get-out-ocn-cover

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

1          Table of Contents

 

3          In a Nutshell: Problem and Solution

 

4          Dedication

 

6          The Meaning of the Title of This Book

 

10        A Little Bit About Me

 

11        Purpose/Reason for Writing This Book

 

CHAPTERS

 

13        1.  Scriptural Basis

 

18        2. Ministry or Hypocrisy

 

25        3. What Did Jesus Do and Say

 

26        4. What Did Paul Do and Say

 

28        5. It’s Not a Works Program

 

30        6. Ministries

 

37        7. Faith Without Works is Dead

 

42        8. You Are About to Enter Into the Mission Field

 

45        9. Let Your Mess Be Your MESSage

 

49        10. Why should I go to church anyway (I don’t have to go to church to be saved)

 

52        11. Doing it man’s way or GOD’S WAY (Sabbath, Easter, keeping the law)

 

61        12. Why Minister?

 

64        13. Free Ticket to Heaven – Free Ticket to Hell

 

68        14. Evangelizing

 

71        15. The Bus Stop

             

80        16. Prison Ministry   

 

86        17. Nursing Home Ministry

 

90        18. Free lunch Ministry

 

96        19. How Can I Help?

 

99        20. Community Betterment Programs

 

100      21. What I Need To Do To Be Saved

 

103      22. The Bottom line: the Great Commandment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL

 

PROBLEM:

 

                        I hear pastors and leaders preach what we need to do all the time, but they do not take their sermons and their message outside of their church doors. They do not do what they preach, and they do not lead people out of their church to do it. Example: I hear wonderful messages on evangelism, but they do not go out and evangelize themselves, they do not lead others to go out and do it with them, and they do not have classes that teach people how to evangelize. In addition to that, I offer to teach, take the class out with me, and evangelize, but they will not allow me to do this for their church or for God’s Kingdom here on earth.

 

SOLUTION:

 

            This is a hard one! We have to overcome generations of doing nothing. I am not saying that all pastors and leaders are ineffective, but almost all are that I have come in contact with, both on the West coast and on the East coast (even in the “Bible Belt.”) Going out and serving has to be taught in Christian schools, colleges, and seminaries. It has to be part of their curriculums! We have to break the back of hypocrisy, so to speak. Someone, YOU AND ME, has to get out there and take it upon ourselves to minister, to get out of church and do something for the poor and the needy, and get others to join with us in this message that Jesus gave us, to love thy neighbor as thyself! You may start out doing this on your own, but our fight is with Satan, and not with mere humans, so put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) when you go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEDICATION

 

 

This book is dedicated to my Lord and Savior, ישוע המשיח, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ. Yeshua/Jesus means “Savior.” Mashiach/Christ means “Anointed One of God.”

 

I also dedicate this book to those who are tireless in their efforts to go out, and reach out, to all those in need. There is so much joyous work to be done! I would like to quote a verse in Scripture but put a little twist on it, if I may. Matthew 9:37 says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” My twist on this, and I DO NOT MEAN TO ADD TO OR CHANGE THE WORD OF GOD, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are YOU!” We can’t rely on anyone else to do our job, now, can we!

 

As a Messianic Rabbi or teacher, I dedicate my life to Yeshua. To me, being “Messianic” simply means to do exactly as our Messiah, Yeshua, did. You can be a Messianic Jew or a Messianic Believer or Christian (a follower of Christ). When I fail or sin, I ask for forgiveness, and I repent. Repentance (תשובה), or t’shuvah, means to turn away from your sin and turn back to God. If you do one without the other, it will not please God.

 

I worship on Shabbat (the Sabbath), the day of rest, from Friday at Sundown, to Saturday at sundown. I dedicate this day to the Lord our God! Why, because Yeshua did, and the Word of God tells us to rest in Exodus 20, as is stated in the fourth Commandment, to “remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” If we think it right to keep the other nine commandments, then why not the fourth one as well! Yeshua and his disciples always kept the Sabbath, and so do I! Augustine and Constantine changed the Sabbath to Sunday, which is why we now worship on Sunday, day one of the week, and not Saturday, day seven. The question that I keep asking people is, “Do you, or should you, keep the word of man, or the Word of God?” Everyone always says that he or she should keep the Word of God, but keeping the Sabbath on Saturday is very offensive to him or her. Why is this? Satan has deceived us into thinking that the Sabbath is on Sunday, but God never said this! Satan is very good at dividing us believers! He has been doing it for almost 6,000 years now! This is why we need to know the truth in the Word of God, and live by it. The more we stick to the Word of God, and not the word of man, the more united we will become, and the less division there will be among true believers today!

 

I do not allow anyone to call me rabbi, though, because Yeshua tells us in Matthew 23:8 that we are to call no man rabbi (which means teacher.) I ask people to call me עבד, “eved,” or “servant.” I dedicate each day, and my whole life, to Yeshua. My goal in life is to do as much as I possibly can, to “DO WHAT YESHUA DID.” You see, He is my “Hero,” my Lord, my King, and my Savior. I do not try to be like the apostles, Moses, King David, or any other man in the Bible, even though they were awesome and powerful men of God. They all sinned, but only one Man did not, and his name is Yeshua. He is God in the flesh, and you just can’t get any better than that, can you!

 

I only have one prayer for myself, and that is, “Dear Father in Heaven, please USE ME!” God has blessed me with several ministries that I do every week. Keeping the Great Commandment sums it all up, “Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself!” To love God, we need to read his Word, worship Him daily, pray to Him always, believe in his Son Yeshua, and realize the amazing Power that is within us, called the Holy Spirit. Then we need to take this love, this knowledge, and this power that is within us and take it outside of the church. To love our neighbor is to get out of the church and help, feed, clothe, bless, be with, provide for, and share God with them.  We need to reach out to those in prison, in hospitals, at home, and on the streets. We need to go and visit with those who are sick and in bed, with the homeless, with the elderly, and yes, even with those who are “believers.” Everyone needs help and a good friend that they can count on, besides Yeshua. We can’t do this if we only “go to church.” We need to get out and help and bless. Please remember that Yeshua worshipped and prayed to his Father in the Temple in Jerusalem every Shabbat, and then He went out the other six days and healed, blessed, preached, and taught all those with whom He came in contact. I go around and visit many churches in town, sharing with them the vision of getting out of the church and helping people. I tell them that “church” in Hebrew is “koheleth” or gathering; it was not intended to be a building, but a gathering of people, who would then go out and spread the Gospel and help those in need!

As you read this book, I will ask you many times, “Do you believe in the word of man, or the Word of God?” Once you know the truth, we are called to live by the truth and nothing else! If we know the truth, and we do not live by it, that is called “intentional sin” and that is a very grave sin in the eyes of God. “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” (Hebrews 10:26, 27 – New Testament)

We are warned in Revelation 22:18 not to add or take away anything from the Word of God, under great penalty! Personally, I would not dare to add or take away from the perfect and inerrant Word of God. Satan (שטן or deceiver in Hebrew) would have us believe that it is OK to change, to add, and to take away from the Word of God, but he is called “deceiver” for just that reason. When we add or take away from the Word of God, we then cause division among the churches, because we have then made our own god or created our own scripture. We make our own bible, and the differences divide us. Satan wins, and we lose! You have to understand how Satan works, so we can destroy him and not give him any power to defeat the Lord and us!

 

I have had people come to our home, and I always invite them in to share the truth in the Word with them. They have our Bible, and right after that, they have their own scripture, given by someone other than our God and Savior. They go by the word of some man, and not God. Their bible is just as big as God’s Bible. This is where the division lies. Don’t fall for the lie! Heed Revelation 22:18; it’s there for just this purpose, to do away with that which is added on or taken away from the precious and inerrant Word of God. To change it in any way is blasphemy!

 

When I was teaching Hebrew in Arizona, one of my students brought in a Tanakh (Old Testament) in Hebrew and English, and Isaiah chapter 53 wasn’t even in it. They TOOK IT OUT, because it is so revealing about the coming of and description of our Messiah, Yeshua.

 

So, I ask you, now, “Are you going to follow the word of man or the Word of God? “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).

 

THE MEANING OF THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK

 

Please make sure that you understand me; I am NOT saying that you should not go to church or worship in church. I do so every Sunday and Wednesday, every week, and every chance I get. Our home is our place of worship, also, where our congregation meets for study and Sabbath services. The word for church in Hebrew is קהלת, or “kohelet.” This word means a gathering of people, and not a building. Yeshua tells us that any time two or more are gathered in his name, He is there in their midst (Matthew 18:20). If I am out in the community helping or sharing with people, that is church. If I am doing my prison ministry, nursing home ministry, free lunch ministry, helping the homeless, or whatever, that is church. We gather to help and bless each other. You don’t need a building; you just need believers. I encourage people not to say, “I go to church.” When you say that, the church is the building and not you. When you go to church, you get stuck there and you do not go out and minister to the needs of others, for the most part. I know that some do, and God bless you for that! Most only “go to church,” but they are not involved in any ministry outside of the church, at all. That is not only sad, but a sin of omission (or not doing what God told us to do) (Matthew 25:31-46).

 

I have found that very few, and I mean very few, pastors, teachers, ministers, deacons, etc. get out of their church and minister. There are even fewer that actually “lead” their congregation members out of their church to minister to the needs of others. We, as leaders, need to follow the example of Yeshua, which is to worship one day, on Shabbat, and GO OUT AND HELP THOSE IN NEED the other six days! We should continue to take part in classes, Bible studies, and outreach groups in church so we can learn what we need to do, and how to do it, as effectively as we possibly can. Then we need to make a serious effort of going out and ministering to the needs of others! It is much more fun if we minister with someone else; the apostles were sent out two-by-two for this reason. We need as much help and support as we can get. We need someone to hold us accountable and to pray with us as we minister. We need the help of the Holy Spirit of God to lead, empower, teach, and guide us. Satan will do everything he can to talk you out of helping those in need; you’re too tired, too busy, or you don’t know enough to help those in need. He will tell you that you don’t know enough to minister the Word of God. He will even convince you that you are a sinner, and not even worthy to do so. Remember, you are a saint, and forgiven all your sins, by the precious blood of the Lamb, Yeshua. Now, go out and be a blessing! May the Lord be with you as you go!

 

God always equips those He sends to do his work and his will. To help you understand who you are in the eyes of God, here is a little test for you.

 

Are you a saint? Most people that I ask this question to do not think that they are a saint, so here are a few questions for you, so you can see that you are in fact a saint!

 

  • Do you believe that God created the whole universe?
  • Do you believe that God sent his one and only Son, who came to earth and gave his life for you on the cross, to forgive ALL your sins?
  • Have you asked God to forgive you, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Yeshua?
  • Do you think that you are totally forgiven of all your sins now?
  • If you can say yes to all of these questions, then you are a saint; you are perfect in the eyes of God, and without any sin whatsoever. Now that is good news!

 

Please remember that God totally forgave you of your sin, all of it! He remembers your sin no more. Satan is the one who tries to deceive us into thinking that our sins are not forgiven and we are sinners. When we think that way, we don’t think we are “worthy” of his love or even of his forgiveness. If you don’t think you are worthy, then you probably don’t think you can, or even should, minister to others in the name of Yeshua. Please remember that we are only forgiven because Yeshua shed his blood on the cross for us, even though we were sinners before that. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Yeshua is called the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Yes, He is. Your sins, and mine, are totally wiped clean and forgiven. That is awesome news! The blood of Yeshua alone is what forgives of all our sins. Because of his blood that He shed for us, all our sins are totally forgiven, so when we face Yeshua on Judgment Day, He will see us as pure, clean, forgiven, and totally without sin. It is because of this, alone, that we can ever enter into Heaven, where there is no sin, none at all! So, welcome to God’s Kingdom, saint!

 

I have taught many evangelizing classes, and I have attended many, as well. Most of the time, the pastor, or the leaders of the church, do not even attend the class – not always, though. When they do attend the class, they usually do not go out and evangelize with the class. Leaders need to lead and serve as a good example. Can you imagine where we would be today if Yeshua preached on Shabbat, to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18), and then He went home to work with his earthly dad in his carpenter shop the rest of the week? Just think where we would be today!

 

The Lord has blessed my wife and I with a small congregation called “House of Joy of the Lord.” We study the Word of God  and we have a Shabbat service in our home on Friday evening from 7 to 9 P.M. We highly encourage those who attend to go and serve the Lord during the week, to live out our faith, and to love our neighbors. This is why our congregation is so small; most people “go to church,” get preached at, and that’s it until next Sunday or Wednesday. For the most part, going out and helping others is not preached in church today, and if it is, the pastor or leader does not serve as s good example, nor do they lead their people out of that church. All they do is preach. If someone says one thing but does not do it, this is called hypocrisy.  People need to hear that we are commanded to go out and help those in need (Matthew 25:31-46), and then do it! If we allow ourselves to be used of the Lord, we will be blessed, we will be given talents and gifts to use to help those in need. All these good deeds will be written in the Book of Works/Deeds, and we will be judged by them on Judgment Day (Revelation 20:12). If we do good works, we will be given crowns and rewarded for them. If we do not do any good works, please see what Yeshua says will happen to us on Judgment Day (Matthew 25:40-46).

 

I do not do good works because they save me, because they do not. I do them out of love for my Lord, and for those who are in need, namely my fellow man and woman. Another good Scripture for this is found in Ephesians 2:8-10. Many people have come through our doors to study and worship, saying that they want the truth, yet when the truth is given to them in Scripture, they get offended and never come back again. We, as leaders, must preach the truth, the whole truth. Souls and precious lives are at stake. We are so used to being told partial truths, and even lies in church, that the truth has become a lie. I guess this has been going on for quite some time now, since it is spoken of in Romans 1:25, saying, “ They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Yes, I am afraid that we have many gods today, idols if you will. They may not come in the form of a little statue or figure, but my understanding of an “idol” is anything, and everything, that keeps us from reading, praying, and worshipping God, as well as whatever keeps us from loving and caring for our neighbors. Your idol may be shopping, your phone, too much work, social media, or anything that Satan throws at you that prevents you from doing God’s work, worshipping Him, or reading his Word.

 

Just for fun, make a chart, and divide it up into sections: 1) Time spent on social media, 2) Time spent on work, 3) Time spent on recreation, 4) Time spent with family, 5) Time spent reading the Word of God, 6) Time worshipping and going to Bible studies, and 7) Time spent on TV. Make a daily and hourly record as to how much time you spend on each and add them up at the end of the week. Then you will be able to see who your god is, and who your God is.

 

In closing this first section, please act when the Holy Spirit speaks. Ephesians 4:30 tells us, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” I have heard two explanations of this verse. 1) Do not attribute to Satan that which God did. If you lay hands on someone and pray that they are healed, and you give credit to Satan instead of God, that is grieving the Holy Spirit. 2) If you reject the Holy Spirit, you say that you do not believe in God, and you want nothing to do with Him ever again, and mean it, then you are rejecting the only power that can draw you, or bring you, into a saving relationship with God, and that Power is the Holy Spirit of God. When this happens, God will let you go. There are some things that God cannot do; He cannot lie, and He cannot make you believe in Him. He will never force you to go to Heaven, if you do not want to!

 

I also see grieving the Holy Spirit as not doing what the Holy Spirit tells you to do. I have never seen or heard God’s voice audibly, but I have read what God wants me to do in the Bible, the Word of God. When I am given an idea as to what the Lord and the Holy Spirit want me to do, and I do not do it, I believe that this is also “grieving” the Holy Spirit. When He tells me to start a new ministry, I start it. When He tells me to tell someone about the saving grace of God, I do it. Do I always do it, and am I always obedient to this call? No, but I try very hard to be obedient, and when I am not, I ask for forgiveness, and I try a little harder the next time. I repent of my sin, and I go on.

 

I will tell you many stories in this book, including some of the experiences that I have had in serving the Lord. I would like to share a story with you right now that happened only a week ago. I would like to share this story with you, and with all those who have evangelized (shared the story of our Lord and Savior with someone for Salvation and forgiveness of sin). I was asked to go and visit an elderly man who was in hospice. His daughter asked me to speak to him, because he did not know Yeshua as Lord and Savior, and she was concerned about his eternal soul. She had tried to speak to him, as did many of his family members who were believers, but they were not able to convince him to ask Yeshua to forgive him of his sin, and be saved for all eternity. Sadly, I was not able to convince him to do so either. He said that he believed in God, but not Yeshua/Jesus. He did not believe that Yeshua came to give his life on the cross for us, and to forgive all our sin. I offered to lead him in a prayer, saying that he believed in God and Yeshua his Son, and that he wanted to ask for forgiveness for his sins, but he would not do so. I asked him if he wanted to go to hell, and he said, “No.” I told him how simple this is, to ask for forgiveness for his sins, and to ask Yeshua to be his Savior. I asked him why he would not pray with me, ask for forgiveness, and ask Yeshua to forgive him of his sin, and he said, “I don’t know.” I don’t know if it was a matter of pride and he couldn’t admit that he was wrong. I just don’t know, and I never will. The reason that I share this story with you is not to admit that I failed, but quite the opposite. I did what God called me to do, and Yeshua did what God called Him to do. I can only share the saving message with people. The Holy Spirit is the one who draws us to God and believe in his Son for forgiveness of our sin. I cannot do the job of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit cannot do my job. It is my duty to go around and tell people the good news of our Lord, who came to give his life and shed his blood for us on the cross. Yeshua couldn’t bring everyone to a saving faith in Him when He was here, either. He came back from the dead, healed the blind, the lame, and the leprous, yet even Yeshua couldn’t make everyone believe, and neither can we. We can only share the truth with them. We do not fail when someone rejects Yeshua as Savior, but they are the ones that fail to accept Him, and will pay an eternal price, eternity in Hell. Please don’t let Satan ever convince you that you failed. The only way you can fail is not to tell anyone about Yeshua as Savior and Lord. It’s not what you say, but that you say it. The Holy Spirit does the rest.

 

TWO BEST FRIENDS – a story

 

I would like to share a story with you about evangelizing, so you can see how the Holy Spirit works, what your role is, and how your words are received.

 

I was witnessing to two young ladies at the BUS STOP in Phoenix several years ago. These two young ladies were good friends. One of them had a cross around her neck and the other didn’t. Obviously, they both heard exactly the same thing that I had to say, since they were sitting right next to each other on a bench, waiting for their bus. After about fifteen minutes or so, I asked if they would like to accept Yeshua as their Lord and Savior. The girl with the cross around her neck said that she would not, but her friend said that she would like to ask Yeshua/Jesus to forgive her of her sins and be her Lord and Savior. The point of this story is that it is not necessarily what you say, but how your message is received. The Holy Spirit drew one of these young ladies, and not the other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

 

By the way, I was born and brought up in the Jewish faith, and I was born again 44 years ago, on the eve of my 25th birthday. There is nothing more Jewish than receiving our Jewish Messiah, Yeshua, as Lord and Savior. He came already, exactly as God said He would. The verse that helped me believe in Yeshua as our Messiah was Isaiah 9:6. My favorite prophecy in the Tanakh (Old Testament) is Daniel 9:24-27, which tells of the coming of our Messiah, who will do away with all sin. He came right on time, 2016 years ago. That is why it is 2016 now. The whole world knows of our precious Lord and Savior.

 

By the way, there is nothing more Jewish (if you are a Jew) than believing that our Messiah, Yeshua, has come already, and you have given your heart and life to Hm! God gave us over 360 prophecies about his coming. You can find them on my website, THE JEWISH MESSIAH, at “afreetickettoheaven.com” on the PROPHECY PAGE. If you would like to contact me, I would love to hear from you; my email address is [email protected]. If you would like to ask Yeshua to be your Lord and Savior, and you haven’t yet, please call or email me and I will be more than happy to talk to you and invite YOU to accept Yeshua as Savior, so you, too, can make Heaven your home forever and ever! There is nothing greater in this life than giving your heart and your life to our Lord, Savior, and Messiah, Yeshua.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE/REASON FOR WRITING THIS BOOK

 

            I am writing this book to encourage you to GET OUT OF CHURCH and help those who need the Lord and YOU! God has given each and every one of us a job to do. There are people whom only we know, and those whom only we can tell about our Lord, Yeshua. You know people that I do not and vice versa. You might know someone that I will never know or even meet. You might be able to relate to someone, where I cannot. You were designed to be very special and one of a kind by God. Only you can do what God has given you to do (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Here is another story that I would like to share with you about being “the one” that can bring someone to the Lord for Salvation.

 

NOT ME  but MAYBE YOU – a story

 

We were evangelizing at the BUS STOP several years ago. I went up to someone and asked them if they knew Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They abruptly rejected me away, saying, “No thanks.” I always respect their wishes. I do not push the Lord on anyone. I turned and walked away to speak to someone else about twenty feet away from that person. I looked back, and one of the other members of our team went right over to that same person, but they did not get turned away, as I did. I guess they didn’t see me getting turned away, and that was a good thing! Actually, a few minutes later, they were both bowing in prayer, and that very same person asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, asking for forgiveness of their sins. You just never know if it’s your time or not. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 says, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own laborFor we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

 

As you can see, we have a purpose in saving souls. We tell people and pray for them. God takes what we do and makes it grow. If we do not sow this seed of what Jesus can do for us, they will not know about God, and God cannot make something grow if a seed has not been planted (the idea of what Jesus came for and what He can do to forgive your sins). As you can see, we will be rewarded for doing this. We receive crowns and our good deeds are recorded in the Book of Works, which will be opened by Jesus on Judgment Day. In verse 9, it says that we are co-workers in God’s service. That is awesome! God uses us to bring souls to Him for salvation. In John 14:12, Yeshua said, “You will do greater things than I.” We can only do this by the power that we have in us, called the Holy Spirit of God. We get this power when we ask Yeshua to be our Savior. We become children of the Most High God, El Elyon (אל עליון), and we become brothers and sisters of Yeshua our Savior! That’s awesome!

 

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU WILL TOUCH – a story

 

            Before I close out this section, I would like to share another story with you that happened at the BUS STOP many years ago. By the way, the Lord led me to start this BUS STOP MINISTRY about 15 years ago. I started it alone, and then the Lord led me to start a team of evangelists. It went very slowly at first, to say the least. One of the couples that had been at the BUST STOP with me several years ago, are now teaching evangelism and leading more people out to the BUS STOP, praise the Lord!

 

I went up to a group of young people, all dressed in black (gothic), and they had tattoos, and piercings in places that I didn’t know you could do so. The “men” didn’t even want to speak to me, but a young lady, around 20 years old, listened to what I had to say, and she had many questions for me. She was very interested to share with me. When her bus was coming, she said to me that she wasn’t ready to ask Jesus to be her Lord and Savior, yet, but she thanked me for taking my time and sharing the Lord with her, “because nobody else had ever done that before, or taken their time to tell her about Jesus.” If someone had done that, maybe she would have asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior that day; maybe not. I can only hope that she has given her heart to the Lord by now. I can only hope that some other brave soul has taken their time to tell her, too. That person might just be YOU!

 

SO HOW DO YOU EVANGELIZE? – a story

 

I can’t leave you hanging here, now, can I? So, what is a good way to evangelize you ask. The best way that I have found is with something called a $1,000,000 gospel tract. You can order them by the package of 100 from “Livingwaters.com”. They have all kinds of tracts. I give someone the tract, and I say, “I have a gift for you. The million-dollar question is, ‘If you died today, where do you think you’d spend the rest of eternity?’” Sometimes I just hand them to people at the store, and if they start talking with me, I share the Lord with them. It’s real easy. The more you do it, the easier it gets. If you are real shy, all you have to do is just give them a tract and say, “God bless you, and have a great day.” They’ll get the message OK. Please remember that the only wrong way to evangelize is NOT TO. It’s your job to speak, and the job of the Holy Spirit to draw them to the Father.

 

Well, here we go. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I have enjoyed writing it for YOU!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 1 – SCRIPTURAL BASIS

 

The Scriptural basis for this chapter is: Matthew 25:31-46 (The sheep and the goats).

 

            This Scripture is about Judgment Day, when we will all face the Lord, Yeshua, to be judged for all eternity. Everyone who has ever lived will be judged. If you are an “atheist” or an “agnostic” when you face the Lord, you won’t be any more. You will see our Lord and your Judge face to face! I have some great news for you; YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER. I have some perhaps not so good news for you, now. If you have not asked for forgiveness, and you have not asked Yeshua to be the Lord of your life and Savior of your soul, you will also have everlasting or eternal life, but it’s going to be very hot where you are going (Hell), and there is no way back, FOR ALL ETERNITY. If you do NOTHING, you have also made a choice, Hell. What you do now, while you are living on this ball we call earth, will be the deciding factor as to where you will spend all eternity, and IT’S UP TO YOU. If you ask for forgiveness and ask Yeshua to be your Savior, it’s Heaven forever with God and Yeshua. If you do nothing, or you decide not to ask for forgiveness and you do not ask Yeshua to be your Savior, you will also live forever, but in Hell. There are no exits in Hell, by the way. You have until the day you die to make up your mind and your decision, and then your fate is sealed forever. We can’t go back and do a retake!

 

Let’s take a moment right here and now, and please feel free to come back to this later if you do not want to do this right now. There is no time like the present to give your heart and your life to our Lord and Savior, Yeshua or Jesus. You do not know the day on which you will die. You have until that moment to make your final choice – Heaven or Hell. Romans 10:9 says it very simply, “Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, and you shall be saved,” so if you would like to be saved for all eternity and spend it with the Lord God in Heaven, just say this with me:

 

Dear Father in Heaven,

I believe that You created the whole world and the whole universe (Genesis 1:1)

I believe that You sent your one and only Son, Yeshua/Jesus to this earth

To give his life for me on the cross (John 3:16)

I believe that Yeshua, the Lamb of God, died for me, so all my sins would be forgiven, forever.

I now ask You, Yeshua, to forgive me of all my sins

And remember them no more.

Thank You, Yeshua, for forgiving all my sin

And promising me eternal life with You and your Father in Heaven.

I promise to follow you every day of my life.

