Day 17: We Fight Not Against Flesh & Blood

Today started out just as I had planned for the most part. I made my way out near Eastchase Mall to stand at the busy intersection with one of my witnessing signs. The weather was fine, not to hot with a cool breeze. I had been out there for about thirty minutes when I began to fill trapped in the middle of the intersection between on coming traffic.

I found myself hard to breath and a bit nervous. I drank some water and continued praying. For the first time in my life, I felt as if I was having an anxiety attack of some sort. As I prayed, I felt as if it was just a mind thing and I kept telling myself that over and over. As quick as it came on me, it left.

As traffic slowed down, I made my way across the street back to my vehicle, where I relaxed and prayed. I felt as if this was more than just a simple anxiety attack.

Later in the day, I prepared to go back out to the Troy Montgomery and do some witnessing in the campus, when just the thought of it, I felt a type of fear, much like earlier in the day besiege me.

I knew that I was fighting more that nerves and fear, but the enemy. I figured I must have done something to get him on my tail. I called a few buddies and voiced my concern to some online friends to pray for me as I still prepared to go out witnessing.

My fears subsided once I made my way downtown. I continued to pray and thank our Lord for the opportunity to share His word and prayed that he would speak through me.

I was not able to preach as I had planned, but was blessed to have met and spoke with many people, one who said he was an agnostic. After speaking with him, he had been searching and was very open minded to a point. He knew there had to be something out there but figured if he just lived a good life, then God would understand.

Others that I met was Freda, an older lady who lost her job and decided to go back to school to finish her Masters. She actually encouraged me on a few things since I recently lot my job.

There was more people I had the privilege to talk and hand a tract to, including some Christians who asked for extra tracts to hand out.

I wonder who was so important that the enemy would have to try to discourage me from going out? The answer to that is simple, everyone. The Everyone is important as everyone needs a Savior.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I once heard an evangelist speak about when we begin to share our faith, we make in onto Satan's top ten list. We can often forget when we share our faith, that he is very displeased. He is very happy if we remain fearful and never share our faith. If we never step out of our comfort zones to tell others of the hope that is within us.

I am not worried about more attacks, my trust is in the Creator God, the Almighty King. He is my refuge, My God.

Please pray for those I met today and for more opportunities to continue sharing my faith as I am able to. My prayer is that God would use this journal to glorify His name and encourages you and others to go out and share the gospel with all you can.

Light the darkness
David
www.EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 15: Freedom of Speech & Buddha

It's hard to believe I have made it halfway through this journal. Writing it, I had really no expectations on what to expect and honestly, how hard it would be to sit down and write out my experiences. But even though, I missed a few days here and there, those opportunities were there as they are for each of us everyday.

So halfway through, let me share with you Day 15 out of 30.

The last game was here. The end had come. The Montgomery Biscuits, one of our favorite fishing spots to witness was coming to a pause till next year. Not wanting to miss the opportunity and also distribute the last few remaining baseball tracts we had, Jeromy Mashburn and I made a last effort to share the Gospel during America's favorite pastime.

We arrived at the ball game and completed our task as we planned. The opportunity gave us some one two one conversations as well as the opportunity to preach. Later on that evening, we made our way to Troy Montgomery, a local university with night classes.

This would not be a new spot for any of us. Both Jeromy and I had been here before, passing out tracts and I preaching. Never had we had any altercations or situation with the law enforcement. As I said in a previous post though, every day brings something new.

While at Troy by myself, Jeromy had gone to get his car around the corner. I passed out a few tracts to people coming and going and especially to one young man sitting near a fountain outside the school.

Afterward, I set my stool in place and prepared the word I would begin with when, I could not speak. I tried, but nothing would come out. I just couldn't preach. Taking that as a cue, that God wanted me to sit down, I did just that, next to the guy I gave the tract to sitting on the fountain.

It turned out that his name was Frank. A young man with a funny dialect to the way he spoke. After speaking more with him, about the tract I gave him, he was a Buddhist. I found it very hard to understand much of what he said due to his accent. But still carried on as if I new what he was saying, expressing the tract and God's standard of righteousness.

When out of nowhere, an older lady who apparently knew Frank appeared. She came up and began to speak to each of us, inquiring about the tract I had. Explaining it to her, she became loud, telling me that she too was a Buddhist.

