I Am Blessed...

The ministry continues. Yes, we are sharing less with the removal of fairs and festivals due to Covid-19. The numbers are down.

The ministry is blessed. However, God is beginning to do something new as we focus our efforts downtown and at the cross. I am spending more time with individuals and beginning to see more and more the fruit of our efforts from years ago.

As I shared downtown this past Wednesday and Thursday, and held the cross on Friday, I experienced the joy of past efforts manifesting in current fruit. 'Follow up' is happening by the Spirit! It will make sense as you read below. To God be the Glory!

STANDARD RESPONSES

The first person with whom I shared on Wednesday was Carolyn. She gave the standard 'good person' answers, and I gave her the standard law and Gospel. Thankfully Carolyn understood and wanted to trust in Christ alone as her Savior.

'HE SAVED ME....THANKFUL.'

THEY PROFESSED CHRIST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PRESENTATION!

My next encounter was probably the most blessed of the day. This was 'new fruit' and how blessed it was!

A young lady walked past me as she left the court. She responded 'no' when I initially offered her a free bracelet. I am glad that I asked again. She actually got really excited and came over!

After sharing that I needed to explain the colors to her, she got dejected, telling me that her sister was in the car waiting for her. Then she perked up and yelled to her sister...

'COME ON OVER!'

Wow. The Holy Spirit was moving and I was blessed to be a part of this. Malekia and her sister who was in the car, Nachelle, were both from Lynchburg. They had come to the court to take care of a speeding ticket for Malekia, which actually became a part of our Gospel presentation.

Malekia initially said she was 75% sure of Heaven. However, when he sister said 45%, she back pedaled to 35%, stating that she had 'done bad stuff'. Her sister echoed those sentiments, not only for herself, but for Malekia as well. They both laughed.

Did they measure up? We were about to find out. They actually became very interested when I explained that God had already provided a specific test to see if they were good enough.

We began to go through the ten commandments. It was such a joy as we did. I would point out one, confess to it, and then the two sisters would look at each other, smile, and wholeheartedly confess to it as well. As we went through each commandment their understanding that they were not good only grew stronger.

After the first one (liar), they both acknowledged that they were bad. After two or three (thief, adulterer) they knew they were really bad, and by the fourth (murderer) they were beginning to say to each other and me, 'We need to change! We need to start living better! We're failing this test! This is not good. We are in trouble.'

Remember, even though they both acknowledged at the outset that they had 'done bad stuff', they were still 35 and 45% sure of going to Heaven. Thus, they still had some trust in their goodness.

In the courtroom both acknowledged they were guilty before God and heading to Hell. Because these two young ladies were so drawn in by the Spirit, I decided to do something that I do when I feel like I won't lose someone...

Get them down to 0% before giving them Grace. (Again, when the Spirit is really moving, you can do this and you won't lose them.)

How sure were they that they would go to Heavennow?...25% and 2%. Address each reason and attempt to get them down to 0%.

Malekia was 25% because 'He loves me.' A judge can love a guilty criminal but that doesn't change the fact that he is still guilty and will be punished. Nachelle was 2% because she was 'holding on to her pride...me'

After explaining more about Hell, and the justice of God, both blurted out...

'WE'RE DOWN TO 0 NOW!'

I actually stressed this several times before moving on...

'SO, YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO HELL? (YES) WHERE WOULD YOU GO IF YOU WERE TO DIE RIGHT NOW? (HELL) DO YOU KNOW THIS? (YES)'

I can't do this every time as I would probably lose people, but as the Spirit leads, I like to take people to this point of desperation.

What could they do now to stay out of the electric chair? (This tells us what they are now trusting in.)

Both blurted out...'START LIVING BETTER! DO THE RIGHT THING!'

This answer is a good thing and a bad thing. It's a good thing from the standpoint that they know that God wants them to live better. It's a bad thing from the standpoint that it won't save them. I addressed it as follows...

"God wants you to live better and do the right thing, but that won't keep you from the chair. Let me explain. You ever play in the mud as a little girl?...(Yes) What did the mirror tell you?...(Dirty) How did you get clean?...(Wash)"

"Did the mirror clean you?...(No) Is that the function of the mirror?...(No) What is the purpose of the mirror?...(Show us we are dirty) So that you can be...(Clean) Wonderful."

Then I pull out a mini mirror and hold it next to the ten commandments. "Did you know that the law is a mirror? Did you know that the purpose of the commandments is not to clean you but to show you that you are...(Dirty)"

At this point, one of them spoke up and said...

'WHERE DO YOU PREACH? WE WANT TO COME TO YOUR CHURCH!'

