LawGrace

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007

Sometimes They Don’t Seem To Care

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A large group of born-again believers from Calvary Chapel AG converged on Pismo Pier Tuesday afternoon. What a blessing! Pastor Bill had a video camera on a tripod in the middle of the pier; conducting interviews with individuals and groups walking by. One of their worship leaders was singing praises to God with an acoustic guitar. The rest of the group were praying, passing out tracts, and witnessing. They are there every Tuesday afternoon @ 6:30 PM – Please come out! If you want to know, you’ve got to go.

The sun slowly began to set. Within an hour and a half, it would be dark. As I passed Pastor Bill, I noticed two young guys sitting on a picnic table toward the edge of the pier. John and Nate were polite and graciously agreed to allow me to interview them.

These guys were really cool. I enjoyed our time together. After the audio interview stopped, our conversation continued for at least ten additional minutes. I counted it a privilege.

However, I couldn’t help but notice that both John and Nate seemed to be extremely indifferent towards the message. Sometimes in my flesh, I guess I’m looking for some sort of external response. It is hard to understand why unregenerate man isn’t fearful of God, death, Judgement Day, and Hell. Mankind’s indifference is magnified by their disdain for the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Neither John nor Nate seemed to, outwardly anyway, “fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” I know that I was no different before the Holy Spirit began to inwardly call me to repentance.

Psalm 36 says, “ An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.”

There are times in an encounter like this that I would rather see a person angry or hostile towards the message - just so I can know something is going on. But again, God’s Word says to me, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” The Word of God will produce its intended results in fulfilling God’s spiritual purposes. As we share God’s Word and His Gospel with the lost of this world we can rest assured He will accomplish what He pleases.

Although these young men didn't "seem" moved in any way, they did accept a couple of tracts as we departed - praise God!

Below is a short excerpt from one of C.H. Spurgeon’s prayers. If you’re interested in reading it in its entirety, let me know I’ll send it to you.

To the King Eternal

Great God, save this nation! O God of heaven and earth, stay the floods of infidelity and of filthiness that roll over this land. Would God we might see better days! Men seem entirely indifferent now. They will not come to hear the Word as once they did. God of our fathers let Thy Spirit work again among the masses. Turn the hearts of the people to the hearing of the Word, and convert them when they hear it. May it be preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

Please pray that God would save John and Nate.

Posted by Ambassador at 6:28 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007

Sometimes They Do Seem To Care

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After the interview with John and Nate, I turned around to see if Pastor Bill was interviewing anyone. It’s fun to watch him interview people – I thank God that He made Pastor Bill so easy going. God has blessed him with a very likable personality. He’s just plain funny.

As I turned, I noticed a couple (husband and wife), watching Pastor Bill’s video interview. I approached this couple and found out that they were there with Calvary Chapel.

I am so bad with names – truly I’m ashamed I forgot their names. To be honest, I’ll probably have to see them a few more times before I’ll remember and call them by their name without asking them to remind me.

Come Lord Jesus come! That we might worship You face to face (and get our my new glorified bodies, so we wont forget important things anymore).

We had a very nice conversation about witnessing. They indicated that they would like to “be a fly on the wall” and just listen in on an encounter. So we went to prayer, asking God for another divine appointment. AMEN!

As the three of us finished praying, we turned around and the first person(s) we approached was a group of three college-aged girls. Their names are Lexie, Christian, and Witney. Unlike the last encounter, John nor Nate gave any indication that they were troubled by their eternal destiny without Christ, these tender young ladies did. Wow! Again, only God knows what was going on in their hearts.

Listen closely, the first half of the interview is quite jovial. We were genuinly having fun. But when I began to speak of God’s Law, in order to help Lexie, Christian, and Witney know their personal sin before God (Rom 7:7), they became very quiet. Let this strengthen your faith Christian, God’s Word is true!

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Romans 3:19

These young ladies began to feel the weight of their condemnation, maybe for the first time – I don’t know. During the time while we discussed what we deserved for breaking God’s Law – Hell, there were tears. Was God using the Law as a schoolmaster to bring them unto Christ (Galatians 3:24)? Only He knows. Lets pray that this was “godly sorrow” that “produces repentance leading to salvation.”

Please lift up Lexie, Christain, and Witney in your prayers.