Please forgive me when I sin, Father,

And help me to be more like your Son, Yeshua, every day.

Thank You

I am yours!

 

That’s the beginning, so now what? Get a good Bible and read it daily. Find a good Bible based church and attend as often as you can! Go to Bible studies and ask lots of questions. Go and tell as many people about Yeshua as you can; they are waiting for you. Pray to the Lord in the morning when you get up, and when you go to bed at night, and during the day. Follow the Great Commandment that Yeshua gave us, “Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:38).

 

Simple, isn’t it. It is meant to be. Life gets better and better all the time, the more time you spend with the Lord, the more you believe, and the more you live your life as He did! Be blessed in your walk, and remember what Yeshua said, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

 

            Now, let’s take a good look at Scripture and see what God expects of us. My comments will be in bold black:

Matthew 25:31-46 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

 

            This is about Judgment Day, when Jesus will judge everyone who has ever lived, no matter if they believe in Him or not. His “glorious throne” is in Heaven, and He will be seated upon it to judge us. To those who believe and follow what Jesus is saying here, they will be welcomed into Heaven. Those who do not believe, or do not do what Yeshua tells us to do, will end up in Hell forever. If you are a believer, and you do NOTHING to reach out and help the needy, there is a real good chance that you, too, will end up in Hell. You will see this later on in this Scripture. Please remember that this and other Scriptures that I use are the Word of God, and not the word of Dave. The sheep or those who follow Jesus, who believe in Him and his Word, and who do what He tells us to do. The goats are those who “buck” the Lord and do not do what He tells us to do. We cannot just sit at home, and/or go to church, and think that we will make it to Heaven. Let’s read on.

 

                34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

 

The King is Yeshua. Those who sit on the right are believers, doing it the “right” way, believing in Yeshua and doing what He did to help and save the lost. We are blessed by his Father, God, the Father of Yeshua, because of the amazing gift that He gave to us, namely his one and only Son, as the eternal sacrifice for our sin. (John 3:16). Our inheritance is eternal life with God in Heaven. Yeshua promised that He was going ahead of us to prepare a room in his Father’s house for us (an old Jewish custom) (John 14:2). Yeshua promised that we would be with Him in Paradise, when we die, just like the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43).

 

            Now we see a list of WHAT WE ARE EXPECTED TO DO. Please remember what Yeshua said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). FEED THE HUNGRY, GIVE SOMETHING TO DRINK TO THOSE WHO ARE THIRSTY, INVITE THE STRANGERS IN OFF THE STREET to feed them, clothe them, give them a place to rest or stay a while, and share the Word of God with them. CLOTHE THOSE WHO NEED CLOTHING and who look like they only have one set of clothes to their name (and dirty at that). VISIT THE SICK, and don’t just pray for them in church, but actually go to visit them in the hospital or at home and help them. GO INTO PRISONS TO VISIT THEM, minister to them, write to them, and treat them as if they were your very own family, because they are. We are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, so let’s act like it!

 

                37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 

                Those who think they are righteous, and only go to church  but do not take their faith out of church, are saying, “Lord, if it were You, then we would be glad to help YOU,” but not those in need.

 

                40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

Every single person in need should be looked upon as if he or she were Jesus himself! Whatever you would do for Yeshua, if He were here and in need, that is what we need to do for the poor, the homeless, those in prison or just out, and those who might not look or even smell very nice.

 

                41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

 

Those on the “left” are those who do not believe in Yeshua or even those who will not do what He tells us to do. Those people will be sent away from Yeshua and kept out of Heaven, and they will be sent to Hell, forever, with no way out. Yes, God will curse them and send them to Hell, the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. The devil and his angels also rebelled against God and refused to do what He said to do. That is why God prepared a place for him to live forever, a place of eternal torment, pain, and suffering. We have until the day we die to get it right, and then our fate is sealed, so PLEASE TAKE THIS TO HEART!

 

42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

 

Does this sound like you and what you have failed to do, to help those in need? If so, there is no time like the present to start ministering to the needs of others. Don’t try to do it all at once. Try one thing at a time, whatever God puts on your heart. Use your talents and gifts as you are deciding what ministry in which you would like to be involved. You might even join one in progress in church. If you want to go out on your own, that is fine, but it is a good idea to join with others and minister together, for support and accountability.

 

                44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

 

They are still trying to convince the Lord that if they saw Him, they would have done it, but Yeshua is saying that it matters not if it is Him, or anyone else in need; it’s all the same, and we will be judged accordingly!

 

                45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

 

Yeshua is setting them straight. He is saying that when you help anyone it is just as if you were helping the Lord in person, and if we do not, it is as if we are turning Christ away, Himself.

 

                46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

Yes, on Judgment Day, the consequences are eternal, one way or the other; we either go to Heaven for all eternity or Hell. Some people don’t believe in Hell. They say, “My God would never send anyone to Hell.” When they say that, they are making up their own “god.” God always warns us of what He is going to do. It is such a joy to love and serve the Lord by loving and serving others! I hope you get this as you read how blessed I am, and how blessed I feel when I am helping those in need. It is quite the honor to be used of God, to serve Him, and to share his love with others! As I said before, that is my only prayer  – USE ME, LORD!

 

Matthew 7:21-23   21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

 

            Anyone can say that they believe in Yeshua, and they do, about 99% of the time when I ask them if they know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They think that this is all they have to do, believe. This is true to some extent. When we believe that Jesus died for our sins on the cross, and ask Him to forgive us of our sins, and we try our best to follow him, that is the beginning, but not the end. You might say that this is “Christianity 101.” As you can see from the passage, it is all about “doing the will of our Father who is in Heaven!” For those who do not do the will of God, they will be treated as “evildoers” and be sent to Hell for all eternity.

 

            In the Old Testament, there are only 613 Commandments. In the New Testament, there are 1050. If you would like to see them, please go to my website, THE JEWISH MESSIAH, at https://afreetickettoheaven.com and go to the pages WDJD&S, and WDPD&S (What Did Jesus Do and Say, and What Did Paul Do and Say). It takes a moment to be justified, forgiven your sins, by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus. It takes a lifetime to be sanctified, made holy, by doing what God expects us to do. Jesus said that it should not be a burden to keep the commandments, but a joy (1 John 5:3).

Mark 7:6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

            Jesus was saying to these people that they are hypocrites, because they say one thing and do another, or they tell us to do something and they do not do it themselves.  THIS IS THE PROBLEM IN CHURCH TODAY, and this is why I am writing this book, and especially the next chapter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 2 – MINISTRY OR HYPOCRISY

(It’s easy to preach, but seldom done)

            I have left three churches since we moved out here to North Carolina from Arizona. I go to many churches and I hear many wonderful sermons. I hear raised voices and I see raised fists. I hear pastors preaching and even yelling what we need to do, but that’s where it all ends. They preach all right, but they don’t do what they preach. They do not take others out or minister on that which they just preached. The word for saying one thing and not doing it is called “hypocrisy.” I pray that I always do what I read and preach. I do not write sermons; I preach the Word from the Bible, and then we read and discuss it. We then talk about how we will put this into action in our lives during the week to come. I challenge those that study and join with us in worship, “If you/we read about what we are supposed to be doing, and you don’t see me doing it, please take me to task on this, and remind me of what I need to be doing. My lifetime ambition is to DO WHAT JESUS DID.” I want to do the best I can, for the most people I can, as long as God allows me to live on this earth that He created.

For many pastors and leaders, church is a job. Can you imagine getting paid a full-time wage for doing a part-time job? Can you imagine going to work two days a week, for a couple of hours a day and getting paid a full-time wage for that? I am retired now and I minister every day, or sometimes I have two ministries per day. I ask for no wage at all, ever. I am retired from the military and teaching, and we live off our retirement. We are not rich as the world sees it, but I am so rich in the Lord, because of all the blessings He bestows upon my wife, our family, our home, and me. He supplies all our ministry and personal needs, and then some! We are totally and completely blessed!

Therefore, why don’t pastors get this message? They surely read and know it, and even preach it, so why not live it out on a daily basis? The reason that our congregation is so small is because I make a real big issue out of  living it out, of helping those in need, and of giving of our time, talents, and money to help those in need. It’s not just about going to church. Surely, going to church is vital, since it is when we worship and praise our God! If pastors told their congregations the same thing that I do, to get out and minister to the needs of others, they would leave and go to another church, where all they hear is that they are going to be blessed, and get rich; it is called the “prosperity gospel.” I’m not saying that this can’t happen, because it does. Along with that message, We need to tell them that we must share what we have, for the common good of our sisters and brothers who are in need, even if they don’t go to our church.

At the BUS STOP ministry in Phoenix, at times I would bring some poor person over to a very large church, about a mile away, to try and get help for them. I knew that the first question they would ask would be, “Do you go to church here?” The answer would be no, because they were sleeping on the street. Since they did not go to church there, they would not help them; they would turn them away. This church was so big (10,000 plus members) that they owned a whole shopping center; yet, they didn’t have a few dollars to help this person in need. Sad, isn’t it!

I took several classes online so I could get ordained. None of them had one single assignment to go out and help anyone, or put this lesson into action. They told me that they would take care of that aspect of ministering when I got back to my church. I even took a class in evangelizing, and they didn’t even have one assignment to go out and evangelize! Go figure! I filled out a formal complaint, and many months later, they wrote to me and told me that they did put an assignment in, thanks to my letter, so now they do have an assignment so the students will actually go out and evangelize as part of their curriculum

We all need to stand up and do something about this lack of direction or compulsion to help others. It is very clear what Yeshua expects of us, so why not do it? Please don’t ever say, “Someone else will do that.” That someone else is YOU or ME, and if we do not do it, don’t expect that anyone else will do this for you. I say that if nobody else is doing this, then I need to. Not only do I need to do something, but I have to do my absolute best to get others involved as well, not so much to help me, but for their eternal salvation that we discussed at the end of Matthew 25.

When we get involved, and do what the Word tells us to do, we are helping people and saving souls, including our own. If we do nothing, and we know the truth in the Word, then we are failing God, and we are failing what He is calling us to do. If we do not do what God tells us to do, this is called the sin of OMISSION; we omit or leave out that which we are commanded to do. How can we possibly say that we love our neighbor if we do nothing to help them? How can we say that we love someone if we do not tell them about our Lord and Savior, and that He came to forgive our sins and save our souls? How can we say that we love people if we let them starve, live in the woods and under bridges in town, and not reach out to them, or help them. Just take a moment and think how you would feel if you were in their shoes, and all those “Christians” in town did nothing to help you. Why would they want to go to your church, anyway? What kind of example are we setting? Just think how many people might come to our churches if we helped them, and they came!

When I’m out evangelizing – and I’ve been doing so for almost 40 years now – people say, “I don’t have to go to church to be saved!” I tell them that they are correct. Then I ask them, “When was the last time you opened your Bible? When was the last time you worshipped your Lord and your God? When was the last time you prayed to God? When was the last time you helped someone else in need?” I get no response, or they admit that they haven’t done so for quite some time, so long that they can’t even remember when the last time was!  I also tell people that we go to church, so when we have a need, there are lots of people there who can help or lead us. We go to church to learn God’s Word, and to worship our God. We then take that which we have learned and apply it to all those around us, in our homes, and in our families. Yes, it takes time, caring, and even money sometimes to be a good Christian, but, oh, is it ever worth it, eternally. I like to tell people that I am in the “life assurance business,” and not the life insurance business. Yeshua guarantees eternal life in Heaven, with Him and his Father, forever and ever. Now, that’s what I call a great benefits package!

ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF ME – a story

I just got back from trying to talk to a person in need, who was calling me from a large church in town, who needed money to pay for a light bill. I have attended several of their services and Bible studies in the past. I gave them my card and told them to call me if anyone needs help, but I am not going to do their work for them, namely to help this person who went to their church looking for help. I have been called by several people over the past several months, who are calling from this church. Below is a document that I printed up for them, so they could have something to go by when someone comes looking for help. I said that I would be more than happy to come to the church and help the people that come to them for help, but someone from their church needs to be there as part of this process. If I do their work for them, then I am “enabling” the church to do nothing, and that is what I am trying not to do, enable people, and even the churches around here. The woman that called me was looking for money to pay for a light bill. I told her that I do not have money to give her for the bill, but I can take her to a couple of places to help her get her bill paid. I got a call from her at the church, and she told me that she was there waiting for me, so I went right down. The church was open, but nobody was there (neither the person looking for me to pay her bill or the secretary from the church,) but the church was open. When I have an opportunity again, I will remind them at the church that I gave them information so they could help, and I will ask them if they have assigned someone to help people when they come in. I will also remind them that I am not there to do their work for them, but to help and guide them, so they can help those who come to them looking for help. Please pray for us! Here is the document that I printed up for them:

HOMELESS AND NEEDY – how to meet their needs (a document)

  1. Do not give anyone money directly (most likely it will be used for drugs or alcohol)
    1. If you want to help them with a bill, go and take them to the place where the bill is to be paid, and pay it with them. Get a receipt, and make them a copy.
    2. This will also give you an opportunity to sit down with them and talk to them about the Lord. Getting them involved with and in a church, and our Lord, is vital.
    3. This will also give you an opportunity to sit down with them and get some information about the condition they are in, and why they are in it.
  2. Giving them money for a motel room will enable them to continue their lifestyle, and they will probably use what money they do have for drugs or alcohol. Enabling them will only prolong the agony and their condition.
  3. Ask them if they have an addiction problem and offer to take them to the hospital emergency room and get them started in a drug rehabilitation program. (This is free for them, and no cost to you, except your time to take them there.) There is also more information on the sheet that I give them and you as a resource for help.

Helping people in their need is a commandment, found in Matthew 25:31-46. It is a blessing to be able to help people. It will be a curse to you and your church if you do not help them, and you ask or expect someone else to do it for you. The person or church that you send them to for help will get your blessing, and you will pay a severe price on Judgment Day for not helping those in need. Jesus tells us, “What you do for the least of these, you do for me,” in Matthew 25:40.

THEY NEED A PLACE TO STAY:

Do not give them money for a motel, as mentioned before.

Direct them to the Christian Care Center on 2nd St., just East of the Library. They will need an I.D. to get into the CCC to spend the night, and up to 90 days. To get into the CCC, they will have to get a background check at the police station in town.

They will need an I.D. card before anything can be initiated. If they do not have an I.D., they can go to the registry of Motor vehicles on Kahn Drive and get one, free, with cards for voter registration.

If they do not have a valid I.D. (or license), they need to have or get their birth certificate. If they do not have one, they need to contact the Clerk of courts in the town where they were born. This may take a little time and money to get their birth certificate (about $25), but it needs to be done.

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

  1. Are you getting any benefits (social security, Medicare, Medicare, or food stamps? If they are not, they need to go to the Social Security office on Kahn Drive, or they can go to the new Department of Social Services building on the way to Pembroke, on the west side of I-95, about a half mile west of I-95. Go to the desk on the 1st floor and check in so they can see the appropriate person and get the help that they need.
  2. Do you have an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or medication? If they do, offer to take them to the emergency room at Southeastern Hospital.
  3. Impress upon them how important it is to get God in their lives. Without God, there is very little that we can do for them. With God in their lives, they have the power that created the whole universe at their disposal, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask them if they would like to be picked up for Bible study and/or services on Sunday.
  4. Where did you spend last night, the night before, last week, and last month? Ask them why they are in this dilemma. Ask what they have tried to do to help them. Ask them if they would like help so they can get into housing and get benefits. (Most people want a handout, but what they really need is a hand up, or they will be in this situation for the rest of their lives. Do not enable them!)
  5. Ask them what they have done to get housing, food stamps, benefits, medication, help for their addiction, etc. Ask them why they haven’t done anything yet to help themselves.
  6. Ask them if they have any family in the area that they can get help from, a place to stay, or for support.
  7. If they have family, or a friend they have been staying with, ask them why this didn’t work out.
  8. Ask them where they have stayed over the past year.
  9. Ask them if they have been looking for a job.
  10. Ask them when the last time was that they held down a job and for how long.
  11. Ask them if they want to get a job or work. (They can go to the employment center off of Barker Ten Mile Rd. (1st left heading out of town by Ruby Tuesday’s)). They can also fill out job applications online at the Public Library in town on 2nd
  12. If they need to pay a light bill, or their bill is overdue, take them to City Hall where they pay their light bill. Get a copy of their bill and take it to the new DSS building on the way to Pembroke, over I-95, on the second floor. Ask them to put you in contact with someone who can help them pay their overdue light bill. They will also need the notice saying that their bill is overdue.

Yes, all this takes time, and little money, but Jesus gave his whole life for us, even to the point of death on the cross. Again, Jesus tells us that we must care for others, even in the Great Commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF!” Just put yourself in their shoes. What would you expect of a church, pastor, or individual (who claimed to be a Christian)? If WE do not help them, what does Jesus say at the end of Matthew 25, and what will happen to us on Judgment Day if we fail our mission to help those sin need? Where will we spend the rest of eternity?

Below is a copy of the information sheet that I printed up, so I can give it to people who need assistance. I tell them where to go, and what to do, and if that doesn’t work out, I ask them to come back and see me, and I will go with them, and get the help that they need. This works very well; this is also a good way to see if they are willing to help themselves. I tell them that I am more than willing to help them, but I will not do their work for them; they need to take some responsibility, learn how to help themselves, and stop relying on others at some point in their lives.

If you do not live in our area, this will give you some idea of how to put your own informational help-sheet together, what is available, and what kind of information is needed.

HOMELESS: BENEFITS AND SERVICES – 2016

Messianic Rabbi/Servant/Hebrew teacher David H. Winer  501(c)(3)  

Website: THE JEWISH MESSIAH     https://afreetickettoheaven.com

Email: [email protected]        Phone: 910-301-7608    508 E. 15th St., Lumberton

 

Domestic Violence:

Southeastern Violence Center   910-739-8622   www.southeasternfamilyviolencecenter.org

Employment/training:

Southeastern Violence Center   910-739-8622   www.southeasternfamilyviolencecenter.org

 

Monarch Employment               910-874-4273 www.monarchnc.org               Debra Jackson

 

Website for Jobs:                                  www.indeed.com     Enter Lumberton, NC for your area

 

Food (stamps):

Christian Care Center/soup kitchen       910-739-1204             10:30 A.M. lunch provided            305 E. 1st St., Lumberton, NC

My Refuge                                           910-618-5600             4:30 P.M. supper                             2020 W. 5th St., Lumberton, NC

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture                      1-888-221-5689          www.fns.usda.gov/fsp

Health Care/Services:

FaithHealthNC336-716-3027FaithHealth.org

 

Southeastern Hosp.      910-671-5031 www.srmc.org/campcare                      Dean Carter Chaplain

 

Southeastern Health      910-671-5057 www. Southeasternhealth.org                Susan Hayes

 

WIC – healthy habits/lifestyle after pregnancy    1-800-622-7030  www.nutritionnc.com

 

RHA Behavioral Health Continuum of Care       (Linked with Dept of Justice, Juvenile Justice,                                                     Social Services, Local Primary Care Providers)             910-277-3212

 

Sandhills Behavioral Center, Inc.           910-848-1638             www.sandhillsbc.com

 

Housing:

Four County Community Services  910-738-6819  [email protected] Cynthia Dudley

 

Lumberton Housing Authority   910-671-8210    613 King St., Lumberton

 

NC Foreclosure Prevention Fund          1-888-623-8631  www.ncforeclosureprevention.gov

 

Mental Health:

Eastpointe                    1-800-913-6109

Multi-purpose:

Red Cross (volunteers also) 600 West 5th St., Lumberton         910-738-5057   www.redcross.org      blood, health and safety services, armed forces.

Robeson County DSS              910-671-3500             www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/local/dir_robe.htm

United Way of Robeson County  910-739-4249  www.unitedwayrobeson.org

ePass (benefits, services)          1-888-622-7328    www.epass.nc.gov

Robeson County Church and Community Center  600 W. 5th St., Lumberton 910-738-5204    [email protected]            Darlene Jacobs

Southeastern Health (hospital)   910-671-5000 www.southeasternhealth.org

Robeson County Assistance programs (rent, heating, repair, health care facilities and clinics,       phone)   910-671-3000 (DSS office)     www.needhelppayingbills.com/htm/robeson_county_assistance_prog.html

Veterans Affairs and Home services:

Veterans Affairs, homes, and services    910-273-3819    [email protected]    Karla Carter

 

VeteransEmpoweringVeterans.org        910-223-3213             Fayetteville                   Renee Elder

 

Wellness/exercise:

The Sisterhood 910-671-3876 [email protected] Rozier and Lane Gyn.

Other sites:

Vets services: Tonja Hairston    910-672-6166 x4246  “Family Endeavors”       Rapid rehousing,          they must have funding already for disability, utilities, rent, housing deposit, car repairs, child care, credit counseling, training, job search.

Homeless Information North Carolina – HUD (Housing and urban development)

Homeless Volunteer Opportunities for Lumberton

Housing Authority of Lumberton           Halsey St., Lumberton

NC DHHS Homeless in NC

NC  DSS Work First Family Assistance

Rental Help NC – HUD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 3 – WHAT DID JESUS DO AND SAY  

 

I am sure that you have heard about WWJD – What Would Jesus Do? I thought about this, and I needed to know, so I went through the whole New Testament and outlined the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and simply put down chapter and verse, in order, what Jesus did or said to do, so I would know. It’s a great guide. If you would like to have a copy of your own, just go to my website, THE JEWISH MESSIAH, at https://afreetickettoheaven.com and go to the pages WDJD&S, and WDPD&S, and download them, or copy them off. Below is the first page of both web pages. Each web page is around 20 pages long. Enjoy, and even feel free to use this as a guide. Please feel free to download and copy anything on my site for your use. It’s all free and for your use and edification.

 

FROM THE BOOK OF MATTHEW (WDJD&S)

3:7 John says to “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.”
3:10 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Speaking of Hell.)

Jesus

3:16 Jesus was baptized and God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
4:1 Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted by Satan. He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.
4:4 Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
4:7 Jesus said, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
4:10 Jesus said, “Get thee behind me Satan; the Lord your God you shall worship, and Him alone shall you serve.”
4:17 Jesus said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
4:19 Jesus said, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.”
4:23 Jesus went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease among the people (the demon-possessed, lunatics, and paralytics).
5:3 Jesus taught them (be poor in spirit, mourn and be comforted, be meek, be righteous, show mercy, be clean of heart, spread peace, and be persecuted for the sake of the righteous. Rejoice and be glad when you are persecuted because of what you do for Jesus.
5:14 Jesus said, “Be a light to the world.” Show your good deeds.
5:17 DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS. I HAVE COME NOT TO ABOLISH BUT TO FULFILL. AMEN, I SAY TO YOU, UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY, NOT THE SMALLEST LETTER (jot)  OR THE SMALLEST PART OF A LETTER (tittle) WILL PASS FROM THE LAW, UNTIL ALL THINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
5:22 Do not be angry. Go and settle your dispute first and then bring your gift to the altar.

CHAPTER 4 – WHAT DID PAUL DO AND SAY?

Here is a little from the page WDPD&S:

1:5 (Paul is the writer). John baptized with water…but in a few days, you will be baptized with the holy Spirit. (Jesus baptized with water and the Holy Spirit.)

1:8 (Jesus says) “You will receive power when the H.S. comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” (Jesus wanted them and us to spread the saving truth to Jew, gentile, Greek, and everyone…to the Jew first!)

ACTS 2:3 Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…

2:4 The apostles were overtaken by the H.S. in the form of a great wind. It gave them power to speak in different tongues. There were devout Jews from every nation in Jerusalem. (The apostles were not just speaking in Hebrew, but in the languages of every nation).

2:10 Jews and converts to Judaism from all nations were there.

(If you ever come across a Scripture that sounds like it contradicts another Scripture, keep reading and studying; they do not contradict. They may fulfill or complete, or be speaking to a different people at a different time, but God’s Word does not change.)

 

During my prison ministry, one of the men in prison asked me recently, “What does it mean to fulfill the law?” as Yeshua said in Matthew 5:17. Jesus said, “I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.” I explained it this way: In the Old Testament, God says, “Thou shalt not kill.” In the New Testament, Yeshua tells us that if we hate, this is just as bad. We need to forgive those who sin against us and pray for them.

 

If you are researching, or even just quoting Scripture to prove a point, please DON’T EVER JUST PICK OUT ONE VERSE. This will lead to massive misunderstanding, and, yes, it will make it sound like Scripture does contradict itself. At least quote the whole paragraph, and even better to read the whole chapter, at least, so you can get the real meaning behind a verse.

 

Please feel free to copy off these two web pages (at least 20 pages each) and use them as study material, and/or a guide to your life.

 

Please don’t get the wrong idea and use this as a checklist to get you into Heaven. It is only your belief in Yeshua as Savior, that He shed his blood on the cross for you, and that your sins are all forgiven because of this, that you can enter Heaven. It’s not what you do that will save you, but if you do not do what Yeshua commands you to do, you may end up in a place where you don’t want to go, and for all eternity. (Matthew 25:40-46). Therefore, what’s the deal, then, with all this double talk? Is it faith or works that we need to have and do? The answer is YES, BOTH! Most churches today say that we don’t have to keep the law anymore. If they were told in church that they have to do what Jesus said to do, they might leave, and they’d lose a lot of money, so they just say that we don’t have to keep the law anymore. Which church would you rather go to, one that keeps reminding of what Yeshua said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” or a church that says you don’t have to keep the law, it’s not a works program anyway. According to Scripture that we just looked at, this is far from the truth, so why do they tell us that we don’t have to keep the law and commandments, if Jesus told us that we have to, if we love Him? It’s all about the money, my dear friends. They need lots of people to go to their church so they can put their money in the plate. Personally, I don’t collect; if someone wants to give during one of our services, and some do, I put it right into an account that I have for our congregation, so money is always there to help people in need. I don’t take a cent for pay, and I don’t even take a cent for the upkeep of our home, which is our “church,” so to speak.

