Marketplace Evangelism Today

What Is Marketplace Evangelism and the Power of One?

Someone recently asked me what Marketplace Evangelism was? This is my definition, but first, let me tell you what it isn’t. Marketplace Evangelism is not standing on the street corner and preaching to people in the street. It is not forcing Jesus Christ down people’s throats. Marketplace Evangelism is loving people at the job, career, or workplace; by living your life in a manner that is pleasing to God. It is espousing the love of Christ so that others will see something different in you. An example of this is going to see a co-worker or client who is hospitalized and visit and pray for them. It is opening yourself up, in faith, and only when truly led by the Holy Spirit, accept divine appointments to share your faith and how Christ has helped and changed you with those in your environment. It’s living your life in a manner, striving to be Christ incarnate, so that others may see Christ in you, because you may be the only Jesus anyone will ever see. It is making a difference in people’s lives one life at a time!

I know many people will not want to stand out in a crowd because of ridicule. I know this personally, because I have lived 59 years, being afraid to share my faith because of rejection. Being afraid because I did not want to “offend” anyone or I did not want to say the wrong thing. I know what other Christians think, because I have lived a lifetime not sharing the most wonderful gift that God has ever given to me, from His Son, Jesus Christ. That gift was forgiveness of all the terrible and sinful, dark, sins that I have ever committed or thought. That gift made me whole and changed my life. That gift is still changing my life every day. Do I still sin? Yes, I do. I am human and live in the same dark world as before. There is one exception. I have God’s forgiveness, have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of me, and have conviction when I sin, which tells me that I need to stop and ask forgiveness from the one I sinned against and to God.

A few years back, when I finally got serious with what God had been calling me to do, my life changed dramatically. It changed in a way where my eyes were opened wide to the “TRUTH.” That “TRUTH” helped me to overcome my fears, so that I could do the work that I was called to do, right here in my own town. But God wants all Christians to get serious with what He has called all of us to do. Look what it says in Matthew 28:16-20, “¹⁶Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus gave us something called the “Great Commandment.” According to Matthew 22:36-40, ³⁶“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” ³⁷And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.³⁸This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love your neighbor as yourself. What does that mean? It means that we are to care and treat our neighbors the way we would want to be treated by doing for them when we see their time of need. Who is our neighbor? Our neighbor is everyone who we encounter. Our neighbors are our co-workers, managers, employees, customers, waiters, waitresses, dry cleaner employee, anyone in the marketplace, the vagrant on the corner, everyone.

When we understand that our Christian walk is not only how we live our life in a pleasing manner to God, but we are to also step out on faith and tell someone about that saving grace that rescued us from a burning hell, then we are fulfilling the other commandment that Christ gave to us. Look at Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Our Jerusalem is our own neighborhood. Our Samaria is our own town or city. Our Judea can be our state or nation. These places can also be in the marketplace, where we live, work, and play. Don’t you see what Christ and our heavenly Father is asking us to do?

Have you ever heard of the power of one? I will post the excerpt from “Evangelism Is” written by Dave Earley and David Wheeler.

THE POWER OF ONE

“One Samaritan woman testified to her town, and many believed in Jesus.

One man, Noah, built a boat that saved the human race.

One man, Moses, stood up to Pharaoh and delivered the Hebrews from Egypt.

One woman, Deborah, delivered Israel from the Canaanite oppression.

One man, David, defeated the Philistines when he killed their champion, Goliath.

One woman, Esther, had the courage to approach the king and see her nation spared from extermination.

One man, Peter, preached a sermon that led 3,000 to be saved.

One salesman and Sunday school teacher, Edward Kimball, led a young man named Dwight to Christ. Dwight Moody became a blazing evangelist who it is said, led one million souls to Christ in his short lifetime. Wilbur Chapman received the assurance of his salvation after talking with Moody and went on to become a noted evangelist himself. The drunken baseball player Billy Sunday was an assistant to Chapman before becoming the most famous evangelist of his day. One of the fruits of Sunday’s ministry was the forming of a group of Christian businessmen in Charlotte, North Carolina. This group brought the evangelist Mordecai Ham to Charlotte in 1934. A tall awkward youth named Billy Graham was converted during those meetings. According to his staff, as of 1993, more than 2.5 million people had “stepped forward at his crusades to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Millions of souls trace their spiritual lineage back to the influence of one man, a simple Sunday school teacher, Edward Kimball.

