Saturday, October 30, 2010

To Magnify & Exalt Christ

It's day 4 after surgery, and I seem to be making unexpected progress in recovering. The pain has diminished, but still can blindside me on rare occasions. Then the discomfort is still there, but it's presence isn't as strong as it was from the beginning. I'm still unable to talk, or least I still shouldn't talk. So ny vocalizing has been at a minimum. All in all I'm feeling not too bad right now. Day by day I get better. God is good,and continues to display His steadfast love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15)
So I am without a doubt eager to get talking so I can know how much my voice has changed. I still ask the question:Will it be loud and clear? The day is drawing near when I will no for sure. Just thinking about rounding up a band, if my vocal are astounding, to tour the world a share the gospel is very convincing. Yet I know that that is not what God has for me. He's calling me out to the mission field to share the gospel with the unreached. So let me get to the point here. Regardless of how it all conclude, you know with my voice and all, I want to display the lovely and glorious name of Christ. May the Christ be magnified and exalted in all His glory through it all!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The End I'll Never See

About this time a year ago I was stepping out into the unknown. That is I was unsure about what I would accomplish by taking a year off of school. Quite uncertain of where God was gonna take me, what He would show me, and what He would teach me. As I recall my original plan was to go to Crossroads Bible College to study theology; yet God, over time changed that. I never really did see myself becoming, or more so becoming a missionary, yet alas that what God has laid on my mind and heart. Now I just have yet to get there, to get to the people group wants me to preach the gospel to. For sometime the people of Somalia have been on my heart ever since I heard of situation they're dealing with in their country, their bitterness & hostility to Christianity, and hard hearts towards Christ (I guess it's safe to say). Who knows though, whether the Somalis or some other unreached people group; I want obey the Lord.

God has also taught me a lot about myself during me year off. One thing is pride. I now see pride as a serious deal due to the awakening I had of how pride has sneaked it's way in many areas of my life, especially through evangelism. Pride did hidden work among my evangelistic lifestyle to gradually give me a prideful heart and even a judgmental mindset. I was thinking of myself more highly than I ought (which Paul says in Romans 12 that we shouldn't). Looking down on other whether they were Christian or not,and putting myself a step higher then them (which in reality I am just like them, a sinner). Yet, God revealed my pride to me, one night, and I became sick of what I saw, so I without hesitation, repented. Do I still deal with pride? Yes! I do on a regular basis. I'm always sure to be on guard against it, because I know it can blindside me at any moment! Lord fill my heart with humility!

God has also revealed to me that idolatry is a big deal as well. He has shown me idols in my life that never really look at as idols. Like, people for an example. Yes, I love my friends, but there's a fine line between love and obsession. I'm not saying that I have made any of my friends to be an obsession in my life, but I will be honest to say that worry & concern, trying to be on good terms, gaining approval, etc. has dominated quite a few days of my life. It sure hard to have Christlike, godly relationships with others, and I would have to say that it'll take a lifetime. I would never have the perfect Christ-like, and godly relationship with a friend, but it's something spending a lifetime working on. God, sure has revealed quite a few other idols in m life, and He continues to. Idolatry is another sin that I need to be on guard against daily. Lord rid my heart of all idols, for my heart is yours to own!

The Church, the body of Christ is beautiful beyond my understanding, cause it was founded by Christ, the Cornerstone. God has displayed to me time and time again it's beauty that it beholds. Through times of praise & prayer, fellowship, unity, love, unifying passion & desire etc. God has captivate my heart by the beauty of His people! Yes, we aren't all lovey dovey toward one another, yes there may be disagreements, and little disputes like the one Paul and Barnabas had over John Mark, but all in all we're one body bound by the blood of Christ abiding. Pressing on together towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). The Gates of hell shall not prevail against us. For who dare come against us; for we are His!

These are a few things that have stuck out during my year off, and I assure you that God has taught me a lot more about myself and Him, about Christ,and about living a life worthy of Christ! I feel like I've grown quite a bit, that I've grown closer my Savior & God, but yet I still have much more to learn and much farther to go! I still not anywhere near to being like Christ, but He still conform me to the image of His son day by day. I move on one day at a time, continuing to trust in Him, and looking to Him. My Savior & God.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Fishing For Men 5/28-30 (Indy 500 Weekend)

This past weekend, Indy 500 weekend, has proved to be a fruitful yet tiring weekend of witnessing. Talk about being lights in the darkness; 5 of us went out Friday night, and we saw Satan at work there. Despite that, we all had a great night. I went with Joel and we had a good handful of conversations. I can't remember all the conversations we had, but here are those that I do.