 

            Originally, the church was a gathering of people or “kohelet” in Hebrew. Religion later changed the “church” into a building, and this is THE PROBLEM!  When we go to church, that’s all we do. We need to have the mentality that we are the church. Yes, we go to church, the building, but then we need to spend the next six days outside of the church building, and act as the church, the Body of Christ, so we can preach, teach, evangelize, help, bless, feed, clothe, and  help the poor, the needy, the imprisoned, and the homeless. THIS IS THE SOLUTION! The question is this, “ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM OR PART OF THE SOLUTION?

 

            We go to church to learn, to worship, to take Communion, and to join with others so we can go out and serve the Lord by serving and helping others during the week. Please do not get me wrong and think that I am saying not to go to church. Please do go to church, every time the church doors are open, which should be daily! I do all the time. I go to a local church three times a week, and I even teach Hebrew there. I love to share what the Lord has given to me!

 

            I am writing this book for this reason: you will not hear this in church, to go out and help those in your community, for the most part, because they simply want you to go to church, give them your money, and “see you next week.” If your church has ministries, please get involved, or start one yourself with some others who want to serve and love.

 

If you see your pastor leading you and the people in your congregation out of the church to minister to those in need, you have one awesome and dedicated pastor. You have truly an exceptional person leading your church (body of believer). Hold on to them, and tell them how much you appreciate all that they do!

 

If this does not describe your pastor, your deacons, your church board, your leaders, and your teachers, then please speak to them about this, have them read this book, and then meet with them to help them live the commandments that Jesus gave to us concerning these matters. Please help them help others, before it’s too late, and before another generation goes by without learning this important lesson.

 

Thanks! Don’t try to do it alone; get some other people, who have this same dream or vision, to go with you. If you want any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact me!

 

CHAPTER 5 – IT’S NOT A “WORKS PROGRAM”

 

EPHESIANS 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

As I mentioned before, we can’t work our way into Heaven, ever. We can’t do enough good things to earn our way into Heaven. We can’t be good enough to enter into Heaven on our own merit. We can’t buy our way into Heaven. We can’t give enough money in church (tithing), and we can’t give enough to charities to earn our way into Heaven. It is only be the redeeming blood of the Lamb of God, Yeshua our Messiah, that we can ever make it into Heaven. Nobody can pray you in. Nobody can be baptized for you to get you in. It’s your relationship with God, here and now that does it. The plan is simple, “Repent, believe, and be baptized” in the name of Yeshua our Messiah. It sounds too simple. That’s how God wanted to make it. Your freedom and salvation is not free, though; Yeshua paid a severe price for you on the cross. He gave his life for you. He suffered and died for you, and all we have to do is believe in God, repent of our sins, ask for forgiveness, believe in Jesus, and what He did on the cross, and that He rose from the dead, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED. (Romans 10:9)

 

            Pastors read Ephesians 2:8, 9 and leave out 10, though. Verse 8 says that we are saved by grace, through faith. It is not from you, but it is a gift of God. Here’s an easy way to remember what grace is: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Our redemption is free to us, but it was very costly to the Son of God, Yeshua, on the cross. You can’t do enough to save yourself; it is a gift of God, and free to you. Verse 9 says that it is not by works by which we are saved, so that no one can boast. We cannot think that we earn our way into Heaven, or that we are good enough to earn his our into Heaven. So, there you are; I DON’T HAVE TO DO ANY GOOD WORKS, AND I DON’T HAVE TO WORK MY WAY INTO HEAVEN; it says it right there.

 

            Well, let’s see why pastors don’t usually read verse 10 to us when they talk about grace. Verse 10 says, “ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Yes, we are God’s handiwork. God created us in Christ to do good works. You see, you have to read the whole section. Yes, God even prepared in advance what He wants or expects us to do. God assigned to us people that only we can bring into a saving relationship with Christ. You know people that I do not, and vice versa. You know your family, and I do not. You work with certain individuals every day, and I do not.

 

So why don’t pastors tell us the good part in verse 10. They think that it will overburden you. They think that you might think that God, and they, are asking too much. They might think that they are putting you on a “guilt trip,” and if you don’t do any good works, you will feel guilty and bad about not doing what we are called to do. You might actually go to a church where they say that all you have to do is believe. All we have to do is believe, but that’s not the end; it’s the beginning of what God has given us to do, to help those in need, or to tell the Good News of our Lord, the saving truth of redemption by the blood of the Lamb!

 

Well, let me share this with you; the joy and fulfillment that I get out of life is in helping those in need, by doing it God’s way and not man’s, and by telling as many people as I can about our awesome Lord, so they, too, can make it to Heaven some day! The greatest experience and gift that I can ever receive is being a part of leading someone to a believing faith in our Lord, Jesus, so they, too, can be in Heaven for all eternity.

 

Not only are pastors holding back the Word of God from you, but they are depriving you of the greatest joy we can have on this earth, this side of Heaven, and that is to bring a soul to a saving belief and relationship with Yeshua, our Lord and Savior, AND helping those who are in need!

 

Not only will we get a big THANK YOU from those whom we help and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, but when we meet Jesus face to face on Judgment Day, I am so waiting for Jesus to say to me, “Well done, my good and faithful servant; come on in, I have been waiting for YOU!” Wow, what an awesome day and moment that will be. There is going to be something called the “Wedding Feast of the Lamb.” Now that’s going to be one awesome party, y’all! I hope to see you there, so let’s do our joyous work here and now, shall we! Blessings to you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 6 – MINISTRIES

 

            I have to share this with you; this just happened this morning. When you serve the Lord full-time, you run into so many interesting people and stories. I got a call from someone yesterday, and they said that they heard that I help people in need. I told them that I do not have money to give them, but I can help them get what they need. They told me that they don’t need any money for them, but all they were asking for was for me to pay an electric bill of theirs. I assured them that I did not have any money to give them, but they reminded me again that it was not for them but for the payment of the bill. They told me that they had their electricity turned off, and they didn’t know why. I asked them to look at the bill and tell me what the billing date was. The billing date was a week ago. The due date was in a few weeks. I said that this didn’t make any sense. I asked if there was any amount that was past due, or if the bill included any amount that was late. They assured me that they were totally up to date with their payment, and that they always pay their bills on time. They told me that they called the electric company, and told them the same story. They told me that the light company said that it might be the fault of the post office, and that the post office might have lost their bill, or got it to them late. I asked if they still had the envelope that the bill came in, so they went to find it. They found it, so I asked what the postmark was on the envelope. They said that they couldn’t find the postmark. I asked a lot of questions, trying to find out if this person got benefits and food stamps, only to find out that they were getting all this already. Yesterday, as I was asking a lot of questions, they hung up on me, because they didn’t want to answer all my “silly” questions. They almost hung up on me today, also, but they really wanted me to pay this bill for them, so I told them that I would meet them at the electric company, that I’d help them in the billing office, and see about getting their lights turned back on. The lights were turned off, they said, because of the bill not getting paid on time. Nothing added up!

 

I asked how long it would take them to get to the electric company, and they said that it would take about 20 minutes or so. It was 8:20 A.M. now, and I was supposed to meet them at the office at 9:00 A.M., giving them plenty of time to get there. I got there a little early to make sure that I was on time. It was now five after nine, and then eight after, so I called them. They said that they just got on the highway, so it would take another ten minutes to get there. That would have meant that they would be there by eighteen after. A man came out of the office and saw me waiting there. After reading my shirt with the name of our congregation on it, he introduced himself as another believer. We talked until 9:30, which was a good twelve more minutes that it should have taken for this person to get there. I called them again, and they said that they were sorry that they were so late, but they had to stop and get some stamps on the way. That did it. I told them that I was sorry, and that I was going to leave at this point. I went shopping nearby, and I got a call from her boyfriend, saying that she was in tears and that they were at the electric office waiting for me. They pleaded with me to go back and meet with them, so I did. I told them that I left because they stopped off and got some stamps on the way, and that I was waiting for them all this time, and they didn’t even call to say that they would be late. The relative told me that this other person didn’t stop to get stamps, but they went to their house to get money for gas so they would be able to get to the electric office. I really don’t like to get lied to, by the way. They finally got there, late again, and I asked to see the bill. Sure enough, it said that they were one month past due on their bill. Please remember that I asked twice already if the bill was overdue, making this a double bill, and they said no both times. I reminded them that they told me that they always paid their bills on time and that this bill was only for one month. This was another lie, so I told them that I was done with them, to have a blessed day, and off I went. I just had to share this with you so you can see what we go through in helping people. No, it will not stop me from helping anyone else, but this is what we go through.

 

When I got home, I called my dear friend in AZ and told him the story. We had a good laugh. Hey, you gotta laugh, don’t ya! It’s what keeps us sane.

 

Now, let’s get back to MINISTRIES. Below is a document that I put together over the years. I use this as a starting point when I am invited to speak at churches, so I can help and encourage them to minister to the needs of others.

 

MINISTRIES TO GET INVOLVED IN – AN INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL CARE

 

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2: 46-47) 

 

Small Group Meetings:

  • At church led by leaders or
  • In homes:
    • Celebrating Recovery
    • Alcohol addiction
    • Smoking
    • Recreation
    • Work
    • Interests
    • Hobbies
    • Reading through the Bible
    • Hebrew
    • O.T. Studies
    • N.T. Studies
    • How to apply Scripture to life and family
    • Evangelizing: class and ministry
  • ASK ABOUT NEEDS OF PEOPLE
    • Military support
    • Housing
    • Family issues

 

Family group meetings, Bible reading, and prayer!

 

God rewards faithfulness, not numbers.

 

Have a “Jesus meeting” at the altar.

 

Elderly:

  • Sages: the elderly
    • Pick them up and go on trips
    • Offer them a ride to church
    • Ask them to teach and get involved in church activities
    • Ask them to spearhead some community projects
    • Work with the youth
    • Cooking classes
    • Repairs/auto work, etc.
    • Beautify/cleanup neighborhoods
    • Share their skills
    • Share their hobbies
    • Read to the kids (pre-school).

 

Weekly Events to serve the community:

  • Free carwash
    • Pass out flyers that you will make up
    • Invite them to church
    • Talk to the people while we wash their car
    • Ask them how we can best serve them
    • Tell them of the things that we are going to be offering this coming year
  • Spaghetti Dinner or some way to bring the community together to eat and to share
    • Keep the cost way down, just enough to cover the cost of the food, or free
  • Athletic night
    • Parent/son-daughter sporting event
      • Softball
      • Volleyball
      • Basketball
      • Disc golf
      • Hike
      • Biking
      • Rollerblading
      • Keep thinking (our imagination is our only limit)
  • Movie and popcorn night
  • Other ways to bring the community together so they can see that we are an active, fun-loving, Lord-loving church, which wants to get to know our neighbors and serve them.
    • Mow lawns
    • Visit the elderly
    • Visit the sick who can’t get out
    • Take them out shopping, to lunch, to a movie
    • Sit and talk with them
    • Share their life stories
    • Take them to your home for dinner and a night out

 

Some of the caring ministries for the people of God to get involved in:

 

Serve the children’s needs and the adults will follow:

  • Vacation Bible School
  • Rides to church
  • After school/latch-key programs/baby sitting
  • Invite these parents to come to church
  • Activities for kids/sports/crafts/games/scouts

 

Building a congregation:

 

  • Flyers around neighborhood
  • Invite them to church
  • Find out what the needs of your community are
  • Go out and evangelize, and in the meantime, tell them about your church and invite them to come! Pray for them. Show them that you care.
  • Ask what their needs are and try to meet them.

 

Pastoral care in:

 

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR.

  • Tradition
  • Culture
  • Individual growth
  • Christian community
  • Prayer
  • Journaling
  • Accountability partners

 

Avenues of ministry:

 

  1. Grief counseling
  2. The poor and needy (street people, homeless, those out of work or have no place to stay)
  3. Social issues (government, jobs, ways of the world)
  4. Mental health (to be referred to a specialized therapist)
  5. Prison ministry (my favorite by the way)
  6. Hospital ministry
  7. Elderly
  8. Shut-ins
  9. Aids
  10. Marital problems
  11. Pre-marriage counseling
  12. Substance abuse
  13. Addictions of all kinds (sports, TV, video games)
  14. Financial problems
  15. Health and sports (clubs, partners)
  16. Social activities
  17. Food bank
  18. Clothing bank, sales
  19. Evangelism (street, church, neighborhood around the church)  I would like to do a class on the many ways in which we can evangelize (from home on the Internet, street, at work, with friends, to those of various religious persuasions)
  20. Small group Bible studies (everyone should be in one!)
  21. Expanded Bible classes (I would love to do one in O.T. studies)
  22. Family life
  23. Alzheimer’s
  24. Street ministry to supply food, clothes, water, and shelter
  25. Seniors are busy at the church putting together care packages for our military, single mothers, and child care agencies for in-need children. Go out and serve the community around you. Then the entire church then comes back together in late afternoon for a potluck picnic.  It is an awesome time!  Every church, no matter what the size, should experience a day like this.  We care for the community and then share food and fellowship all on the same day, just like Jesus did with his apostles; that’s the model!

 

 

Ideas for nightly classes in the future: Pastoring Plan; classes 100-500:

 

Class 100-500 to be offered every evening at church, on Monday through Friday.

 

Class 100

Read, hear, and know the Word of God.  This would be for babes in Christ or even for non-believers.  This would include those who have never read the Bible or very little so far.

 

Class 200

Understand the Word of God.  This would be for those who have read most of the Bible, O.T., and N.T. and for those who have been saved for a year or more (not a clear-cut guideline).

 

Class 300

Believe the Word of God.  This is for those who have read the whole Bible and have a good grasp of what most of the Bible means, having an accurate idea of what God intended for us to do when it was written.

 

Class 400

   Do the Word of God (above), on a personal basis.  Evangelize and disciple.  This is for those who have passed each of the previous three classes and are ready to take it to the street, doing any of a wide list of ministries, both inside and outside of the church (definitely wanting to bring the Word of God to those who have never heard it before and/or teach a class in church.)  This could also include greeting, helping the shut-ins, bringing communion to those who cannot get to church, etc.

 

Class 500

Include others in ministry (ministries). Evangelize and disciple.  This class would include people who want to team up with others, doing the work of Jesus, as He did it.  They would be selfless and dedicated to those in need.  They would be willing to get down to the hard scriptures that most pastors will not or do not feel comfortable enough to teach in the main church service in fear of losing 80% of their congregation or more, such as Matthew 25:31, John 15:1, James 2:14,

 

Please keep in mind that ministry and helping people is not only a commandment, the Great Commandment, but also a real joy. Yes, it is frustrating at times, and I’m sure Yeshua had his fair share of frustration as well, but it didn’t stop Him, did it. It’s a good thing, too, that He didn’t give up, or we’d all be in a very bad place for all eternity. What keeps me going is that I just can’t stand to see people in pain and suffering. I try to help them get at least as much as I have, which is a lot. No, we are not rich, we do not have large bank account, and we don’t have the biggest or best house or car on the block, but we try to share that which the Lord has blessed us! I have to say, that it’s a real challenge to help someone who is on drugs and will do anything to get more. I understand that the addiction drives them to do all kinds of horrible things, lying is one of the least of them, and it makes them very hard to work with. Satan will try to do everything he can to get us out of the helping business. Let’s face it, he even temped Yeshua in the desert. What did Yeshua do? He quoted Scripture. Yes, we need to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11), and put up the good fight. We need to do this until the Lord takes us home, in Heaven. This is not a “when and if I feel like it” deal; it’s until the end, our end, here on earth.

 

 

SORRY, YOU CAN’T GO TO PRISON ANY MORE – a story

 

Back in Arizona (AZ), I ministered in a detention center for youth, ages 12 to 17 years of age. Can you imagine someone spending years in prison at that age? Yes, it broke my heart, too. I was leading music at the start of the service, and we were singing one of our favorite songs. In the song, we let out a big cowboy yell, EEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAW!  The woman who I ministered with told the prison chaplain what I did, and he asked me to meet with them after the guys went back to their rooms.

 

We talked. I actually laughed when he told me what she had said about this horrible thing that I did, namely the cowboy yell. Please keep in mind that we had sung that song and yelled that yell many times in the past, with no problem. At first, I thought she was kidding, which is why I laughed! The chaplain said that I should not have laughed at her, and that this was not acceptable, ending my 10-year ministry there.

 

When it’s time to end a ministry, and God has some other plan for you, this is all it takes. If this has ever happens to you, please stop, after you have composed yourself, and thank the Lord. You see, He has better plans for you. It’s not easy to go through this, but sometimes this is the only way that God can change our path. I didn’t say it would be easy, and neither did Yeshua (James 1:12). Sometimes we get comfortable in the ministries that we do, and sometimes this is God’s way of letting us know that it’s time to move on. Another very comforting verse for me is Romans 8:28, where Scripture tells us that all things happen for the good to those who love the Lord! If you totally believe that, it is very freeing. I tell people, and I really mean it, that I do not have any bad days anymore, and that I haven’t for around four years now. EVERYTHING has a purpose, no matter what. Yes, I said EVERYTHING!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 7 – FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

 

            So many pastors today say that the only thing we have to do is believe in Jesus and we will be rich and in great health, and all we have to do is simply “name it and claim it.” There is a great deal of truth in all this, of course! Yes, Jesus can make us rich; have a nice car, a beautiful home, nice clothes, a great job, good health, a wonderful spouse, and so much more. God just loves to give his children what they need, and even what they want sometimes. The 23rd Psalm starts off with, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…”. In the Hebrew, it says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not lack…”. It seems like a small difference, and I’m sure that the interpreters meant them to be the same. God supplies our needs, and He gives us all good things. After all, we are his kids! He loves us, and He wants the very best for us. Unfortunately, pastors leave out a very important part of God’s message, to love God and our neighbor. If we are blessed with much, then we need to share that with which we have been blessed. If you have two coats, give one to someone in need.

 

A COLD DAY ON THE HIGHWAY – a story

 

            By the way, all of these stories are my stories are real and true. I’m sure that you have many of your own, and perhaps you would like to share them with me. I’d love to hear them.

 

I had been visiting a friend who lives about 30 miles south of where we live, and I was on my way home, on I-95. It was in February, and it was cold out – yes, even in North Carolina. A man was carrying a small gym bag, and he was walking on the side of the highway. As I usually do, I pulled over and asked him if he wanted a ride. I do not suggest that women do this by the way! In fact, I do not suggest that a man picks up a woman if he is alone, either. The man had a short-sleeved shirt on. I asked him if he had a coat in his bag, and he said that he did not, so I asked him if it would be OK to take him to our home and give him a winter jacket. He said that it was OK, so I did just that. I hadn’t worn that jacket for a while, and I had others, so I thought that this was the right thing to do. I took him back to the highway and sent him on his way. By the way, my wife and others, think I’m crazy for doing things like this, just picking up people off the highway, so I tell them that I have a guardian angel or two looking out for me, and that I have never had any trouble! To be honest with you, I would rather have someone kill me, doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, than to face Him on Judgment Day and He asks me, “Why didn’t you…?”.

 

God always answers our prayers, you know! Yes, you got it, always! You say, “But I prayed and God didn’t do what I prayed for, or give me what I asked for!” Please keep in mind that God always has your best interest at heart! He will never do something for you that will eventually hurt you. Yes, sometimes the answer is, “Yes!” but sometimes the answer is no, or even wait a while. He will give you what you can use for his glory. If we do get what we ask for, it’s always a great thing to say something like, “I prayed for healing for someone, and God healed them,” giving God the credit, and not you. Sometimes He heals and sometimes not; it’s always according to his plan. God knows what we will do even before we do it. God knows what we will pray for even before we pray for it. Yeah, God is really smart, way more than me! God can see into the future, but I cannot. He knows all and He is awesome – He is God!

 

OK, SO I GOT GREEDY ONCE! – a story

 

            I was on my way home one day, and I had on a Christian radio station. The sermon that was on said that it’s OK to pray for things that you want, too. I thought to myself, hmmm, I would like to put some recessed lights in our living room, so we could have some nice lighting for our Bible study and Shabbat service. It would also be nice to open up the wall between the living room and the dining room, so we could accommodate more people when we have our Passover celebration. So, I prayed to God (in Jesus’ name), “Dear Father in Heaven, You know that I don’t ask for much, so, if it be thy will, please, somehow, send me $300 for materials for these projects.” I do all the work, so there was no cost for labor. I told Him that I had no idea where this would come from, but I also knew that God works miracles all the time. Let’s face it; He’s God! I was just turning the corner to come down our street when I finished this prayer. I drove into the driveway and into the garage. I opened the kitchen door, and low and behold, there was a check on the kitchen table, already out of the envelope, for $304. You see, God always has a little left over! Ain’t God good, I mean isn’t God good (my wife always tells me not to say ain’t). Wow, that was fast. How in the world did God do that, and why for me? Well, and get this, this money was from an escrow account that we had in the bank for our house when we got it, about four years before – FOUR YEARS – and it comes on the very day that I got greedy! I just love to tell that story and give all the glory to God. You see, that’s what He loves, when his kids brag on Him. I just love to do that, not because I want something in return, but I just love Him so much, and I am so thankful for everything that He does for me.

 

YES, GOD DOES HEAL! – a story

 

One of my dear friends in the Lord, who recently asked Yeshua to be his Lord and Savior, came down with brain cancer. I was doing my lunch ministry at the Plaza, when he and one of his dear friends came down to talk to me. I took my anointing oil, anointed him, and we prayed over him, laying our hands on his shoulders. He told me that the doctors gave him six months to live. He was sobbing and in pain. I prayed that the Lord would take this from him. I told him to be sure to thank God for healing when he wakes up in the morning and when he goes to bed at night, and to believe in this healing, that will come from the Lord. I told him that he had to believe, or it might not happen. A few months later, he came down again, after he had just come back from the hospital, and he had some great news for me. He said that he just had a CAT scan, and it showed that the tumor, originally the size of a tennis ball, was shrinking, and that the doctors couldn’t understand how this was happening. We anointed him again, laid hands on him, and prayed again for complete healing. Sure enough, a couple of months later, the tumor was all gone. He is still alive, has a full time job, and life is good for him, real good. Praise God!

 

James 2:14-26  14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

So many pastors today say, “It’s not a WORKS PROGRAM, and works don’t and can’t save you.” They say that we don’t have to do a thing. That is true to some extent. We are only saved by the forgiveness of sin that Yeshua alone can do for us, because of his blood that was shed on the cross for us. Yes, we must do good deeds, though. Just read Matthew 25:40-46 and see. If we do not do good for others, we will end up in hell for all eternity. If we do not do good works, how can we keep the second half of the Great Commandment, to “love thy neighbor as thyself?” It is never a chore to help others, but a joy. We are simply doing what Jesus, himself, would do if He were here! How can we even say that we love our neighbor if we don’t tell them about the Lord, and if we don’t do anything to help them in their need?

 

            When we are in church, we are asked for “prayer requests.” They say that they will pray for them. That is fine, but I stop them, and say that prayer is not enough; we need to go and visit them, lay hands on them, pray for healing over them!

 

                18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

 

Satan and the demons believe in Jesus, but this is not enough. We have to do the same work that Jesus did when He walked the earth!

 

 

                20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

 

            This says it all! Abraham was considered righteous, not only because he said he believed in God, but that he actually did what God told him to do! I hope you do, too; I know I try to do as much as I can, and I ask for forgiveness when I fail; then I try all the harder to please God and help those in need.

 

                25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

            Yes, faith without works is dead, and so shall we be in our sin, if we fail to use the gifts that God has given to us to help others, and we fail to use them. God will actually give you more talents and gifts to use (and even money), if you use what God gives you. If you do not use what God gives you, He will give it to someone else instead (Matthew 25:14ff).

 

            FAITH OR WORKS: Revelation 20:12 tells us that there is a book of works or deeds, where all the good things that we have done are recorded. This book will be opened on Judgment Day and we will be held accountable. So, which one is it? Do we live by faith alone, or works alone? The answer is BOTH!

 

            THE LAW OR GRACE:

 

One pastor told me this past month that we don’t have to keep the law anymore, so I wrote this to him:

 

Dear Pastor,

Did Jesus keep every law? Of course He did. He was perfect! He is God.

If we did not have Jesus as Lord and Savior, we would all be condemned by the law! If we had to keep every law to save us, we would all end up in hell! So, does this mean that we no longer have to keep the law? Well, let’s see what Jesus said, not you, not me, and not any other man! Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) “I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it” (Matthew 5:17).

You say that we are no longer required to to keep the law! The word for law or commandments in Hebrew is תורה, or “torah”. The true interpretation of torah is “teaching,” from the verb “ohr”, to teach. God’s teaching is simply there to help us and guide us, so we can live good and moral lives before God and our neighbor. So, since you said that we are no longer required to keep the law/commandments, let’s take a simple test shall we, using God’s Word, or the 10 Commandments; these are not the 10 Requests, by the way! Please answer yes or no to the following 10 Commandments that God wrote on Mt. Sinai. If you answer yes, then you are agreeing that we need to keep this commandment; if you answer no, then you are saying that you do not have to keep this commandment:

1) Do you believe in God, and do you believe that we should not have any other gods before Him (God)?

2) Do you believe that we should not make or bow down to any gods, statues, or idols?

3) Do think it wrong to use God’s name in vain, as a curse?

4) Do you think you should “remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy” as Jesus did?

5) Do you honor your mother and father?

6) Do you believe that it is wrong to kill?

7) Do you believe that adultery is wrong?

8) Do you think stealing is wrong?

9) Do you think lying is wrong?

10) Do you think it is wrong to want or covet what I have or anyone else has for that matter?

As you can see, we believing Christians need to follow God’s Commandments. When we don’t follow God’s Commandments, we, and our moral society, fall apart. This is exactly what is happening in our country today.

My guess is that you answered YES to all but number 4). So, why not keep all Ten Commanddments, as God commanded us to do? Who changed the Sabbath? When was it changed? Did God say to change it or man? Who do you follow: man or God!?