I questioned her on what happens when she dies and she said her body goes to the ground and her spirit or entity goes to the sky and floats around until it is reincarnated. Interesting I thought. The interesting part was just about to come with my next few questions. I asked her relating to her answers about life after death, how she knows that will happen, what proof she has. Her next few words threw me for a loop. Come to find out she was Buddha. Yes, she said she was Buddha.

A little confused, I told her that I thought Buddha was the little fat bald guy. Her temper began to flair. She told me not to think that I knew everything. "Ma'am, I don't pretend to. I know I don't know half the things I want to," I said.

At this point, she was ranting about Karma and other things. Looking at me, she told me that she wasn't going to argue with me. Politely, I responded by telling her that I wasn't arguing with her either. That she can walk away anytime. Fumy though, she chose to continue.

She carried on about god and that there were many gods. When she said that, I told her she was speaking blasphemy. That there is one God. One Creator. One mediator between God and man and His name is Jesus. She just got louder. I looked at her calming repeating scripture and recalled saying in Jesus name she needed to leave. She blurted out a few more words and off she was.

As she walked away, I felt that fire in my bones to rise. I positioned my stool and began to preach. I was able to preach for about a good 4 minutes when the local police arrived. Keeping my stance on my stool, I stopped preaching and greeted the officer.

Very politely, he informed me that I could not preach here. Asking why, he said because it was disorderly conduct. Really? I asked. How so? The officer replied, "Well you’re drawing a crowd." When he said that, I almost placed my hand on his shoulder and said, "You see them too?"
But trying not to play, I kept it serious.

I told him that he could easily see that there was no crowd. Just people going to and from classes. Maybe a few people standing on the sidewalk across the street. He persisted that I just couldn't preach.

Not really accepting his argument, I told him that I just left the Biscuits game where there were more people that this there and that right down the streets, I use an amp and preach and have no problems with the police. He seemed to be shocked at that.

He asked me nicely, if I would give him two minutes to check with his commander. I had no problem with that. After a few phone calls, he said it would be OK, but with one condition. As long as I did not draw a crowd.

I knew that even if there was a crowd, I still had the freedom to preach. I used the opportunity to witness to him and the other officers that arrived on the scene. Jeromy discussed with them why we were out here and the urgency as Christians to share the gospel. The police were nice and although they were kind of restricting our freedom, it was just an opportunity that night to witness to them by remaining calm and orderly and respecting them as officers and letting them hear the gospel as I continued to preach.

As I write this journal, I recall the spot where I was standing. Behind me stood the Rosa Parks Museum. Inside tells of a lady and an era where people's liberty and freedoms were denied. Ms. Parks refused to give up her seat, her right you might say to be equal and sit where she chose. That night, I was practicing my freedom, that we all have. I'm sure there will come another night or day where I will be told to stop or go to jail. Maybe that day will come for many of us who go and stand on the corner to proclaim His word. It's not a day to look forward to, not a day to plan. Until though, we all should go and proclaim the good news.

I hope you enjoyed and have been encouraged by this journal and seek to do the same. To seek out opportunities in you own area to preach and share the good news. I will not be posting any entries this weekend. I have been invited to tag along and do some witnessing at Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Nascar race. Please keep myself and others in your prayers.

Light the darkness

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 13: Witnessing to a Sabir a Muslim

There has been alot of discussion recently about Muslims due to the mosque that is planned to be built at the site of the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York. While the topic is a sensitive topic, it does offer a good opportunity to talk with people and especially Muslims on what they believe and why.

In sharing my faith, I have had some opportunities to talk with Muslims and share viewpoints on why I believe what I do and vice versa. If I can't answer a question or understand something, I find it helpful to be ready the next time by studying what that person believes and the next time hopefully be able to answer any questions of defend my faith better.

On this particular day, I found myself on the campus of Auburn University of Montgomery or AUM. While there, I was able to distribute many tracts as well as have some great conversations, one conversation being with a young student named Sabir.

I had given him a tract and walked with him as he read it. Making conversation, I pointed out that the tract used God's Law or Ten Commandments to show a person their sin, as a school master of sort ~Galatians 3:24.

Carefully examining the tract, he asked if I made it. I told him that they were from Livingwaters.com. After discussing a bite more, he told me he was a Muslim. In my head I was was delighted, because I had just read up on what Muslims believe a few days before and loathed at the opportunity to ask him about what I learned.

It was then, that my mind went blank; reminding me of school during a test, all the studying you did the night before, just seemed to disappear. My mind went blank, all but the Five Pillars of Islam. I questioned him on them and he politely explained to me what they were.