Our first conversation was with two ladies and a guy. We started the conversation with the 5 dollar challenge (which is what we normally do), but they weren't able to pass the challenge, so we gave them the good person test (basically going through the Ten commandments). Of course they failed the test. Pretty much from there we went ahead to share the gospel. One of the 2 ladies and the guy pretty much lost interest, but the other lady (who's name was Amanda) was really interested & intent in listening. I love it when we have people like Amanda who is interested and receptive in hearing about the gospel. I'm reminded about how it wasn't anything that me or Joel said or did to catch her attention, but it was all God working in her heart. Please pray for Amanda, that God will convict her heart concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement. That she will she her need for the Savior and cry out to God to save her. Pray that God will save her. Also pray that God will save her 2 friends; the other 2 we talked to as well, but ended up walking away.

Another conversation we had was with 5 young African Americans who were obviously in the area for one reason, the ladies. We did have a several distractions the conversation, but we were able to go through the law, and the gospel. One of the guys said that he does go to church every so often, but of course we knew that wouldn't mean he is born again. Overall it was a good conversation. Pray for the young guys, that God will work a miracle in the hearts and lives, and save them.

One conversation we had was with 2 young guys (Nick and Ivan...I think) and a young lady (Jadie) on a small bridge. We started out with the 5 dollar challenge, in which Jadie was determined to win haha. They got close, but missed two of the commandments. From there we took them through several of the commandments, and went through the gospel. This was another great conversation that we were able to by the grace of God.

Saturday we were scattered throughout the route of the Indy 500 parade to pass out tracts. Despite having problems of parking before and getting to my car afterwards, I had a good time passing out tracts along with my brother in Christ Ryan. We passed out probably a good 300-400 tracts to those sitting waiting for the parade to pass through. We then ran into another brother, Rusty, who was having a conversation with an evangelical pastor who didn't agree with the law in evangelism. It was good to be able to pass out tracts to those at the parade.

Then Sunday morning, Me , Mike, and Joel went parked about 30-45 minutes from the Southeast gate, made the 30 minute trek to our destination to pass out tracts to those going to the race. We stood out in the piping-hot sun for a good 4 hours passing out tracts, and were able to get out a good box and a half out. The things we do for the sake of Christ and the gospel =)

Overall it was a great weekend of evangelism. Our prayer is that God will convict hearts concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment, change live, and save souls! We know that we did not labor in vain. We were faithful & obedient to the call of reaching a lost and dying world with the gospel of Christ. We trust God with the rest. Pray that God will save those of who we spoke to, and handed out tracts to. Hosanna! Save o Lord!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Fishing For Men 4/30

I have decided to blog about my witnessing stories, so I will start with last night.

I partnered with Joel as we went out around monument circle downtown, looking for people to talk to. It wasn't long until I spotted a young man sitting on the steps of one side of the monument reading his Bible; more specifically reading the book of Jude. So I went up to him (Matt was his name), and struck up a conversation, to get to know him a little. We talked some about evangelism, and I gave him a "Hell's Best Kept Secret" by Ray Comfort. Joel then invited him to join us for the next conversation, which happened to be with about 7 or so highschool girls dressed up for prom. We went through the law, shared about judgement, the cross, and repentance. Most of the girls were giggly throughout the whole conversation, but Joel and Matt noticed that the girl on the far right was really intent & listening. Over all it was a good conversation, and we know that God had planted some seeds in those girls. Afterwards me, Joel, and Matt prayed for those girls, Joel gave Matt his number, then Matt parted ways.

A little later me and Joel got into a conversation with 3 young ladies (IUPUI students). We took them through the good person test (the law, but we soon got a bit of a debate. Two of the girls were atheists, and one said she believes that there is a God, but also said that she wasn't into the Christian faith. The girl in the middle said that science supports evolution and asked us to give her evidence that science supports creation and prove that there is a God. Joel gave the building and builder analogy, and I gave the example of the human body and how complex it is, but she didn't buy it and stuck with what she believed. Before the girls left I gave the one in the middle "One Heartbeat Away" by Mark Cahill. I wrote my name and email address in the back so just in case she did read the whole thing; she could email me any questions or thoughts she had on the book. I thought that it was a good conversation despite their mockery of God & the Bible. I pray that these girls will come to see the truth, and that God will convict them of their sin, and that they will turn from their sin and place their trust in Christ. Pray that God will save them.

The last conversation was hardly a conversation at all. Me and Joel were sitting down waiting for his younger brother to done with a conversation so we could head out. I noticed 2 teenagers ( a guy and a girl) sitting on the steps not far from us. So I decided to go up to them, hand them a tract each, and hopefully start a conversation. So I went up to them and asked "Get you two get you first million?" They didn't understand me, but the girl with a serious look on her face replied, "I'm a satanist." That shocked me to be honest, cause when going out witnessing we always run into atheist, muslims, Jehohvah's witnesses, etc. This was my first time running into a satanist. "How does that work?", I said to myself out loud, Joel over at this point after seeing my odd expression. "I worship satan, it's like Christianity but backwards. God is satan , and satan is God." ( at this point her friend got up and left). I didn't really know how to respond, but Joel took the reigns and begin to take her through the law. After getting through a couple, she looked around and noticed that her friend left, then she got up and left in search for him. I can't remember if she took the tract or not, but please pray that God will convict her heart sin, and that she'll come to know Christ. May God save her.