Well, I hope you can see where God is coming from on this! Please remember that it’s not important what I think or say, but what God wrote and what Jesus did, period!

I understand the incredible pressure and ramifications that you would have to overcome to even add a “Sabbath service” in with your weekly studies and services!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You might have some major opposition. You might be highly criticized! You might even get fired!

I say…big deal! As for me, I would rather have a congregation of 10 and do it God’s way, than to have a congregation of 1,000 and do it man’s way! That is an understatement my dear brother. Please remember, in closing, that you and I will stand before our Lord and Savior on Judgment Day! As God-given leaders of our congregations, we will be judged more severely on that day. I don’t ever want to have to apologize to my Lord for anything that I did as the result of what man did, said, or taught. I would not dare to stand before God and have to say something like, “I did that because that’s what my church said I had to do and teach.” We have to take a stand for what is holy, just, and good. We have to stand up for God and his inerrant Word! If we don’t, who will? We are the ones to carry on the Word of God, and NOT the word of man.

———————

Do I have to keep the law anymore? Many pastors today say that we do not have to keep the law. Yeshua said, in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” So, to whom will you listen, and what will you believe in, the word of man, or the Word of God?

 

            Please understand me on this; we are only saved by the sacrifice that God made, of his only Son, and what Yeshua did on the cross, that saves us from our sins, but the law is there to help and guide us. As I said a while back, the law, “Torah,” means, in its true sense, “teaching.” It teaches us how to live with each other, in our society, so we can all live in love and peace. Just think what our world would be like if we didn’t keep the 10 Commandments. Oh, yeah, you don’t have to imagine much; just turn on the news!

People say, “How could God allow all this killing in schools, on the street, and even in our churches?” I tell them not to blame God, but man, who takes prayer out of school and the 10 Commandments out of our courts! Don’t blame God, but keep the commandments, that Yeshua wrote, and that He tells us to keep! Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 8 – “YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER THE MISSION FIELD”

 

            This is a sign that we should hang above the door that leads out of every church! I have seen it on rare occasion, and I really like it. Church, the building, should be a place to worship our God and our Lord, to learn and study, and to join with other saints in our mission to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-19).

 

Everyone has their OWN mission field. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. In verse 10, God is telling us in Scripture that God formed us, one of a kind, unique in so many ways, created in Jesus to do works. This means that we have so much to do, so many people to help, so many souls to save, and so many people to love and care for! Verse 10 then goes on and tells us that God had this work already prepared, planned if you will, for us to do. Everyone has a special set of gifts, a special way to proclaim the Gospel, the Good News of our Lord. Everyone has special access to certain individuals, be it someone in your family, someone that you work with, and, yes, even someone in your church that you sit next to all the time. EVERYONE has needs, even believers! We all need encouragement, love, help, and someone to share God’s glorious creation and work with.

 

I tell the men in prison, to which I minister, that they, too, are special and one of a kind. They can reach some men in prison that I will perhaps never know or see. They can reach out to them, where I cannot. I remind them that Jesus’ disciples were imprisoned, along with Jesus Himself, but it didn’t stop them! John, who wrote the book of Revelation, did so from prison on the Isle of Patmos. Go figure. It didn’t stop them; it only gave them more time to study and preach the Gospel.

 

One of the men in prison, that I visit and write to all the time, has several degrees in theology. He has all the time in the world to study and learn. He uses it very wisely. He leads Bible studies and Sabbath services. The men look up to him! He was brought up in the Orthodox Jewish religion. Someone told him about me, and we started to write. It wasn’t long after we started to write to each other when I told him, “My dear friend, the most Jewish thing we can do is believe in our Messiah and that He has come already, 2016 years ago in fact. I shared Isaiah 9:6 with him, as well as Daniel 9:24-27 and other select verses that mean so much to me (Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, and all of Isaiah 53.) He asked Yeshua to come into his heart and life; he asked Yeshua to forgive him and save his soul. He then started telling others in prison about Yeshua, how awesome He is, and that He came to forgive us of our sins, and to save our souls! He has brought over 200 men to a believing faith in Yeshua our Lord. I so admired what he was doing in prison that I ordained his as a Messianic Rabbi, as am I. He was thrilled, and he said that his dad, an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, would have been so proud of his son! He is quite a guy! I love him as a brother, because he is! In fact, everywhere I go, I keep running into my brothers and sisters. We are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, so we might as well start acting like it, don’t you think! I just started to go to an all black church, but I do not see their color; I see their souls. There is only one other white person in that church, but I do not feel out of place at all. When they asked me who I was and to introduce myself when I first went there, I said how great it was to be among other brothers and sisters in faith, with other brothers and sisters of our Lord!

 

SO, YOU WANT ME ON THE DEACON BOARD! – a story.

 

            I just love to go to other churches, to study with them, and to share my Jewishness with them. This past year, I went into another all black church. By the way, it makes no difference to me; I don’t see color, I see people, just like me, in Yeshua!

 

I got there for the Bible study about 9:30 A.M. on Sunday, I sat down in the front row, and people looked at me as if I had leprosy, and I don’t blame them. Just about a week or so before, there was a church shooting in Alabama, where nine people were shot in a Bible study by some other “white” person! Please keep in mind that I was the only white person there. We started to sing some hymns to get prepared for the Bible study, and they heard me singing. I am a retired music teacher and I just love to sing, loud! They started to warm up to me, a little, and they finally asked who I was. I told them that I am a Messianic rabbi in town, and I explained. They welcomed me, and things were fine after that. After the Bible study, they introduced me to the pastor, who was sitting in his office, eating breakfast with someone. The pastor looked at me, and again, I thought I had leprosy or something. One of the other men in church came walking by and said, “Hi, Dave.” He recognized me from the Christian radio ministry that I had done recently. That calmed the atmosphere down a bit, and they seemed to be OK with me.

 

They invited me to join them for worship, which is why I was there in the first place, so I sat in the second row back, on the left side. As usual, the first few rows were left vacant anyway; you know how it is in church! Well, the service started, the pastor entered and sat down on stage, and then the deacons came in. Well, they all sat in the first two rows, around me, where I was sitting. I leaned over to the deacon on my right, and I asked him, “Is it OK for me to sit here?” He asked the head deacon in the front row, and I got the OK. The service went on, and it was time to introduce the guests. They asked me to rise and introduce myself, so I did. I told them that they made me so feel so welcome in the Bible study and now in church. I said that it was so nice to be with my brothers and sisters, and that color should make no difference to us. I then told them that just about an hour ago, they thought that I came to shoot up the church, BUT NOW, it was so nice of them to put me on the deacon board already! They thought that was cute, and I wanted them to know how comfortable I was with them, and I hoped that they felt the same with me!

 

GOD ALWAYS WORKS THINGS OUT! – a story.

 

I have been trying to get a handful of people together so we can approach the principals at the middle and high school, so they will allow us to put on some program during an assembly in school, or in the evening with students and parents. The program would be to have many different people come in and share their experiences that they have had with drugs, gangs, alcohol, and prison. The purpose would be to impress on our students how important it is to stay away from these things that will harm them physically, and possibly cause them to be locked up in prison for many years, or worse!

 

I told this story in one church that I have been attending, and one of the men told me that I should contact a pastor in another church that he knew, so I did. I called him when I got home and we spoke. I asked him where his church was and when they began on Sunday. I went to Bible study and then to the service. He asked me to say the opening prayer and to sing the Aaronic Benediction at the end of the service in Hebrew and English. After the service, I told him that I always offer to teach Hebrew, everywhere I go, and for no cost to the church or those who want to learn. Well! He actually took me up on it! He invited me to their Monday night study and class; the class was actually part of their seminary that they had in their church.

 

After the first half of the class, the pastor asked me to demonstrate some Hebrew that I would teach to the class. I asked for one minute, to talk to them about the “jot and tittle” found in Matthew 5:17. One thing led to another. They were drawn into the awesomeness of God’s language. They kept asking questions; it was exciting for me and for them! The pastor then asked if I would teach Hebrew for a half hour every week, as part of their first-hour class. I was thrilled, and I start next week. How cool to teach about ten men and women who are on fire for the Lord, and who want to learn the “Lashone HaKodesh” or the Holy Tongue, which Hebrew is called at times, because it is literally God’s language. It was great sharing with them in the first-hour class and in the second-hour class. I fit right in, even though I was the only white person there, even though I am fairly brown, being of Jewish origin. I told them that I was working on my color and that I might be up with them in a couple more years after living out here in North Carolina.

 

Oh, by the way, I called a Christian college nearby a few years ago, and I asked them if I could teach Hebrew there, but I didn’t have my Master’s Degree, so that was a no-go. This was better, though, since it is right in town, about two miles from home. Yes, God has it all together; we just have to be willing to respond to the call. If you have been trying to minister, or do something for the Lord, to serve others, and you keep getting shot down, don’t give up. Just put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11), tell Satan to take a hike, in Jesus’ name of course, and press on. Never give up! God’s timing is always perfect. He always knows what is best for us, at all times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 9 – LET YOUR MESS BE YOUR MESSage

 

Huh? What do you mean, anyway? Did you ever go through a hard time? Did you ever experience something that you had wished you didn’t have to go through? Did you ever go through something that crushed you physically, spiritually, or emotionally? Did you ever have a drug or alcohol addiction, go to prison, or lose a loved one? I’m sure you can say yes to at least one or two of these, depending on how old you are.

 

Did you ever come through this experience a better person – stronger, more caring, more loving, or more understanding of what others go through? Whatever you go through, God had a purpose in that part of your life. Did you ever notice the difference between how a strong believer handles something compared to someone who has no faith, no God, and no hope? I totally believe that God allows us to go through trials in our lives, so we can help others who are going through the same things.

 

I’M SO GLAD I HAD A HERNIA SURGERY! – a story

 

This not only is a story, but a miracle! Several years, when we lived in the Phoenix area, I had to have a hernia surgery. I have had a total of three over the years. This is a story of the second one that I had.

 

I went in for surgery one morning, and when I woke up, my wife was waiting in the room where they put me after my surgery. The nurse came in and asked me if I would like any help getting dressed. I felt around a little, and the area where the surgery was done was still numb, so I said, “No thanks, I think I can do this myself.” I got dressed, and everything was just fine. The nurse came in again and asked if I would like a wheelchair, or if I would like to walk out on my own. Well, I still had no pain, so I went for it. I walked out to the car with no problem whatsoever. Cool! My wife drove me home; it took about 10 minutes or so to get home. I got out of the car and I decided to take a walk, about a mile or so up the creek on the wide cement sidewalk right near our home. I still couldn’t feel anything and I just love to walk; that’s what I do when I don’t feel so good, but I really felt fine. I thought to myself, “Self, this might hurt a lot when all this anesthetic wears off!!! Are you doing the right thing?” Well, all was fine when I got home; why not, the anesthetic hadn’t worn off, right?! I waited a couple of hours or so, and the anesthetic wore off. Well, guess what – no pain, no pain whatsoever! Wow! I had some medication for the pain, but no pain at all that day, or even the next. Wow, that was a miracle! I could hardly wait to tell this story in church on Sunday. Well, I told my story, and after class, a man from the back of the class heard what I was saying about the surgery, and he told me that I had encouraged him to go to the doctor and get his hernia checked out that he was having trouble with. He didn’t want to go in for surgery because he thought it was going to be very painful! The next week he came to class and told his story; the doctor told him that in the process of the exam, he found out that he had the start of some cancerous growth in his intestines. The doctor told him that it’s a good thing that he came in when he did, because if he had let it go much longer, it might have gotten so bad that he might only have had around six months to live. You see, it all worked out; God allowed me to go through this, so I could tell my story, giving God the glory for healing me and taking away all the pain, every single last bit of it. This is how it works. Let’s face it, nobody in their right mind – I never said I am – would ask for this to happen to them. When you learn that it’s ALL about giving God the glory and praise, God works it all out. How He does it, I don’t know – oh, yeah, He is God! How God can run the entire universe and do all this for each and every one of us BELIEVERS, now that’s a miracle. I have seen this repeatedly in my life.

 

Have you ever asked God to take you out of a situation, or help you through it? Sure, you have, and so have I. Jesus asked his Father in Heaven to take going to the cross away from Him in Gethsemane, three times no less! Jesus said, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” God always has the right answer for us. We might not like it, but He has the Master plan, you might say. If you totally believe that EVERYTHING has a purpose, God’s purpose (Romans 8:28), a good purpose in the long run, then EVERYTHING that happens to you is good. This is why I can say, when people ask me how things are going, “Life is awesome.” Every day is great. Every day, God is working in me, with me, and for me. God works miracles for me every day. What is a miracle? For me, a miracle is God working things out for me all the time, with all people, in all circumstances! Everything is good! I believe that. This is how I can truly say that I haven’t had a bad day for several years now, since I understood this about God and his plan for me.

 

Have you ever praised God for bringing you through something and allowed you to use this pain and suffering for his glory? You see, that’s what it’s all about. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.” When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I must admit that God pushes the limit at times, but He knows exactly how much we can stand or not. He orchestrates our lives, He uses us for his glory in a good way, and He allows us to go through these “messes” in our lives so we can come out praising Him for helping us through them. No, it’s not easy, and Jesus actually told us that it would be hard, but it’s a whole lot harder without Him in charge. It’s a whole lot harder if we do not have Jesus there to help us, or the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us! What makes it so much easier is that we have each other, you, and me, to help each other and to be there for each other as we go through our messes.

 

When I was a young man, I thought that Christians were weak; they needed so much help from this man they called Jesus! Now, I just can’t get enough help, whether it’s carrying out a ministry, sharing the Word (evangelizing), or doing some project around the house. I was over my son-in-law’s yesterday, and he invited me to help someone lay down tile in his kitchen, laundry area, and two bathrooms. Since I have done tiling before, I agreed to do this for him, with the help of his friend. I look at it this way; I am doing something good for my son-in-law, and it will give me a chance to share Jesus with this other person. No matter how much we know Jesus, serve Him, and try to please Him, we can always share more of what Jesus has to offer with each other, to strengthen, help, and encourage each other. It makes it fun instead of work. It’s a win/win situation for everyone. My son-in-law gets his tiling done, and we get a chance to share Jesus with each other.

 

God has given us all certain talents and gifts to use for our benefit, his glory, and the benefit of others. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14ff), we are told that if we use our talents, we will actually get more. We are also told that if we do not use the talents and gifts that God has bestowed upon us, He will take them away from us and give them to someone else who can and will use them. How sad that would be if that was you. God gives us all a certain amount of these talents and gifts, and even money, to help those in need, and to bring them into a saving relationship with God. It is so awesome working for God; I see Him using me all the time and giving me more of these gifts so I can help many people. I do not ask for money, or a big car, or a new house, or fame, or any of those worldly pleasures and desires. I am totally happy and satisfied with what I have from God! All I ask of God when I get up in the morning is two words, “Use me!” And guess what? He does. I love to work with God and I love to see God working in me. I love to see God opening doors and working miracles, all the time; it’s just what God does!

 

We first have to realize our talents, and our gifts! When we graduate from high school, we ask ourselves, “What in the world will I do with my life now? In what direction should I go? What profession should I seek? Where should I live?” I told my grandchildren when they graduate, “Do what you love to do, and what you are good at. Do not go into a profession for the money; money can’t make you happy.” Yeah, money can pay the bills, but that’s about it! Just look at some very famous and rich entertainers and sports figures. Some of them commit suicide. They seem to have it ALL, but they miss one thing – God and Jesus, AND FAITH that will bring them through hard times. They seem to have it all, but they lack the most important thing in the whole world. Mark 8:6 says, “What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?” Is anything worth that? Is anything more important in this life, than to prepare for eternal life? Our life is so short here on this earth. Yeah, it seems long and hard at times, but eternity is forever, and that’s a very long time you know! No matter how hard it is here and now, it’s all worth it in the end, if we give our hearts and souls to our Lord and our Savior, Yeshua/Jesus. I just love how simple it is. Romans 10:9 says, “Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, and thou shalt be saved.” The Great Commandment says, “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36). How profound of God to tell us this. Yes, it seems too simple at times, but that’s how God wanted it to be for us – simple.

 

I have asked many people, “Does Jesus need us to help Him?” Almost everyone says, “No, of course not; He is God.” Then I proceed to ask them how many apostles Jesus had. If He could do it all Himself, He wouldn’t have needed the twelve! I think it’s so awesome that Jesus uses us and needs us to do his work here and now, on this earth. Jesus had these men called “disciples,” because He disciplined them, He taught them, and He guided them in all that they should do. Granted, they didn’t always get it and neither do we, but they, and we, try our best, and that is all God can ask of us. When we fail, we ask for forgiveness, called REPENTANCE. The word for this in Hebrew is “T’shuvah.” The very “shuv” means to turn; we turn away from our sin, and we turn to God. If we do one without the other, it will not work for us, and we are putting ourselves in jeopardy of not being forgiven.

 

In closing, for this chapter, the important thing to remember is that YOU are precious in God’s sight; you are awesome. God made you a one-of-a-kind being; there is nobody else on earth like you. Nobody else has the same package of abilities and talents, so no matter what your mess is, use it all for God’s glory. Don’t be afraid to admit that you are a mess sometimes; we all are! Don’t try to hide it; be honest. Let’s face it; God knows everything about you anyway. In sharing your weaknesses, you might find out that there are others just like you. Maybe they will be able to share their messes, their failures, their successes, and even their miracles with you. Don’t even tell anyone that you have it all together; they won’t believe you anyway. It’s funny; one greeting that we have in Hebrew is, “Mah nishmah,” which means, “How are you?” The reply is usually, “Kol b’seder,” which means, “Everything is in order.” I honestly don’t know many people who can truthfully say that these days, if you know what I mean. We can, though, if we put ourselves in the very capable and loving hands of our Lord and our God. So be blessed, and share your mess; it may be a real blessing to many of your friends and acquaintances.

 

NO CHRISTIANS ALLOWED! – story

 

I was out evangelizing with a group of people, from a church that I attended a few years ago. The first house we went to had a sign on the door that said, “CHRISTIANS NOT ALLOWED,” I thought it was odd, and since we were all Christians, we turned around and went to the next house on the street. Well, a woman came out of the house and apologized to us for the sign. I guess our halos were showing and she knew that we were “Christians.” She said that her husband and she had lost a child recently, and her husband was very bitter about it and at God for doing this terrible thing to them. We went up and down the street, and we were just about ready to go back to the church, across the main road, when we saw this woman and her husband out in the front yard. I guess the woman told her husband what happened before we got there, and when they saw us, they both invited us over to talk with them. (I am tearing up right now, just thinking of the rest of the story). The husband was quite OK and friendly toward us; it was as if the Holy Spirit touched him. I told them how sorry I/we were to hear about this, and then I started to tell my “mess.” Several years ago, about 20 or so, my wife and I also lost our baby, as they did – still-born in the womb. Come to think of it now that was about 28 years ago, and I still tear up when I tell this story. I shared with them that my wife couldn’t eat or sleep. I told them that I will always remember holding this dear child, with no life in him, with his little blue cap on, in my arms, weeping in grief. We waited nine long months, and what did we get – a dead child. It was crushing for the both of us! It was at this time that my wife prayed to God for help, and it came immediately. It was like a wave of peace came over her, she says. Yes, it was still hard for her and me, but we were much better now. Our friends came over and tried to console us, but we usually ended up consoling them, hugging them, and telling them that we were OK. We were able to relate to that couple that day, and comfort them. Yes, this was a very messy part of our lives, but it helped us to get closer to the Lord, to trust in Him, and to help others going through the same mess! Again, please let your mess be part of your ministry to others. There are lots of hurting people everywhere. Actually, everyone has a mess, or is a mess, and we need to reach out and share with them the love and peace of our Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 10 – WHY SHOULD I GO TO CHURCH ANYWAY?

(I don’t have to go to church to be saved)

 

            I have heard this from many people when I go out evangelizing! I tell them that they are absolutely right, but…

 

Hebrews 10:25 says, “Do not forsake the gathering of brethren.” When we go to church, it’s not for the sole purpose of being saved; that happens when we believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive our sins. Of course, that’s not all we have to do (please see the FAITH OR WORKS chapter, and the LAW OR GRACE chapter). Going to church can’t save you, but we go there for many reasons.

 

We go to church to carry out the first half of the Great Commandment, to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” There are many ways to love God: pray, read the Word daily, and worship Him daily, not just in church. We also talk to Him, as if He were your very best friend, because He is. He is always available, and He always answers your prayers!

 

When people say this, I ask them this, “When was the last time you read the Word of God, the Bible?” I usually get silence! “When was the last time you prayed to God for help or that He uses you for his glory?” Again, I get silence. Going to church is simply a convenient place to go to, so we can do these things, and be with other believers.

 

Going to church is a place to get charged up for another week. We read, we study, we sing, we pray, and we worship with each other.

 

Going to church is a place where we can get prayed for and prayed over for healing. It is a place where we can ask for help, whether it is spiritual, physical, financial, or whatever the need be. Satan would have us believe that we can do it all by ourselves. That is a lie, my friend! I need all the help I can get, and it’s still hard at times!

 

Going to church is a place that the homeless should be able to go to for help, but I see very little of this today around here. I leave my contact information at churches that I visit all over town. I tell them that they can call me for help if they need it, in working with the homeless, the addicted, and with those who are in any kind of need. That’s just what I do. I try to help the churches as well, and to help them help those who go to their church for help.

 

WHO SAID I NEED ANY HELP ANYWAY – a story

 

            I got a call from a homeless person a couple of weeks ago. They were calling from a large church in town. They called me for help, because she was refused help from this church. She needed help to get to a shelter in a town about 40 minutes away. They called me, because they didn’t want to help her. I went to the church and asked to see the pastor. He had just gone for lunch, so I asked for his phone number so I could call him and tell him that we would be waiting for him at the church when he got done with lunch. He asked, “What do you want from me?” I thought for a moment so I could put this politely, so it wouldn’t sound like I was calling him to blame him for not helping in the first place. I said, “Maybe we could get together so we could help this woman.” He was very sharp and abrupt with me, saying, “What makes you think I need any help anyway?” and he hung up on me.

 

This is just how it is everywhere around town, in almost every church that I go to. I keep thinking of Matthew 25:40ff, where Jesus tells us that what we do for the least of these, we do for Him, and if we do not help, He will send us into the Lake of Fire with Satan and his demons FOREVER. Should this bother me? It sure does. Personally, I do not fear God; I do my best and ask for forgiveness when I fail. I am very serious about my God-given duties and responsibilities. I love working for and with my God! I love to see Him working in and for me. I love to watch Him perform miracle after miracle for others and me.

 

YOU WANT TO FURNISH YOUR WHOLE APARTMENT, FOR NOTHING?  – story

 

This is a long story, so I will try to keep it short. One of the homeless people in town, who used to live under a bridge near the center of town, found me at the Plaza one day, as I was doing my Free Lunch Ministry. He had been living there for some time now. I helped him and another man get an apartment, a nice one. We tried to keep the expenses down, since they had almost nothing. When we were told that we had to give the first month’s rent AND the security deposit, I bargained with them and told them that we would fix up the whole apartment at our expense (materials and labor) if they would do away with the security deposit. Of course, we prayed before we dared ask this. Well, God came through and the deal was made. We fixed up what we said we would, and more! The realtor was so thrilled with the awesome work that we had done, that she offered us a paying job to fix up other apartments that she had. I declined, though, because I minister everywhere, and this would cut into my ministry time.

 

Now to the furniture: we prayed before we went to several furniture stores in town. We had a long list of everything that they needed. Every time we went into a store, we would pray first for the Lord to open hearts and lead the way. One item after another went on the trailer, to furnish their apartment, donated, free of charge. It came down to a washer and dryer, but they wanted $80 for both. So, that’s what we gave them. We furnished their whole apartment for only $80! Can you believe it? This was a real lesson in faith for these two men.

 

I’M SORRY, LORD!  – a story

 

            This is one of my all-time favorites! I was out walking one day and I came across the home for veterans in town. Since I served in the National Guard for 23 years, I went in and spoke with the woman in charge. She told me that they were about to be evicted, because the person that they paid their rent to was a third-party payee who took their money and didn’t pay the bank, so they were going to be put out shortly. I noticed a magnet on their metal filing cabinet, which read “Jireh” something. I think it was some kind of service in town for cleaning or something that they needed. I asked if she knew what that meant in Hebrew. She had no idea. Yehovah Yireh, or Jehovah Jireh means “God provides.” I asked her if I could pray for her, and that the Lord would work out all the details. We prayed and within a couple of weeks, they had a new place.

 

This new place was bigger, and it actually cost less per month for rent. They now had a huge living room but no furniture. I was out walking and praying the next day, and I asked the Lord what I should do. He told me to go to a furniture warehouse in town, just down the street from where we live. I went into the office and I told them who I was, and that I was here to see if they could donate a two couches for the living room, and four chairs for the kitchen table.

 

They apologized and told me that they had already donated this year to several other organizations, and I’d have to wait for next year. By the way, before I went in, I called my dear brother in the Lord in Phoenix, and we prayed for donations. When they told me that they couldn’t help, I was literally stunned! I just stood there, in silence. I just couldn’t, and wouldn’t, believe that God didn’t answer this prayer. After all, it wasn’t even for me; it was for the veterans’ home. The manager said, “Come with me.” Well, we went down the back of the warehouse, where everything was rather dusty. He found a couch and a love set. He asked if that would do, and I said that this would be fine! He then led me over to a place where there were some chairs (for the kitchen). He only had three chairs, though, and I needed four. I thanked him up and down, and that the Lord had answered our prayers. He was a believer himself, and he was very pleased that I was doing this for the vets. I told the manager that I didn’t have any way to get them to the home, so he told me that they had a truck and they would be glad to deliver them, free of charge.