Posted by Ambassador at 4:08 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Jun 25, 2007

Open Air – Keeping It Simple

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Open-air preaching is exhausting (at least for me it is). I read somewhere that it should be called ‘open-air pleading.’ Pleading with people to repent and have faith in Jesus, who don’t seem to care about their eternal salvation, can take the wind out of your sails. But IT IS WORTH IT! God uses the foolishness of gospel preaching to save souls. That’s what God’s Word says and the Holy Spirit has convinced me that it’s true. So let’s go!

What a privilege we have to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ into our communities. To have the freedom speak of the holiness of God, His justice, His righteousness, and His tender mercy and manifold grace, is a blessing from God Himself.

Indeed, it is a blessing to hear the Gospel in the public arena. Some people will receive it, some people will not. When they hear it, some look terrified, some look to the ground, some mock, some say amen, and some seem to be unmoved. My point is this; people respond to open-air preaching, one way or the other. We don’t know what is going on in their heart, but God does.

God’s Word will accomplish His purposes. His children love to hear the Gospel – and sometimes open-air preaching encourages the born-again believer to take courage in their own witness for Jesus. How awesome! It happens quite a bit actually. I’m so thankful that our God chooses to use weak, unqualified, inarticulate, fearful individuals like you and me to bring the Gospel – so that He alone gets all the credit for saving souls.

With all the pleading an open-air preacher can do, we cannot save the souls of men. But we preach anyway calling all men outwardly to repentance. And we trust that the Holy Spirit will summons some inwardly, convincing them of sin, righteousness, judgment, and reveal Jesus Christ to glory of God the Father.

Can you picture yourself sharing the gospel with an individual? Can you picture yourself sharing the Gospel with a couple? What about with ten people? How about fifty? You can do it! It’s not as scary for you to stand up and share the Gospel, as it will be for those individuals who haven’t repented on the Day of Judgment. Let your compassion for the lost swallow your fears, surrender to God and go further for Him than you ever have before. Let your fear cause you to pray, crying out to God in total reliance upon His strength and wisdom.

So pray, read the Word, pray, and trust God, step up, and GO FOR IT!

Listen to this podcast. This is a good way to get into an open air. Instead of standing up and pleading with people “cold turkey,” this is a fun and refreshing way to KEEP IT SIMPLE and have some fun.

I didn’t make this up; there are thousands of seed sowers across the country doing the same thing. You can have a bit of fun with the people as they gather around to try to win a $1 for each trivia question answered correctly. After five or six questions, the crowd gets a bit larger. Then offer $3 or more dollars for someone to take, “The Good Person Test.”

You ask the willing person to come up, standing next to you. Then, ask them the four questions, "Have you, lied, stolen, used God's name in vain, or committed adultery (looking with lust)?

The person that God brought to take the good person test was a lady named Susie (probably 60-65 years old). She was a sport and seemed to enjoy the attention. Everyone listening also seemed to enjoy it. Listen to the exchange of questions and answers – these people are amused on one hand, but looking into the mirror of God’s Law on the other – revealing their sin.

Then the best part: taking the group to the Blood Stained Cross of Jesus Christ. Do your best to magnify Christ. Pour on the love of God. Speak of God's grace and mercy and call them to repentance and faith. Listen to this you’ll get the idea.

In a previous open air, there was a young that walked up and stood pretty close to me. He stood and listened intently. After ten minutes or so, I stepped down, and this young guy comes right up to me and said, “bro, I walked out of Harry’s (the bar), and walked down here cause I heard you preaching.” He said, “I was hearing what you said bro. God is talk’in to me.” What a blessing! We continued our conversation for quite awhile. Chris wasn’t blind drunk but was buzzed for sure. But God’s Word is sobering.

Please pray that God would be glorified in saving Susie, Chris, and those who listened to the open-air preaching in Pismo yesterday.

Posted by Ambassador at 12:17 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Jun 25, 2007

Nicole Trusts in God's Forgiveness

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Before I became a Christian, I thought that God forgives. That’s what everyone told me. “God is love, and He forgives sin.” I walked around for a good portion of my life, living in continual sin, saying to myself, “hey, God will forgive me.”

As Christians, we know that God is in fact, forgiving. But how can God forgive sinners and still be just? He cannot, according to His character, allow sinners to get away with sin. If He did, He would be unjust. Many people have this understanding about God – that a sinner receives forgiveness of sins because they, “ask for forgiveness.” Some have, almost the attitude, that God is obligated to forgive sinners.