Known as the 'Five Pillars' of Islam, they are the foundation of Muslim life:

1. Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad;
2. Establishment of the daily prayers;
3. Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
4. Self-purification through fasting; and
5. The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

Looking at the pillars, I asked him why does he keep them. "To help keep you free from sin," he said. Much like the way a Christian prays and fast and gives to the needy and believes in God. I responded.

Continuing on, I recalled that Muslim's believe in the first five books of Moses or the Torah. And after speaking with Sabir, he said that they believe that Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead and was a prophet that will one day return and judge the earth.

I found it interesting that we agreed somewhat on the first and last parts, but in the middle, there were alot of discrepancies. To them, by Sabir's account, you do good deeds and you are forgiven.

Sabir shared with me as well that I find worth sharing is that if you commit a sin, you can ask for forgiveness from Allah and he will forgive you, if you do it again, there can not be no forgiveness. When he said that, I asked him how many times he has apologized for lying and did it again the next day. He looked at me as if caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

I then continued on with Law, which he agreed with and the understanding that a price had to be paid because we broke the Law. That the fine for the sins we have committed against God is death and that we could not earn our salvation, that God demands payment. Then giving him the gospel, what Christ did on the cross, and how He paid for our sins, paying the fine for the crime against God.

Sabir just looked and I'm not sure what was going on in his head or his heart, I pray though that God was working with him. Afterward, we talked a bit more then shook hands and both departed on our way.

The point to be made here, is that it was not my intention to outsmart him or know more than he did. But to be honest with what I believe and let the spirit do the work in his heart. Why it is important to be able to give an answer of what and why you believe what you do, we should never just rely on our intellectual knowledge to win a person to Christ. All should depend on Christ working in that person.

Sabir without a doubt knew more than I on the Muslim faith and I more than him on the Christian faith. But keeping it simple and showing him what all men from everywhere have in common, that we all have broken God's Law, that a payment for doing so much be paid, which is death, and the good news of the Gospel that Christ went to the cross and paid that fine. That God calls all men to repent and faith in His son Jesus for the forgiveness of sin~ Acts 17:30.

I hope you find this day encouraging as I did. I did not know what this day would hold, that I would meet Sabir and have the chance to share with him the Gospel. My pray and I hope that it would be yours would be that God would indeed draw this young man as well as the many others that received a tract or spoke with me to repentance and faith in Christ.

Below are a few links that provide information on what other religions and cults believe. You may find them helpful as you study some of what others believe the next time there is are Jehovah Witnesses at your door or your own encounter with a Muslim. But do remember that it should not our goal to simply win arguments and debates, but to win souls for Christ.

• Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry or CARM
• Proclaiming The Gospel Ministries
• Proclaiming The Gospel Ministries
• Answers In Genesis
  
• Apolologetics Resource Center
• A online copy of the School of Biblical Evangelism Study Book with resources on other religions and how to share your faith.
• Religions & Cults~ EvangelizeYourCity.org

Be well and light the darkness,

David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 9: " I'm going to hell!"

In life there are many things to be proud of. Having that first child or being able to purchase that first house. As a teen, getting that first car.

When these things happen we are so happy that we tell everyone that will listen. On another note, there are a few things that we just should not be so proud of. One of them is going to hell.

For sometime now, I have been using signs to witness with along stretches of high traffic areas around town. My signs vary between asking questions such as the sign I was using today. "Where will you spend eternity? Repent & Believe the Gospel."

Others give a scripture verse that I feel will speak to those that may see it. With the right sign and a good busy day, you can plant a seed in hundreds of people in just a matter of minutes, similar to the way billboards work.

As I was out today with them, standing in front of Eastdale Mall, I saw lots of people drive by and look. Some honked their horns, some gave the thumbs up, some took pictures, and one brother in Christ felt the need to bless me by bringing me some Gatorade. My desire though, was that people would not see me, but Christ and that those who are lost to see the sign, for God to use it and stir their hearts and draw them unto Himself.

As the sun beamed down hot rays, my time was about up on this corner. I had plans to go and stand elsewhere around town hoping the same thing. As the clocked winded down, two young boys pulled up next me and stopped at the light. They looked at me and my sign and I quickly explained it to them. That we all die, there is a 100% chance of it. Where will you go? The boy on the passenger side, jokingly said he knew where he was going. I told him to make sure as the light quickly changed.