 

I called up the woman in charge of the home to see if they could deliver them at 2:00 P.M. She was thrilled and said that this was fine. I waited a bit, after the time that they were supposed to be delivered, and I went over to see her at the home. She was in tears and thrilled to have all this FOR NOTHING! I had to apologize to her, though. I said that I prayed for four chairs, but they only had three! She said, “Oh, that’s just fine! One of the men is in a wheelchair anyway.” Yeah, God knew that! Isn’t God totally awesome! Praise the Lord!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 11 – DOING IT MAN’S WAY OR GOD’S WAY

(Sabbath and Easter)

 

            SABBATH KEEPING (VERSES) IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS

            Please keep this in mind when you read this: God and Jesus never changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. Augustine and Constantine did that around 200 to 300 A.D. It always comes down to this statement, “Are you going to keep the Word of God or the word of man?” Everyone says, “The Word of God,” but when it comes right down to it, they follow the word of man instead! Keeping the Word of God is becoming less and less popular today, if you haven’t noticed. Jesus told us in Matthew 7:14, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Jesus only had 12 disciples in the end, because many did not want to do what Jesus was telling them to do. It is the same today!

            Here’s a way that you can check to see if your own pastor thinks that Sunday is actually the Sabbath – ask him, first, “Is Sunday the Sabbath?” and see what they say.

            Another way to check is to see if they actually tell you not to work on Sunday, or go out to eat, or shop, or pump gas, or see what they do themselves!

            Scripture tells us that we should not even make our slaves (that they had at that time), or our servants, or anyone in our community work on the Sabbath. It is a day of rest! It is a gift from God.

            Most everyone is OK with the 10 Commandments, but they really have trouble with the 4th Commandment, to keep the Sabbath. If all the others seem right, then why not the 4th? The problem is this, my dear friends: we are so far from the way God intended it, that we don’t even think of what is right anymore. Right is wrong and wrong is right. Nobody ever talks about the Sabbath, because they wouldn’t dare offend anybody, fearing that they might leave their church. Well, around 100 have left our small congregation for just that reason. All is cool except when you speak the truth about the Sabbath and what God said about keeping it. It’s downright offensive to the vast majority who come. What amazes me is that when they call me and tell me that they are looking for the truth, when they are told the truth, they leave.

ARE YOU KIDDING? SUNDAY IS DAY 7! – a story

            This is a beauty! Two young men came to our Shabbat service one fine Friday evening. They called in advance and told me that not only were they looking for the truth, but they also wanted to learn Hebrew. I was thrilled to say the least!

I started to talk about the Sabbath, and I could see that one of these young men was really getting agitated. I reminded him that the Sabbath, day 7, is on the right side of the calendar, indicating that it is at the end of the week, and that Sunday was on the left side, which indicated the beginning of the week, or day 1. He KNEW that Sunday was day 7, the Sabbath, and he challenged me to look at a calendar, so he could prove me wrong, and him right. I invited him to come into the kitchen to look at our calendar on the wall. That just made him more angry. He accused me of showing him a “Jewish” or “Hebrew” calendar. I asked him to open up his phone and check his calendar, and when he saw that it was the same as the one in my kitchen, well….. That was the first and last time they ever came. Jesus said that the truth will set us free! I guess some don’t want to be free, but to be in bondage by lies! Not me!

            Jesus speaks to the Jews and Paul speaks to the Gentiles. They always kept the Sabbath, from Friday evening at sundown to Saturday evening at sundown (Old and New Testaments both).  Please keep in mind that Jesus (God in the flesh) actually wrote the 10 Commandments with his very own finger in Exodus 20! Jesus tells us in John 15:16, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” He also said in Matthew 5:17, “I have come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.”

Matthew 12:1  At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.

Matthew 12:8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Mark 1:21 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

Mark 2:27 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (God gave us the Sabbath Day to rest, to learn about Him, and to worship our God, and not to do whatever we please. On the other hand, Jesus was saying that is permissible to feed and help those in need on the Sabbath).

Luke 4:16 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,

Luke 4:31 31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people.

John 5:9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,           

John 5:16 16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him.

Acts 13:14 14 From Perga, they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath, they entered the synagogue and sat down.

Acts 13:27 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.

Colossians 2:16 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. (Paul is speaking to the believers , and possibly the Jews, telling them not to let anyone talk you out of keeping the religious festivals and the laws on what to eat, or when to keep the New Moon celebrations or the Sabbath, but to keep them).

Hebrews 4:4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”

The Fulfillment of the Law   Jesus speaks to Jews:

Matthew 5   17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Paul speaks to Gentiles

1 Corinthians 9:19-20 For though I am free from all men, yet I have made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And to the Jews I became a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law (the Jews), as under the law, that I might win those under the law. To those who are without a law (not being without a law toward god but under the law toward Christ) I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.”

Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” By trusting in Christ’s work, the law is fulfilled perfectly. Christ is the end (Greek- telos), meaning He is the goal of its intent. He completed it, and we enter into what He did by faith. The law (Torah) comes from the Hebrew verb “ור” or “ohr”, to teach. God teaches us, guides us, and helps us lead a good and productive life through the law or teaching. God is our Father and He so wants us to follow his teaching. God rested on the Sabbath (Genesis 2). Jesus and his disciples rested on the Sabbath. Jesus came as our Savior and served as an example of what we should do. His law should not be a burden, but a joy! We need a day of rest! This is why God gave us the Sabbath, for us to rest from our work and to rest in Him.

Jesus told us to keep the law perfectly. He was talking to the Jews, but also to everyone.

Paul spoke to the Gentiles. He was trying to make it as easy and as simple as possible for the Gentiles to be “saved” of their sins. It is faith in Christ alone that saves us; it is his Blood on the cross that washes away all our sins and nothing else, including keeping the Sabbath.

The Sabbath was changed to Sunday by Roman Emperors Augustine and Constantine, men. God never changed the Sabbath!

THE BOTTOM LINE

Worshipping Jesus any day of the week is great. There is nothing wrong with worshipping Jesus on Sunday, or every day of the week for that matter. The Sabbath will always be the DAY OF REST, commanded by God, on the 7th day of the week. Sunday is the first day of the week.

We all need a day to rest, to worship, and to praise our Lord and our God. Please do not work, shop, go out to eat, or cause anyone else to work on the Sabbath. They also need to rest!

FINAL STATEMENT – A BLESSING FROM GOD!

      זכר את היום השבת לקדשו

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

A WARNING FROM GOD

Jeremiah 17:21-27 21 This is what the LORD says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem. 22 Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors. 23 Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline. 24 But if you are careful to obey me, declares the LORD, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it, 25 then kings who sit on David’s throne will come through the gates of this city with their officials. They and their officials will come riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by the men of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever. 26 People will come from the towns of Judah and the villages around Jerusalem, from the territory of Benjamin and the western foothills, from the hill country and the Negev, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD. 27 But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses.’”

NOW ABOUT EASTER!

            Here is the short version; you can read the complete study on this below this paragraph if you would like. Easter is named after the pagan goddess of fertility, Eshtar. This is why they have Easter bunnies, chicks, and Easter eggs – all symbolizing fertility. At first, the eggs were dipped in blood, the blood of their children that they offered as a sacrifice to this goddess! At the White House, in Washington, D.C., they still hold true to this ritual with red Easter eggs, only. For me, the worst part of all is that nobody ever says, “Have a blessed Resurrection Day,” the real reason for this special day in church; instead they always say, “Happy Easter.” What makes it even worse is that there is more emphasis on candy, chicks, jellybeans, and baskets than there is on our Lord and Savior, the real reason for this awesome and special day, Resurrection Day!

The name “Easter” has its roots in ancient polytheistic religions. On this, all scholars agree. This name is not used in the original Scriptures, nor is it ever associated biblically with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For these reasons, we prefer to use the term “Resurrection Sunday” rather than “Easter” when referring to the annual Christian remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Most reference books say that the name “Easter” derived from the Eastre, the Teutonic goddess of spring. Although this relationship exists, in reality, the origin of the name and the goddess are far more ancient—going all the way back to the Tower of Babel. The origin begins not long after the biblical deluge.

The deluge was a judgment of God, sent on humankind after evil had become all pervasive, and all people everywhere were totally unresponsive to God. The Bible says that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” in Genesis 6. It is not difficult to imagine that life must have been almost unbearable at this time in history. God gave humankind a second chance by preserving the righteous man, Noah, and his family (8 people).

After the deluge, Noah had a talented, but evil, great-grandson named Nimrod, in Genesis 10:6, who rebelled greatly against God. The Bible says that he was “a mighty one.” Jewish tradition indicates that Nimrod was a tyrant “who made all of the people rebellious against God.” It is evident from history that Nimrod was not only a political leader, but also the lead priest of a form of occult worship.

King Nimrod, Queen Easter (Ishtar/Semiramis), and Tammuz (the “reincarnated” Nimrod)

Nimrod built and organized major cities. The Bible notes that these included the Tower of Babel, Asshur, Nineveh and Calah, in Genesis 10. If you know anything about ancient history, the mention of these places may send shivers up your spine. For these were cities of great, almost unimaginable practices and perversion.

When Nimrod eventually died, the Babylonian religion, in which he figured prominently, continued on. His wife/queen saw to that. Once he was dead, she deified him as the sun god. In various cultures, he later became known as Baal, the Great Life Giver, the god of fire – Bel, Molech, etc.

“Later, with this adultery and idolatry, a woman gave birth to an illegitimate son; she claimed that this son, Tammuz by name, was Nimrod reborn.” Easter/Ishatar “claimed that her son was supernaturally conceived [no human father] and that he was the promised seed, the ‘savior’”—promised by God in Genesis 3:15. “However, not only was the child worshipped, but the woman, the MOTHER, was also worshipped as much (or more) than the son!” Nimrod was deified as the god of the sun and father of creation. Easter became the goddess of the moon, fertility, etc.

“In the old fables of the Mystery cults, their ‘savior’ Tammuz, was worshipped with various rites at the spring season. According to the legends, after he was slain [killed by a wild boar], he went into the underworld. But through the weeping of his mother… he mystically revived in the springing forth of the vegetation—in Spring! Each year a spring festival dramatically represented this supposed ‘resurrection’ from the underworld.”

Thus, a terrible false religion developed with its sun and moon worship, false priests, astrologer, demon worship, worship of stars associated with their gods, idolatry, mysterious rites, human sacrifice, and more. Frankly, the practices which went on were so horrible that it is not fitting for me to speak of them here.

It was at Nimrod’s city of Babylon that a towering structure was first built in defiance of God as part of their Satan religion. Archaeological evidence indicates that this was a spectacular pyramid-shaped structure (ziggurat). The Bible tells us that at this time there was only one language in the world and that most of the world’s population centered in this area and participated in this religion. It was evident to God that all humankind would soon degenerate into a level of evil that would parallel that of the pre-Flood world. For humanity’s sake, something had to be done to slow and frustrate this organization of an evil, one world, tyrannical government.

God gave them a confusion of tongues, so that they could not understand each other (Genesis 11:7). (This is the confusion of languages, of the world’s many languages.) As a result, many people moved away from the area in groups according to their particular new language. Most, if not all, of these people carried their evil Sun-God-based religion with them. They continued to worship the stars and practice all the other ungodly rituals. Some also continued to build pyramids reminiscent of the Tower of Babel, as part of this mystery religion. Today, we can still find remnants of these throughout the world (e.g., Iraq, South America, Central America, Egypt, and Burma).

Babel was the origin of an idolatry system that swept the world. The Bible says of her, “Babylon”… the nations drank her wine; therefore the nations are deranged” (Jeremiah 51:7). The Bible often speaks of the Satanic religions which came from her. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus “witnessed the Mystery religion and its rites in numerous countries and mentions how Babylon was the primeval source from which ALL systems of idolatry flowed.” Austen Layard said “that we have the united testimony of sacred and profane history that idolatry originated in the area of the Babylonian Kingdom—the most ancient of religious systems.”

Basically, almost every vile, profane and idolatrous practice you can think of originated at Babylon with Queen Easter/Ishtar (Semiramis), the mother goddess and Nimrod. As the people scattered from Babel with their different languages, they, of course, used different names for Nimrod (Tammuz) and Semiramis. Some called the mother goddess “ISHTAR” (originally pronounced “Easter”). In other lands, she was called Eostre, Astarte, Ostera, and Eastre. Other names for Semiramis, the mother goddess include: Wife of Baal, Ashtaroth or Ashtoreth, and queen of heaven. The mother goddess was frequently worshipped as the goddess of fertility—and as a sort of mother nature and goddess of spring, sexual love, and birth. She was also worshipped as a mediator between god and man. Sexual orgies and temple prostitutes were often used in her worship and in attempting to gain her favor.

The rabbit is well known as a sexual symbol of fertility. In various parts of the world, religions which developed from Babel also associate the rabbit with periodicity, both human and lunar (Egypt, China, etc.). As you may remember, the mother goddess Easter (Semiramis) is associated with the moon. In other words, the Easter bunny symbolizes the mother goddess. Annual spring time fertility rituals are associated worship of the mother goddess and Tammuz, the reincarnation of her husband Nimrod.

Most children and families who color or hide Easter eggs, as part of their Resurrection Sunday tradition, have no knowledge of the origin of these traditions. Easter egg activities have become a part of Western culture. Many would be surprised and even dismayed to learn where the traditions originated.

“The egg was a sacred symbol among the Babylonians. They believed an old fable about an egg of wondrous size, which was supposed to have fallen from heaven into the Euphrates. From this marvelous egg—according to the ancient story—the goddess Astarte (Easter) [Semiramis], was hatched. And so the egg came to symbolize the goddess Easter.”

The idea of a mystic egg spread from Babylon to many parts of the world. In Rome, the mystic egg preceded processions in honor of the mother goddess Roman. The egg was part of the sacred ceremonies of the Mysteries of Bacchus. The Druids used the egg as their sacred emblem. In Northern Europe, China and Japan the eggs were colored for their sacred festivals.

The egg was also a symbol of fertility; Easter (Semiramis) was the goddess of fertility. The Easter egg is a symbol of the pagan mother goddess, and it even bears one of her names.

Summary and Conclusion:

“Easter” is simply one of the names of a woman who mightily deceived the world and whose religion has caused untold suffering and misery. She was clearly an enemy of the true God, and her son Tammuz was an antichrist, a false christ that ultimately deceived millions.

If you are Christian, it is not difficult to discern the bizarre deception and confusion that Satan has successfully orchestrated. For example, notice the embarrassing irony in these traditions, which are practiced innocently by most people. They are repeated year after year, because they have become traditional and their origin is unknown to many.

  • On the day commemorating Easter, Americans roll decorated eggs on the White House lawn and pretend the Easter rabbit hid them. The same ritual is practiced at some Christian churches.
  • “In Lancashire [England] on Easter eve, boys and men have been in the habit of touring the towns and villages as ‘Pace-eggers’ begging for eggs before performing the ‘Pace-Egging’ or Pasch (i.e., Easter) play.”
  • In Greece, each person in a group bangs his red EASTER EGG [not knowing that it is symbol of the goddess] against the eggs of all the others present in turn, saying ‘Christ is risen,’ and receives the reply ‘He is risen indeed’.”

The seductive symbols of ancient ungodly religions inspired by Satan have been incorporated into people’s everyday lives, even to this day—continuing to obscure the truth of God.

One might wonder if there is a better way for Christians to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection, the most important of all Christian holiness days. In retrospect, it seems obvious that it would have been a better witness to the world if Christians had not attempted to “Christianize” pagan celebrations—adopting the name “Easter” (Ishtar/Semiramis) in remembrance of Christ. Jesus has been obscured by painted eggs and bunnies. Attention has been shifted away from spiritual truth and toward materialism (clothing, products, and candies with the wrong symbolism). Stores merchandise the name of “Easter” (not “Resurrection Sunday”) and sell goods that have nothing to do with Christ’s death and resurrection. Christians naively use symbols and practices that unknowingly perpetuate ancient anti-Christ traditions—symbolic customs followed by the same religious cults that inspired the destruction of great numbers of Christians and Jews. Is the devil laughing at us?

Many church bodies recognize the problem and make every effort to keep the focus of Resurrection Sunday totally on Jesus Christ and the Good News that He brought.

Back to my comments (Dave): Yes, it all comes down to whether or not we want to do it man’s way or God’s way! Now that you know the truth, what will you do about it? For me, if a church that I have been attending has anything to do with Easter, I talk to the pastor, and if possible the deacons. I ask the pastor/leader of the church if they know what Easter is all about, and they always know! I ask if they tell their congregations about it, and they will not. They say all kinds of crazy things and give weird reasons why they won’t, but the bottom line is this – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!

JESUS OR EASTER EGGS? – a story

            I was going to a large church around Resurrection Day this past year. Everything was going great. I was on the worship team, and really enjoying the Word, studies, fellowship, etc. I went to class and on the board was a notice, “EASTER EGG RACE” for the kids. I spoke to the pastor and wrote to the pastor about this. He thought it was just fine! I asked him if he knew about Easter, and he did, of course. I asked him what he intended to do about this; he said nothing. He said, “What could be so wrong with this, if it brings kids and families to church?” We all know that this is one of the big money-maker days of the year! I asked him to do me a favor, to inform the deacon board about Easter and to take a vote, since they really didn’t know before! He said that he would not. I then wrote to him and told him that he was responsible for promoting paganism in his church! He called me and said this to me, “Dave, you are a hateful man!” I then left that church. You see, he knew, and he still did nothing about it.

I later found out that he and the church had enlarged their food pantry and that they were doing a lot to help the homeless, so I went back. The pastor and I met and reconciled, parting with a brotherly hug, no less. He said something to the effect, “Keep doing what you are doing. I have learned a lot from you.” I can only imagine that, after thinking it all through, he realized that he might have been wrong. If I am still going to that church this coming spring, we will see if he has changed his mind any. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 12 – WHY MINISTER?

            The short answer to this is, “Because God said to!” Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:18, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” That, my dear friends, is a commandment! Some pastors say that we don’t have to keep the commandments any more, simply because they don’t want to do what God and Jesus said! They think that if they say that they/we don’t have to keep the law, we really don’t have to do what God said. Wrong! This will cost them big time on Judgment Day, as I have mentioned before, referring back to Matthew 25:40-46. It will cost us our eternal souls in Heaven if we do not do what God commands us to do, namely to help those in prison, the poor, the needy, and the homeless!

Is there anyone on earth that you truly hope will go to Hell – ANYONE? Well, the simple fact is that if people do not accept Jesus as Savior and Redeemer, they will not be forgiven their sins, and then they cannot enter Heaven, because there is no sin in Heaven; we have to be totally clean and clear of all sin in order to enter. The only way to be clean and forgiven of all our sin is by the blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). In the Old Testament, the lamb was sacrificed by the high priest in the Temple in Jerusalem. Before Jesus, the sacrifice simply “covered” the sin, but only the Messiah, Jesus, who gave his life for us on the cross, can wash away all our sin, forever and ever. If anyone only had one single sin on their soul on Judgment Day, they would not be able to enter Heaven. In the N.T., it says, “You must be holy because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

Ministering to people is such a joy. For me, if I didn’t minister, help those in need, teach, worship, and evangelize (tell people about our wonderful Lord and Savior), I would literally have almost nothing to do all week long. I love to help people. I love to serve my Lord. He died for me; I try to live for Him. I am not perfect, but I keep trying to be, and when I sin, I ask for forgiveness and try not to sin again.

Why spend so much time ministering and helping people, you might ask. As I mentioned before, I never ask for money for anything I do, including give out free lunches, teach Hebrew, take people all over the place, etc. Sure, it takes time, and lots of money sometimes, but, again, I feel like I owe my Lord, and I really like to help people! I believe that it’s the Holy Spirit of God leading me to do this; it’s not just Dave, me, doing this! I do not do it for any reward, even though the Bible says that we will be rewarded with crowns, etc. I do it, because when I help people, God intervenes and works miracles. He heals people through the power of the Holy Spirit in me. He opens doors that are normally shut. He softens hearts when they are normally calloused and hard.

When I minister, I often ask people, “Can you share a miracle that God has done for you lately?” Silence… I remind them that the reason for this is that they are not out there working for God and helping others, because when you are, you will see God working miracles all the time, many of which I have been telling you about as I write this book.

I also remind people that God is working miracles in us all the time, every single second! They look a little puzzled, so I tell them that God is healing us every moment. Do we say to our body, “Hey cell, go over there and heal that cut I have; wake me up in the morning; take me off to sleep at night; help me with my ministry, etc.” Can you even imagine what we would look like by the time we reached 20 years old, if God didn’t heal us! Did you ever get sick? Of course, you did, and who healed you? God did!

This might sound funny, but I look at myself as a “slave” to God, and even a bond slave! People want to call me rabbi, but I remind them that Jesus said, “Call no man rabbi and call no man father” (Matthew 23:8-9). I tell people that if they insist on giving me a title, just call me “eved.” Eved means slave or servant in Hebrew. I am proud to be a servant of God and very grateful to Him that He allows me to be his servant. He is a great Master or Lord (Adone in Hebrew). As a Jew, it took me eight years to believe that Yeshua is my Lord, Savior, and Messiah. I had been reading, going to church, and asking lots of people lots of questions. It was Isaiah 9:6 that finally did it on April 23, 1972, forty-four years ago, when I came to believe.

Just about everyone around here introduces themselves to me as Bishop this, Reverend that, Prophet this, Apostle that, Doctor, etc. Me, just call me slave or servant. What a great job this is! I love it.

DON’T PRAY FOR PEOPLE! – a story

Yeah, that’s right! Well, not exactly. I’m sure that you have sat in church or a Bible study many times and they go through the prayer list! They ask for prayers, so they can pray for people. If you are lucky, they will actually pray for them on the spot, or maybe just say a generic prayer to cover them all.

I say, “Hey, prayer is nice, but GO AND VISIT THEM IN THE HOSPITAL.” Prayer is nice but there’s nothing like the personal touch! If you are in the hospital, do you know if people are praying for you? Sure, sometimes we do, and that is a real blessing; yes, prayer works, of course, but there’s nothing like taking your time to go and visit them. It is so rare that anyone actually goes and visits someone in the hospital or at home. They could surely use some company. I even tell people that I would be glad to visit someone, if they only tell me where they live and when I can visit; I still make house calls, I tell them. They might need someone to cook for them while they are getting better. They might need someone to go shopping for them or take them to the doctor’s for a follow-up appointment.

Some people say that they need prayer for a relative or a friend who is not a believer yet. I tell them that I would love to go and speak to them. Again, I ask them to call and let me know if it’s OK to do so, and what would be a good time to visit.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? – a story

I was going into our Messianic congregation one Shabbat morning in Phoenix, when the greeter asked me, “Hey, Dave; can you pray for me?” (I can’t remember what it was for right now). I put my hands on her shoulders and I started to pray for her, right then and there, right on the spot. She jumped back a foot or so and said, “What are you doing?” I reminded her that she just asked me to pray for her, and so I did. She told me that nobody had ever done that before, and that she had been a believer for quite some time. I’m sure she asked for prayer many times before, and nobody ever stopped and prayed for her? Weird, huh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 13 – FREE TICKET TO HEAVEN – FREE TICKET TO HELL

Below is the first page that I put up on my website, THE JEWISH MESSIAH, about 13 years ago. I just got done redoing it and adding many pages, for your benefit and enjoyment. I added many pages, because in the past, it was very hard to do so, but now, since I have a new website program, it’s so easy. By the way, Please feel free to use anything in this book or on my website, copy it or reproduce it; it is all here for you to use.

————————————————————

Page 1

 

All verses are taken verbatim from the TANAKH (Jewish Publishing Society version), also known as the Jewish Holy Scriptures (or the Old Testament or Covenant). Who do you think this prophecy is about? What do you plan on doing about it? It could change your life now and eternally!

Genesis 1:1 God/Elohim created the Heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:26 Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.

Micah 5:2 And you, O Bethlehem of Ephrath, least among the clans of Judah, from you one shall come forth to rule Israel for Me-One whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.

Isaiah 9:5 (or 9:6 in the English version) For a child has been born to us, a son has been given us, and authority has settled on his shoulders. He has been named The Mighty God is planning grace, The Eternal Father, a peaceable ruler. (His name was called Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.)

Isaiah 7:14 Assuredly, my Lord will give you a sign of His own accord! Look, the young woman is with child and about to give birth to a son. Let her name him Immanuel. (In Hebrew: God with us). (The young woman was to be a virgin).

Jeremiah 31:31 See, a time is coming-declares the Lord-when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

Isaiah 35:3 Requital is coming, the recompense of God; He Himself is coming to give you triumph. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shall shout aloud… (Yes, this is what Yeshua did when He came 2000 years ago!)

Isaiah 43:10 My servant, whom I have chosen, to the end that you may take thought, and believe in Me, and understand that I am He.

 

  afreetickettoheaven.com

 

Isaiah 43:3 For I the Lord am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 53 prophecies: Verse 3: …despised, shunned by men. 4:…our sickness that he was bearing, our suffering that he endured. 5: But he was wounded for our sins, crushed because of our iniquities. He bore the chastisement that made us whole, and by his bruises, we are healed. 6: …and the Lord visited upon him the guilt of us all. 10: …that, if he made himself an offering for guilt, he might see offspring and have long life. 11: “My righteous servant makes the many righteous, it is their punishment that he bears. Assuredly, I will give him the many as his portion, he shall receive the multitude as his spoil, for he exposed himself to death and was numbered among the sinners, where as he bore the guilt of the many and made intercession for sinners.

Daniel 7:13 One like a human being came with the clouds of heaven; he reached the ancient of days and was presented to Him. Dominion, glory, and kingship were given to him; all peoples of every language must serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship, one that shall not be destroyed.

Isaiah 30:9 Now, go write it down on a tablet and inscribe it in a record that it may be with them for future days, a witness forever. For it is a rebellious people, faithless children, children who refused to heed the instruction of the Lord; who said to the seers, “Do not see,” to the prophets, “Do not prophecy truth to us; speak to us falsehoods, prophesy delusions, leave the way! Get off the path! Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel!” (This is God’s warning to us…is this you?)

JESUS (English for the Hebrew, Yeshua, Savior.) CHRIST (English for the Greek Christos, anointed).

