So Much To Thank Him For! - Happy Thanksgiving 2013

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving .  Psalms 69:30

As this peaceful day is coming to a close, I am meditating on who and what I am thankful for. We know that this day is focused on being thankful to God for who He is and what he has done. David said this in Psalms 40:1-3:

 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. 

I remember the pit that he brought me up  

out of. I was sinking, but He rescued me! He put my feet upon a solid foundation: the Rock, Christ Jesus! My goings are established! Now I am singing a new song under the blood of the Lamb! 

Thankfulness is something that flows out of a Christian's life. Having the attitude of gratitude shows in everything that we do.

Let's magnify him with thanksgiving! 

Gospel Tract Spotlight - Four Christmas Tracts

This is a re-post from last year. The tracts are the same this year: 

December's Bezeugen Tract Club mailing had all Christmas tracts enclosed: The Legend Of The Candy Cane, Merry Christmas, Christ-mas, and What List Are You? 

The Legend Of The Candy Cane gives account of the Urban legend claim that the candy cane speaks about Jesus.

Then, the tract presents the Gospel message. 

Merry Christmas talks about why we don't say the politically correct "Happy Holidays" and the real meaning of Christmas. 

Christ-Mas gives the definition of Christmas from dictionary.com on the front. The back has scripture from Luke 2. The law is presented, also. 

What List Are You On? is similar to the Are You A Good Person? tract. It has a red bulb on the front that "will fade" if whoever puts their thumb on it is a good person. It has the Ten Commandment test on the back. 

These tracts can be ordered from http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Bezeugen-Gospel-Tracts_c28.htm

There are many other Christmas Tracts that you can find to witness with. I will be using these this Christmas, praying that someone will receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Christmas Gospel Tract Spotlight - Naughty Or Nice

There were four Christmas tracts in the Bezeugen Tract Club for December. These are great to use for this joyous season. Here is the Naughty or Nice tract. It's similar to the Are You A Good Person? Tract. This one and the other three (The Legend Of The Candy Cane, Chrismas Defined, And Happy Holidays) can be ordered through onemilliontracts.com. 

Front of Card: Which list are you on? Place your thumb on the red bulb and leave it there for five seconds. If you've been good the red will fade. Back of Card: Sorry . . . you're just like the rest of us. The dictionary says "good" is to be "morally excellent." Let's check the standard the Ten Commandments, to see how far we fall short: Is God first in your life? Do you love Him with "heart, mind, soul and strength?" Have you made a god to suit yourself? Have you used His name in vain? Have you always honored your parents? Have you lied (including "fibs"), stolen (the value is irrelevant), or coveted other people's possessions? If you are honest, you know you will be guilty on the Day of Judgment. God, however, doesn't want to send you to Hell. Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross, so you could go free. That's how much God loves you. We broke God's Law, but Jesus paid our fine. Then He rose from the grave. If you repent (turn away from all the things you know are wrong) and trust in Him, God will forgive your sins and grant you everlasting life. Begin by reading your Bible daily (start with the book called John) and obey what you read. God will never let you down. For more information please visit: www.YouGotOurTract.com

Friday Night Evangelism - November 8, 2013

On Friday night, we went to the Trial Bar in Monroe. We met at the Walmart parking lot after 9:30. There was five of us on tap for the night: myself, Gary, JJ, Rob, and his friend, Chad. It was Chad's first time with us. It wasn't a very large crowd when we got to the club. They played recorded music for most of the night, with a few soloist playing. JJ was able to preach one good round. As soon as we got there, we heard several conversations about us being there. One man was comparing us with a man that comes out there. We have always went out there with the goal of presenting the right spirit when we preach and deal with people one on one. They have to see our concern for their souls. Too many street preachers have went out with a bad spirit, giving us a bad name. The patrons want to group us with them, but realize that we are different when they talk with us. This happened twice this night. Erin came to talk to Gary and me. She was the designated driver for her friend. She said that she was a Christian who liked 80's music. She told us that there were street preachers in her home time that were rude. She thanked us for not being like them. One highlight for the night was when I talked with Craig. We had talked with him a while back when he played with a band called Electric Sermon. After he talked with us, his band was up to play. We heard him say "There's some Christian protesters out there. This first song is about the devil." This time, he was playing solo. He came over with the intention to heckle. I called him by name when he came over. I told him that I remembered him from that night. He described the other man that comes out there. He realized that we weren't like him.We talked about Jesus' death on the cross; how that all the sins of the world were placed on him at that one moment. He asked me to forgive him for heckling us! I gave him a card that had had the link to Genius: the Movie and the Million Dollar Eye Test booklet that I had brought back from the State Fair Outreach. Please pray that Craig will be saved!
One young man wanted to have his picture taken with me with our street cross.Rob said that he do the pagan sign. When he came back out to his vehicle, I told him he had to take a tract since he had his picture taken with me. I found out that his name was Mike. Later on, him and his friend "Mighty" Mike came back out while I was talking with Craig. "Mighty" Mike took a tract, too. JJ, Rob, & Chad talked with Elizabeth and a friend. Then, she talked with Bro. Gary and me. She said that she thought it was ok to drink in moderation, but she was a little drunk.
JJ tried to reason with Jeremy, a tattoo artist. He wasn't being logical, wondering why we didn't go preach at churches (i.e: mosques and cults) that we thought were wrong. JJ was trying to make the point that Jesus was the only way to Heaven. He was the last encounter for the night. We stayed longer than we thought. We always have a great time. I thank The Lord that he has bought us together with more men to witness with us. We can't wait till next time!