Folks, when you preach the true Gospel people are drawn in. It has nothing to do with you, but with the truth that the Spirit is revealing to people.

I just accepted their compliment of the true Gospel and moved on...

'So, WHAT IS GOING TO CLEAN YOU?'...

They responded...'BAPTISM?'

I explained that baptism was a good thing, but that it would not clean them. What would clean them? They honestly had no idea.

I turned my notebook over from the ten commandments to a picture of Christ. They both got a big smile.

I loudly proclaimed...

'WHO IS GOING TO CLEAN YOU?'...(GOD!)
'WHO SAT IN YOUR CHAIR FOR YOU?...(GOD!)
'WHO TOOK YOU JUDGMENT?...(GOD!)

It was really cool that when they looked at the picture of Jesus they both said 'GOD!'. Years ago I sat in a Sunday school class in which a child looked at a picture of Jesus and said...'That's God'. The parent thought she knew better and corrected the child, 'No, honey that is the Son of God.'

No one can say that Jesus is Lord (God) except by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was moving and these two young ladies were being touched.

I continued...

'IS THAT ENOUGH TO SAVE YOU?'

I paused and waited. In fact, as I shared with these two ladies I was doing a lot of pausing and waiting. Witnessing is a trialogue: (1) you, (2) person, and (3) God the Holy Spirit.

Their response blessed me...'MORE THAN ENOUGH!'

I paused and waited, letting the truth sink in. I waited longer...still longer...

Malekia spoke up first...'I'M SAVED...

Nachelle was next...'THE LORD IS MY SAVIOR...I BELIEVE..'

Malekia echoed...'THE LORD IS MY SAVIOR!'

Wow. I hadn't even finished my presentation. We hadn't even 'prayed the prayer.' The Spirit was moving. It was beautiful.

I believe they both said they were now '200%...1000% sure now.' This was truly amazing.

I went ahead and finished my presentation just because I am so used to it. Malekia said her heart was now 'fluttering like butterflies.'

I went ahead and 'prayed the prayer' with them, just to make it 'more official'. Not sure what that means, I am still learning. God is good.

Nachelle told me...'GOD OPENED MY EYES TO SEE A BIGGER PICTURE...1000%! I TRUST IN GOD! THE LORD IS MY SAVIOR! (MY HEART FEELS) WARM, 10X BETTER THAN BEFORE!'

Malekia told me...'THE LORD IS MY SAVIOR! HE BROUGHT ME BRIGHTER DAYS AND BETTER DAYS. WITHOUT HIM I'M NOTHING. (MY HEART FEELS) WARM, A LITTLE BIT OF BUTTERFLIES. I GIVE HIM ALL OF ME...1000%! I TRUST IN GOD!'

Malekia told me before she left...

'SOMETHING WAS TELLING ME TO COME OVER AND TALK WITH YOU.'

I HAD SEEN THEM FOR A FEW WEEKS BEFORE

The next little boy who came over to get a bracelet was with his dad. I had seen them the previous few weeks walking downtown together. I believe they had even ridden on one of those scooters that you can purchase. By the way he talked with and treated his son, I could tell that the dad really loved his boy.

I believe it was easier for them to come over since they had seen me on a few previous occasions. This is one example of what I was referring to when I started this newsletter.

Robert was quiet in the background as I shared with his son John. Both went to the Lutheran church. Initially, little John had a pretty good understanding, he just needed a few points clarified. He 'believed in the Lord', but didn't know what that meant.

Little John really had a good grasp of sin. He knew that he had broken God's commandments. He even knew the penalty for sin...death...Hell. Dad had done a great job with his son.

What could little John do to go to Heaven now, knowing he had sinned and the punishment was Hell?...'DO BETTER'

It's the same answer the adults give....SELF JUSTIFICATION.

I had to keep it simple with little John. I simply explained that another had already taken his punishment...GOD. He knew that Jesus was the Son of God but did not know that he was God. After sharing the Trinity, he confessed that Jesus is God. It was cool to see him receive the revelation.

I explained that God could save him if he put his trust in God, not himself. God had taken his punishment and there was no more punishment for him. He simply needed to trust.

We got to the end and little John was finally able to get to 100% sure. He told me that it was because 'he believed.' I asked him...'What does believing mean?'...

'HE TOOK MY PUNISHMENT.' (Propitiation) (1 John 4:10)

I prayed for little John before he left and then asked him if he would like to tell God anything...

Little John told God...'THANKS FOR SAVING ME.'

I NEED MORE UNDERSTANDING

Jonathan came next. He knew that he was not going to Heaven. He had previously heard the truth and he told me...'I need to believe in Jesus as Savior and I need more understanding.'