Listen to Nicole – what is her hope? She is betting that the Just Judge of the universe is going to forgive her because that’s what He does?

That’s like standing before a judge, guilty, with plenty of evidence to send you to prison for life and saying, “Your honor, I have done wrong, and you know I’m guilty, but I know that you are a forgiving judge. So I ask you, please forgive me and allow me to go home.” NOT! If the judge is good, you are in trouble. If you don’t have the money to pay your fine, you’re going to jail. If the judge let you walk simply because you “asked for forgiveness,” we would say that the judge is corrupt.

Psalms 97 says, righteousness and justice is the foundation of God’s throne. He is a GOOD JUDGE!

Christian, do you best to help the Nicole’s of this world understand that forgiveness of sins is only through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus.

Please pray for this young lady. During the time I spent with her, she seemed extremely distracted. Pray that the Holy Spirit would use the seeds sown to convict her and bring her to a place of repentance.

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

Monday, Jun 25, 2007

Alex & Ashley Trust in Baptism

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I interviewed two young ladies on Sunday. Their names are Alex and Ashley. They both have a Christian background and said they attended church regularly.

Maybe they were nervous. In fairness, they did say that they were getting ready to leave, but had a few minutes to be interviewed. But, their answers to a few of the questions I asked were troubling. It’s not for me to say, “oh, they are not true Christians because they didn’t give the right answers.” But we Christians should be ready to clearly communicate, to the best of our ability, the basics of the Gospel.

At one point, I asked them this question, “How do you avoid hell?” Alex said, “by following God’s orders.” I asked, “what about His Son Jesus?” Alex responded, “yea, that too.”

Does Alex’s response worry you? It did me. Not because she didn’t answer the question the way I would have, but because if her understanding is mixed up – she could be condemned on the day of Judgement.

I asked, “Are you guys born again?” Alex said, “yea, I barely got baptized a few, like, a few weeks ago.” I asked, “Is that how you’re born again, is when you’re baptized?” Alex said, “mmm.. yea.” I asked again, “Is that how you’re born again. Alex said, “I think so.”

I don’t know if these young ladies are saved or not. But Alex’s response concerned me. Are they trusting in their good works by “following God’s orders” and being baptized? Please weigh in on this…

Oh God, please have mercy on Alex and Ashley. If they do in fact have a mixed up theology, please bring a born again Christian into their lives. Father, I ask that You would send Your Holy Spirit to the pastor of the church they attend and give him understanding. I ask that those who are teaching Alex and Ashley, and that they themselves would repent of their good works and turn form trusting in their baptism. Father, You alone can save. So according to Your saving nature, I ask that You would save Alex, Ashley, and the people in the church they attend. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!

Posted by Ambassador at 11:38 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Thursday, Jun 21, 2007

Conan the Daoist

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Josh and I were on our way back to the car on Friday night after the Car Show. Sitting at a table outside of Moe’s (a BBQ restaurant) was a nice young gent named Conan. Sitting on his lap was his girlfriend Michel.

Conan is a religion and ethics major at Cal-Poly & Cuesta. He also indicates early on in the interview that he is a Daoist. Have you ever heard of that? I had not until I met Conan. Conan explained what a Daoist is in the interview, but when I got home that night I jumped on Wikipedia and found this:

Taoism
(Redirected from Daoist)

For other uses of the words "tao" and "dao", see Dao (disambiguation).

Taoism (Daoism) is the English name referring to a variety of related Chinese philosophical and religious traditions and concepts. These traditions influenced East Asia for over two thousand years and some have spread internationally. [1] Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the Three Jewels of the Tao; namely, compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoist thought focuses on wu wei ("non-action"), spontaneity, humanism, and emptiness.

The character Tao (or Dao, depending on the romanisation scheme) means "path" or "way", but in Chinese religion and philosophy it has taken on more abstract meanings. Tao is rarely an object of worship, being treated more like the Central Asian concepts of atman and dharma.[2] The word "Taoism" is used to translate different Chinese terms. Daojiao/Taochiao ("teachings/religion of the Dao") refers to Daoism as a religion. Daojia/Taochia ("school of the Dao") refers to the studies of scholars, or "philosophical" Daoism. However, most scholars have abandoned the dichotomy of "religious" and "philosophical" Daoism.[3]

Most traditional Chinese Taoists are polytheistic. Nature and ancestor spirits are also common in popular Taoism. Organized Taoism distinguishes its ritual activity from that of the folk religion, which some professional Taoists (Daoshi) view as debased. This sort of shamanism is eschewed for an emphasis on internal alchemy among the "elite" Taoists.