Those last two encounters left me just broken for the lost, more compelled than ever to reach a lost and dying with the gospel of Jesus. So that they may hear and be saved. May the truth and power of the God draw them close to Him, and save them.


scripture that I am reminded of:

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep the, from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.--2 Corinthians 4:4

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.--2 Corinthians 5:20

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Liberia '10

Liberia; such a beautiful country. God's divine splendor and beauty is displayed for all to see in this beautiful land that was founded by freed-slaves. I was excited that God had given me the oppurtunity to go to Monrovia , Liberia to see how God is working in the lives of the Liberian believers, and serve with humility & compassion. Liberia of course is different from the U.S., as just about every other country in the world in some sort of way. So of course it's difference is what kinda struck me, and was something I had to get use to over my time of being there. Some of these differences were language-they speak english, but their accent (I guess you could say) made it difficult to understand them. Gosh.....I could go on & on about stories of things I've seen, and learned, but there's one thing that really mattered to me in regards to the Liberian. That one things that they know of the the one true God who created them, who deserves honor & praise. Liberia from my own understand has been reached with the Gospel. Though they've been reached, there are still, just like other reached nations, people who haven't heard the Gospel. There are those who don't know Christ as their Lord & Savior. Not to mention there are those who call themselves Christians, who go to Liberia to share a completely different message then the Gospel of Jesus. They go raising up followers to believe in the junk & lies that they give them.
So I know that there is a need for faithful saints to go a bring the truth to those in Liberia who are lost, and have yet to be found; also to those who have been believing the lies of false teachers. May they come to know Christ, and worship the one true God who created them!!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

All Consuming Passion

This past Friday night of fishing for men was a fruitful one. God blessed us with some good conversations. Regardless of the fact that there were only 3 of us. Our first conversation was with three B-boys (breakdancers). They showed us some of theirs moves, and gave us a break down on dancing.....break dancing that is. So we said that dancing is their passion, pretty much, and they pretty much assured us that it is. We then proceeded to share the Gospel with them, and they listened intently for the most part. We pretty much shared with them our passion; which is Christ, the Gospel. It was a fun and good conversation at the same time!
Yet it got me thinking about something. As a Child of God I can boldly say that He is my passion. Christ & the Gospel are my passion. It's hard to go a day without thinking about Him; and I don't ever want to. I thank God for saving me, and in response to His phenomenal act of saving grace I try hard every day to live, fight, and die for and with this Passion.
He has given me some gifts too, gifts that I don't deserve, gifts I can use to share my All consuming passion, and glorify & honor my Father who saved me from Himself, for Himself, and by Himself.
I could easily say that these gifts; like writing & music for example are God given passion, but no. Now I consider these gifts that I can use to glorify God, and share His glorious mesage of redemption to the lost. So it is now my prayer that God will give me wisdom on how to use these gifts that's He's given me to do just that; to use them for my all consuming passion, which is Christ, and Him crucified!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Untitled

I'm a lying, thieving, murderous, adulterous, rebellious, blaspheming, idolater; and I don't deserve to be breathing the very breath I breathe right at this moment. I deserve nothing but God's wrath, I deserve nothing but to be cast into hell for breaking God's divine law. And God being a just judge would have to see to it that justice is served. Though He is also loving, and forgiving. And the way He displayed His phenomenal love towards me and still be just, seeing that justice is served is by sending His Son, Christ Jesus to take the punishment that I deserved. Christ was beaten, scourged, mocked, forced to carry His cross to the place of execution, and nailed to it. For my sin and the sins of the whole world were placed on Jesus ( "For our sake He made Him who new no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God'--2 Corinthians 5:21. ). Ultimately the Father's wrath was poured out on Him, so that I may be able enter into a relationship with the Father, and spend eternity with Him for time everlasting!
Now I have trusted Him, and continue to trust Him with my life, and I repent from my life of chasing after sin, and my own selfish desires to follow Christ down this narrow road no matter what the cost. Dying to self, taking up my cross daily. "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count EVERYTHING as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
I will see to it that those who haven't heard this good news, from near and afar will hear, that they may come to know Him, that they too may become God's children. Nothing can hinder me from doing so; whether it be persecution, famine, sword, NOTHING! They can pluck out my eyes, cut out my tongue, burn me alive, hang me, shoot me up, behead me, but even in my death may the Gospel of Christ reach the ears that haven't heard! I will keep pressing on, with my eyes fixed on Him seated high above the heavens!
May God my Father be glorified in my this life that is not my own! May He be praised among every tribe nation, and tongue! One day I will be join with my brothers and sisters standing before Him who seated on His throne to worship and praise Him from everlasting to everlasting. But until that day comes I must keep running the race, and keep fighting the good fight! For I am unashamed of Christ and the Gospel!