Soul-Winners' Book Corner: New Book by Claire Goodwin - Compelled ToTell

NEW BOOK RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT

COMPELLED TO TELL: A FASCINATING JOURNEY FROM A NEW YORK DEAD-END STREET TO A LIFETIME OF MINISTRY AND SOUL WINNING

By Claire H. Goodwin

Compelled to Tell will catapult you through riveting experiences and intrigue as Claire Goodwin's struggling, dead-end beginning quickly grows past fear and fighting, danger and murder into a God-directed life filled with fascinating adventure and thrill. Tears mingle with joy, as Heaven supernaturally shapes her life for marriage, ministry and soul winning.

·       Compelled to Tell is the biography of a burden that will captivate the heart of any who long to find God's will and to become an instrument in his hands.

·       If a spiritual fire is growing inside your being and you hunger for more of God's power to work in your life, then this book is for you.

·       If you long for something to set aflame a passion for souls, you've found it! Get ready to dig in and absorb the heartbeat of this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

CLAIRE H. GOODWIN has been a passionate soul-winner since her teens. She taught personal evangelism for forty years at Free Gospel Bible Institute in Export, Pennsylvania, and is the author of Reach Them One by One. Claire speaks fervently about evangelism to many churches. She and her husband, Bob, reside in Dallas, Texas, and are international evangelists, actively involved in witnessing.

COMPELLED TO TELL is published by WestBow Press A Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers. It is a 274 page paperback book that includes 30 photographs and a foreword by Rev. J. Kevin Lloyd.

It is available now at:

·       www.calvarypentecostalrevivals.org

·       through most major bookstores

·       or from Claire H. Goodwin, 2626 Frankford Rd, Apt. 7106, Dallas, TX 75287   (412)496-6996

Or Visit her blog @  http://gowiththegospel.blogspot.com/2013/09/compelled-to-tell.html?m=1

He that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

My Bus Ride To Dallas

I took the Greyhound bus to Dallas when I went to the State Fair of Texas Gospel Outreach on October the 18th. I had many opportunities to witness on the way. My bus was supposed to leave at 8:55, but we didn't leave till 9:52. The first person I talked to was Justin at the Monroe station. He was waiting for the bus to Baton Rouge. I gave him two tracts as I told him why I was going to Dallas. He had a Bible that someone had gave him. A man,who I would talk to in Shreveport, was curious when he saw me put a Got Peace? tract on the pay-phone. I gave tracts to two other people who were getting on the bus going to Baton Rouge. The bus to Dallas arrived about 20 minutes later. 

On the bus, I gave tracts to Terrell and Wesley. I found that Greyhound had a perfect place for tracts on the back of their seats. 

We had several stops on the way to Shreveport. We picked up a few people in Ruston and 1 Spanish man in Grambling. We got to the Shreveport station at 11:50. 

When I got off the bus for a few minutes, I spoke to the man who got on at Grambling. His name was David. He was going to New Orleans. I gave him the Spanish Ten Commandments tract. Inside the station, Wesley asked to use my phone to call his contact. He was an alcoholic who was seeking help. I gave him the Got Peace? tract. He said "I need peace." While getting a drink and a snack, I talked with Steven. He was on the same bus. He said that he was reading his Bible on the bus. I told him that I was doing the same. Later, he would be sitting beside me. Several new people got in at Shreveport. We made some stops once we got into Texas. At one stop, it looked like the bus was over booked. The driver scrambled to see what happened. One man was standing for a few miles. At another, the driver asked Steven to move so that a family could sit together. I motioned for him to sit by me. We talked for the most part till we got to Dallas. He was from North Carolina, going to work in Arizona. He told me about some things that happened back in North Carolina. I believe that The Lord had me there to encourage him. I gave him a few tracts and an invite to the Bezeugen tract club, 

At a travel center stop, one man sneaked beer onto the bus. I think he drunk it before the driver found out that he had it. Another woman tried to buy an alcoholic beverage with the bus driver near her. He told her that she couldn't. I took a few pictures at the adjoining restaurant of the western figures. 

