Witnessed to Muslims
Last night was a great night with Team Hope. My team spent the entire time in front of the Bay Walk movie theaters. There was a steady flow of people coming and going and there was actually a breeze (Praise God!).
I was blessed to have several good conversations but the highlight of the night was my witness encounter with two Muslims from Saudi Arabia. They were college students here visiting for an English class. I thought they were Muslim from their appearance and I was excited as I approached them. I handed one of them the Million Dollar Bill tract and they were immediately inquisitive about it.
I explained to them that it was a Gospel message, and then I explained to them what a Gospel message was. I verified that they were Muslim and we talked about their beliefs on how they believe they get heaven (you have to do enough good works). That was a great segue into the law, how we are all sinners, that we deserve death and how Christ paid our penalty on the Cross. I also explained the how Christ fulfilled prophecies, some of which were prophesied in the Pentateuch which the Muslims hold as true.
They listed intently and seemed to understand what I was saying. I then gave one of them a Bible. He was so happy to receive the gift. He almost didn't take it because he thought it was too much of a gift, then he wanted to pay me for it. After I explained that it only cost me a dollar and it was my pleasure to be able to give it to him, then he accepted it. He said he would read it all, but it might take him a while. I went over where some of the different books were and we bookmarked the book of John with his Million Dollar Bill tract. I gave him my email address in case he has any questions, or just to say hello.
They were both extremely nice young men with a passion to please God! Please keep them in your prayers that they would be drawn into the Word of the Living God and He would be revealed to them.
Switchup
Last night I went with Team Hope to share our faith with people in downtown St. Pete. Our group went to the Baywalk movies theater area. Although it wasn't crowded, there was still no shortage of people to talk with.
I engaged in a conversation with a group of three teenage boys after handing them a tract. I simply asked them, "Can I ask you an interesting question?" After they said I could I asked them, "What do you think happens to us when we die?"
I shared with them what the Bible says happens to us when we die. I was focused more on one guy named Robert who seemed to be the most interested in the conversation. When Robert said he thought he was a good person, I asked if I could give him the good person test. When he complied, I explained why God gave us the Ten Commandments and ran through a few of them with him. What's interesting is that his friend Skyler became very solemn, and with complete conviction said "I am such a terrible person."
I shared with Skyler that that is exactly why God gave us the Ten Commandments, to use them as a mirror to see our own sin and imperfections. I went on the share the gospel with them and they really understood it. I don't push for people to make a commitment on the spot but rather make sure they know what they need to do to be saved and encourage them to do it in their own time.
Skyler said he had to think about it because, although he wanted to make a decision, he wanted to do it later, when I was older. Of course, I told him that our next breaths our not guaranteed and no one knows if they will get 'older'. I prayed with them and left Skyler with a copy of Mark Cahill's book, "One Heartbeat Away"
I know God is working on their hearts. Please keep them in your prayers!
5th Quarter Event
Last night Team Hope had the blessed opportunity to join forces with other churches for an event called the 5th Quarter Event at Life Path Christian Center. It was an outreach to draw the youth in from the East Lake football game to chare the gospel of Christ with them.
The event was a big success. Many kids came over and enjoyed the music, food, games and conversations. I got to personally share the gospel with two young girls named Danni and Melissa. They listened intently and seemed to understand everything. They also said that there was nothing that would keep them from making the decision to give their lives to Christ. I encouraged them to make sure they get right with God before they went to sleep that night. I pray that they will feel the tug of God on their heart and yield to Him.
Reflection
I know it's cliche, but I truly can't believe another year has gone by so quick. My New Year's resolution for 2006 was to commit to a Bible reading plan. I chose a yearly plan called "Blended" and finished it yesterday and it has been very rewarding.
I remember early on when starting my daily reading, the enemy was attacking my faith and causing seeds of doubt to appear in my mind. The enemy only seems to attack when you are committing to The Lord and moving forward in your relationship to Him, otherwise he is content to let you be idle and lukewarm.
But I pressed on, prayed for renewed faith and The Lord brought me through that dark time. Now my faith is stronger than before and I have a renewed understanding of The Lord. For anyone who has not started a daily Bible reading plan, I strongly urge you to consider it.
My commitment for 2007 is to start another reading plan. This one is called "Chronological" and you read through according to the time the passage is referencing. For instance, Genesis is interrupted by Job and the read through the Gospels in parallel. My wife, Monika, has committed to reading through this plan with me. I am very excited about the year to come and reading through this interesting plan with my wife.
I also want to slow down a bit and allow God to speak to me -- in my reading and in my everyday life. I know I often feel so rushed and overloaded that I push aside the most important things. I also want to commit more time to prayer. The time that I speak to God is so vital to a Christian and it's an area that I very frequently neglect.
I pray that, God willing, at this time next year I can write about how I kept my commitments for 2007 and my relationship with Jesus has grown by leaps and bounds. Happy New Year!
The Father of Lies
I was watching a movie last night. The movie was called "The Usual Suspects" and although it was not a Christian movie by any means, it had a profound statement within it. One of the characters said "The greatest trick Satan ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist".
I never thought about it like that, but it is so true. Even though Satan is the ruler of this world and a very real enemy, most people scoff at the idea of his existence. Our enemy is the father of lies, he masquerades as an angel of light and he relentlessly hunts us.
A casual observance of society will tell us that most people don't think Satan is an actual entity. In fact, a lot of Christians don't believe Satan is a literal being. The Bible, however, is very clear on this. Ezekiel details his creation and fall. Job tells us of his conversations with God. Revelation gives us the hope of his ultimate defeat. And throughout the Bible we are warned of the threat this enemy poses to us.
It is truly amazing how someone with such great power and authority over humanity is scoffed at and laughed upon. He is sneaky, conniving and seeking to devour us all - yet has pulled the wool over the eyes of the world.