        You can believe in Yeshua as the Messiah and remain fully Jewish. My website, “THE JEWISH MESSIAH,” will explain this in detail. It is at https://afreetickettoheaven.com

 

Page 2

 

Heaven isn’t really free, but then again, what is these days? Jesus actually paid your way to Heaven, so it is free for you. The price He paid for you was his life. He died on the cross so you might live and have eternal life with Him (see John 3:16). Jesus not only promises eternal life with Him, but also a great and abundant life, here on earth (see Galatians 5:22 and Matthew 6:9). There is nothing magical or mystical about being sure of eternal life. Jesus made it real simple so all of us could make it to Heaven. Here is what you need to do:

 

    BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS LORD, REPENT OF YOUR SINS, AND BE BAPTIZED (see Mark 16:16). If you say the following prayer and mean it, it is the beginning of a new life with and in Jesus our Lord and Savior, and the guarantee of a place in Heaven for all eternity! Please remember that we all need to believe this, and do what He said to do!

 

    I BELIEVE in the Father, the Creator of all things, and the source of life (Genesis 1:1). I believe in Jesus, his only Son (John 3:16), who lived and died for me. I believe that He shed his blood on the cross, so all my sins would be forgiven, once and for all. I believe in the Holy Spirit of God, the Comforter-Counselor (Isaiah 9:6), who lives in me and guides me to believe in and follow Jesus. (Well, that’s the first step! How are you doing so far? If you said that and you meant it, then please proceed).

 

I REPENT of my sins, the things that I have done that God does not want me to do. I am sorry for sinning against God and people that I have wronged. Please forgive me, Lord. Help me, Holy Spirit, to read the Word of God, the Bible, and find out what God wants me to do. Please help me to be more like Jesus every day of my life! Please help me to pray for his help daily (Matthew 6:9). Thank you for forgiving all my sins, so God will accept me as perfect and sinless on Judgment Day. (So far, so good!) That’s it. John promised us, in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” God sent Jesus to forgive all our sins, and to show us how to live (Daniel 9:24-27).

 

That’s all there is to it. From here, the real fun begins. It is a lifetime of commitment to Christ, helping the people you meet, and telling others of this simple plan of God’s salvation for all. God said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). If you had $1,000,000 to give away, and every time you did, you got more, would you keep giving it away? This message is much more valuable than money. This message can bring eternal life, with God and Jesus, in Heaven, for all eternity!  Please share it with many!

 

If you would like to contact me, Messianic Rabbi David H. Winer, please Email me at: [email protected]

 

FOR JEWS: You can still remain a Jew and believe in Yeshua, our Messiah. Our Messiah was a Jew, as God promised. There are many Messianic congregations all over the country, and in Israel! We speak Hebrew and English, and keep the Jewish traditions, customs, and ceremonies, just as Yeshua did. You can wear your Tallit and yarmulke. The Messiah was a Jew and never asked us to “convert.” I am a “completed Jew”, because I believe the promises and prophecies of our Lord and our God. If the Messiah, a Jew, came, and you believed in Him, what would that make you – A JEW, OF COURSE!

 

Please find a good Bible teaching place to worship, where you can grow in faith, learn the Word of God, and serve in ministry to those in need (Matthew 25:31 and following). PEACE, and MAY GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY!     Shalom     שלום

 

            My website can be found at https://afreetickettoheaven.com  Again, please feel free to use, copy, print, and share anything on this site. It would be an honor to me if you did. I am told that the site has received well over a million hits. I hope you enjoy it. I really enjoyed putting it together for YOU and everyone looking for the truth in the Word of God.

            When I go out evangelizing, sometimes I hold out this TICKET TO HEAVEN, and I also hold out the following TICKET TO HELL. I ask people which one they would like. Out of hundreds of people that I have done that with, only one person took the TICKET TO HELL, but after a minute or so, they gave it back to me and took the FREE TICKET TO HEAVEN instead! That person professed to be an atheist, but even atheists understand Hell!

 

FREE TICKET TO

HELL

 

I go over the material with them on the FREE TICKET TO HEAVEN, and then I ask them, “What do you have to do to get to Hell?” As you can see, there are no directions on it! I simply say, quickly, before they have a chance to answer, “That’s right, nothing.” If we chose to do nothing, we actually chose Hell! That’s sad, I know, but true. I say that Satan wins by default. We have to “win souls,” and spend time evangelizing, but what does Satan have to do, nothing! I wish it were different, but that’s the way it is, I’m afraid. Well, on we go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 14 – EVANGELIZING

(Sharing the Gospel, the Good News of our Lord)

I have taught many classes on how to evangelize. If you have a half dozen people in a class, that is good. I have found, after asking many people, “Why won’t you take a course in evangelizing?” if they are honest, and very few are, they will admit that it’s because they have a fear of rejection. When they get done with the class I ask, “Why don’t you actually go out and evangelize?” It’s the same reason. There are two main fears in everyone’s life: rejection and the fear of the unknown.

The commandment is set forth very plainly in Matthew 28:18 “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Yes, that’s right; this is a command from Jesus! Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Therefore, this should be a no-brainer, right! If you love the Lord, then you will go out and tell them the Good News that can save their eternal souls.

So where does it all go wrong? Simple: we fear rejection, so we don’t go out, because people just can’t stand to hear, “No thanks; I’m good.” You might as well plunge a dagger into their heart or something. So, what is the solution; we know the problem, and we even know the command that Jesus gave us!

Before I give you the solution, I have to remind you that Satan DOES NOT WANT YOU TO SAVE SOULS FOR GOD’S KINGDOM! He will tell you, “Who do you think you are, telling people about Jesus, when you aren’t perfect yourself.” He will tell you that you are too busy, you don’t know the Bible well enough, and you are a failure when they reject you. He will even tell you, when you can get by all this, “You are a failure! You gave it your best shot, and they still turned you away – they rejected you!” Satan is very sly and cunning; he knows you and he knows me. He knows our weak points, and this is one weak point that we all have. So, what is the solution then?

Before I give you the solution – COME ON ALREADY, THIS IS KILLING ME – well, OK, here it is. Just think back and ask yourself, “Did Jesus ever get rejected by the Jews, his very own people? Did He even get rejected by his brothers?” Yes, He surely did! Do you think this was easy for Jesus to go through? Did it stop Him? It assuredly did not! Not only was H rejected, but also the high priests demanded that He be crucified! Now, that’s rejection, but it never stopped our Lord and Savior, and thank God for that. He even prayed in Gethsemane to take this cup from Him, three times, to his Father in Heaven, but He had to go to the cross for us, for you and for me.

When someone rejects you, and says, no thanks, I don’t want to hear this, just say, “God bless you; I will pray for you.” It’s not you that they are rejecting, but God, Jesus, and even salvation. Remember that God cannot lie, and God can’t and won’t ever force someone to believe, to be saved, or even to go to Heaven. That is their choice!

So, what’s our job, then? Our job is to tell people, the very best way we can, about our Lord and what He can do for us – forgive us of our sins and save our souls, eternally. Does it have to be perfect? No! Did Jesus save everyone He spoke to? No! Some of them even demanded his crucifixion. It didn’t stop Him, and don’t let it stop you, either. It’s not what you say anyway, but how the Holy Spirit draws them to the Father. Our job is to tell, and the Holy Spirit’s job is to bring them to God the Father. I can’t do the job of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit can’t do my job.

SO, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU SAVED, ANYWAY? – a story

Yeah, I have been asked that many times. It shocks them when I say, “NONE!” They must think that I am a fake or something. Here this person who comes and tries to teach us how to evangelize, and he hasn’t saved one soul. I then proceed, “You aren’t asking the right question. You see, I can’t save souls; I am not God. Only God can do that. The question to ask is this, “How many people asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior after you gave them the Good News of the saving Grace and Power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus or Yeshua?” It has been well over 2,000 souls. I explained and offered,  and they accepted. The Holy Spirit brought them to ask for forgiveness and to ask Jesus to be the Lord of their lives and Savior of their souls, not me!

TWO BEST FRIENDS – a story

At the bus stop, where we have ministered to hundreds and hundreds of people, there were two girls, two best friends waiting for their bus. We approached them and I explained the Good News of our Lord to them. After about 20 minutes or so, I asked both of them if they would like to ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins, and if they wanted to ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. One of the girls had a cross on – she wouldn’t ask for forgiveness or for Jesus to be her Lord; her friend, the one without the cross around her neck, did! Praise God! I tell this story, because they both heard exactly the same thing from me. One of these girls accepted, and the other rejected – not me, but the Lord, salvation, and everlasting life in Heaven!

SO WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU WHILE EVANGELIZING? – story

“So, what’s the worst thing that ever happened to you while you were out evangelizing,” people have asked many times, expecting me to tell them that I got pushed, shoved, spit on, or worse. I can honestly say that this never happened to me, ever. It may be my guardian angel, that I definitely believe I have, and maybe two, or just God’s protection. I then proceed to tell them this story.

I taught a small class of five how to evangelize one Sabbath day. I told them that we’d meet back after lunch to go out evangelizing. Well, it was just the Holy Spirit and me that day. I often evangelized alone, but it’s much more fun to go out with friends or a team! I was near “Fashion Square” in Scottsdale, where the rich and famous shop – very expensive – so away I went to tell everybody how great our Lord is. Nobody, yes, nobody, would even look up at me, sitting in an outdoor café. It was as if I wasn’t even there! I didn’t even get the usual, “No thanks,” or “not now,” or “I’m good.” Nothing! I would have even settled for a nice rejection. I can only imagine what Jesus felt when He was rejected, as He was hanging on that old wooden cross! OUCH, or when He was sitting on a hill overlooking Jerusalem and thinking about his people.

 

On the other hand, the most exciting thing that ever happens to me, and does it ever MAKE MY DAY, is when someone asks me to pray with them to ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior! It makes it all worthwhile.

 

SAVE ME! – a story

 

One day at the bus stop, we just got done praying, and we just started to evangelize. We came upon a woman and her daughter, who was about 12 or so. The mom immediately said, “I have been waiting to give my life to the Lord; please save me.” We led her in prayer and she became a believer that very moment, forgiven and saved for all eternity. How awesome that was! Yes, that is rare to be sure, but very exciting. Her daughter, on the other hand, wanted no part of it, even after she saw how enthusiastic her mom was. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

 

I should write a book sometime telling everyone how great it is to bring souls into God’s Kingdom, how great it is to help people, and how great our Lord and God are!  Hey, I guess that’s what I’ve been doing, so let’s proceed on with one of my favorite subjects, as you can tell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 15 – THE BUS STOP

 

Why in the world would anyone want to evangelize at a bus stop anyway? The answer is quite simple; you have all these people just sitting and waiting for their bus. They aren’t going anywhere until their bus comes, and they have nothing to do except talk to you about our Lord and Salvation – right!

 

The bus stop in question is in Phoenix, Arizona, in a very big mall. Busses come and go, dropping people off, from all over the city. The bus stop is under cover, has only a roof on metal beams, a water fountain, and lots of benches where people sit and wait. Most of the time, the water fountain was OK, but during the summer, when it was 110 degrees or higher, you could boil an egg in that water (almost).

 

One way of evangelizing, that I found to be very effective, was to use a $1,000,000 gospel tract. I would hold it out and hand it to someone. I would say, “I have a gift for you.” Then I would follow that up with, “The million dollar question is, “If you died today, or a bus came and run us over right now, where do you think you would spend the rest of eternity?”

 

Sometimes, they would simply say, “No thanks.” I never push my faith or Jesus on anyone! I would simply say, “God bless you,” and walk off to the next person. I would often say, “Please remember that Jesus is always waiting for you; He loves you, and he died for you on the cross, to take away all your sins.”

 

Sometimes, they would say, “I’m good.” I might ask if they are good enough to get into Heaven. If they said that they were good, they were really implying that they were, so I would ask, “Do you mind if I asked you a few questions?” If they said, sure, I would proceed:

 

Me: Did you ever hear of the 10 Commandments and could you name one for me?

Them: Sure, don’t kill.

M: You look like a good person, and I’m sure you’ve never killed anyone! Have you ever lied?

T: Sure.

M: Me too; what does that make you?

T: Human (some people just couldn’t admit that they are a liar, so I could say)

M: If I lied to you, what would that make me?

T: A liar (they have no problem telling me that I am a liar!)

M: Have you ever stolen anything – a pencil, a paperclip, or anything in your life?

T: Yeah, once, a long time ago.

M: Yeah, me too! So what does that make you?

T: A stealer.

M: Really, were you a member of the Pittsburg Stealers (football team)? (A little humor). What else would you be called?

T: A thief?

M: Right. Did you ever use God’s name in vain, using God’s name as a curse when you were angry?

T: Sure, we all have.

M: Yes, you are right; I have myself. I still do once in a very great while, but when I do, I apologize to God and ask Him to forgive me. Did you ever look at a woman (or someone of the opposite sex) with lust in your heart?

T: Sure.

M: What does that make you?

T: Human (again).

M: So, you just admitted to me that you are a liar, a thief, a blasphemer, and an adulterer at heart, so when you die, where do you think you will go – Heaven or Hell.

 

SCENARIO 1

 

If they say Heaven, I proceed with the following:

 

M: If you broke into a store, got caught, you were arrested, and you had to stand before a judge, what do you think he would do to you? Do think he’d just let you go?

T: No, but I don’t do those things anymore.

M: Do you think the judge, if he is a righteous and good judge, would let you go, just because you said that you weren’t going to do that anymore?

T: Probably not.

M: I agree with you. You see, God works the same way, and He would have to judge you and sentence you according to what crime you have committed. God calls these sins.

 

SCENARIO 2

 

If they are honest, and they say Hell, I proceed with the following:

 

M: Does that concern you, going to Hell, forever? You see Hell is forever and there are no exits in Hell!

T: Well, yeah, of course it does, I don’t want to go to Hell forever!

M: Me either and I’d do anything to stay out of there so I could go to Heaven.

T: Yeah, me too!

M: Good. Do know how to get there, or do you know what God did for us so we could have all our sins forgiven?

T: No, what?

M: God sent his one and only Son to earth, to give his life for us on the cross. Do you know his name?

T: Jesus, right?

M: That’s right. Would you like to ask Jesus to forgive you for all your sins so you can go to Heaven when you stand before our Judge, Jesus, on Judgment Day?

T: Well, YEAH!

M: Great! Would you like to pray to God and ask Him to forgive you and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior right now?

T: Well, I don’t know; that sounds kinda hard!

M: I understand. Would you like me to lead you in a prayer? If you don’t agree with what I am saying, you can stop at any time, OK?

T: Yeah, that sounds easy!

M: It is, so here we go.

Dear Father in Heaven (they repeat, so keep it short, and you don’t have to memorize this exact prayer!)

I believe that you created the Heavens

And the earth

And that You sent your son, Jesus,

To save us from our sins

Thank You, Father

I believe in Jesus

As Lord of my life

And Savior of my soul

Who came to forgive all my sins

I am sorry, Jesus,

For sinning against You

Please forgive me

Thank You, Jesus,

For wiping away all my sins

Every single last one of them

Forever and ever!

Amen.

 

M: Well, that’s the beginning.

T: So what now?

M: Try to find a good church, where they carry their Bibles around with them, study them, and follow them in their daily lives!

T: Yeah, there is a church just down the street from where I live, and I have seen them carrying their Bibles with them to church.

M: Good, that sounds like a good place to start. You might also try our Messianic congregation. As a Messianic congregation, we try very hard to read, keep, and live by the Word of God, and not the word of man. We try to do as Jesus did; He worshipped God on the Sabbath, day 7, and the rest of the week, He and his disciples were out helping, healing, and preaching; this is called ministry. It’s very important that you start off right, and get involved right away in a ministry. All you have to do is ask the leader of the congregation, a pastor, or rabbi, and ask him about the various ministries that you can get involved in. Take the list home and pray to God, asking Him, which one is right for you? Get involved in a Bible study. Pray to God often during the day; talk to Him, because He loves you and wants to hear from you all the time. Read the Word of God, the Bible, and ask lots of questions. It’s a good idea to read and study with a group of people who have been studying a while, so they can help you understand. It’s also good to read on your own. You may not understand it all right away, but don’t give up. My favorite book to start with is the Book of John, in the New Testament. That book tells us so much about who Jesus is, what He did, and what we need to do to follow Him. Well, that’s about it. Here’s my card. Please feel free to call me so we can talk, any time. If you have any questions, I’d love to talk about them with you. If you need any help with anything, I make house calls! Please don’t ever think that it’s an inconvenience to call me or take up my time. That’s what I love to do! I am here for you! Can I pray for you? Do you have any needs in particular, or would like me to say a simple prayer for you before I go?

T: Just a simple prayer is fine, thanks.

M: Well, that’s as simple as it is. The more we get know God, trust Him, and believe in Him, the better life gets. For me, every single day is awesome. Sure, things don’t always go the way we want them to, but God ALWAYS has a divine purpose. He’s real good that way. Well, it was great to meet you, talk with you, pray with you, and help you to know Jesus better. Be blessed my dear friend. As we say in Hebrew, “L’hitraot,” or “see you later.” As my friend always says, I’ll see you here, there, or in the air! Shalom, and peace to you!

 

ARE YOU GOING TO CRY NOW? – a story

 

One day at the bus stop, I saw these two young men who had their bicycles with them. As usual, I went over to them and asked them if they knew Jesus as their Savior. One of them told me that many pastors had spoken to him in the past, and none of them were able to “save” him. I went through the above with the both of them. After about 15 minutes or so, one of them said to me, “Well, we just aren’t going to buy it! Are you going to cry now, like all the others?” He told me that he had sent many pastors away crying, because they couldn’t save him either!

 

I told him that, no, I’m not going to go away crying, because, sir, you see that I can’t save you; I’m not Jesus; that’s his job. I did my job by sharing how Jesus gave his life for you on the cross, and that’s all I can do! The rest is up to you and God. Do you know what else; God can’t even save you if you don’t want to be forgiven your sins. You have to ask Him to forgive you and then you have to ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life and Savior of your soul. He cannot and will not ever force Himself on you; He is a real Gentleman. If you want to go to Hell, He can’t and won’t stop you. That is your choice and yours alone. God can’t even make you go to Heaven if you don’t want to; did you know that?

 

Well, I have done my part, and now it’s up to you. Would it be OK for me to pray for you? He said, “No thanks,” so I said, “God bless you, sir; He is always waiting for you, and He will always forgive you no matter what you do or have done in the past. He is real good at that. God bless you, gentlemen!”

 

In the course of conversation, I tell people that there is one sin that cannot be forgiven; that sin is called “BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT.”  I have heard it explained in two ways:

 

  • If you tell God and the Holy Spirit that you do not want them in your life, like that man did in the story above, the Holy Spirit cannot and will not help you, guide you, or bring you into a saving faith with Jesus. At this point in your life, there is no way back. Now God knows if you were just angry with him, but if you are serious and you have no intention of ever asking God for forgiveness, then it’s to Hell with you forever. I even hate to say that; that’s a horrible thought! Please remember that God knows you better than you know yourself, He knows if you were serious or just angry with Him, and He knows your future.
  • If you credit to Satan what God has done for you, that is also another unforgiveable sin. For example, if you healed someone and credited that to Satan instead of the Holy Spirit, that is what this means.

 

JOE – a story

I am using the name Joe, because I don’t want to use their regular name in this book. I have told this story so many times; it’s one of my absolute favorites, and I hope you enjoy it!

 

Joe was sitting on one of the benches waiting for his bus. I went up to him and asked him if he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and he did. We talked a while, and Joe told me that he had been going though some very hard times; he lost his wife, his home, his job, and even his dog. Does this sound like a country-western song or what? I asked Joe if I could pray for him, to the Lord, for help in all these matters, and he was very grateful that I was willing to do this for him. We got done with the prayer, and Joe’s bus came, so off he went.

 

Usually, I never see the people again that I minister to, but this was an exception, for a very exceptional story. I was witnessing to a young man, in the same seat that I had witnessed to Joe in about six months before, when this man gets off the bus right behind the bench, and he is standing behind the man on the bench to whom I am witnessing. I could tell that he was very anxious to say something to me, but I wanted to finish up with the man on the bench that I was witnessing to. I asked the man if he would like to ask Jesus to be his Lord and Savior because his bus had just pulled in. He didn’t buy what I was saying, so he said, as he was getting up to get in line, “So, what’s in it for me right here and now?” and then he got in line to board the bus.

 

Well, the man who was waiting so impatiently for me turned out to be Joe! He asked if I recognized him, and I told him that I speak to hundreds of people at the bus stop, and that I was sorry, and I didn’t remember him. He told me the story of his losses, and then it clicked. I told Joe that, yes, I did in fact remember him. He told me, “Guess what? The very next day, my wife came back (I guess they had an disagreement), I got my job back, my car, and even my dog. I didn’t get all the details about each, but he was so excited to tell me this. I told him how happy I was for him, and that, yes, God still answers prayers, and God is amazing! I then asked Joe if he would do me a big favor and tell the man, to whom I was witnessing, what he just told me, because that man wanted to know what God can do for him right here and now. Sure enough, Joe was very happy to share this miracle with him as he was waiting to board the bus. I never did see either one of them again, but it amazes me how God works. His timing is stunningly perfect.

 

WILL YOU SIGN MY MILLION-DOLLAR BILL? – a story

 

            I was evangelizing at the bus stop, and a young man came up to me. He pulled out his wallet and asked me if I had given this million-dollar bill to him when he was in the detention center in Phoenix. I ministered in a detention center for 12 to 17 year-olds in Phoenix for 10 years. He asked if I sang and played guitar, and if I was the one that gave him this million-dollar gospel tract. I assured him that yes, that was me.

 

He thanked me for turning him onto Jesus. He then told me that he was about to go into  the mission field in some third-world country, so he could help people and spread the Good News of our Lord everywhere he was going. I prayed over him that the Lord would bless him and guide him in all that he does, and that the Holy Spirit would bless him with wisdom and power to do the Lord’s work wherever he went.

 

I was so thrilled to have that experience. You know, you just never know what effect you have on people! I can only imagine how many others are Heaven-bound, or working in ministry, or are saved from their sins, and spreading the Gospel because I was faithful in telling them about our Lord and Savior!

 

I don’t know if, when we get to Heaven, that we will ever meet or recognize those people that we were instrumental in bringing to the Lord. Wouldn’t it be cool that, when we get there, a whole bunch of people would run up to us and thank us for helping them accept Jesus as Lord, so they could get to Heaven? Now that would be great!

 

By the way, this thought just ran across my mind, if God gave you one question to ask Him when you get to Heaven, what would it be? For me, my question would be, “Lord, God, where did you come from?” It blows me away to think that God has always been here! No matter how long ago everything was created, before that there was God. Some scientists say that everything came into existence by the Big Bang about 22 billion years ago. This is the most that I have ever heard; usually, it’s around 4.5 billion years or so. Either way, at one time there was nothing, but God! I think it’s funny, in a way that they thought up this ridiculous concept called the “Big Bang Theory.” Our very first law of thermodynamics is, “Matter cannot be created or destroyed.” I guess they were wrong, and that’s why they call it a theory, because they can’t prove it; they haven’t yet, and they never will. As far as I can see, the only reason we have this and the theory of evolution is because they don’t want to admit that there is God! Perhaps this is why God started the whole Bible out with, “In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth.” I guess He knew that this was coming.

 

GOTHIC GROUP – a story

 

I will give you the punch line right now; don’t ever judge anyone or assume that they would never want to hear about Jesus!

 

I love to talk with young people, since they usually have a much more open mind about hearing about Jesus! I went up to this group of young adults, in their early 20’s. They all had on black clothes, black hair, earrings, piercings, and tattoos. They had rings where I never knew they could put them. Can you imagine having a pierced tongue with a stud in it?!

 

The young men headed in the opposite direction when they heard me talking about Jesus. A young woman, about 20 years old, stayed and talked with me. I thought she had a lot of guts to talk with me, this old guy, who was talking about Jesus! We talked for about 20 minutes or so, and then her bus came. I asked her if she would like to ask Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. She declined the offer, but she said that she really appreciated my taking my time to talk with her, because NOBODY HAD EVER TALKED TO HER ABOUT JESUS BEFORE! I can only pray and hope that she accepted Jesus as Lord later on; I really believe that she did!

 

When I was walking up to them, I have to be honest with you, I didn’t think that any of them would stop and listen to me or talk to me, but she did! When you have an opportunity to speak to someone, please do! Don’t worry what they look like, how they are dressed, or even how they are talking. They all need Jesus, and so don’t we – EVERY SINGLE, LAST ONE OF US! Everyone on earth, self included, needs Jesus, help, prayer, the Holy Spirit, love, someone to care, and someone to share with. We are all in this together. Some of the neediest people are other “believers.” I know I have lots of needs. I just got off the phone with my dear friend in Phoenix – we call each other often. We pray for each other. We share our trials and tribulations, and believe me we both have them. Just because we have known Yeshua, our Savior, for years now, and we are very faithful servants of His, that doesn’t mean that we no longer have any problems or needs, because we do, all the time. It’s great to share, and it’s great to know that this special brother in the Lord is always there to listen to me and pray with and for me. We always end in prayer, by the way. I hope you’re enjoying these stories. I just love to tell them, and it never gets old, even though I am.

 

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHO IS LISTENING – a story

 

            Many years ago, I taught an evangelizing class in one of the Messianic congregations where I went. This couple was also involved with the bus stop ministry from time to time. About a year ago, the bus stop ministry was about to fold, because nobody was going out on Sunday afternoon anymore to evangelize. These two people kept it alive, along with a couple of others that I know very well, and who are very dynamic in their witnessing.

 

It turned out that they really fell in love with evangelizing, to the point that they recently got done teaching an evangelizing class in their Messianic congregation; I also attended that class when I was out in the Phoenix, visiting. They had a class of about twenty – awesome! After the last class, it was time to fly. Eight of those in class went out to the bus stop to witness, along with their teachers. Several souls were saved that weekend, thanks to these faithful people. Yes, some of them were scared and very unsure of themselves, but they went anyway. The next week, during Bible study, they told those in class how great it was and how productive they had been. They said that it was very easy, and that there was nothing to fear; all you have to do is DO IT!

