"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me. Since I appointed the ancient people and the things that are coming and shall come. Let them show these to them. Do not fear, nor be afraid. Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.'" (Isaiah 44:6-8 NKJV)
Our hardy team of evangelists included: Mark, Dr. Jack, Barbara, Steve M., Dan, Razmik (with his beautiful family), Elder Bob, and Steven VS.
We were encouraged by CBC'er Murlee, who lives nearby. In the background of this photo Steve M. is on the box and beyond that, Elder Bob is patiently having a "dialogue" with our favorite nemesis, Roger. It is interesting how frequently he is drawn to interact with us, in spite of his hatred for our message, and the condescending exasperation he repeatedly expresses when we steadfastly proclaim the Gospel. What do you suppose the Lord has in store for Roger? Is he hardening his heart like Pharaoh's, or will he have a deathbed conversion?
The young man in the picture is hurrying away after reviling the man on the box with a condescending dismissal of the Bible and Christianity. In a way, Roger's opposition keeps us "in shape" for such encounters. Although we mustn't allow him to block the proclamation of the Gospel, we also mustn't presume that God is through with him. Let's pray for wisdom. Many members of our team (indeed, every one of us at times) have chosen to avoid engaging with him due to his often rude and angry reviling and his stated desire to thwart our mission. Perhaps the Lord has allowed this as a humbling test for us. Have we passed? Is this a type of refiner's fire? If we cannot withstand unjust reviling, will we be able to endure the physical affliction that is surely coming our way? The answer, of course, is that He will give us grace in the face of persecution.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV)
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Chorinthians 12:7-10 NKJV)
The Dynamic Duo, Dan and Steve, were proclaiming the Truth in their own inimitable styles. Dan is gifted with a voice so naturally loud that he was even asked by the Saxophone guy to pipe down. That was a first.
Steve had a long conversation with this fellow, which concluded in prayer.
Toward the end of the evening, Dr. Jack and Barbara were blessed to have a lengthy and productive conversation with this family. They all listened patiently and asked great questions. Please pray that they all may come to faith.
Abortuary Duty 8/30/2014
In spite of recent attacks on Don, Tony and others who faithfully walk the line outside the Mission Hills abortuary, there is often encouragement from strangers. The lady in this car stopped to tell Don that she always prays for him when she sees him outside the clinic. May we all do the same. Don and others are at the clinic every Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 8:00 to 10:00.
The ladies in this photo joined the effort on Saturday morning. The woman on the right was clearly pregnant and she brought her 2 year old child along as a living testimony to the preciousness of life. These ladies received no training, nor did they even carry signs, but their presence and their prayers were used by the Holy Spirit. At least one couple, arguing in their car, slowed down and then sped off, responding to the gathered witnesses. Your temporary presence can make an eternal difference.
News Items
Apologetics Corner
The Fuel Project is a new resource for informative videos. Their YouTube channel has multi-part series of short videos that can be viewed one after another, or viewed individually to provide information on specific topics.
"Know Your Enemy" is an informative series which traces the history of our enemy Satan throughout human history. All of the cults and false gods of this world can be traced back to Nimrod and Semiramis, the Sun and Moon gods referred to in Genesis, and throughout the Old Testament. It is an ambitious project that goes all the way up to our present time, showing the satanic influence in modern culture. Valuable for refuting and dismissing the "Zeitgeist" nonsense.
There is also a very interesting series on the Book of the Revelation. The first episode shows some of the persecution of Christians which is even now taking place. The tenth episode presents a view of the rapture which is sure to challenge most of us believers in a "pre-trib rapture".
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." (Matthew 16:24-27 NKJV)
Join Us!
Please join us as we proclaim the glorious Gospel to a lost and dying world on the streets of Burbank and beyond.
Maranatha!!
No comments:
Post a Comment