Compel

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10

Have you ever faced a deadline that you didn’t think that you were going to make? Many times in school, I can remember the teacher giving an assignment to the class and giving a date that it should be completed by. Almost everyone in the class would forget about the project, because the deadline seemed to be so far off in the distance. The only thing that really motivated us was the realization that the date was getting closer, something had to be turned in, and our grade depended on the excellence of the project. For the procrastinators, many would stay up until midnight to finish their work in one night. Time would tell how much effort was put into the project.

Normally, the best way to work on any project is to begin working on it in advance. In the above passage of scripture, Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to encourage them for growing in faith and love and reminding them to rest in the promise of Christ’s return. They were being persecuted and facing trials for being Christ-like and turning the world upside down by living godly lives. The description that Paul gives of Jesus returning the second time crushes the view of God as just a loving teddy bear who sits on a cloud in the sky and takes sin lightly. Paul reminds us that Jesus is returning to earth with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. If you know Jesus, this should move your heart to begin placing Christ’s last command as your greatest concern.

While meeting different people yesterday, I realized the great need for you and me to be more concerned about the destiny of souls around us. I talked with two young men with similar philosophies on life. The first, a guard at the prison, was the good ole’ boy type. He had a genuine smile, worked hard and just had his first son but was not married. He told me he had been going to church, but he didn’t really understand the Gospel. With three minutes, I was able to share a portion of the truth. It thrilled my soul that he was open, and I could see tears welling up in his eyes as the Word penetrated his heart. The second young man’s car had broken down in the church parking lot. What a good place for a lost man’s car to overheat. He needed some water and we briefly talked about our church. I asked him if he went anywhere. He said, “No, I just think I can live with Jesus in my heart and that is all that matters.” How can a true believer in Jesus love Him without loving the bride that He died on the cross to purchase? These are just two of the countless millions that may be in your workplace who are procrastinating or may not realize that it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27)

Everlasting destruction is not something to be taken lightly. Jesus spoke of hell more than anyone else. He said it was a place of outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth, had unquenchable fire, and was everlasting. The worst thing about it will be the conscious awareness of separation from God. What a horrible place to spend eternity! We do not have to procrastinate or stress but rest in the finished work of Christ. Have you met your deadline where you died to yourself and became alive to God? It’s like the feeling when you’ve completed your assignment early and have time to spare. You are relieved and at peace. For a born-again believer, it allows us to enjoy God, give Him glory and help others prepare for the deadline ahead. There have not been many procrastinators about their soul that have made it to heaven…

Going Fishing

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18 –20

As a child, I can remember a few of the fishing trips that my dad and uncle took me on. I thought I was as big as any man when I was able to walk through the fields to the pond or get into a fishing boat with my own rod and reel and a tackle box. It was a joy to spend the day with my dad or uncle even if we spent all day out on the bank or in the boat. It was quality time well spent. From getting up early in the morning to rejoicing over the catch at the end of the day, fishing was something that we could enjoy even if all we caught were bait stealers.

While pondering on Christ’s word to the experienced fisherman, I have learned that a lot of the same principles of fishing apply to you and me. In order to have a good day on the lake, everything must be prepared in the early morning hours before leaving the house. Do you realize that what you carry in your tackle box plays a crucial role in what you might catch? Fish come in variety of shapes, sizes and colors and not all hooks will catch the same fish. It requires skill that is only obtained through practice. Preparing your tackle box could be considered as what you have put into your brain in the morning before leaving for work or whatever else you might do. It is important to prepare your heart and mind with the right stuff, because there is enough “stink bait” already out there on the market. If you have the right equipment to work with, you can cast out your ideas all day through the way you live and the words you say. Sometimes, you have to wait to get a bite, but an experienced fisherman doesn’t give up easy. They just try a new spot or come back another day.

You may be asking, “why are you using fishing to talk about winning souls for Christ?” Jesus did this in order to relate to us in a way that we could understand. Let me tell you how this worked for me the other day. You can be a fisher of men anywhere if your heart and mind is right and ready. While leaving the sauna at the YMCA the other day, I told the people sitting inside a simple “God bless you.” I have learned to cast out simple phrases like this to get peoples attention. Another good phrase to say when people ask you, “How are you?” is to say, “I’m blessed.” You will be amazed at your responses and even remind yourself that you are blessed. Anyway, when I began walking out of the sauna, a mid-30 year old man commented, “What God? I’ve seen Auswitz and the Virginia Tech massacre. How could there be a god?” To be honest, I was completely caught off guard and left for the lap pool. My conscience got the best of me and after one lap, I returned to the sauna to talk with this man and dialogue about his beliefs about God.