Someone said, “To the world you may just be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” To this we might add, to you they may seem like just one lost soul, but to God that may be a soul who can shake the whole world.” ~ Dave Earley & David Wheeler

Let me ask you one last question. Why are you not sharing your faith? You never know. You may be the only “Jesus” anyone will ever see. You may be the one who shares your faith and the love Christ has given to you to a lost person who may become the one who God will use to shake the world! When I realized this, that was the turning moment in my life where I could no longer be a bench seat player in the “World Series” of our Christian faith! I could no longer sit still. I had to do something. What will you do to help spread the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ? When I think of all the time I have wasted in life and not have done what God called me to do so long ago, I grieve and become emotional. I have realized that although I have been a bench seat Christian all my life, and the time God has given me for the remainder of my life, I am to serve Him and be the evangelist He has called me to be. What about you? When will you get off the bench and get into the game?

Excerpt Credit:

Dave Earley and David Wheeler, Evangelism Is: How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence, (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2010) 133-134.

Joseph T. Lee, © November 10, 2017, The Lantern & Shield Times LLC

Espousing Hatred Versus Love

November 8, 2017: Just recently, a woman was seen riding by President Trump’s motorcade as he was in route to a meeting. The woman then stuck her middle finger up at the President of the United States of America. I must say, one must have a lot of guts to do that! Either they do not respect the office of the President of the United States or they are filled with so much hatred, that they just want to tell the President to go to hades!

I visited her Facebook page and she has this picture posted as her Cover Picture on her wall. She apparently is very proud of this because she appeared to enjoy the kudos from her friends and fan base. So many people congratulated her on her actions to the President. Unfortunately, we are seeing this behavior all over the nation. What is so appalling is that this woman was the former Community Liaison Officer for the United States Embassy in Riga, Lativa from September 2007 to May 2009; which was found on her Facebook “About” page.

According to Curt Autry’s NBC12 Facebook page of Richmond, Virginia; this picture was captured by a White House Photographer, which ultimately went viral. It was reported that the bicyclist posted this picture on her Facebook and Twitter accounts and then her employer found out about it. Autry reported that her employer fired her over it because they are a government contractor. She embarrassed them with this gesture. Although she may have had the right to make gestures, she embarrassed her employer, which they in turn terminated her employment.

What would make this woman do this? Hatred is being espoused and spewed from peoples lips every day. It is apparent that the ways of God are not the ways of our nation. People place their political candidates on a higher level than they place God. People have fallen away from the ways of God. I see no love being espoused from the lips of the generation we are living in today. I see brothers turning on brothers and sisters turning on sisters. What has happened when the man or woman in the highest office on earth has become the most despised and hated?

Isn’t it wonderful that we can live in a country and can say the hurtful and mean things about the President and other political leaders and not worry about losing our lives over what we say. After all, we are protected by free speech, right? Why not vomit hatred and disparaging remarks on social media? After all, it is free speech, right? You know, I believe it just shows the true “heart” and a dark heart that has no love. I am tired of seeing people post hateful things on social media that are hurtful all for the sake of a political agenda. But I guess the people who do this feel that their political beliefs outweigh their Spiritual beliefs. You would be surprised to see what some people write.

The very freedoms a US Citizen has in America was won on the deaths and sacrifices of the US Armed Forces. Before criticizing your President and other political leaders with hateful remarks, why not consider praying for him? After all, we are called to pray! We are called to pray for our neighbors and get this, even our enemies. Regardless of your political stance, why not consider espousing LOVE as opposed to hate? It is easier to forgive than to carry the burden of a grudge.

What is even more startling is proclaimed Believers are participating in this type of behavior. This means that they still have a heart problem. Maybe they truly are not “real Christians.” Maybe they are even using “Christianity” as a political tool. Whatever their motive, by speaking “evil words” against a man or a woman means that one does not have the Love of Christ in their heart.

Last night, in Virginia, the Democrats won in all three of the highest offices, which are Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General. This is what the people asked for and what most Virginians wanted. But instead of Republicans being angry and throwing hateful and mean spirited slurs at them, they must come together and pray for our leaders. We must all come together and pray. Whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent; prayer will make a difference.