I gave tracts to two other Spanish men - Alonso and Daniel. Alonso said that his mother, who was in Mexico, is a Christian. He read the Ten Commandments tract that I gave him.
We got to Dallas  at 5:45, which was an hour late.

(This is outside of the Dallas bus station)

I gave a Give Thanks tract to our bus driver as we were exiting. I told him Happy Thanksgiving since I probably wouldn't see him again. 
The first person who I offered a tract to said no! As soon as I get to the Dallas station, a Spanish man rejects a tract! I got to give out several there, though! Carl sent me a text, saying that he was being delayed by traffic. I sent one back, telling that "I'll witness while I wait". I was able to give out 3 more Spanish tracts to Carlos, Mario, and a woman who was going out the station with luggage. Outside, I gave tracts to Reagan, a deaf man, and three women who were walking by. Inside, I talked to Danny. He was traveling from Florida to Sacramento, Ca. He was from an area in Ca. that was a few hours away from where my wife lived. Kenny had a lay over till 3:30  the next morning because of a booking error. I gave him a few tracts to read while he was waiting. He was going to trucking school in Georgia. He was from Oklahoma. 
It was almost 6:30 when Carl picked me up. I am thankful for the time that I had to witness at the station. I may never see those people again, but at least they have received a Gospel tract! 
I am grateful to Carl and his wife,Mande, for their hospitality. I met their son, Brendan, also. He is the same age as my oldest son. I stayed the night at their home. We had a good evening of fellowship. Carl showed me all the  Bezeugen tracts that were printed. It was a blessing to be with them on Friday and Saturday. We were at the Texas State Fair on Saturday for the outreach (Please read the previous post for the details of that day of evangelism!) 
As soon as we closed the booth down, we had to get to the station in Mesquite. The bus was scheduled to leave at 11:30.  The reason why I had to leave like this was because I was singing in our pastor appreciation service with my daughter on Sunday morning.The bus arrived at 11:51. I gave out my last tract in Texas to a man that got off the bus there. On the way back, it was quiet because it was late. I tried to sleep a little, but I think I only got about 40 minutes in. I made it back to Monroe at 5:04 Sunday morning. What did I do when I was waiting for my father to pick me up? I gave a tract to a man who was getting gas! 

State Fair Of Texas Gospel Outreach - Oct. 19, 2013

We had a great time of evangelism at the Texas State fair this past Saturday. The Texas State Fair ran from September 27 to October 20.  This is the largest state fair in the country, attracting 3.5 million people annually. The Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship In America sponsors the State Fair Of Texas Gospel Outreach booth. It is manned every day that the fair is open, with witnessing going on 12 hours a day. Rex Whitton is the manager of this outreach. He trains those who are not familiar with the Gospel presentation portion of the booth. Carl Kalbfleisch of Bezeugen Ministries (the As You Go Blog and the Bezeugen Tract Club) invited me to join him for this day several months ago. He was the day leader. Rosie, Craig, and Arnold were there witnessing and giving out tracts. We also had about 30 students from the Gospel Of Asia School of Discipleship take turns in two hour intervals. It was great meeting all of these who were at the booth. We gave out the "Name 10 Things Fried At The Fair" and "The Ten Commandment" tracts from Bezeugen. We also had the million, the trillion, and the Ten Commandments coin from Living Waters that were supplied at the booth. 

Pictured: Rex Whitton, Carl Kalbfleisch, and Scott Thompson 

The Million Dollar Eye Test

We would invite people to come and take "The Million Dollar Eye Test". Here is an example (taken from the Bezeugen blog) of what would take place once someone would want to take the test: 

"Would you like to take the million dollar eye test?"

them: "Sure, what do I do"

We would keep the conversation really light hearted by saying things like "the use of your eyes is not required" or "it's fun, it's easy, no coupons required!" This was funny because at the fair you trade in your hard earned cash for coupons and then use the coupons to buy food from the vendors, ride rides, etc.

me: "For one million dollars would you give us your right eye? Before you answer let me explain that in this hypothetical example we have a surgical center right behind the booth. We can painlessly remove your eye and replace it with a glass eye. You'll look the same in all your family photo's. You just won't look the same."

them: "No way!"

me: "Oh, ok. Well, let's sweeten the pot just a bit. You see, actually we are looking for a matched pair of eyeballs. And therefore we are able to offer you one trillion dollars for both of your eyes. You could travel the world!"

them: "Yeah, but I'd be blind. so no."