What ensued over the next 20-30 minutes was a great conversation about our different beliefs. He had read the Bible about 20 times, was conversant in world history, had read the Koran and studied many other faiths. I felt rather intimidated by his worldly knowledge and thought of the verse, “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world“ (1 Corinthians 1:20)? He could run me in the ground with many historical facts, yet he denied that there was ever a god. Should you and I be afraid of people with greater knowledge than us? No way. After listening, I asked him if I could share the gospel with him. I went through the law and the thought of standing before the just and holy God. His response was if there was a god, then he would be destroyed forever. Then, I was able to tell him about Jesus and his death, burial and resurrection. Do we ever have to force anything down anyone’s mouth? Never! We dialogued, agreed to disagree, and went on our way. You and I have to persuade no one. The Holy Spirit will do the work. All we can do is share who Christ is and what He has done. Be a witness and fish for men. You might catch someone who needs to be rescued from the bondage of darkness and brought into the glorious light of Christ!

Be encouraged in your faith. Sharing Christ should be more exciting than trying to go to sleep the night before a big fishing trip. Childlike faith is what it takes, because any service rendered to God in Christ’s name is big business. We should be eager to go fishing everyday, when we have God on our side. Jesus knows where we need to go and what we need to do. Obey His word and you’ll find yourself like Peter who’s net broke after listening to Jesus’ command (Luke 5:5-6). If you and I will obey, I believe God has many lives that need to be won to Christ through our individual daily lives. On some days, you might not catch a thing, but you can rejoice that you have spent time with the Father which makes everyday worthwhile.

A Friend of Sinners

Luke 5:27-30 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. 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. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Have you ever imagined how much impact you could make on someone’s life just by smiling at them, writing them an encouraging note, or possibly sharing the simple Gospel message of Jesus? While visiting the mission on Tuesday, I was awakened to my need of being a better friend to sinners. In the above passage, we see how Jesus called Levi, a despised tax collector, to follow Him. In simple obedience, Levi got up and followed after Christ and became one of his disciples. Now, we often talk about being set apart for God to use us. We strive to live with pure hearts and be clean as possible. At least, this has often been my concept. But what does this really mean? Should I shut myself in and only hang out with those that go to my church and fit in my crowd? Is this being set apart? If so, how can I reach any lost person with the light of the Gospel if I am afraid to go near them? How easy it is for us to forget that we used to walk in the same patterns of life?

While sitting at the mission in the cafeteria, these words immediately began coming alive. Instead of just cleaning tables and being quiet, I realized that I needed to begin saying something and relating to these men just to bring a smile or a simple response. Many of them were hurting inside and needed someone to step out of their comfort zone and reach out to their heart.

One such man, I will call Roger. He had quite a story to tell. About 12-15 months ago, one of his friends had received a tax refund and decided to visit family in Nashville, Tennessee. They had been living in New York and wanted a change. And so, they came, and Roger said on the first day that he was here he met a woman. His emotions and Nashville’s hospitality greeted him with a new friend. They began dating and continued for over a year until Roger had a few turn of events. His life had already been a ball of confusion. With six children, three wives and paying child support, He had placed himself in a big hole, but it gets a little bit bigger.

Some time ago, Roger had another accident. While driving his car down the road, a deer out in front of him and his car was totaled. In losing his car, he had no way to get to work and therefore lost his job. Without the job to supply money, the lady didn’t need him anymore and kicked him out of the house. What a turn of events in just a year? He was like many Americans who live week-to-week and paycheck-to-paycheck. A sudden surprise could leave anyone on the streets. I began sensing the instability of this man who was built like a cowboy. He had been trying to live his life in his own strength and it has gotten him in a deep dark hole. His heart seemed to have very little hope…

I began asking this man from New York if he had ever heard of the gospel. I could tell that he seemed pretty untouched by the religious crowd. He was the raw product of street life. With a calm voice, he said he had never really heard it. Can you imagine someone in Nashville, Tennessee never hearing about the greatest news in the entire world? I asked him if I could share it with him. He said yes if it would not take that long. The next few minutes were highlights in my week. We began with the law of God, and I asked him if he had ever told a lie. He said “yes.” Then, have you ever stolen anything? He said yes again. Finally, I explained what Jesus said about adultery. If a man looks upon a woman with lust in his heart, it is the same thing as committing adultery. He said I’ve definitely broken that one. He was being very honest with himself. I began explaining to him the holiness of God, how He hates sin, and that man was under the condemnation of the law. I asked him where would He go if He had to stand today before a Holy God. He did tell me there were two places—Heaven and Hell. He said he would be going to hell. He told me that it concerned him. Then, he was open to hearing about what Jesus did for us in becoming sin, dying on the cross as our substitute, being buried and being raised the third day victorious over death, hell and the grave. He said, he had never heard of this type of Good News! He walked away with a ray of hope in the dark pit of sin that he had found himself in. Will this seed take root and grow? Only eternity will know…