Chinese alchemy, astrology, cuisine, several Chinese martial arts, Chinese traditional medicine, fengshui, and many styles of qigong breath training disciplines are intertwined with Taoism throughout history.

NOTE: I DIDN'T EDIT THIS AUDIO. If your children listen, Conan blasphems God's name and uses some other colorful language to express himself.

Christian, please pray for Conan and Michel. They heard the Gospel and we know it is the power of God unto salvation. Pray fervently for their salvation, plead with God break through the stronghold of Conan’s pride or “self-worth” I think is how Conan put it.

Oh that You would humble Conan, Father. That You would allow him to feel the full weight of his condemnation in Your sight. Have mercy on him and Michel God, that they might glorify Your Great Name. You alone are worthy to be praised. You alone can save their souls. So I make my petition Father, that Your name would be praised for all of eternity for being so merciful, kind, and loving to save Conan and Michel. AMEN

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Prov 26:12

God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

Posted by Ambassador at 11:34 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Jun 18, 2007

Saturday_2007 Pismo Car Show Part 3

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My brother Ted Malley showed up on Saturday during the Pismo Car Show. We had a great time ministering together at the mouth of the pier, tracting and sharing the Gospel 1-2-1. There were so many people, we didn’t have to do any legwork. All we had to do is stand in one place and hold a tract out and say, “did you get one of theses?” Or, “Did you get your billion dollar bill yet?” The fish were jumping all around us!

Before this encounter starts, listen to the “rejections,” to the offer of the tracts Ted and I are passing out. Christian, you can do this! This is the extent of the “rejection” that you will endure. When you feel the rejection remember what Jesus said:

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV)

I don’t even like to call someone turning down a tract, “persecution.” There are Christians in other parts of the world that are persecuted and it doesn’t involve someone saying “no” to a tract – if you get my drift. Christian, what freedom you have. Carry tracts with you and share them with friends, family, and strangers that you meet.

This encounter is so cool! It was a blessing to see God use a seasoned Christian like Ted to share the Gospel with these four guys. This was sort of a tag-team approach to sharing the Gospel. I shared the Law with them and Ted jumped in with a transitioning illustration into Grace. It was easy, fun, and most importantly, it hit the target. Robert (the Catholic youth leader) and his three students seemed to understand the Gospel when the encounter was over.

I thank God for the divine appointments God provided on Friday and Saturday. Many herd the Good News again – others hear IT for the first time, like a 12-year-old boy named Dominick. Please pray for him. I shared with him for 15 minutes or so and he left. Maybe a half-hour later, he came back to talk more. God brought many other children too. I can’t remember ever sharing with so many kids before. It was so refreshing to share with such tender hearts.

God softened a young girl that stood and listened to an open-air. She, and I think it was her brother, stood and listened intently until it was finished. She appeared to be concerned. As she was leaving, Ted and I approached her and directed her to Psalm 51. After reading the first two verses to her out loud, she said thank you, turned around to leave, took a couple of steps and turned back around and asked, “that was Psalm 51?” I said, “Yes,” and she left. What a blessing! Please pray for all those that heard the Gospel over the two days.

I thank God for these encounters and I thank God for you Josh, Ted, and Sawyer.

Posted by Ambassador at 1:38 AM | 2 comments

Sunday, Jun 17, 2007

Friday Night_2007 Pismo Car Show Part 2

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cont… FRIDAY NIGHT @ the Pismo Car Show – As Josh and I made our way back to the crowds, we found ourselves directly outside of Harry’s Bar. There were many very nice custom Harley Davidson’s parked on the curb (maybe thirty or so). It was a bit loud which made it a challenge to communicate with anyone, so we decided to just pass out tracts for a bit.

The bar was absolutely bursting at the seams. There was a long line of people trying to get into the bar. Josh and I took advantage of the captive audience and attempted to tract everyone in line. However, only two or three individuals took the tracts. At the end of the sin-excited-line of people, I was reminded of this verse:

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. John 3:19-20 (NKJV)

In spite of the fact that not many took tracts, God graciously provided the divine appointment. Thank you Lord God! Mike and his buddy (I didn’t get his name) were standing just past the end of the line. I don’t believe they were going in, they were just admiring the bikes. I asked Mike if I could interview him and he agreed. Mike and his friend were very nice. Our encounter was fun but serious.

