Saturday, Apr 28, 2007

Judy in Pismo

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Judy is a lady that I met in Pismo on Wednesday. She indicated that she was a Christian. Needless to say, I don’t know her heart, only God does, but we went through the law of God and then the awesome message to God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

Please pray for Judy.

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Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007

A Young Boy

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Last Sunday, I approached three young teenagers sitting on a bench in Pismo Beach. These guys were skaters. They were sort of quiet and didn’t seem to want to chat. I asked their names and proceeded to ask if any of them wanted to be interviewed. All of them said no – except one.


After the interview started, I found out that this ‘teenager’ wasn’t a teen at all. He was only eleven! Wow! They grow big these days. Because of this young boy’s age, I will not mention his name and I edited the audio. You’ll hear blank spots in it from time to time.


Please respond to this post. I need your help with this. Did I handle this encounter ok? Do you believe I should have withheld any of what I shared with him because of his age?


Oh pray for the salvation of his soul. Also pray for his two friends who were listening while I shared with him.


LORD GOD save this young boy and his friends! For your great name, be glorified in the salvation of their souls. Please Lord; receive honor and worship through these young boys. They need You and You alone so desperately. You are the only Savior and Lord, to whom can they turn but to You Oh Lord? Save them I pray. AMEN.

Posted by Ambassador at 10:53 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007

Joan West

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I had lunch the other day with my friend Ted. He reminded me that only 2% of Christians share their faith regularly. Wow! God has given the church the Good News that “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes,” and only 2% of Christians share it?


After our lunch, I met a very nice lady in Pismo. Her name is Joan West. Joan spoke with me about her spiritual beliefs. I so wanted to share God’s Word with her. But, our conversation was cut short because Joan and her husband were on their way home with “hot soup.” I would have loved to spend more time with this very nice lady. But that’s the way it goes sometimes.


I thought to myself, ‘Joan is someone’s neighbor, friend, mother, grandmother, sister, etc.’ Joan is a very sweet lady. However, in God’s eyes, she is just like the rest of us - exceedingly sinful. On top of that, Proverbs 20:6 says, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness…” (KNJV). Not only is mankind exceedingly sinful, mankind also proclaims how “good” it is.


Christian, for the good of the lost, be most loving and share the truths of God’s Holy Word with them. Jesus taught us that, “No one is good—except God alone.” Jesus, God Himself, says that mankind isn’t “good.” In fact, God provides another description of mankind in Romans 3:10-18 that flies in the face of mankind’s assumption of itself. Mankind isn’t even remotely “good!”


Joan needs you Christian, to obey God in laboring along side the Holy Spirit who, “will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” John 16:8. She needs you Christian to share the truth with her. Do your very best to teach her these necessary truths. Don’t assume anyone else will. Speak to her like it is the last opportunity she will have to hear the Gospel.


Although our conversation was cut short, some of you Christians will most assuredly have the opportunity to speak with Joan. Don’t sit back and let Joan step off into eternity without being warned that God alone is good. Joan is a lawbreaker too. Like me, she has violated God’s law countless times (Exodus 20:1-17). This leaves me, her, and all of us deserving eternal separation from God’s goodness in everlasting Hell fire.


Saints, warn the Joan’s of this world and then share the best News that a lost sinner can hear: Jesus Christ is Lord over all! He alone is merciful God and the Savior of the world! Magnify Jesus Christ saints! Proclaim that, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Please don’t be the 98% who look on with disregard for the lost – love them! Share this GOOD NEWS with the Joan’s of this world.


Please pray for this very sweet lady and her husband.

Posted by Ambassador at 10:22 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007

A House Divided Against a House Falls

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Here is an excellent sermon preached by a man named Henry Mahan. He preaches on Luke 11:14-26. The message is entitled “True and False Conversion.”

I’m not sure if I agree with the part where he says that pictures of Jesus are graven images – need to study that one a bit – but this message is definitely Christ-centered. If you have 40 minutes to listen, I highly recommend this one.