I have learned a lesson though. True joy comes with simple obedience as Levi portrayed in immediately following Jesus. Within seconds, this chance to glorify God could have passed away in the depths of lost opportunities. How many of those will I miss? Hopefully not any more, because a man’s eternity could be changed if we all learned to be like Jesus—a friend of sinners.

A Testimony from Hell

(During Bro. Phillip’s sermon in an old country church established in 1851, 8-15-03, Luke 16)
These words penetrated my heart as I pondered the destination of all those who forget God and trample the precious blood of His son Jesus Christ. If the rich man could talk to me today, he would beg you and I to at least share the Gospel and tell the truth to his family. After reading this, picture those in your area of influence who may not be prepared to meet God and think of the eternal consequence of not sharing your faith.

Luke 16:26-31 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”

If hell could talk,
What would it say?
“While on Earth I traveled down my own way”
I hear screaming
Gnashing of teeth
Preaching beyond compare
Please hear us up there
On Earth

You do not want to come here
May your eyes be opened, clear
This place is full
Hotter than hot
Unquenchable thirsts
With flames all around
The stench
Flesh burning, every inch
I can’t stand this pain,
But I have no escape
I’m hurting
My whole body
My heart in flames
My eyes weary for sleep
I am reaped
Never any satisfaction
My mind in constant reflection
Remembering my chances
Of repentance

The preachers warned me
My parents prayed
Yet my heart swayed—
The wrong way
Why?

I did not want to come here
I did not think it was real
Satan, my soul, did steal
He‘s not even visited us yet
I have nothing but regrets
He lied to me
And I to myself
The conviction, God beckoned
Maybe surrender later, I reckoned
My death came to fast
Now I’m feeling God’s wrath
It’s only my fault
Begging and screaming to Earth,
“Halt”
Hear my words
Flee the wrath to come
If not, you’re dumber than dumb
You’ll lose, like me, the game of Life
Sin, all vanities, strife
I am pleading from Hell—
The tormentious jail
The keys taken way
The bars, reinforced darkness
Never a light
The Endless Night

Seek God, I’m yell’n
As for me, I’m smell’n
Flesh constantly burning
For one more chance, I’m yearning
Help!
Help!
Help!
Please tell everyone, it’s full
Abode of the deadest dead
Cravings beyond compare
Trust in God
Never swear
He does love you
He’s totally opposite of this place
Surrender, while you have a chance with Amazing Grace
I beg you
I don’t want you here
Everything now is clearer than clear
Hell is real
Don’t take the Manipulator’s deal
Its real as real can get

What an irreversible regret?!

A Conversation with Satan

(8-29-03 Flying from Dallas to Nashville 2:57PM)
These words come into my heart as I sat on an airplane full of people whose eternal destiny could be waying in the balances above the clouds. My heart yearned to share the Gospel with each one because I was ready for my final flight and pondered if they had ever given their soul's destination a thought.

People, people
All around
Satan’s screaming,
“Make not a sound”
Let these people die
Without knowing
The place they’ll be going

I have them blinded with games
I know you know that it is a shame
They won’t even worship their Creator
Instead they illusively trust in me—
The Eternal Separator
Of God’s presence
Some of them should have already learned their lesson

Yet they seek more
And so, from my storehouses
I give it too them, douses
World’s wickedness
Of sin
I tempt
Even though, I’m already whipped

Maybe not outnumbered
But overpowered
I am the Greatest Coward
A lover of darkness
A god within myself
I needed not God’s help

For I thought I could be as Him
Yet I have been forever condemned
To Darkness
Death
The Lake of Fire
Why didn’t I trust Him?
Let Him be my desire

I, an angel, like the rest of the world
Wanted to be God
So across the land, devouring souls
I trod
I’m bringing their souls
With me
Full of hatred
Call me the Wretched Enemy
I have no care!

For I am eternally falling
In fires hotter than Hell
Consuming all, but none
Let these people around be shunned
Share not the Gospel of Peace
Allow them to get what they deserve
Doom and condemnation
That will never cease

“Be quiet!”
“Don’t make a riot”
I know you want to though
If you speak of Jesus,
I’ll be on your track,I just wanted you to know