Father, please save Mike and his friend. According to Your great mercy, grant them the gift of eternal life in your Son Jesus. Quicken them to spiritual life and enable them to turn from wickedness and have faith in Your perfect Son Jesus Christ. AMEN

Something that often happens (especially in spiritually dark areas) is as a witnessing encounter progresses, the closer you get to sharing the Cross with an individual, distractions will occur. During this encounter, just as we finished speaking of sin, righteousness, and judgement, a lady wanted me to leave Mike alone. She may have had a few “old-fashions.” But she sort of rushed me to conclude the interview so I jammed as much in as I could.

Please pray for Mike (bottom photo on the right), his friend (left), and the lady.

Posted by Ambassador at 8:02 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Saturday, Jun 16, 2007

Friday Night_2007 Pismo Car Show Part 1

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My brother in Christ Jesus, Josh Hickman and I made it to the Pismo Car Show on Friday night around 7PM. It was “packed!” It was a blessing to minister the Gospel with Josh.

The car parade was going on when we arrived. Every square inch of road, sidewalk, and alley was shoulder to shoulder people. Josh and I made our way through the crowd down to the pier. We discovered that we had just walked past all the action. So we turned around and made our way back into the crowds. Before we left the pier area, we ran into a musical group called the Black Water Union – extremely talented group of guys. They told us that they were leaving for an east-coast tour within the month. You’ll be able to hear an instrumental piece they did for us at the beginning of this podcast. Thanks guys!

On our way back towards the larger crowds, we ran into two very nice young ladies named Christy and Nicole. Both were kind enough to allow me to interview them.

As the interview progressed, Christy indicated that she was in fact a born-again Christian. Nicole on the other hand wasn’t. I attempted to direct the interview more towards Nicole, desiring to press the seed of the Gospel deep into her heart. I wonder, was our encounter an answered prayer of Christy’s? I’m sure she was interceding for her friend Nicole – that’s what Christians do.

Christian, do you see how your obedience in sharing the gospel can benefit the faith of a fellow brother or sister? The Christian intercedes, and God answers the prayer by sending you, a fellow Christian to share the Gospel with them, calling the unsaved to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. God is so kind and Nicole desperately needs to be saved.

Please pray for these young ladies.

Posted by Ambassador at 11:55 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007

Rapid-fire Open Air in Pismo

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If you want to know you’ve got to go! If you have never heard the Gospel preached open-air before, you are missing out. What a blessing to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed in the public square – specifically Pismo Beach on Sunday afternoon.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon. There was an acoustic band named “The Jug Town Pirates” panhandling on the plaza. The genre of music was backwoods Ozark Mountain – they were very entertaining. You can hear them playing in the background of the podcast episode entitled, “Susanne Knows the 10 Commandments.”

There was a large group of people enjoying the sunshine and free entertainment. A group of seed sowers passed tracts and witnessed 1-2-1 for several hours. After the band finished their set and left, three of us encouraged each other to do some open-air preaching.

We each preached one after the other, in rapid-fire succession. Then started all over again - for about an hour. I had my MP3 recorder strapped to my wrist – the recording is a bit distorted at times. I have to figure out a better way to record open air. Any ideas? I also wish I would have thought to pass it off to my brothers so you can hear their messages too.

It is a blessing to lift up your voice and proclaim God’s Word. It also extremely encouraging to see your brother(s) be bold in Christ Jesus, stand up in a crowd of people and proclaim God’s righteousness revealed in the Gospel – IT IS POWERFUL! God saves people through this seemingly silly method – preaching of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (KJV)

As we preached, there were many who mocked. God even blessed us with a heckler at one point, which doubled the sized of the crowd listening. The heckler was a very intelligent homeless man named Matthew. I had the privilege of spending quite some time with him after the open-air. Please, please pray for the salvation of Mathew’s soul.