I don’t know what kind of god you worship or affiliate with? But my God can heal hearts! My God can forgive trespasses! My God can help people to overcome! Why should we pray for a man or woman in leadership whom we do not care for? Because by praying for them, we are asking God to intervene for us that they will do the right thing. My God can change hearts and can save people from their sins.

Why pray for leaders to fear God? When someone leads and lives fearing God, they experience:

1. Wisdom
2. Knowledge
3. Understanding
4. Eternal Praise
5. Victory
6. God’s Protection
7. A Blameless Walk
8. Length of Life
9. Wealth and Honor
10. Humility
11. The Avoidance of Evil
12. Being Untouched by Trouble
13. The Saving of a Crushed Spirit
14. A Life That Lacks Nothing

(Credit: Dr. Mark Becton taken from sermon preached on 01/22/2017, The Victory Hour, Grove Avenue Baptist Church.)

These fourteen points is all the reason to pray for your leaders, regardless of whether you like them or not. We are called to pray and to show the love of Christ to those who do not know Him, even if it is the President of the United States of America, Governor, Lt. Governor, or the Attorney General.

By praying for them, we are asking God to guide them and lead them to make the correct choices. By praying for them, God can change their hearts and hopefully, they will lead the people in a way that is honorable.

James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

1 Timothy 2:1 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.”

Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Matthew 18:19, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”

Matthew 6:9-13, “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Remember, before criticizing others, look at your own life. If you are without sin, then cast the first stone! But in reality, your life is just as filthy as the life that you are criticizing. Look at Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We all have sin in our own lives. So, before you criticize the President, Governor, Lt. Governor, the Attorney General, or any other leader; consider cleaning up your own life before trying to straighten out the lives of others! This is exactly why we must be praying for others as well as have others to pray for us!

References:

Dr. Mark Becton taken from sermon preached on 01/22/2017, The Victory Hour, Grove Avenue Baptist Church.

Joseph T. Lee Blog, WordPress, “My God Can!”

Curt Autry NBC12, Facebook Page, November 6, 2017.

Breaking: Church Massacre Shooting Suspect Identified as Devin Patrick Kelley

Sutherland Springs, TX: The First Baptist Church shooting suspect was identified as Devin Patrick Kelley. Kelly’s picture was obtained from Facebook and has been confirmed by other news agencies. Kelley was in the Air Force for eight years and was dishonorably discharged after being court-martialed in 2014 according to CBS News. His social media showed an AR-15 in his cover photo which was posted on October 29th, 2017. Kelley’s Facebook page has since been taken down from public viewing.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Kelley was married and lived in New Braunfels, a suburb of San Antonio, TX. Among those who were killed was the 14-year-old daughter of the church’s pastor, Frank Pomeroy. The shooting victims’ ages range from five to 72.

Breaking: At Least 25 Dead in Texas Church Massacre

Update: November 5, 2017 at 8:00 PM EST.

At a news conference, Gregg Abbott, the Texas Governor states, “This incident occurred at a place of worship where congregants were innocently gunned down. It has been confirmed that 26 people have been killed including adults and children. There will be long suffering and mourning of those in pain. We ask God’s comfort and guidance in healing. I am very proud of the way that all have responded to this. The Emergency Medical Task Force was deployed from San Antonio. The Red Cross has set up a family assistant center. So many people who have responded have helped to pull all this together. I want to tank President Trump, who called from overseas, Senator Ted Cruz, Sheriff Joe Tackitt of Wilson County, The Texas Department of Public Safety, Department of Homeland Security, The FBI, and other law enforcement agencies.”

Then Sheriff Joe Tackitt of Wilson County stated, “To the media, please don’t blow this out there that this should not have happened because it does happen.We don’t know the names of the victims at this time. We are still working the crime scene.”

The last to speak was Freeman Martin of The Texas Department of Public Safety. Martin stated, “We have certain facts that we will release, but are not ready to release them at this time. The suspect was dressed in all black. The suspect entered the church and fired and then exited the church. A neighbor who saw what was going on grabbed his rifle and engaged that suspect. The suspect dropped his rifle, which was a Ruger AR Assault Rifle and fled from the church. The neighbor pursued the suspect where the suspect crashed his vehicle and was found dead at the scene. The suspect was shot but it is not known at this time if the suspect shot himself or if he died from the neighbor shooting him. There are multiple crime scenes. There are Texas Rangers at all hospitals interviewing victims. At the end of the investigation, we will be able to answer any reasonable question.”