 

Sometimes we have to call people back into a ministry that they had been involved in, and that’s OK. Some people are self-motivating, but some need a little encouragement. Who knows; if the group hadn’t almost stopped, and I didn’t call them, they might not have taught that class. Do you want to hear a happy ending? Well, they are getting married this coming weekend! Praise the Lord. Yes, there are all kinds of fringe benefits to serving the Lord.

 

SO WE CAN’T EVANGELIZE AT THE BUS STOP ANYMORE? – a story

 

            This is the last story in this section – bummer! About ten years ago, as we were evangelizing at the bus stop, a guard from the mall office came out in his little golf cart, and told us that we could not “solicit.” I assured him that we were NOT selling anything, but sharing about Jesus at the bus stop. He said that we couldn’t do that. He told us that we had to leave. I asked him to take us to his supervisor, because this is one of religious rights, freedom of speech. I assured him that we were not forcing this on anyone, and that if they asked us to leave when we were evangelizing, we did.

 

We went to see the head of security for the entire mall in his office. He told us that this was private property, and we could not do this on their private property. I asked him where the property ended so we could go there and evangelize. We had to go out to the sidewalk by the street, so we did.

 

Please keep in mind that we never caused a riot or a problem in the nearly ten years we had been doing this!

 

Well, the next week we tried again, and the guard told us that we had to leave. We got together and prayed for divine intervention, and God came through; the next week, the guard was gone, never to see him again, or that little golf cart of his. Who knows, maybe it was one of Satan’s demons. You know that Satan doesn’t want us out there stealing from his detestable little kingdom, Hell! Too bad, Satan; take a hike buddy! We serve the Most High God and Jesus. You know your end, Satan. You know where you will be sent for all eternity – the Lake of Fire. When we pray in the name of Jesus, and we resist Satan, the Bible tells us that Satan has to flee (James 4:7). Don’t ever be afraid of Satan; he has no power over you, unless you give it to him! DON’T!

 

 

SO, THE JEWS ARE OK! – a story

 

This did not happen at the bust stop, but I wanted to add this here. About 10 years ago, I was invited to attend a synagogue in Phoenix by one of my teacher-friends. She knew that I was a Messianic Jew at the time, but still a Jew! I was very pleased that she invited me, and I really enjoyed going. Sad to say, but I went to her synagogue much more than she did. As a matter of fact, she hardly ever went, come to think of it, but the Lord had his hand in this, as usual!

 

They had a Klezmer group that played for the Shabbat service. Being a music teacher, and that clarinet was my main instrument, I thought I’d fit right in – I just love to play. Well, I asked the rabbi what he thought, and it was fine with him. The group was very small, and they wanted to build it up, so, why not!

 

The rabbi knew that I was a Messianic Jew, so he told me, “Dave, we’re glad that you are here, but please don’t proselytize.” I asked him exactly what he meant by that, and he told me that it was fine for me to talk about Yeshua, but don’t try to talk anyone into going to your church, he said. I told him that this was not my goal at all! I told him, that if anything, I would like to see them believe in their Messiah right here in this very synagogue.

 

It must have been pre-ordained for me to stay there, in light of all this, because they really liked my clarinet playing, and I wasn’t really pushing Yeshua very much, anyway; I didn’t want to offend them. This was not my goal. I talked about it a little here, a little there, and they knew what I was. I never try to hide my Lord; He is too precious for that. In fact, I had a few chances to sit down with the rabbi and talk to him about our Messiah.

 

One time, I came to see him, I set a pile of papers down on his desk, and asked, “Rabbi, with all these books here, and the Tanakh, can you tell me how our Messiah is coming (even though he knew that I thought he came already).” He looked around and pondered a few moments, and then said, much to my surprise, “God will let us know.” He then asked me what that pile of papers was that I had put on his desk when I came in. I said, “Rabbi, this is how God let us know.” There were around 23 pages of prophecy, the PROPHECY PAGE on my website called THE JEWISH MESSIAH (at https://afreetickettoheaven.com). I gave him several prophecies, that I have previously mentioned in the beginning of the book, and told him that our Messiah had to have come already, because God said He did (Daniel 9:24-27, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, all of Isaiah 53, and even way back in Genesis 49:10).

 

He asked me this very startling and revealing question, “So, are you telling me that if we Jews don’t believe that our Messiah has come already, we are going to Hell.” My response was, “Yes. God told us when our Messiah would come, whom He was, in what form He would come, and that He would be born of a virgin. God told us that He was from Ancient of Days, that He would be called Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace, and that He would do away with all sin, because of his life that He gave as a sacrifice for us all!” I told him that God did his part, and all we have to do is accept it. If we reject the Messiah’s coming, as God told us, we reject God Himself – plain and simple. If we reject the Messiah, then we reject the only way and person that can wipe our sins clean. If we reject our Messiah, we reject the only possible way to make it to Heaven, because we all sin, and the Messiah came to do away with all our sin, by his blood sacrifice, once and for all!

 

I told him that there is nothing more Jewish in the whole world, and in all of history, than our Messiah. He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. I told him, as I have with many other Jewish people that I have witnessed to. You don’t have to give up any of your Jewishness; I haven’t. The Messiah was a Jew, the greatest Rabbi of all times, and He didn’t give up one single thing as a Jew who kept every single law; that’s how we can say that He was Holy and sinless, because He kept all the laws. If He had broken one single commandment, He would have failed being God and our Messiah.

 

In closing this section, I ask you to remember this: if you meet a Jewish person, please remember to say to them, “You know, I have been reading the Holy Scriptures, the Tanakh (O.T.) and I have been reading so much about your Messiah and his coming. Can you tell me about Him, when He will come, and how?” You can use these prophecies that I just told you about. You might ask them if they have read the Torah, yet, the first five books. You will be shocked when they tell you that they have not! Most Jews don’t even care to read the first 5 books, never mind the whole 39 in the Tanakh or the Old Testament. By the way, I get the same thing from almost every Christian “believer” too! There are very few “Christians” that I meet who have taken their time to read the whole 66 books of the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments! Is there anything more important to read? What takes up your time if you haven’t? Whatever you spend your time on – more than God – that is your god. We are told in Scripture that you can’t serve two masters, God and mammon, or God and anything (Matthew 6:24). On we go to the next chapter.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 16 – PRISON MINISTRY

 

Matthew 25:34-36 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

 

            Jesus is real big on helping the poor, the needy, and those in prison. It is both a blessing for those you help and serve, and for you. Our good deeds are recorded in the Book of Works, mentioned in Revelation 20:12. We don’t do good works for a reward, even though we are rewarded; we do good things in gratitude for what Jesus did for us on the cross.  We don’t do good deeds to save us, but they are very necessary in our walk as a believer in Jesus! Only the blood of Christ washes away our sins and saves us, so we can enter into Heaven on Judgment Day.

 

Why clergy says that we don’t have to do good works and it’s not a works program, I don’t know! As I said before, the good works don’t save us or forgive our sins, but can you imagine if Jesus followed their advice and teaching, and He didn’t go out and help anyone or heal anyone? Where would you and I be today. Where will they be, whom God has appointed to us to help and to tell the Gospel to, if we don’t do our part here and now? On the other hand, just imagine for a moment, if you will, that everyone on earth believed in Jesus and everyone helped each other and followed the 10 Commandments, and the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor! What an awesome world this would be – no war, no hatred, no killing, no stealing, no lying, no adultery, etc. There wouldn’t be any prisons anymore! Everyone would love and care for each other. There would be no homeless people anymore. Just think! You and I can’t reach everyone, but we can reach some, so let’s all do OUR part, shall we!

 

If there were one single ministry that God said I could do, discarding all the rest – that ain’t gonna happen by the way – I would keep my prison ministry! I have been doing it for 25 years now, and how glorious it has been! I was first told to get into prison ministry by one of my fellow teachers around thirty years ago. I put it off; it didn’t seem very appealing to me at all. I couldn’t see myself with those mean, tough, and ornery men. I later found out that I would meet some of the sweetest, gentlest, and God-loving men that I have ever met in my life!

 

I put it off for several years, starting into prison ministry that is. I was in church one Christmas, and our choir was going to go into a local prison to do some Christmas caroling. Since I played guitar and sang, and I was a chorus director in public school, I thought I’d offer my services and do them a favor by going with them and leading them in song. Well, it turned out that they did me an even bigger favor, and I started into the greatest ministry ever – prison ministry!

 

We went right into a cellblock that fine Christmas day. There was an upper row of cells and a day hall on the bottom, where the men could watch television, play cards, read, play games, etc. We set up for caroling, and we started to sing. All the men in their orange suits came over and started to sing with us! Can you imagine, all these rough and tough men singing about our Lord and LOVING IT! They were happy. They had big smiles on their faces. They were really having fun singing songs about Jesus. Wow! Maybe, just maybe, there’s something to this prison ministry stuff after all! We touched hearts and souls. We brought joy into their lives. We connected with them. The Holy Spirit of God was flowing big time in prison that day and in my heart and soul as well. Have you ever noticed that when you minister, you’re really the one being ministered to!

 

I got home and thought about it; I was hooked. I’m in! That was 25 years ago now, and it just gets better and better all the time.

 

I met a man in prison; we’ll call him Tom for now, but that wasn’t his real name. Tom came to the chapel and really seemed to get into this Jesus stuff. He didn’t know the Lord yet, but it didn’t take long before he asked us to lead him to Jesus, to get saved, to turn his life over to Jesus, and to make something of his life. He wanted to change. He wanted a new life. He didn’t want to keep coming back into prison; it was time for a change!

 

Well, Tom was hooked, and I was, too! Jesus told us that we would do greater things than He did (John 14:12). I have thought about this many times. How is this possible? Jesus brought people back from the dead, to life. Gee, that’s exactly what we did for Tom. He now had a new life in Christ. Jesus brought people back from the dead, physically, and now we can do it spiritually. This is an eternal salvation, a new awakening, a new life, full of blessings and joy!

 

Tom eventually got out of prison in a few years. He asked me to come and visit him in his little apartment. He was free. He was free indeed! He had a new life. He had a new life in Christ. He was free from sin. He was free from his prison cell. He was free from the bondage of sin and alcohol. Every time I call Tom, he always tells me, proudly, how many years he has been free, not from prison, but from alcohol, which was the biggest thing he was enslaved to. He is free now and Heaven-bound. He is a new man in Christ, and he loves his life.

 

Tom goes back into prison now to tell his story to many others, to give them hope, and to give them eternal life in Heaven, that same new life that he received in prison many years ago. I went to his apartment, and you’d think it was a Christian bookstore or something. There are pictures of Jesus, Bibles, posters, cards, and anything he could get his hands on that reminded him of his Lord and Savior. There was barely enough room for his bed and TV.

 

One of the members of the team, who went into prison with us every Wednesday night, wasn’t there one week as we were singing. I didn’t think much of it, until we got into the chapel. There he was, in orange! He said that he had been in prison before, which I didn’t know, and he fell back into the same thing that got him there in the first place. It wasn’t a serious offense this time, but it was enough to get him back in prison. He was out soon and back on the team. Yes, we all slip up, every one of us, at times. Sometimes only God and we know the crime. Sometimes we get caught and it costs us some time in prison. Let’s face it; just about all of us could have been in prison for something we have done in the past. We just weren’t caught; that’s all.

 

Any one of us could get into a car accident, or do something that we didn’t mean to do at the time, and we could be in prison ourselves. We should thank God that He has protected us. We should never take this for granted. We are blessed if we have never done prison time.

 

The first ten years that I did prison ministry was in a maximum-security prison in Massachusetts, where I met Tom. We then moved to the Phoenix, Arizona area, where I ministered for ten years in a detention center for boys who were 12 to 17 years old. Can you imagine a place where all the “prisoners” were only 12 to 17 years old? It was enough to make you cry; it was sad. These boys needed Jesus, too, and for the same reasons.

 

I HATE WHITE PEOPLE – a story

 

            At the detention center, a new boy came in; he must have been around 16 years old. When they boys would come into the chapel and when they left, I would be at the door to give them a hug and welcome them to chapel services that day. Well, (we’ll call him) George came in; he was new, so I just put out my hand for a handshake. George said, in a very angry voice, “I hate white people.” I took my hand back quickly, and I was just a little offended. I thought about George all week, and how I would handle this when I saw him next week, if he came to the chapel that is. I prayed for George; I prayed that the Holy Spirit would soften his heart toward “white people” and me.

 

My prayers were answered; George came to the chapel next week, praise God. I put my hand right out there for a handshake, and George said, “I hate white people.” Hmmm! What now, Lord? Back in Massachusetts, in prison, we had a saying that I still use today, “I LOVE YOU AND YOU CAN’T DO A THING ABOUT IT.” Yes, that’s what I told George, too. Needless to say, George wasn’t very thrilled with this! This didn’t stop me, though, so I kept praying for George, and that I would have courage to keep trying no matter what. Well, this went on for another couple of months. George wasn’t going to budge on this, and neither was I. I would simply say to George, “I love you, and you can’t do a thing about it.”

 

The next week, much to my surprise, George reached out and shook my hand. Can you believe it? My prayers were answered. George even gave me a smile. In a couple of weeks, I thought I might push my luck and I went to give George a hug, cautiously at first, and sure enough, he gave me a hug right back. What an awesome feeling of love between George and me that day! Wow! The Holy Spirit touched him and filled me! What a victory in Jesus! I have never forgotten that day or that boy, even to this day.

 

After all the boys left, the pastor, a huge man who used to play for the 49’ers, motioned to me, to come and speak to him. As usual, when people do that, I thought I was in trouble, again! That was not the case though; the pastor said that he had been watching George and me, watching this unfold into a beautiful and loving relationship. He congratulated me on my effort, but I told him that it wasn’t me but the Holy Spirit working in and through me; I couldn’t take the credit for this (or anything I do for that matter – I give all the credit to God). He then told me that I was the only one in the detention center that has been able to get through to George. That was quite a victory in Jesus that day. The moral of the story is this: don’t ever give up; your victory might be just around the corner.

 

YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT, AND WHERE? – a story

 

I have now been doing prison ministry out here where we live for six years or so. Before I get into this story, I have to tell you how the Lord worked this out so I could minister here.

 

We had just moved out here from Glendale, AZ, and I heard that there was a prison in town, about six miles from our home. I called up and asked to speak with the prison chaplain. He asked me several question regarding my purpose and my faith. I told him that I was brought up in the Jewish faith, and that I accepted Jesus as my Savior about 38 years ago, at that time. He told me that Jews don’t believe in Jesus, and he would not allow me to come in and minister. I probably should have reminded him that Jesus was a Jew, but I didn’t!

 

Anyway, I prayed about that, and within a few weeks, the chaplain was no longer there. Very soon after that, after applying, going through training, and doing all the preliminaries, I was in that prison ministering. God sure worked that out, and very quickly, I might add, so, let’s get back to the story.

 

About six months ago, one of the men told me that they got a new superintendent in the prison. He said that he was very much for pastors and prison ministry. He asked me to contact the new super’ and ask if we could have a Wednesday Bible study. Before I go on, I have to give you a little background first.

 

I had recently put on a Passover Seder for the men in the chapel. I called and asked if I could bring in food and implements for the Seder, and I was approved: last year I was turned down. I guess the new super’ was going to be great for Messianic services. I was called at home the week of the Seder, and they asked me if I would put on a second Seder for the men. This was great and totally unexpected! I was quite pleased with this, so I thought that asking for a Wednesday Bible study would have a chance of being accepted. I called the super’ and asked him if we could have the study, and he was all for it! Praise God! He told me to call the people who organize the chapel services and run it by them, telling them that he was all for it. Sure enough, they gave me the go for the Bible study, which we have been doing since. It’s glorious! We have ten to twelve men at the Wednesday Bible study now. They love the Word and the Lord!

 

I encourage the men to lead the study, and some have, both at the Wednesday study and at the Shabbat service. We start with time for the men to ask questions, share thoughts, share some Scripture, or to give praise reports. They do a great job with that. Every week, they have lots of questions for me, which I am so glad that they ask. There are times that we don’t agree, and just a week ago, one of the young men actually got up and walked out on me because he didn’t agree with me on a topic that was brought up and discussed. We both went back to the Word, dug up Scripture, and came to an agreement, the Word of God. That’s the way it should be. No matter where I minister, the same thing happens. I tell the men that I do not know everything, yet, and never will. We have to agree to disagree at times, but also to keep on searching for the truth. Sometimes it takes longer than others to arrive at the truth, but we have found that if we are truly looking for the truth, on both sides, we will find it, and we do! Yes, the truth always helps us settle our disagreements, which are usually based on something that we have heard in the past, in some church, in some context, or in some study. We always have to keep an open and loving mind, or it won’t work. We must never try to do it OUR way, but the Lord’s way. When I find that I have been wrong, after much study and deliberation, I apologize to the men when I am wrong. They really appreciate that. I tell them that we are all in this together and learning from each other!

 

Backing up a little on the story – I told the men at the study to make sure that they spoke with this man (who walked out on me) and make sure that he would come for Saturday’s service. I planned on going home to put a study together on the matter so we could use Scripture to come to an agreement. We started the service, I had the study all ready to go, but the man did not show up. I was crushed. I didn’t know what to do. The man came in late, because his mother was supposed to come for a visit. Well, she didn’t come, which allowed him to be at the service so we could all talk, read, and discuss what it said in Scripture. It all worked out great. Before we started the study, I brought him up the front of the room and asked him to stand next to me. He didn’t know what I was going to do and he looked quite apprehensive. I then said that I had been waiting all week for this, and that I could hardly wait to speak with him. I said, “I am so sorry; you were right, and I was wrong;” then we got into the study. I also did this with another one of the men several months ago.

 

I tell the men that I am not always right, and they won’t always be right either. We have to hang in there, and dig deep into the Word. There is only one right, and it’s not the word according to Dave, but the Word of God. It’s not important what they or I think; it’s important what God said, period! This is a very big lesson to learn. We also have to give each other some slack at times; we will never agree on everything. When we disagree, we have to agree that we will disagree, and disagreements are just going to happen. Even Paul and Peter had major problems, but they worked it out, and so must we. No, it’s not always easy, and we have to be willing to apologize at times. There will be times when we never come to agreement, but we must try our best to understand and let the Word of God speak for itself.

 

I tell the men that this prison is their mission field. They can get to men that I cannot. It is so important for them to invite men every week to come and hear the truth in the Word and turn their lives to our Lord, Jesus. They do a great job at that, too. We get a new man or two almost every week. I can’t say that they always stay, but Jesus had the same problem, didn’t He. He only had 12 apostles at the Last Supper. They must have had a problem with the truth of God then, and we still do today! I remind them that it’s their job to invite men to come, and it is the job of the Holy Spirit to draw them to the Lord to come and worship with us. The Holy Spirit can’t invite men to come, and the men can’t make them come; they can only invite. I tell them that they should never feel bad if somebody that they ask to come does not. They did what they could, and now it is up to the Holy Spirit. That’s all any of us can do, so please, do not get discouraged if you invite someone to come to church with you, or study, or even accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and they do not accept. Your job is simply to ask or invite! Satan will play with your mind and tell you that you failed, but you have not. Please remember what “satan” means in Hebrew; it means to deceive and to lie. Yes, he’s good at it, all right; we have to know his game, and how he works. Don’t buy it! Satan tried to deceive Jesus after He fasted for 40 days in the desert. What did Jesus do? He quoted Scripture to him.

 

One of the funniest things in the whole Bible, for me, is when Satan promised Jesus that if He would follow him, he’d give Jesus everything that he was showing to Him. It’s all Jesus’ anyway; Satan didn’t create anything! He tries to do the same to us, so don’t buy it and don’t ever give in. Just say to Satan, I command you to be gone, in the name of Jesus. Yes, he has to flee, according to Scripture. Remember, Satan has no power over us, unless we give it to him. DON’T! Our Lord is much more powerful that Satan will ever be, and I know that Satan knows his end, in Hell, forever, so he’ll try to get us to join him until he is cast into Hell along with his demons. Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God.” We need it; Satan is tough, but he is no match for God, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit of God that lives and dwells in us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 17 – NURSING HOME MINISTRY

 

This ministry is very near and dear to my heart, especially now that I am 69 and aging quickly! My dear wife and I have been doing this off and on for almost 40 years now. I can remember taking our son with us when we started; he was about 2 years old at the time, and now he’s 42. The elderly just love to see young children and babies; it must bring back many memories!

 

Some of the nursing homes that we have ministered in were, you might say, not very conducive to living in, to put it nicely. The one we are ministering in now is gorgeous; it’s almost brand new.  The staff is great. The dining room has a fireplace in it, and it’s very spacious. The tables are set with napkins and folded as if you were eating in a five-star restaurant. The decorations are beautiful, and the whole facility is just awesome. I kid with the residents there and tell them that I hope I can retire there when I grow up!

 

We just love to go and minister there. We have an hour church service every Sunday evening, from 7 to 8 P.M. We start with a half hour of singing Gospel songs. You should hear them sing. I told them that we could take this act on the road and make big bucks. They love to sing, and some of them have absolutely beautiful voices. Some have been in church choirs. Some have been music teachers. They all love to sing, and they do!

 

After the singing, I give a Gospel message for about 15 to 20 minutes. I ask them lots of questions to get them involved, and they do real well in answering them; they are quite sharp. I also encourage them to give their testimony on how they have come to know the Lord as their Savior, and a couple of them have done so. I encourage them to ask me questions on the Bible, to share what they have been reading, to share their favorite Scriptures, or to inquire about something they have been reading in the Bible, or might not understand. We have some real good conversations, and like any other group that we study with, we don’t always agree. As usual, we dig into Scripture, so we don’t rely on our own understanding, or even that of others, but the Word of God. I very rarely get into “commentary” from others. Let’s face it, a commentary is written by some other person who is simply giving their opinion of what Scripture means. That is not good enough for me! At times I will use commentary, if we are really having a hard time with something, just to get another point of view, or if someone else has no idea, and the discussion is dead, which is rare. We usually study with others who have been reading and studying the Word of God for years and years. Sometimes we have our own biased conceptions of what the Bible says, and sometimes we have to put those ideas and prior knowledge aside, and get right down to the Word.

 

I tell people how important it is not to cherry-pick Scripture. Most of the misconceptions we have are due to believing in something that someone in church has been saying for years and years. It’s hard to overcome that! Sometimes people can’t or won’t try to overcome it. They just can’t get by the lies that they have heard for years, decades, and hundreds of years (with the church as a whole). The idea of keeping the Sabbath is just one of these topics; Easter is another!

 

CAN YOU WALK? a story

 

            I try to make my message as relative and real as possible so those who we study with at the nursing home can relate to it. I tell them that as long as they can walk or wheel themselves around, they can spread the Gospel right where they are! This is their “mission field!” I remind them that there will probably be a time when they, and I, can’t get around anymore! I also tell them that I don’t ever plan on coming to the point in my life when I say, “I wish I had done…” I like to say that I don’t plan on rusting out, but I plan on wearing out, eventually.

 

My dear wife tells me that I need to slow down. She says that I make her tired just watching me do everything that I do. She reminds me, so lovingly and kindly, that I’m 69 now and I really need to slow down, retire, and take it easy! I tell her, very lovingly and kindly, “Sweetheart, when the Lord takes me home, I will have all eternity to rest and take it easy, but for now, I have work to do, people to help, and souls to save.” I tell her that I’m “refired,” not retired. I find myself wanting to do more and more for the Lord and others in need as I am growing older. I get a kick out of doing this, because I feel so blessed that the Lord uses me to carry on his work. The more I do, the more He blesses me. The more I use my God-given talents and gifts, the more He gives me, so I can do more and help more people. I have to admit it is a high for me to be able to help people, and it makes it all worthwhile when they say thank you and give me a big hug, even though we just met a few hours or days ago. It makes you realize how special it is being a believer and follower of our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus.

 

Those wonderful people come to our service walking, in wheel chairs, and on walkers. I thank them for coming and sharing this precious time together with my wife and me. I remind them that there will come a time when they can’t get up and out of their rooms any longer, so keep moving as long as you can. I remind them that the other wing of the nursing home that they can walk to has people in it who can’t walk anymore, who are bed-ridden, and who can’t get around as they can anymore. I remind them that they are still very necessary in spreading the love of God and the Good News of our Lord around where they live.

 

I DON’T KNOW WHY GOD PUT ME HERE! – a story

 

One of the women, we’ll call her Joan, just came to the nursing home recently and attended her first Sunday evening service with us. After the service, I always go around and hug them and kiss them on the cheek – with the men, I stick with a hug. She said that she really had a good time. During the service, during our question and answer time, she asked, “Dave, why do you think the Lord put me here?” I told her that this is her new mission field. There are lots of elderly and lonely people here; they don’t have any friends, or they miss their friends and family where they were living. She told me that she had led Bible studies in church and that she had done ministry work in her church. I told her that there is so much to do here; she could start a Bible study of her own, she could go from room to room and pray with people, or she could just go down the other end of the building and visit those who couldn’t even get out of bed anymore.

 

I guess this wasn’t what she was looking for. The next couple of weeks, she kept asking the same question of why God put her here. Another new woman came to our service for the first time, and she was in tears at the end of the service. I went over to her and asked her what the matter was and how I could help. She said that she had recently lost her husband and that she was very lonely. Joan also told me that she had recently gone through the same thing, so I asked Joan to join with us in the conversation, and she did. I found out that they already knew each other, they had gone to the same church for years, and they even sat behind one another in church. I told Joan that God is speaking loud and clear; this is God telling you why you are here. This was a real blessing and an answer to prayer for the both of them. They are here to comfort and befriend each other!