The light changed and off the two went pulling into the mall parking area. Not before yelling proudly out the window that they were going to hell. I shook my head and faced the oncoming traffic and prayed for God to save them.

Then my spirit began to talk to me. "Go find them." So I packed up my sign and I and with a handful of tracts, went walking around the mall looking for these two young men. Once inside, they were easy to find sitting at a table in the food court having lunch.

Walking back and forth, I gave them a careful glance to make sure it was them. I was sure these were the two. I hadn't seen anyone else in the mall fitting their description, so I approached them without further hesitation.

Excuse me guys, my name is David, shaking each of their hands. I was standing outside with a sign that asked, "Where will you spend eternity." When two guys drove by yelling that they were going to hell. I'm not sure, but I think it was you two.

Nearly choking with shock and fear and maybe some chicken, the two quickly corrected me that it wasn't them, but admitted that they had seen me standing outside with a sign. Since I apparently had the wrong guys, and did not have to flog them until they repented, I offered an apology as I took a seat next to them. I wish I could describe the look on their faces. Just try to imagine!

I asked each of them about the question on my sign. What happens when you die, where are you going? Each of them responded that they were going to heaven. Good, so why should God let each of you into heaven?

A received a normal reply from them both. "I'm saved and gave my heart to Jesus and repented." Good answer I thought. So what is repentance? "Asking for forgiveness," they said.

I looked at each of them and calmly explained repentance to them. Explaining that repentance is not asking for forgiveness, but a turning from sin. That it was more than just saying I'm sorry please forgive me.

As continued on with the Law & the Gospel with them both. Taking them through civil court, showing that crimes aren't just forgiven, but that a penalty has to be paid. That a good judge will not simply sent you free because you said you were sorry and promised never to do it again. The truth is, you should be sorry and you should never do it again.

That the only way the good judge can legally set you free was if you paid the fine. Problem is, the fine is so great, you could never pay it. So off to prison you go.

One of the young men, then turned his chair around toward me as I seemed to grab his attention. I continued to explain how all of us have sinned. How each of us has broken God's Laws, His Ten Commandments.

I shared a few with them, and each admitted to lying, stealing and looking with lust which is the same as adultery. With that, I told them that Revelation 21:8 says that, "All liars, thieves and adulterers shall have their part in the lake of fire."

Guys, If God were to judge you on the Day of Judgment by His Commandments; you've admitted to me that you have broken at least three of them, where will you go? Hesitantly, hell was the answer.

Being in Alabama, there doesn't appear to be many that don't know what God did to save us, or at least some part of it. Many admit some knowledge of knowing that God sent His Son to die for us. The problem is why would God do such a thing? Why not just snap your fingers to make everything alright. Why go to such great lengths to save people that aren't very appreciative?

Taking them through civil court once again, I told them that if they committed a terrible crime, the only chance of being free was to spend twenty years in prison or pay a fine of one million dollars. The fine is so great, you could never pay it. So off to prison you go, for the crime you committed.

Well, as your being lead off, a complete stranger burst into the courtroom and tells the judge to stop. Then looking at the judge, telling him that he has sold all he had, his car, and his house, everything to pay your fine. I asked the two young men, how would that make you feel.? "Grateful." they said. Indeed you would, I exclaimed.

In the same why guys, Jesus has come into the courtroom, dying on a cross, paying a legal transaction for the sins we have committed. Taking on God's wrath that was meant for us.

I expressed to them that in the same way as in civil court when the man sold all he had to pay our fine, how should we live knowing what Christ did for us?

Again they said grateful. I told them that the bible says that if you love me, you would obey me. If we say we love Christ, yet ignore Him, then there may be something wrong in our salvation.

Continuing speaking with them, emphasizing, the importance of trusting in Christ and true repentance, I closed by telling them that I may never see them again. But this chance encounter was no accident. To search their heart to see if there is anything in their life, that is sinful and to turn from it and to see the cross and be grateful for what Christ has done for us.

This day was a good day of practice. There may have been some things I would have liked to share with them and maybe a few things, I would have like to keep to myself. Thankfully though, their salvation is not dependent on me. We are told simply to preach the gospel.

These two boys' names were Tanner and Matthew. Please keep them in your prayers.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. I hope you enjoyed Day 9 of the journal and that somehow, it is an encouragement to you to boldly step out in your own city and communities and share this great news of the gospel of our Lord. I myself look forward to the opportunities that wait as I set out on Day 1o of my own Road to Decapolis.