Sutherland Springs, Texas – November 5th, 2017: A church shooting is being reported on several news outlets. A male gunman opened fire on congregants according to Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt. First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs were conducting their service when a male opened fire killing at least 25 and injuring many more. Sutherland Springs is about 30 miles Southeast of San Antonio. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has responded and has taken lead on the investigation. The shooting occurred about 11:30 AM this morning as reported by witnesses. One witness, Diana Segura, age 69, heard rapid bangs which she thought a truck had exploded on the highway. Segura stated she walked outside and saw multiple bodies on the ground outside the First Baptist Church. KSAT is reporting that the man walked into the church, opened fire and was later killed by police.

The gunman is identified as 26-year-old Devin P. Kelley. Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas stated, “He went there, he walked in, started shooting people and then took off to Guadalupe County, which is northeast of Sutherland Springs.”

Many towns people and family members were seen standing near the church, holding hands, weeping, and praying.

President Trump, who is in Japan, offered his help and condolences:

Photo Credit: Screenshot of President Trump’s Tweet on Twitter

References: The Washington Post, CNN, FOX News, and KSAT.

Joseph T. Lee, The Lantern & Shield Times LLC, © November 5th, 2017.

Less of Myself

“I pray that I will live a life for Jesus that others will see Jesus in me and less of myself.” ~ Foy Hocutt Lee

My Mom wrote the above statement in her devotion book a few years before she went to heaven. She did live a life pleasing to God and she wanted her children to do the same. As she lived her life, she was a wonderful example of walking close with God. The devotion she was reading at the time she wrote that statement was called “Walking Worthy” (Blackaby and Blackaby, 1997, p. 207).

The following are quotes from the study as well as scriptures relating to the subject matter. I will make my own commentary at the end.

Walking Worthy

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

“Paul never lost his wonder at having been called by God. He understood that the way he lived ought to be worthy of the King who had chosen him. He knew that the mystery of the gospel had been hidden for generations and had only been revealed in his day through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:26-27). Paul also understood that until people accept the gospel, they are spiritually dead and therefore without hope (Col 2:13). As a result of God’s plan of salvation, those who trust in Jesus are not only made alive in Christ but are also adopted as the Father’s children (Rom. 8:16-17). Paul recognized that though the Gospel sounds like foolishness to the world, it is the power of God that brings eternal life to those who accept it” (Blackaby and Blackaby, 1997, p. 207).

“Because Paul’s life had been radically transformed by the gospel, he was intent on living to honor the gospel that gave him life. It would have been tragic to receive the riches of the gospel and then to live as a spiritual pauper. It would have been disgraceful to be saved from death by the blood of Christ and then show no reverence for that sacrifice. It would have been foolish to accept such love from Christ and then to resent what He asked in return” (Blackaby and Blackaby, 1997, p. 207).

“The way you live your life ought to be a tribute to the matchless grace that your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has bestowed upon you” (Blackaby and Blackaby, 1997, p. 207).

“Walking Worthy” is a tall order for men and women of the faith. Living a life pleasing to God is very hard if one does not transform their life into a life of holiness. No one can do this on his or her own. That is why it is important to constantly have a prayer time with God and to study the Bible and reach out to God through the scriptures, which are God inspired.

Walking worthy means that we should be living our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Father. We should do this both in our public lives as well as our private lives. You know what I am talking about. When you are alone and no one is around to see what you are thinking about? What your eyes see or what you do? God sees everything. He knows everything. You might be able to fool your friends but you are not fooling God! We should be living our lives in a manner that others see Jesus in us. But we also need to live our private lives in a manner that God sees Jesus in us. There are consequences of sin. A believer who has accepted Christ should strive to stop sinning and turn from his or her wicked ways. “Less of myself” means more of Christ and our focus should be on God and not ourselves. The way we live our lives should be a tribute to the matchless grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ has bestowed on us!

Today, Father, I pray that others will see more of Christ in me and “less of myself.” I pray that if someone reading this is not right with you, that they will repent of their sin and ask forgiveness and be transformed into the men and women you have called us to be. I pray Father, that you will constantly help me to be more like Christ in all that I do. I pray for our nation will turn back to you! I pray that our nation will have a revival and that our brothers and sisters in Christ will walk tall and walk worthy of you! In Jesus name! Amen!