At this point we could quote Jesus' words to them "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world (or a trillion dollars) yet loose his very own soul?" We have established that their eyes are valuable and that their soul is worth even more.

Then, we would ask "If God would require your soul tonight, where would you go? We would proceed to take them through the Ten Commandments to get them to think about their soul. Then, we would tell them what Jesus did so that we wouldn't have to go to hell. We had so many different responses. My highlights were talking with a young man named Richard and another named Arturo. A young woman named Blair said that she had a Jewish heritage. One of the Gospel For Asia students had a man leave when they got to the part about the soul. He said that the soul didn't exist. Jason, who had worked at the booth one year, gave me a test by seeing how knowledgeable I was. Then, he told me who he was. Some said that they were saved.  

It was estimated that about 200,000 people came through the fair that day. We probably gave out about 7,500 tracts. 

This was about 11:00 AM.

This was around 1:00 PM. It was like this most of the day! At one point when we were handing out the tracts, we were pinned against the front of the booth! 

It was a great day! I was glad to be part of what took place on Saturday! I am so thankful to Carl and Rex for letting me be a part of this outreach. Only eternity will tell what was accomplished throughout the State Fair Of Texas Gospel Outreach! 

Soul-Winners' Devotion - Spurgeon's Morning And Evening

I opened up this classic devotion this morning to find today's entry fitting for the Christian who has a desire to win souls. 

"Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." --Luke 5:4 

We learn from this narrative, the necessity of human agency. The draught of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle were ignored; but all were used to take the fishes. So in the saving of souls, God worketh by means; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. When God worketh without instruments, doubtless He is glorified; but He hath Himself selected the plan of instrumentality as being that by which He is most magnified in the earth.Means of themselves are utterly unavailing."Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing." What was the reason of this? Were they not fishermen plying their special calling? Verily, they were no raw hands; they understood the work. Had they gone about the toil unskillfully? No. Had they lacked industry? No, they had toiled. Had they lacked perseverance? No, they had toiled all the night. Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam to the net in shoals. What, then, is the reason? Is it because there is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? "Without Him we can do nothing." But with Christ we can do all things. Christ's presence confers success.Jesus sat in Peter's boat, and His will, by a mysterious influence, drew the fish to the net. When Jesus is lifted up in His Church, His presence is the Church's power--the shout of a king is in the midst of her. "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." Let us go out this morning on our work of soul fishing, looking up in faith, and around us in solemn anxiety. Let us toil till night comes, and we shall not labour in vain, for He who bids us let down the net, will fill it with fish.

Soul-Winners' Devotion - Praying For Labourers

Therefore said he unto them , The harvest truly is great , but the labourers are few : pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest , that he would send forth labourers into his harvest . -, Luke 10:2 

Wherever there is a labour shortage, work can get backed up. It seems Walmart is short of help late at night. When the lines get backed up, people get irritated because of the waiting time. When we were at Burger King last week, our cashier was doing the job of two people. The  work gets backed up when there are fewer employees. God is wanting more labourers for His kingdom. There is so much work to be done in soul-winning. The harvest field is everywhere you go. 

When I first started passing out tracts at bars with a friend, sometimes we thought that we were the only ones doing it. Every once-in-a-while, we would see a stray tract that would encourage us. About two years ago, Bro. J.J. and I prayed that The Lord would send men to us to help in our street ministry. He answered our prayers by sending workers who were already seasoned in soul-winning! Another brother has just joined us for our last two events. We have about 4 - 9 people with is when we street preach or give out tracts at events like the Mardi Gras parade  and the fair. 

Let's pray that our burden for the lost to be contagious. Read about David in the Old Testament to see how his courage was contagious. Pray that The Lord will send forth labourers into His harvest! 

Texas State Fair Outreach 2013

I will be at the Texas State Fair with Carl Kalbfleisch from Bezeugen Ministries in two weeks to help with an evangelism booth on Oct. 19. This is the largest state fair in the country, attracting 3.5 million people! I am excited about going because of the witnessing opportunities that will be there. At the booth, there will be "the million dollar eye test". Please read about last year's booth here:

http://www.bezeugen.org/blog/?p=1143

This will be my first time going there.Please pray for seeds to take root in the hearts of people as we witness of salvation through Jesus Christ! 

He that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30