Christian, we need not fear. Be bold for King Jesus. He gave His Church the authority to be His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5) to this lost and dying world. So don’t fear! Listen to what our Lord Jesus said:

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:26-33 (KJV)

John MacArthur wrote this in his book Anxiety Attacked: “Faithful servants of God have become shortsighted and filled with despair. When our faith in God’s power is gone, we lose our confidence and run from that which really shouldn’t intimidate us. Opposition can paralyze us with fear and prevent us from proclaiming God’s truth. Read Matthew 10:24–33. What did Jesus tell His disciples? If you have an antagonistic co-worker, neighbor, or relative, pray that God will give you boldness to speak the truth in love.”

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17 (KJV)

Posted by Ambassador at 8:00 AM | 1 comments

Monday, Jun 11, 2007

Susanne Knows the 10 Commandments

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I have never used the survey approach when witnessing before. It is actually pretty cool.

Susanne was sitting on a bench listening to a band playing on the Plaza. I approached Susanne with A Billion-Dollar Bill tract and asked her if she would participate in a survey. She agreed and away we went. She had a Christian background and pretty much knew all the Ten Commandments. This is rare for sure. Most young people Susanne’s age can name teen beers but they can’t name two of the Commandments. If you have never shared the Gospel with someone before, the survey approach is a good place to start because you can read off of the survey to keep you on track. If you are interested, I can email you a the Word Doc so you can use it too.

Please pray for this Susanne, she knows the truth and knows what God has commanded her to do – repent and trust.

Also please pray for the following:

I spoke with a young lady (20), named Jennifer and her mother, who is a born-again Christian. Jennifer grew up in a Christian home but “turned from Christianity” for various reasons. Right now Jennifer is into Paganism. What a heartbreaker for Jennifer’s mom and dad. Jennifer’s mom was excited when I began witnessing to her baby girl. It happens all the time, when you are out witnessing; you’ll often times be on the other end of a parent’s prayer. Guess what you do when this happens? Praise and thank God! He answers his children’s prayers.

Kayla and Nick sat on a bench and listened the entire time we open-aired on Sunday. As far as I could tell these teens were convicted. They had a look of great concern on their little faces. After the open-air, I had the privilege of sitting down with them, making sure they understood what the Bible says about repenting from sin and faith toward Jesus Christ. They indicated that they understood and would begin to read their Bible.

Two young girls named Kelsey and Kendra also heard the gospel. We spent quite a while going over it to ensure they understood.

May the Lamb receive the reward for His sufferings!

Posted by Ambassador at 11:37 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007

YOU MUST HEAR THIS!

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This is another excerpt taken from The Way of the Master Radio. Wow! Mark Cahill visited the show and had much to say in regard to witnessing. Please listen to this entire podcast – I know it will be for your edification and for the glory of Jesus Christ.

You can visit The Way of the Mater Radio here:

www.wayofthemasterradio.com

You can visit Mark Cahill's web site here:

www.markcahill.org

Posted by Ambassador at 5:56 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007

Surveying Larry

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The survey approach is straightforward, little chitchat seems to be necessary before getting into the spiritual discussion.

You can just approach an individual and say, “My name is __________. I’m with ______________ church. I’m doing a survey in our community to see what people believe.”

When they agree, off you go asking the questions and reading the Bible passages as you proceed. Again, a very simple but effective method of conveying God’s Law and Grace to a lost person.

Father, You know Larry’s heart. You alone can see what is really going on with him. God of peace, have mercy on Larry. For Your great Namesake, blot out his sin by the precious blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Bind the strongman and plunder Larry’s soul Lord God. According to your saving nature LORD GOD – save Larry’s soul that you might receive the praise, honor, and worship Your holy Name deserves.

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

Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007

Drive-by Witness Encounter

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This is what you would call a “drive-by” witnessing encounter. Manuel and his girlfriend were walking towards Sawyer (my 14-year-old son) and I on Sunday afternoon. Manuel and his girlfriend looked to have a mission but I stopped them with a “Smart Card” tract.

I could tell by their body language that I had very little time with them – In addition to the fact that they said they had to go back to Bakersfield shortly. Christian, be ready to give a short version of the Gospel if need be – it’s a seed that God can use to save someone’s soul.

Listen closely to Manuel’s tone and in the manner he answered the opening questions. After we went through the Law, his facial expressions changed and even his answers became a bit more humble.

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul…

Manuel’s girlfreind was standing there listening as well. Both of them seemed to soften as our short conversation progressed towards the Cross of our God and Savior Jesus.