Scripture References:

Colossians 1:26-27 “²⁶the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” New International Version (NIV)

Colossians 2:13 “¹³When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.” (NIV)

Romans 8:16-17 “¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (NIV)

References

Blackaby, Henry T, and Richard Blackaby. EXPERIENCING GOD DAY-BY-DAY: The Devotional and Journal. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 1997.

Joseph T. Lee, The Lantern & Shield Times LLC, © November 5, 2017

Unfriended!

Wow! I have lost yet another friend on Facebook! I had 503 and now I have 502. I guess I am going to cry! Not really. Listen, I am trying to live my life the best that I can for God. I will take a stand. Sometimes, taking a stand for God is not popular. But I have never really cared about popularity. I just want to do what is righteous in the eyes of God. I have friends on both sides of the aisle. They know what I believe. I still love them and care for them dearly. But I cannot compromise my beliefs. If I lost all of my friends, it still would not matter. One day, we will all have to make a choice. Either deny Christ or die. I am not looking forward to that day, but I will never deny my God and Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If one is a friend with me on Facebook, they are either family, a Christian, someone I have met in business, or a client. My Facebook page is my personal page. It is where I can share my faith and hopefully, minister to others. If someone does not want to see my posts, they could ignore them. To unfriend means rejection. But that is okay with me. If they were TRULY a friend, then they would accept me for being me.

Many people turn to social media as a way to communicate with others. They get caught up into how many “LIKES” that they can get in order to feel accepted and loved by their so-called “Friends.” The fact is those “Friends” probably do not have your best interests at heart. Many people, especially teenagers are looking for acceptance through any means available. Social media is one way of gaining acceptability and sparking their ego with many “Likes.” But if one is “unfriended,” a person’s self-esteem may already be low, and they may be devastated by the fact that someone has rejected them. “Yet for some, being digitally deleted by their contacts can be bruising to the ego — even if the relationships aren’t close” (The Canada Press, 2015).

“There’s this idea that unfriending on Facebook is like an active step that you take to tell somebody: ‘I don’t like you. I don’t want to see your stuff anymore'” (The Canada Press, 2015). People who have a low self-esteem may take this as a rejection and may resort to depression or even harming one self. It appears that some people so wrapped up in social media take offense when someone they actually do not know in real life “unfriends” them. It is very sad that people have stopped building friendships and relationships naturally by personal interaction. I have actually seen families communicate via texting sitting in the same home or at the dinner table.

Technology is a wonderful tool, but if used incorrectly, can be devastating in people’s lives. For example, take a pastor who needs to check on a congregational member who may have had a family loss or who may be facing a surgery. I believe the correct method of contact is either picking up the telephone and calling them or get into his car and go to them, if at all possible. When pastors text a congregational member who is in need of prayer, consultation, or comfort; texting is not appropriate and is impersonal.

The Internet can be an impersonal place and yet many use social media as a way to communicate in their lives. Social media means so much to some people, that they neglect their own family and personal relationships. Some teenagers are so addicted to their smart phones that if a parent took it away, they would almost have a breakdown. Their smart phones are their lifelines to others and if their phone were broken or taken away, I am sure the situation and interaction would not be pleasant to either the child or the parent.

In my opinion, a parent should not ever give a child a smart phone because by doing so, you are introducing that child to a world of information that the child may not be mature enough to process. For example, some cellular companies cannot implement parental controls on certain types of smart phones. If a child wonders on the Internet, they can be exposed to pornography. A parent cannot control what or where a child goes using their smart phone. This is not even scratching the surface. Texting in itself leads to problems. Teenager’s sexting pictures of themselves to boys and girls, and then that picture get circulated. In actuality, the child has just distributed child pornography and has committed a felony and could be found guilty and have to register as a sex offender. Many of you reading this will think I have gone to the extreme, but the fact is that Virginia is prosecuting these types of cases.

As parents, if we allow our children the freedom to do what they want on the Internet or buying and allowing them to use smart phones, we have potentially caused them harm because of the dangers of the Internet. I wonder how many parents look at their kid’s Twitter feeds or their Facebook posts? My child did not like it that I snooped and watched her social media. I did it because I love her! I have always wanted the best for her! I asked questions. I wanted to know what she meant by certain things she said. I got involved and ran interference when I thought something might have been inappropriate language.