Lighting the darkness~
David
EvangelizeYourCity.org

Day 7: Drive Thru Evangelism

Day 7 did not offer as much excitement as yesterday, but still provided an opportunity as everyday does with probably just about one of the easiest ways to share your faith there is. "Drive Thru Evangelism."

On the way to my in-laws for a day of swimming and playing golf on the Wii, I decided to take the few bucks and stop by McDonald's for a cheap burger and fry for the kids and I. After my food was ordered and I was waiting in line, I added a Million Dollar Bill tract to my bill.

As I pulled up to the window and paid for my food, I told the cashier that this was for her, quickly explaining that it was a gospel tract and has a good message on the back. She smiled and said thank you.

One way of doing Drive Thru Evangelism, is to ask about the price of the person behind you and tell the cashier that you would like to pay for their meal and give them a tract to hand them as they drive up to the window to get their food.

Just another way of practicing sharing your faith. Below is a video from Fish With Trish where she practices Drive Thru Evangelism herself. Check it out and I hope it brings you some encouragement to do the same.

I look forward to Day 8 of this journal and hope that you are encouraged by this journal as I have been with the opportunities given to share such good news.

Lighting the darkness~

David

EvangelizeYourCity.org

The Road To Decapolis

Located east of the Jordan river, rest the cities of Decapolis. Just outside those cities are a set of tombs or graveyard that was the setting for what the gospel of Mark records as an encounter with a man many considered demented and could not be bound with chains.

Mark chapter 5:9-13 tells us that Christ had been traveling by boat across the Sea of Galilee and stopped in this area. As He and His disciples arrived, they were met by a man filled with many demons who called themselves Legion, for they are many. Upon this encounter with Christ, the man is set free from his torment and the demons were driven out and into a heard of swine that had been feeding in a nearby mountain area.

Afterward, the man who had been demon possessed asked to accompany Christ with Him on the boat. Christ refuses the man's request and instead instructs him to go home to his own people and tell them what great things the Lord has done for him. The man leaves and goes to Decapolis, obeying Christ and begins to proclaim the good news of what Christ had done for him, amazing everyone.

Before the meeting with Christ, the man lived in the tombs and was known to gnash himself with stones and was tormented screaming day and night among the tombs and mountains. The condition of the man before this encounter is not a far contrast from the state we were in before Christ called us to Himself, saving us. We were lost, controlled by evil desires, separated from God. But Christ has indeed saved us, and like the man, setting us free.

It is very important to bring attention to the fact that after the man had been set free, his actions that followed. Christ had done something very wonderful for him. With anticipation, the man desired to follow Christ. In doing so, he obeyed Christ when given instruction to go home to his own people and to proclaim what Christ has done for him.

Just like the anticipatio0n of the man, this should be our example, but we should have an even greater zeal to follow Him, knowing that Christ not only is Lord, but that he would lay down His life for us, even while we were sinners. Romans 5:8

Even though, we may not have been delivered from many demons or maybe healed from some terminal illness or ailment, Christ however has indeed saved us. He has saved, what other motivation do we need?

Christ gave the man a command of sort in the instruction to go home and tell what Christ had done for him. Christ has also commanded us, through His Great Commission to,"go into the entire world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

"The Great Commission is not an option to be considered but a command to be obeyed." Those were the words of the late missionary Hudson Taylor and a firm statement on what Christ has called all believers to. To take this good news to our homes, to our people and communities and to tell others what Christ has done for us.

My friend, the Gospel is good news. Great news in fact. It is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 There are lost people everywhere and it would be a shame that any man, any neighbor of ours would perish without first hearing what Christ had done in our own lives. Recall how Christ changed this man, setting him free! Christ saved him and has done the same for us. Like the demon possessed man, what more motivation does one need?

Starting on August 15, 2010, I will be recording a daily journal as I set out each day in my own Decapolis of Montgomery. I plan to write about those that I share the Law & the Gospel with and what Christ has done for me. It is my desire to use this journal to help me grow in boldness and faith as I practice sharing my faith with others and to glorify my God. Also is is my desire to hopefully be of some encouragement to those that may follow me each day as I write about these encounters and that they may grow as well in boldness and faith and to reach out into their own Decapolis, telling others what Christ has done for them in sharing the Law & the Gospel with those around them.

In all, may God receive all the Glory, for He is King.
Light the darkness~
David
www.EvangelizeYourCity.org