Christian, IT IS GOOD NEWS – still, to this very day – IT IS GOOD NEWS! I never tire form hearing it. Jesus bore my sin and shame on the Cross of Calvary. He lifted the curse of the Law from me and His righteousness is acredited to my account. In Him I’m forgiven! The lost sinner, God-hating, rebel can be transformed through the sharing and preaching of this GLORIOUS MESSAGE.

Help these lost ones see their need for the blood-stained Cross of Jesus. With the authority of God’s Word, command them to repent from sin and have faith towards Jesus Christ.

Pray for Manuel and his girlfreind.

Posted by Ambassador at 2:05 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Jun 04, 2007

Jose

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I had the privilege of meeting Jose on Sunday and doing my best to share the message of eternal life with him. Jose’s broken English made it interesting. As I’m struggling to communicate with Jose, I’m praying for the gift of tongues. ; )

Jose seemed to understand the message I shared. As always, we leave the results in God’s hands.

Father, You are so good! You always do that which is right and just. According to the finished work of our Lord Jesus, save Jose and his family. Be praised for all of eternity for being so good to save Jose – a rebel, just like me. Save him Lord God that your name would be proclaimed as a Just and Righteous Savior. Have mercy on Jose and wash him in the blood of the Lamb that was slain – our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Posted by Ambassador at 10:24 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Jun 04, 2007

Josh was Convicted & Said He Would Repent

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It was Sunday, June 3, 2007 in Pismo Beach. After praying, I began walking towards a group seven young people. I recognized a couple of them. One of the guys, named Rob, was sitting on the end of the bench, so I knelt down near Rob to talk with him.

Rob is homeless. He’s a young man who has had a pretty tough life up to this point. He’s good friends with another young man named Jeremiah, whom I interviewed last month – you can listen to Jeremiah’s interview on the May 9th blog, entitled “My Friend Jeremiah Needs Help.” I asked Rob how he was doing and he had some good news. Rob starts his new job on Monday as a construction laborer. I have done this type of work and it is hard. Please pray for Rob that he will be responsible with his new job and the little bit of income he will make. Pray that the Holy Spirit would restrain him from using the money for drugs/alcohol. Rob also informed me that Jeremiah went to jail. Please pray for Jeremiah. He has heard the Gospel many times. He understands that he must repent and trust the Lord Jesus. Please pray for the salvation of both Rob and Jeremiah.

After talking with Rob, I noticed another young man sitting next to him. A tall, skinny, blond-haired, blue-eyed kid named Josh (his picture to the right). He seemed to be the life of the group – some of them where sitting on the ground, some sitting on the bench. After chit-chatting with a few of the young ladies and passing out a few Billion Dollar Bill tracts to the few I didn’t know, I turned to Josh and asked him if he had ever been interviewed. He said, “nope!” and agreed to allow me to question him about what he believed.

Josh indicated that he used to attend New Life Community Church in Pismo. He also indicated that he was part of the youth group there for some time. As you’ll hear in the few questions I asked, he had some Biblical understanding.

After taking him through a few of the Commandments, I began to see some outward signs of his conviction. After talking to him about his plight he “looked” very concerned. Only God knows his heart but as best I could tell, he began to feel the weight of his sin. Towards the end of our encounter, I asked him about specific sin in his life. I don’t often do this but I believe he needed to hear it.

Please pray for Josh. He said he was going to repent, “as soon as possible.” Praise the God of Peace who softens the hearts of men. Praise King Jesus for He alone is our Sin Bearer. Praise the Spirit of God Who, convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement.

Posted by Ambassador at 6:40 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Friday, Jun 01, 2007

Fernando in Oceano

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Here is a really neat encounter that I had with a gentleman named Fernando. I was sitting at home on the couch around 6pm on Sunday afternoon. I was a bit restless and thought I would take a walk – taking my mp3 recorder with me. As I walked I just prayed, ‘Lord God, I’m available if You so desire that I communicate the Gospel today.’

In the comfort of my own backyard God answered my prayer. I had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with Fernando. Funny thing was, I wasn’t necessarily “looking” for someone to interview. I just took my recorder along and Fernando saw it and asked me what it was. I explained to Fernando that I use it for interviews. I asked him if he would like to be interviewed and he graciously agreed. Thank you Fernando.

Christian, make yourself available to God. Ask Him to use you so that the name of Jesus Christ would be exulted by man and for the salvation of the people around you. You can do this.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15