Parents. Listen to what I am saying! If you really love your child, PROTECT them from harm. Watch their social media. Know what they are saying. Monitor their computer and smart phones. If your child will not allow you to monitor them, take their phones away as well as their computer. Protect your child from the predators on the Internet. When your child becomes so addictive to social media, then the “friending”, “unfriending” and the “Likes” will dominate their lives. Be their parent and not their friend! If you really love your children, you will be their parent first and guard them against the evil of predators.

So how did we go from an adult being “unfriended” to teenagers and children? The fact is that social media has affected everyone’s lives. Social media has almost become one’s church and god. It has become people’s lives and many may live their lives through other people’s experiences. When social media becomes more important than having personal relationships in “real life,” then it becomes an addiction. The Bible says in Exodus 20: 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” When we as Christians place more emphasis on social media than reading and studying God’s Word, then we have in fact placed social media on a higher level than God.

Think about it! If we put anything ahead of God, we are sinning. I am not saying not to have a social media account. What I am saying is that moderation is the key! Please do not let the “Like”, “Friending” or “Unfriending” affect your walk with Christ. God wants a personal relationship with each of you. He loves you and He sent His one and only Son to die for you and to redeem you from your sins. In John 3: 16-17, the Bible says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” If you are looking for acceptance and you do not want to be “unfriended”, then God will never “unfriend” you if you give your heart to Christ.

As a Christian who is in love with Christ and loves God, there will be many people who despise God. And if they despise God, they will despise a follower of Jesus Christ. But I would rather be despised by the world than to be rejected by God. I love my God and I have committed my life to a lifetime of service to Christ. Service to Christ means living one’s life in a manner that is pleasing to God. It means to follow God’s standards of living and obeying God’s commandments as well as acting as Christ would act. It means sharing one’s faith with others. I pray that you will find love and acceptance that is found only through Jesus Christ and only in God’s love.

References:

The Canada Press. (2015). CBCNews / Science & Technology. Retrieved 2015, from CBCNews : http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/facebook-unfriending-why-you-should-think-twice-1.3154487

Why Love People?

Many wonder why I continue to harp on and post to love your neighbor as yourself? The answer is this. Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:12-14, “This is my command: love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command.” This is what Jesus did for us. He laid down His life for us. Therefore, we are to love one another, for He loves us. If we don’t love others, then we do not love Him and do not love God.

To continue to espouse hatred against others, even your enemies is not keeping Christ Jesus’ commandment to love others as Christ Jesus has loved us. We must show the world that we truly are followers of Christ. If you hate others, then you hate God. We get so caught up with defending statues that we miss the point of loving others. We get caught up in thinking our lives matter more than other people’s lives. This is not love. This is not showing the love of Christ. Love does not have to be defended. Love overcomes evil. For those who fight so hard to save historical statues, where have you been to fight hard to love others and share your faith for the cause of Christ? We live in a society who places a higher value on history than the love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ! We live in a society who places a higher value on certain lives of color as opposed to valuing the life of every person who lives on God’s earth. According to what I read in God’s Holy Word, all lives matter to Christ Jesus. For He said in John 15:17, ” This is what I command you, love one another.” It does not say to love only White people. It does not say love only Black people. It does not say love only Indian, Asian, or Middle-Eastern people. It says to love one another! People, we need to STOP the hatred and forgive one another. We need to do this NOW! If not for the sake of our nation but for the sake of God. If we do not, we are breaking Christ Jesus commandment. And if we are breaking Christ’s commandment, then we have turned our backs on God. And if we continue this track, then God will not honor or bless our nation.

Breaking: Update on Halloween Terror Attack in NY City

According to FOX News, the suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, was shot in the abdomen and is from Tampa, Florida. The suspect is originally from the Asian nation of Uzbekistan and came to the United States in 2010. Saipov is 29 years old.

President Donald Trump Tweeted: “We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!”

Trucks are being used as weapons of mass destruction. ISIS is taking credit for these attacks. A top ISIS figure has called for lone wolf attacks using whatever method possible to kill as many people as possible.

According to CNN, since 2016, there have been five major vehicle attacks.

July 2016: Nice, France
December 2016: Berlin, Germany
March 2017: London, England
June 2017: London, England
August 2017: Barcelona, Spain

NY Congressman Pete King states, “Islamic terror is a worldwide movement. We have to stop being politically correct. Stop being apologetic. To run over people in a bike path, to attack a Disabled Children’s School Bus, what a disgrace!”