And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Luke 11:14-26

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Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007

Encouraging Comfort

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For those of you who don’t listen to Way of the Master Radio, I’ll fill you in on what this four-minute clip is about. Ray Comfort and Todd Friel do what is called “Phone Fishing.” “Fishing” based on Matthew 4:19 – And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They have a staff person out in different cities in the US with a cell phone and they approach strangers on the street and ask them if they would like to be interviewed over the phone/on the radio. During the interview, Ray, Todd, or Kirk Cameron will share the Gospel with the individual. They start in the natural, speaking of normal everyday things. Then they deliberately swing to the spiritual and take the person through the “Good Person Test.” The good person test consists of using a few of the Ten Commandments to bring about the knowledge of personal sin and guilt before Holy God – then they present the Gospel.

In this clip, Ray beginnings an encounter with a guy from Australia. It starts out very nice. Ray makes a connection with the guy by speaking in the natural, and as he turns the corner to begin speaking in about the spiritual - you can hear a bit of resistance from the guy.

Christian (fisher of men), I think this is a good lesson for us. Be bold! If the person shuts you down, they shut you down. Every encounter isn’t going to go perfect. It’s a bit comforting knowing that this happens even to a seasoned evangelist like Ray Comfort…hehehehe. Ray and Todd’s interaction after the encounter is too funny.

Posted by Ambassador at 12:41 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007

Fish & Chips

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Dudley deliberated about participating in the audio interview. He was a bit hesitant but agreed to allow me to question him about his spiritual beliefs. Thank you Dudley.

I met Dudley siting on a bench in Pismo on Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful day and he was waiting to go into Pierside Restaurant for fish & chips. When I first asked him about the interview and if he were a Christian, he indicated something about being a “backslider.”

Please pray for Dudley’s salvation.

Christian, you can do this!

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians4:12-13

Maybe verse 13 is ripped out of its context to often and smashed into life applications it shouldn’t be. But I ask you, do you think if your desire was to obey our Lord in sharing the Gospel, and your desire lined up with His desire for all to come to repentance, that He wouldn’t strengthen you to do this? You can do it Christian. Here is another passage for those of you who are timid, it’s from 1 John 4:4, “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” Don’t be afraid! If you need some training, get trained. If you know how to share the Gospel Biblically, do it! Don’t be afraid. Go for it! Do not fear, Our God is Great!

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By the way, have you ever thought much about what it means to be a “backslider?”

Can a true Christian “backslide”
Certainly true Christians can “backslide,” if by that you mean they can regress into a period of spiritual dullness or disobedience. Those who do incur God’s discipline (Heb. 12:6–11). Those who are not disciplined are not true sons (v. 8).

But if you are thinking of backsliding as a perpetual state of willful rebellion or ungodly indifference on the part of one who professes faith in Christ but does not love him, that is a sign of false profession (Matt. 7:21–23; 1 John 3:4–10). Sometimes the term backslider is used to describe one who has forsaken Christ and abandoned the faith. In that case it describes a person who was never truly saved (John 8:31; 1 Tim. 2:12; 1 John 2:19). The word backsliding is used two ways in Scripture. It is found only in Old Testament references to the nation of Israel (Jer. 3:22; 31:22; 49:4; Hos. 4:16; 11:7; 14:4 kjv). Sometimes it speaks of backsliding as the action of unregenerate people who turn stubbornly away from God (cf. Jer. 8:5). In that sense the Word cannot be used to describe true Christians.

Other times true believers are said to backslide (Jer. 14:7). All believers go through times when they do not grow or are set back in their growth by sin—they seem to be sliding backwards like a calf on a muddy slope (cf. Hos. 4:16 kjv). In that sense the word could apply to true believers. But it cannot be used to support the notion that true Christians might abandon the faith completely.(1)

(1)MacArthur, J., F. (1997, c1988). The Gospel according to Jesus : What does Jesus mean when he says "follow me". Includes index. (Electronic ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Academic and Professional Books, Zondervan Pub. House.