 

I CAN RELATE – a story

 

Several years ago, in Phoenix, Arizona, I was out hiking all day, in the hot sun, and climbing a mountain in the Valley. I got home, sat on the couch, and passed out. My wife said that my eyes were open, but I was not responsive, at all. She called 911 and the ambulance came. They took me to the hospital and diagnosed me as “dehydrated.” They put me on an I.V. and put me in a room for a few days. It’s a good thing that they put the I.V. on a pole with wheels, because I rolled that pole up and down the corridors, talked to people, blessed them, and prayed with them. I went room to room. We prayed in the hallway with staff. Yes, I might have been in the hospital, but that wasn’t going to keep me down! I tell this story in the nursing home to encourage them to get out of their rooms and be a blessing. As long as we have breath, we can serve the Lord, and spread the Good News.

 

Joan asked me what she could do, now that she was in the nursing home. I told her that in the past, I went on “religious chat rooms,” for a while, and I could talk to people all over the world about our Lord. I used to go on the Jewish chat rooms and talk about our Messiah. I even went on Muslim chat rooms, talked to them about Mohammed, and compared him to Jesus. A few Muslims turned to Jesus and accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. Several others told me that they would really like to accept Jesus as Lord, but if anyone in their families ever found out about themn, they would kill them. How sad! Please pray for them.

 

We can do lots of things right from our own home or room. We can call our kids, family, and friends, and share with them. We can write to those in prison, as I have been doing for years; we call it the Prison Pen Pall Ministry. You can write to the men and women in our armed forces, to share with them and encourage them; they’d love to hear from you. You could write or call the families of those in the armed forces who are here at home, waiting for their loved ones to return. There simply is so much need. There are so many people, all around us, who are in need of a friend, a kind word, and the Word of God. Please reach out while you still can. I pray that you never look back and say, “I wish I had, when I could.”

 

I WISH I HAD, WHEN I COULD – a story

 

            When we were about to move to North  Carolina from Arizona, someone in church told us that they knew someone who lived in North Carolina, and even in the very town that we were moving to, Lumberton – talk about divine intervention! They gave me his phone number, so after we got unpacked, I called him. He was an elderly men who had recently had a stroke. He used to repair and tune pianos for a living. He loved to sing and play guitar. This sounded like a match made in Heaven, since I recently retired from music teaching myself.

 

I called him and asked if I could come over for a visit. He told me to bring my guitar so we could sing together. He couldn’t play anymore due to his stroke, but he could plunk out some notes on the piano. We had a great time. We sang and we talked. We talked and we talked. It was hard for me to get a word in edgewise most of the time, because he had so much to say. He couldn’t get out anymore to see or visit anyone. This went on for several weeks, when he admitted something to me, that will always stick with me.

 

He told me that he was a believer in Jesus and that he knew that he should have gone out and helped people when he could! He said that it was too late, now, and that he wished he had gone out and blessed people when he still could. He told me that nobody ever comes to visit him, and that it was payback, now that he couldn’t get out and people don’t come to see him. This is a very sad story, not only because he realized that he was lonely and disabled now, but that he realized that he could have and should have, but didn’t go when he could. As I said, I hope I am never in that place, and I tell this story because I hope you are never in that place either! Do what you can while you can, because there may come a time when you can’t do anymore! I pray that this never happens to you or to me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 18 – FREE LUNCH MINISTRY

 

            What in the world is a free lunch ministry, and how did it all begin?

 

“Are you kidding, free lunch?” shrieked a young man last year, as he came running down the steps of the Plaza where I do my Free Lunch Ministry. He just couldn’t believe his eyes; I have a big 2 X 8 foot sign advertizing free lunch on the top step of the Plaza where I have been serving lunch, free of cost, to the public, for four years now. He thought I was kidding, or there was some catch, but I assured him that this was for real and it wouldn’t cost him a cent.

 

When people ask how I do this, free, I simply point heavenward and say that it’s a gift from God, and I am his servant. I tell them that I am so blessed, and God has been so good to me, that I owe Him big time. This may not be the greatest lunch you ever had, since all I serve is a bologna and cheese sandwich, water, and various kinds of chips; this is simply a way to get people’s attention, so I can give them a free Bible, literature, and tell them how I can help them or others if they need any help.

 

I do this out of love for our Lord and our community. Yeshua gave his life on the cross for me, so I try to pass on the blessings so people can see how generous God is. It has been four years now since we started this ministry. It wasn’t designed this way from the beginning; let me tell you how it all came to be.

 

It all started way back in Phoenix, Arizona, about 5 years ago. I was out visiting my mother-in-law with my wife, and I went to our weekly Bible study  at a coffee house that I had been going to for several years. That night the Lord gave me a vision of starting a Christian coffee house when I got back home, free to the public. I heard of coffee house at a big church in town called HE-BREWS. I thought that would be a good name for my coffee house as well.

 

We got back in town and I went to a realtor in town, trying to find a place for the coffee house. I didn’t expect that they would give it to me free, out of the goodness of their heart; I was willing to pay the normal rent for a place. They found the perfect place for me, about a mile from home, on a main street, with plenty of open space for the coffee house. My wife and others kept asking how I would pull this off, since it was going to cost $1,200 per month for rent, and I wasn’t going to charge anything for the coffee, sandwiches, and pastry that I planned on serving at the coffee house. Please keep in mind that we are not independently wealthy! I planned on having music, which meant that we would need a sound system. We would need chairs, tables, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, plates, silverware, and all that. I had no idea how all this was going to happen with no backers and no idea where I would get the money for all of this. I was going on faith.

 

They were in the process of fixing up the inside of what was to be the coffee house, when I got a call from a businesswoman in Florida. The Lord directed her to call me and ask me if I would start a Messianic congregation in Fayetteville, about 45 minutes from home. We had a small congregation there, but I was trying to move everything down to our home in Lumberton, about 45 minutes away, because I was traveling up there every day, and it was very costly, just for the gas, never mind the time on the road. This woman said that she wanted me to be the rabbi of a congregation in Fayetteville, and that she would pay to build a brand new place of worship for us, if I would lead the congregation. Please keep in mind that we had never met before, but only talked on the phone. I kept telling her that I would be glad to do this if she built the synagogue in Lumberton, where we live. She said that her vision was that it had to be next to a river, and I assured her that we do, in fact, have a river flowing through Lumberton, called the Lumbee River. This wasn’t good enough for her though; it had to be in Fayetteville. She was willing to get me my own chauffeur and car to drive me, at her expense. I told her that it would still take me too much time traveling day after day, so she promised me that she would even get me my own private jet! I kept telling her that it was Lumberton or nothing.

 

She thought about it and told me that she would even buy everything for the coffee house – the tables, chairs, appliances, sound system, etc. She told me that all I had to do is send her the receipts after I purchased everything that I needed.

 

Now that I had this in place, and things were looking real good for getting everything we needed for the coffee house, I called the realtor and told him that we were ready to move in, and I asked him how the renovations were coming along. He instantly got mad at me and asked me why I was so impatient, and why I was pushing him like this. I simply asked how things were going! He said that the deal was off! I was shocked to say the least!

 

I asked some of my pastor-friends what they thought the reason was, and all that they could come up with was that he knew I was Jewish, Messianic at that (a Christian), and that he could tell that I was from the north, because of my Boston accent. The realtor claimed to be a Christian himself, but he didn’t appear to be, if this were the reason. He never really gave me a reason, except to say that I was pushing him to get his work done. All I asked was how the renovations were going and that when things were ready on his end to let me know so we could move things in.

 

Plan B. I went to several other realtors in town, gave them an idea of what I was looking for, and never heard back from even one of them. I can only guess that the word got around somehow.

 

I started to ask around how I could accomplish my mission, which was to provide a place where I could do something to help the people in town, play and sing, give out free food, and spread the Gospel of our Lord. Someone told me that they had a friend who used to sing and play in a park in the town where they lived. They did not live in Lumberton, so I asked where a place would be where I could do this. Someone mentioned the Plaza, which is in old downtown Lumberton, opposite the public library. I went down to the Plaza to scope out the place. There were two sets of steps going down to a water fountain. There were trees, benches, shade, and even electrical outlets so I could plug in my refrigerators and sound system, if I could get them. It looked great! I asked around and tried to find out how I get to use this place. Someone told me to go to city hall and ask the person in charge of the Plaza, and so I did.

 

I went to their office and told them what my vision and purpose was. They asked how often I would be using the Plaza. I told them that I planned on using it Monday through Friday, every week, from noon to 1 P.M. I asked them if I could use it, and they told me that it was only for religious and political events, which is exactly what I was going to use it for, so I asked what the availability was. They looked at their calendar for the Plaza, and it was bare. The only event they had was for Labor Day, which was on the weekend, so it looked like it was all going to work out. I asked how much I should donate for the use of the electricity, and they said that I could use it at no charge. They said that people usually had to fill out a use form, but since I was going to be using this all the time, they waved this process. I was cleared to use the Plaza! Praise the Lord!

 

Now I had to find refrigerators, a sound system, a trailer to haul it down to the Plaza on, and other assorted equipment. When I told people, what I was going to do, donations for the sound system started coming in.  I got two speakers, a mixing board, microphones, and stands. Two people donated small refrigerators to me so I could put them on the trailer that I still had to find. One of our good friends gave us their trailer; all I had to do was to hook up some lights and wiring for the signal and stop lights on the trailer. I got everything done, and I was good to go.

 

I kept the trailer in my garage, and all I had to do was hitch it up to me car. One of our friends even got a ball and welded it on our car, so I could haul the trailer around. Everything was good to go. The next week I hooked up the trailer, went to the Plaza, hooked up the extension cord, and I was serving lunch, singing, giving a Gospel message, passing out free Bibles, and helping people as they came up to me for help, which was my dream. All I ask of God is, “Use me, Lord.” Well, He certainly was.

 

I was about to start our fourth season this year, back in March when they starting to build a new staging area at the Plaza, so I had to wait for them to get finished with the construction so I could use the Plaza again. When I went down there for the first time, I plugged in, but there was no electricity. I went back to city hall to find out what was going on. They told me that the old outlets were turned off, and that the new outlets on the stage were locked up, and nobody could use them unless they had a special event, concert, or the like. I could go down to the Plaza, but it seemed like I would have to do it with no amp, no electricity, and no microphones, so I had to downsize. In the meantime, my friend needed his trailer back, so I just loaded everything in my car and did my best. Ya just gotta do what ya gotta do at times. I went down the Plaza with a test light to see if any of the outlets were alive. Two of the old outlets that were still alive. I had to get two 50-foot extension cords, but it worked. I could plug in the microphones and the amp, and that would work out fine. I filled a small cooler with cold water, bread, bologna, cheese, and mustard, so I didn’t need the refrigerators. This has worked out very well this year.

 

Please keep in mind that I was told that I couldn’t use the electricity on the new stage, but I was still able to use these old outlets. I had to drive my car down the Plaza so I could set up. There are ramps on either end of the Plaza so I could do this. Oh, I forgot to tell you that in the process of starting this year’s ministry, and speaking with the person at city hall, they told me that they really didn’t want me down there anymore. I asked why, and they told me that the businesspersons in town said that I was attracting “homeless” people at the Plaza, and they said that it was causing people to stay away from their places of business, because they saw all these homeless people down there getting free lunch from me. She told me that it was her decision to prevent me from going down there anymore, because I was “attracting homeless people.” I said, yes, that was exactly what I was trying to do, attract them and help them. This was a problem, so I asked to see her supervisor. I met with him and I had to fill out paperwork, so I could use the Plaza again. They told me that I should be connected to some church, since they would have their 501 (c) (3) tax-sheltered status. I assured them that I was the leader of my own congregation, and I had al lthis, and that I was incorporated as well. They asked for documentation on this, so I brought it down that afternoon. The application to use the Plaza went through, and they told me that they would “compromise” with me, since they didn’t really want me there. They said that I could use the Plaza for one or two days. I chose to do it the maximum of two days. They told me to pick two days, and so I did – Monday and Thursday. All was good to go, and now it is October. I have been going down the Plaza with no problems since then. Nobody said this was going to be easy, did they!

 

One day one of the “businessmen,” whose office is just off the Plaza, came walking toward me as I was ministering in the Plaza. He came to me and challenged me for being there, saying that he had heard that I wasn’t supposed to be there anymore. I told him that I had gone through the process of getting an application and I was good to go. He then totally switched gears, and told me that they had missed me down at the Plaza, and that he was glad to see me there again, so I could continue to help those in need in our town.

 

About five minutes later, the head of the recreation department in town came down to the Plaza and told me that he had just received a call from “someone” and that I wasn’t supposed to have my car down in the Plaza. Please remember that I have been doing this for four years now, and this had never been a problem before. I told him that I could just as well park on the street and set up on the new stage. He said that he noticed that I had these long extension cords set up, so he told me that he could get me my own key for the electrical box on the stage so I wouldn’t have to use the extension cords anymore. He told me that he could make a special trip on Monday so he could give me my own key. (Remember that initially they told me that I would not be able to use the stage or the electric box on the stage, and now I was going to have my own key – isn’t the Lord great!) He did not show up that Monday, but I found that the electricity on the state was turned on for me, and has been since. Praise God! Yes, God works in mysterious ways!

 

CAN YOU PRAY FOR ME? – a story

 

Prayer is so powerful. It is a direct link to the throne room of God. God may not receive email, but He just loves to get KNEE-MAIL from us. The more time we give to God, and the more we love Him and our neighbor, the more He will respond to our prayers. James 5:16 says, “The prayers of a righteous man availeth much.” I am only righteous because of the blood of the Lamb of God, Yeshua that was shed for me on the cross. I also find that the more I use my God-given gifts, the more I am blessed, and the more I am able to bless others. We have a partnership between God and us. Yeshua tells us in John 14:12 that we will do greater things than Yeshua himself did. That’s one of my favorite Scriptures! I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). This can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit, given to us when we ask Yeshua to be our Lord and Savior! I just love to brag on God and his power in me! It is not me that does what I do but the power of God in me!

 

Now for the story behind, “Can you pray for me?”  I was out one day doing my free lunch ministry downtown, when a man came up to me, and asked if I could pray for him. I asked him if he knew Jesus as Lord and Savior, and he said that he did not. I told him that I could pray for him, but if he didn’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, it might not do any good. We talked for a few minutes, and I asked him if he’d like to ask Jesus to be his Lord and Savior, and he said that he would, so we prayed for his salvation right then and there. I prayed that he get his job that he was on his way to see about on the other side of the Plaza. I told him to come back and tell me about his new job when he got done. He was gone for a while, and it was time for me to pack up and go home. I started to drive home when I met him at the corner. I rolled down my window, and I asked him about his job. He said that the man was not in, and that he had to go back the next day for his interview. The next day, I met him at the soup kitchen, where I minister, and where he was eating that morning. He held up a cell phone and told me that they not only gave him the job that he interviewed for, but they also gave him a free cell phone. Yes, God is good!

 

Pastors tell us to believe in Jesus and you’ll have a great life, with no problems, no pains, and no physical ailments. They will also tell us that it is God’s will to heal all of us, and all we have to do is ask, and we shall be healed. I know that God heals, but He is not a genie in a bottle who grants all our wishes. Yes, I do pray for healing, and God does it, sometimes, at his will. I prayed for a woman back in Phoenix who had cancer. God answered the prayer by taking her home and sparing her from any further pain. Some might think that my prayer wasn’t answered, or that God failed, but she is now in a much better place, with the Lord, for all eternity. It took my mom five years to die from lung cancer, and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. If someone is very sick, please don’t pray that they stay alive for a long time and suffer, but ask God to take them home. It’s not right to be selfish and only think of ourselves. We are here to comfort each other, along with the Holy Spirit, so let them go! “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Yes, that is another ministry, to comfort!

 

WANT A CUPCAKE? – a story

 

            When we first started our free lunch ministry, I went around to some pastry shops in town asking for food donations so I could give them out with lunch. I went to one bakery in town, just down the street, and I asked the manager if he was willing to donate the day-old pastry that he was going to discard anyway. At first, he said that others asked the same of him before and He found out later that they sold these donations for gain. I assured him that I would never do that! He asked me how long I planned on doing this ministry. I paused a few seconds, and then I said, “Probably until Jesus comes back.” That was four years ago, and I am still doing this ministry! You see, Scripture says to run the race and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). The only time I end a ministry is when it is taken away from me, so to speak, and God knows that it’s time to move on.

 

Anytime this happens, the Lord always has something bigger and better for me to get involved in! I realize that now, but I didn’t always, and it was very frustrating at times. Here I am trying to do God’s will, and some person or something comes along and messes it all up! Bummer! Please remember Romans 8:28 – All things work for the good for those who love God and who have been called according to his purpose.

 

It is such a blessing to be able to serve our community this way. I hope to be doing it several more years. I know and realize that Satan doesn’t want me to do this, to help and bless people, but I also know that our Lord and Savior is much more powerful and Satan cannot touch Jesus. I have shaken my fist in Satan’s face many times, telling him to take a hike, and that he has no power over my Lord. You see, Satan knows his fate, and, yes, he will continue to try, but I will not let him win. I love my Lord and I love to serve Him. I truly believe that I have at least one guardian angel with me at all times to help me and protect me from Satan and any other force or person who tries to come against me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 19 – HOW CAN I HELP?

 

I have gone to many churches in town, given them my card, and told them that I will be glad to help them, so we can help those in need. I try not to do their job for them, but with them. If they send someone to me, or they are calling from their church, I ask them to have someone there from their church, so we can all sit down together and help this person. It is a learning process, and I am still learning. I wrote up these guidelines for church, so they can have some guidelines when someone comes to their door for help. The trick is to give them a hand up, and not a hand out. I love to help people, but they need to want to help themselves.

 

HOMELESS AND NEEDY – how to meet their needs

            My first question of someone that has called me for help is, “Are you addicted to drugs or alcohol?” If they are, I offer to take them to the emergency room in the hospital in town so they can be checked in to start the detoxification process. If they are not willing to do this, I tell them that I cannot help them, and that if they do not seek help, they will be in this condition for many years to come. I end the process right there. I will not enable people to continue their addiction! There is no cost for the detoxification services at the hospital or continued services.

  1. Do not give anyone money directly (most likely it will be used for drugs or alcohol)
    1. If you want to help them with a bill, go and take them to the place where the bill is to be paid, and pay it with them. Get a receipt, and make them a copy.
    2. This will also give you an opportunity to sit down with them and talk to them about the Lord. Getting them involved with and in a church, and our Lord, is vital.
    3. This will also give you an opportunity to sit down with them and get some information about the condition they are in.
  2. Giving them money for a motel room will enable them to continue their lifestyle, and they will probably use what money they do have for drugs or alcohol. Enabling them will only prolong the agony and their condition.

Helping people in their need is a commandment, found in Matthew 25:31-46. It is a blessing to be able to help people. It will be a curse to you and your church if you do not help them and ask or expect someone else to do it for you. The person that you send them to for help will get your blessing, and you will pay a severe price on Judgment Day for not helping those in need. Jesus tells us, “What you do for the least of these, you do for me,” in Matthew 25:40.

THEY NEED A PLACE TO STAY:

Do not give them money for a motel, as mentioned before.

Direct them to the Christian Care Center on 2nd St. just east of the Library. They will need an I.D. to get into the CCC to spend the night, and up to 90 days. To get into the CCC, they will have to get a background check at the police station in town.

They will need an I.D. card before anything can be initiated. If they do not have an I.D., they can go to the registry of Motor vehicles on Kahn Drive and get one, free, with cards for voter registration.

If they do not have a valid I.D. (or license), they need to have or get their birth certificate. If they do not have one, they need to contact the Clerk of courts in the town where they were born. This may take a little time and money to get (about $25), but it needs to be done.

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

  1. Are you getting any benefits (social security, Medicade, Medicare, or food stamps? If they are not, they need to go to the Social Security office on Kahn Drive, or they can go to the new Department of Social Services building on the way to Pembroke, on the west side of I-95, about a half mile west of I-95. Go to the desk on the 1st floor and check in so they can see the appropriate person and get the help that they need.
  2. Impress upon them how important it is to get God in their lives. Without God, there is very little that we can do for them. With God in their lives, they have the power that created the whole universe at their disposal, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask them if they would like to be picked up for Bible study and/or services on Sunday.
  3. Where did you spend last night, the night before, last week, and last month? Ask them why they are in this dilemma. Ask what they have tried to do to help themselves. Ask them if they would like help so they can get into housing and get benefits. (Most people want a handout but what they really need is a hand up, or they will be in this situation for the rest of their lives. Do not enable them!!!)
  4. Ask them what they have done to get housing, food stamps, benefits, medication, help for their addiction, etc. Ask them why they haven’t done anything yet to help themselves.
  5. Ask them if they have any family in the area that they can get help from, a place to stay, or for support.
  6. If they have family, or a friend they have been staying with, ask them why this didn’t work out.
  7. Ask them where they have stayed over the past year.
  8. Ask them if they have been looking for a job.
  9. Ask them when the last time was that they held down a job and for how long.
  10. Ask them if they want to get a job or work. (They can go to the employment center off of Barker Ten Mile Rd. (1st left heading out of town by Ruby Tuesday’s)). They can also fill out job applications online at the Public Library in town on 2nd
  11. If they need to pay a light bill, take them to City Hall where they pay their light bill. Get a copy of their bill and take it to the new DSS building on the way to Pembroke, over I-95, on the second floor. Ask them to put you in contact with someone who can help them pay their overdue light bill. They will also need the notice saying that their bill is overdue.

Yes, this takes time, and a little money, but Jesus gave his whole life for us, even to the point of death on the cross. Again, Jesus tells us that we must care for others, even in the Great Commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF!” Just put yourself in their shoes. What would you expect of a church, a pastor, or an individual (who claimed to be a Christian)? If WE do not help them, what does Jesus say at the end of Matthew 25, and what will happen to us on Judgment Day if we fail our mission to help those sin need? Where will we spend the rest of eternity?

These are just some basic guidelines. The important thing to remember is “do not give them cash” before you thoroughly check out their story, and then only give the cash to the person to whom they owe the bill, or where the money is going. DO NOT JUST HAND THEM THE MONEY! If you don’t have the time to check out their story, ask them to come back later or get someone who does have the time.

My recommendation to pastors and churches is this: have a committee of people who will deal with this. Please remember that Jesus commanded us to help those in need, and IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO (Matthew 25:40-46!)

I have found that a good 80% of the people who call me for help only want money for their drug or alcohol habit. If they ask for help with a bill, I don’t mind helping with that, but I will take the time to go to the place where they pay the bill; I will not hand them the money without first checking out their story. You wouldn’t believe some of the stories, and you shouldn’t!

 

DO YOU HAVE $25 FOR A REPAIR BILL – a story

 

I was outside doing some yard work, in front of our home one fine day, and a man drove up in a white pick-up truck. He asked me for $25 to pay for a car repair bill for his wife’s car. He told me that the car was in Fayetteville, about 45 minutes away, and all he needed was $25 to get the car out of the shop. I asked him the name of the place where the car was being fixed, and he told me. I asked him if he knew the phone number so I could go inside with him and call them to see if this was true, but he didn’t know the number. I asked him to follow me inside, I turned around and started inside, and when I turned around to see if he was coming, he had already gone back to his truck and headed out. It takes time to check it out and it’s a lot easier to just give them a few bucks, but that’s not going to help; it will just give them money for their habit. It may seem like a good thing to do, to throw a few bucks at the problem, and do the “good Christian thing,” but don’t do it! You are just encouraging them to keep doing this, and you are supporting their habit at the same time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 20 – COMMUNITY BETTERMENT PROGRAM

Purpose: to educate students at the middle and high schools on matters relating to drugs, gangs, addiction, and alcohol so we can actively strive to keep our students from partaking in these activities, by means of education.

How to educate our students and parents: by means of evening programs at the middle and high schools, or during school time by means of assemblies (to be coordinated with the school principals, and/or the school board of education.)  and send home information to parents.

Individuals or organizations to team up with, using their expertise in these fields:

  • Medical
  • Addiction
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Drug abuse
  • Gangs
  • Bullying

 

  • Police department
  • Fire/rescue departments
  • Hospital staff
  • Prison staff
  • Parole staff
  • Individuals who have dealt with and gone through drug and/or alcohol abuse
  • Individuals who have been in prison and/or facilities that deal with abuse
  • Parents and students who have dealt with these problems, who have sought out help, and who have successfully overcome these issues

 

  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
  • Robeson County Community College

I hope to include people who have been there and done that – people who have been addicted, who have been in prison, and those who have been in gangs and done prison time as the result of their poor choices. I hope that their mess can be their message!

Please feel free to add any other pertinent information or ideas!

Dave Winer – 910-301-7608 – [email protected] – 508 E. 15th St., Lumberton, NC 28358

 

CHAPTER 21 – WHAT I NEED TO DO TO BE SAVED

(Ways to tell if you are saved – by what you do!)

Acts 16:31 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2 Chronicles 7:14 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Mark 16:5-18 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” [Not all of these signs will accompany those who believe, but some of these signs will accompany those who believe].

Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 1:15 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

 

FOUR WAYS TO TELL (IF YOU ARE SAVED)

1 John 1:10     Admit that you are a sinner – and you are doing something about it.

1 John 2:3       Submit to the will of God – and do it (not just read, study, pray, but do)

1 John 2:6, 9   Love others – as an outward sign that you keep the great commandment and                             WALK AS JESUS WALKED!

1 John 2:15     Expectation of eternity and working toward it – work for God and not for the                            world.

WHAT WE NEED/NEED NOT TO DO TO STAY SAVED and GO TO HEAVEN

What to do:

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

John 14:15

15 “If you love me, keep my commands.

What not to do:

1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Romans 1:18-32 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

 

 

CHAPTER 22 – THE BOTTOM LINE: THE GREAT COMMANDMENT

            As the Lord said, summing it all up in the Great Commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37). You just can’t get any better than that, can you?!

Now go, serve the Lord, and bless those who need YOU and all that you have received from the Lord. Be blessed and be a blessing!

May the peace and love of our Lord Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) be with you and yours now and forever. Amen and amen!

 

THE BEGINNING!

 

(Not the end)