BREAKING: “This Was An Act of Terror” – Halloween Terror Attack in New York City

Manhattan, NY – At least eight people are dead and fifteen more are injured after a truck driven by a male ran over several people on bicycles as well as crashing into a school bus. A witness states that the truck was traveling between 40 to 50 MPH when it struck the bicyclists and pedestrians. The New York Mayor states, “This was an act of terror.” According to witnesses, the suspect yelled “Allahu Akbar” after ramming the school bus. The suspect was shot by police and is in custody. The suspect had rented a Home Depot Truck, which was used in this terror attack. According to law enforcement, the truck was rented in Jersey City, NJ and was driven into New York and then used in this terror attack on a bike path, striking several bikers. He struck at least twenty or more people and killed eight. The suspect had two weapons on him, a BB Gun and a Pellet Gun. That was when New York Police shot him. This happened right across the street from “Ground Zero” at One World Trade Center. The NYC Mayor stated, “The Halloween Parade will continue tonight. We will not change our way of life. We will not change our activities.”

My Testimony

I was walking to the bathroom during a Vacation Bible school class when I passed the big wooden double doors of the Church’s sanctuary and stopped. Sanctuaries have always amazed me and like many my age I was a hyperactive, curious child. I walked in and was spotted by one of the class leaders, Mrs. Black who was talking to a group of older children. She called me over and I sat in the group and listened as she began to tell us about Jesus and his sacrifice. Right there, at the age of seven, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.

Like many who are saved at a young age, throughout middle and high school I began to notice my relationship with God was distant. I still knew he was there and I never really questioned his love, I just wasn’t living my life like I should have been. After graduating from high school, like many other graduates, I had a hard time making the transition from child to adult, from boy to man. I was bitter and standoffish, I wasn’t necessarily depressed, I was lost without a purpose. I had been involved with politics heavily, it was my calling. I was travelling to campaign on a national campaign, I was meeting people, making connections. I have the photos with political figures, I have the autographs, the books, things that many people dream of, but I was not truly happy, I felt lost. This moment in my life was when I began to notice that I couldn’t go through life alone, that God was calling me to something else. I began to acknowledge God more and prayed more, asking him to show me my purpose. Throughout this season in my life, I kept going back to my seven year old self, remembering the timed I was saved.

I began to reignite my faith, I began to get closer to God, my attitude was changing, my life was changing. God was guiding me. I began to take a break from politics and began to focus on finding my true purpose. I was happier.

At this point in my life, I have found my purpose. I thought it was politics, I thought it was government, but it isn’t. That isn’t my gift. During this time in my life, God has put something on my heart. The salvation of my generation and the church’s ability to reach them. The church has to evolve its delivery if we want to survive. The time of beating people down with their sins and throwing them in their face is over, that use to work, but it doesn’t anymore. Now I am not saying that we need to forget sin all together, I am saying that we need to change our approach or we are going to continue to see falling church attendance numbers. We have to learn to evolve without changing our foundation, The Holy Bible. The church has a hard time reaching everyday Millennials, because of this issue. Millennials don’t want to hear about their problems (their sins), they know their problems, because they live with them every day, they want to hear about to solution to their problems and I am here to tell them that the solution is a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is part of my purpose, to make this vital change.

For the past year I have worried about this, thinking in the back of my mind “My generation is really going to need someone with the ability to reach them with the word of God in a way they can understand it and apply it to their life.” Then it hit me like a train. Me, that is my purpose. My purpose isn’t political rallies, yard signs, or bumper stickers. It isn’t in Washington or a Legislative building. It is in a pulpit. You see, God has been telling me this ALL of my life, there is a reason why I was always fascinated by sanctuaries and called to them, God was guiding me, showing me where my purpose was. You see, when God puts something on your heart, it is for a reason, He is guiding you to your purpose in life. Don’t ignore it.

I have since rededicated my life God and the purpose he has given me. I now have a genuine, purpose driven life. My goal, my life purpose, is to reach out to as many Millennials that I can with the word of God and help them accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior and it all started when I was seven years old. The Millennial generation isn’t just the generation of iPhones and Twitter, we are the generation that will bring America back to God.