Posted by Ambassador at 11:33 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007

Crystal & Larissa

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Crystal and Larissa were sitting on a bench in Pismo Beach, in front of Pierside restaurant on Sunday afternoon. They are very nice young ladies and the conversation we had was fun, and at times, very serious. Pray that Crystal and Larissa would receive this Good News, and appropriate it by responding in repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.


Oh God of Peace – Crystal and Larissa need the salvation that only You can provide. Enable them to think soberly about the state of their soul. Cause them to desire to read their Bibles - enlighten their hearts with the Gospel and Your Word. Quicken their dead hearts to eternal life in your Most Blessed Son Jesus Christ. I ask, Lord, forgive them of their sin. Cleanse them in the precious Blood of Jesus, in order that they will worship You all the days of their life and for eternity. Father, be glorified in Crystal’s life. I ask that you would save her soul so that people would praise You – and that Crystal's 11-month-old baby can grow up in a home where he would hear Your Word and be saved as well. Receive honor to Your Great Name by saving Larissa Lord God. Have mercy on them. You are the only Savior Lord God. Please, please save them. AMEN

Posted by Ambassador at 11:43 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Monday, Apr 02, 2007

Skyler in Pismo

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:)

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3


I met a very friendly young man named Skyler on Sunday afternoon. Skyler graciously agreed to allow me to record and ask him questions regarding spiritual matters. Early in our conversation Skyler identified himself as being a Jehovah’s Witness. I thank God for the opportunity to speak with him.

As you’ll hear, Skyler is polite and concise when talking about Watchtower doctrine – it seemed that he had a firm grasp on their teachings.

This interview was a pleasant experience because encounters between Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) typically revolve around a discussion of deity. The reason for this is twofold. First, this is the area where Watchtower theology deviates most dramatically from orthodox Christianity. In contrast to the Trinitarian concept of one God in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the JWs have been taught to believe that God the Father alone is “Jehovah,” the only true God; that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel, the first angelic being created by God; and that the Holy Spirit is neither God nor a person, but rather God’s impersonal “active force.”

I say that the interview was “pleasant” because our discussion didn’t turn into a jousting match (argument) – sighting our favorite proof-texts for or against the Deity of Jesus Christ. Although these exchanges are good and necessary, our discussion focused mainly on God’s justice, man’s sin, and the reasonableness of Hell. Skyler also clearly articulated the Watchtower doctrine of Salvation:

“Therefore, let us show our gratitude for the love displayed by God and Christ by exercising faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice” (Knowledge, p. 69).

Requirements for salvation, in addition to faith, include baptism by immersion, active association with the Watchtower Bible Tract Society, righteous conduct, and absolute loyalty to Jehovah. There is no assurance of salvation, only hope for a resurrection. Those who fail to live up to the above requirements or who are disfellowshiped by the WBTS have no hope of salvation.

You listen to the context of the quotes below, but Skyler clearly understood, and articulated this Watchtower doctrine of salvation.

MP3 Time: 23:57
Skyler: “It is possible to have a positive standing in Jehovah’s eyes… it is possible.”
Allen: “How?”
Skyler: “By trying very, very, hard. And by studying the scriptures and by applying what you learn.”
Allen: “That’s how you attain righteousness?”
Skyler: “Yea.”

This breaks my heart because the Bible clearly says, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16

The Biblical Teaching of Salvation says that it is “by grace through faith” in Jesus Christ alone. No amount of works or membership in any organization guarantees salvation. It is totally through faith in Christ (see Rom. 4:4,5; Eph. 2:8,9; Titus 3:5). Good works are the natural response to salvation already received, not its cause (see Eph. 2:10). Salvation is eternally assured for those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior (see John 1:12; 5:24; 1 John 5:13).

Skyler desperately needs God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. Please pray for him. Pray that he would repent of his sin and repent of trusting in his own works of, “trying very, very, hard.” Pray that Skyler would grow weary of carrying his burden of sin and trying to be good enough – and turn to the “great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13) – so that he would respond in faith to the invitation of Jesus:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

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