Well, Jonathan received understanding as I shared the law (commandments) with him. The mirror illustration really seemed to give him great understanding as it did with Malekia and Nachelle. He needed to see that he couldn't save himself.

Grace explained what God had already done for him in the person and work of the Son. He needed to see that it was already done.

We finished and Jonathan wanted to trust in God. We prayed...

'HE PAID FOR ALL OF MY SINS AND HOPEFULLY ACCEPTED ME AS I'VE GIVEN HIM ALL MY TRUST AND BELIEF. (MY HEART FEELS)...AMAZING. (HOW CERTAIN NOW?)...POSITIVE.'

THE MIRROR ILLUSTRATION WAS REALLY WORKING

I believe Melanie came next. She actually got pulled away by her friend before I could finish. God's timing is perfect. Here is what I remember about Melanie.

Things went so well with Malekia and Nachelle that I sort of did it the same way with Melanie...nice and slowly... pausing...letting it sink in. The law was doing it's work as Melanie was understanding that she was not good.

Like Malekia and Nachelle, Melanie knew she was guilty and deserving of Hell. What could she do to avoid the electric chair? Just like them, Melanie gave the same answer...

'START DOING BETTER...LIVE BETTER.'

Again, I used the mirror illustration. Her response was priceless...

With tears in her eyes Melanie proclaimed...'I FINALLY UNDERSTAND THIS! THANK YOU! I'M GOING TO TELL MY GRANDFATHER. HE HAS BEEN TALKING TO ME ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS.'

Her friend came and dragged her off before I could finish. God's timing is best.

SOFTER BY THE FOURTH TIME!

The next one ties in perfectly with the title of my newsletter. I had spoken to a young man named Mark while I was holding the cross a few months ago. At that time, he kept on talking about 'obeying the law' and 'following the ten commandments'. At this time, he began preaching to me and I had to let him go.

As I was holding the cross on a few subsequent occasions, Mark brought me some water and Gatorade. It did seem like he was softening some, but I did not have opportunity to share again with him.

Well, guess who came downtown on Wednesday? Guess who was really excited to see 'the preacher?'. Guess who really wanted to hear the message?...MARK, MARK, MARK! (Yeah for Jesus!)

I was able to share with Mark this time and he received the law with humility. He knew that he was not good and that he could not save himself. He was able to see the person and work of God the Son as his only hope and wanted to trust in Him alone...

'HE SAVED MY SOUL. (MY HEART FEELS)...ELATED...THANK YOU GOD.'

HE RETURNED AFTER HIS APPOINTMENT

Next came Axel. Yes, he told me his dad named him after the 'GUNS AND ROSES' guitarist Axel Rose. I was able to share the law with him and then he said he had to leave for an appointment across the street with an attorney.

Not too long after that, I saw him walking across the street. I hollered at him and he came back over to hear me finish the presentation!

I was able to share God's grace with him in the person and work of His Son. Axel understood and wanted to trust in Him alone. Right after he prayed, his ride pulled up and off he went.

The next three stories tie in perfectly with the title of the newsletter.

A YEAR AND A HALF AGO!

First came Annie. She was there with her mom. Both said I had already shared with them. They agreed to come over and let me share again. When people tell me this, I am thinking that it was recently, like a few months ago.

When I checked my records, it was actually almost two years ago. What an amazing thing to be able to share the gospel with someone again, two years later. This has been happening to me more and more.

I never assume the person got saved the first time. I really don't know. I simply ask the diagnostics again and go from there. One dear friend from J.M.U. who ended up coming to our church and bible study told me that it was the third time I shared with him that the truth really sunk in. He actually was baptized in our church.

Annie really didn't remember much. Mom kept trying to answer for her daughter. This makes it more difficult. We went through the law and the Gospel and she wanted to place her trust in Christ alone.

SEVEN YEARS AGO!

This one was really special. Steven told me that I had spoken with him seven years ago at the same exact spot. He told me that he had just gotten out of jail then, and that his life had changed after I had shared with him.

Here he was standing before me this past Wednesday. When Steven's dad dropped him off in front of the courthouse, they both saw me and dad said to his son...

Dad...'Are you going to talk with him again?'

Son...'Yes, that is why God put him here today.'

Wow. When you hear that story, your heart is humbled. God is faithful. Well, recently Steven fell back into some of his old ways and ended up in jail again for two months. He had just gotten out this past Wednesday when I was able to speak with him again.

Steven initially was talking about 'God's forgiveness and other things'. Did he measure up?..

His response...'Yes, absolutely, I put others first instead of me.' (He told me several other things that were good that he was doing.) Steven was trusting in himself.

Here is a key point many don't understand... After sharing the law, when we got to the courtroom, Steven told me that he would be 'innocent'. So, naturally, I asked him why?

'Because I've changed.'

As I have mentioned in the past, many people are relying upon this instead of Christ. On top of this, they talk about their goodness as the reason they get to go to Heaven.

No, we rely upon Christ and Christ alone. Yes, He changes us, but our reliance is on Him and Him alone for eternal life.

Use this illustration to counter this argument...

When did you initially get charged for your crime? (He told me a month ago. You can use a speeding ticket for anyone else.)

If you went before the court and argued that 'you had changed' in the last month, are they going to let you go? No! You are still guilty and must pay the fine!

Steven understood this truth that change wouldn't save him, but then began relying upon 'please forgive me'. This of course, does not pay the fine. God pays the fine in the person of His Son. Then He forgives when we place our trust in Him alone.

Steven wanted to trust in Him alone and immediately after prayer spoke up...

'WOW...I FELT IT. THANK YOU.'

'HE CAME INTO MY HEART BECAUSE I ACCEPTED HIM.'

Steven stayed quite some time and thanked me over and over for being there. He told me how much it meant to him and encouraged me to keep doing what I do.

SHE CAME RUNNING (ALMOST)...

Next came Tracy. She actually almost came running over to me and spoke up...

'WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU SINCE THE FIRST TIME WE SPOKE. YOU REALLY HELPED ME AND I NEEDED TO SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN. I'M SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE!'

Again guys, this is so humbling. I am blessed. Thankfully, Tracy was solid on her answers...100%...Christ alone...He is God.

She was in a situation and needed some counsel. Her husband had cheated on her and physically abused her. He was now stalking her. She was at the court to get some relief. We prayed and I was able to counsel her moving forward.

I INVITED HIM BACK TOMORROW

Finally, as I was leaving, I met a man named William. William had just buried a son. He had a host of problems and was a talker. I stayed as long as I could and then I knew I had to go so I would be ready for tomorrow. I encouraged him to come back on Thursday. Long shot, but who knows right?...

FROM ACROSS THE STREET AND KNELT DOWN!

For the first hour Thursday no one wanted to talk. I was thinking about leaving. I decided to holler at a young man across the street...

He paused, did a double take, turned around, turned around again and held out a cigarette...

'YOU WANT ONE!'

I shook my head 'no', held out our bracelet, and somehow managed to persuade him to come over. Thank you Jesus.

This young man, Kevin thought that I was homeless. That is why he offered me the cigarette. As we began to talk, he made it very clear that he already knew what the message was. Somehow, again, I was able to persuade him to allow me to explain.

Kevin went on and on about his humility and all the nice things that he had done. He seemed like a very genuine nice man, but unfortunately was trusting in his own righteousness.

Did he measure up to God's standards?

'YES!...ABSOLUTELY!' (Kevin was very confident in his own righteousness.)

As we began going through the law, he began to soften. I was simply relying upon the power of the Spirit, allowing God's love to come through, knowing that I was no better than he was.

As he began to soften, he knelt down in front of me. The law was doing it's work. Kevin did a double take several times, shaking his head in disbelief, as the truth that he was not good began to dawn on him. The new truth was replacing the old, and his brain was being rewired...repentance...a change of thinking.

Several times he made comments such as...

"Wow...this is really good...
"I'm seeing it now...
"Keep on sharing, I really need this...
"I'm so glad that I came over...

After the 'law humbling', Kevin knew that he was not good in the eyes of God and deserved Hell. What would keep him from the electric chair?

'I'll confess'...(That won't pay the fine)
'I did it a long time ago'...(See above illustration...change won't work)
'I won't do it anymore.' (more self-justification)

I decided to expound on his last argument and do the mirror illustration again. As previously, it really worked. Kevin was at a loss for what he could do.

I showed him Christ and His person. Kevin had no clue about the Trinity and did not know that Jesus was God. We went though John 1:1 and John 1:14 and the truth began to dawn on him...

'So, Jesus is God!'

What a joy to see this. I went on about His work for Kevin at the cross and his resurrection receipt...PAID-IN-FULL.

Kevin understood that he had been trusting himself as the savior and instead wanted to trust in Christ alone. We prayed. Here is what Kevin told me...

'HE REMINDED ME OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT. HE STARTED MY DAY OFF GOOD. I DON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ME KNEELING DOWN. (HOW SURE NOW YOU WOULD GO TO HEAVEN?)...'I'M THERE DUDE...I TRUST IN GOD!...THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING! THIS IS WONDERFUL!'

HE CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY!

Yes, William was back at court on Thursday! He told me that he had suffered a brain injury many years previous which made his memory suspect. William stressed the reasons he would go to Heaven...

'I'M WILLING TO GIVE ANYTHING TO ANYBODY...'
'I DON'T HURT ANYBODY...'

Same law and same Gospel shared. It was more difficult with William because it was hard for him to focus and he kept shooting off on tangents. William did not know that Jesus was God and was obviously trusting his work instead of God's. It took awhile but he appeared to come around at the end.

We prayed...

'HE TOOK A LOT OF JUNK OUT OF MY HEART AND I'M NOW CALM AND RELAXED...(WHEN DO YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?)...RIGHT NOW AND EVERYDAY THE REST OF MY LIFE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN HIM.'

His prayer at the end...

'I'M A SINNER EVERYDAY...I'LL DO BETTER...I BELIEVE IN YOU EVERYDAY...THANK YOU FOR DYING FOR ME AND SAVING MY SOUL!

AFTER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS!

I have known Randy for twenty-five years. This scripture perfectly describes him...

'But God hath chosen the foolish things...the weak things...the base things...and things which are despised...yea, and things which are not...' (1 Cor. 1:27-28 (modified))

Randy is a super nice guy who never had a father figure in his life. Many years ago I attempted to share the Gospel with him and was initially too pushy. After that, I had to wait on God's perfect timing.

A few months ago, Randy saw me holding the cross and sent me a Facebook message just to say hi. He told me that he had recently been baptized. I congratulated him and then prayed that the Lord would give me an opportunity to share the Gospel with him.

On Thursday, guess who was walking past the courthouse with two friends? Not wanting to upset Randy, I offered the bracelet more in the direction of his two friends. Guess who spoke up?...Randy!

He responded enthusiastically...

'YES, WE WILL ALL TAKE A BRACELET!' (Thank you Jesus)

No one was initially 100% sure. All referred to their goodness as why they would go to Heaven. No one understood that Jesus is God.

All wanted to trust in Christ alone. Randy was most outspoken, emphatically stating...'JESUS IS GOD...HE SAVED ME!'

RANDY...'HE SAVED ME...BELIEVING IN HIM...WONDERFUL'
KEITH...'HE FORGAVE ME...BELIEVING IN HIM...GOOD.'
FOREST...'HE FORGAVE ME...100%.'

Randy is on the left...

SOMEONE ELSE FROM ACROSS THE STREET

The key to hollering across the street? Stay persistent. You might get one out of ten, but isn't that one worth it?

Taylor came over to get a bracelet. Taylor had dreadlocks and was an 'earthy, spiritual person.' I think you know what I mean.

She initially wasn't sure there was a Heaven, at least in the way she believed I would define it. I really pulled back on this one and said something like...

'How about if I share my concept of what I believe about how you can go to Heaven? After I share, you can do whatever you want with it."

I believe this helped her to relax and she gave me permission. I shared everything with her, just rejoicing in the fact that she was listening to a clear presentation of the Gospel.

I could see the Spirit moving on her countenance. There was actually tears forming in her eyes as she realized what God had done for her in Christ. She deserved Hell, but He had taken it for her.

I sensed that she had received something special in her heart, and that if I called for a response, her mind would object and it would thus somewhat nullify what she had already received on the inside.

I prayed for her and then asked if she wanted to tell God anything...

'I'M GRATEFUL.' (This really blessed my heart. God really loves these 'non-church sinner folk'. HE REALLY LOVES THEM. No pretense. No Pharisaical pride.)

AGAIN, SOMEONE ELSE WITH WHOM I HAD ALREADY SHARED

Finally I shared with Tiffany. She was happy to see me again. I didn't remember her. Apparently I had shared with her several years previous at a homeless outreach. After years of waiting and being homeless, her voucher had just been approved.

I always ask the diagnostics to people with whom I have previously shared. Only God knows what really happened to the person the first time.

Tiffany said she was 1000% sure of going to Heaven. She wasn't able to share why, so I reviewed the Gospel with her. She did immediately tell me when I asked her about Jesus...

'JESUS IS GOD!'

What a joy to review the Gospel with this precious sister after several years. Who knows if she had been to church, and if she had, who knows if she had even heard the Gospel.

At the end I asked her the diagnostics again...

'1000%!...HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR ME!'

WHAT A BLESSING TO BE A PART OF TWO DAYS WHICH WERE ANOINTED AND APPOINTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT! THANK YOU GOD!