Enduring The Challenge 8/23/2014

Coming to Him as a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. . .But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.  (1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10)

In an unusual, yet providentially ordained, turn of events our team was challenged in a new way on this Saturday evening in Burbank. In the photo above, the team was faced with a heckler who was also a performer with superior amplification. Here Dr. Jack resorted to using a second mic and amp to try to match the heckler's volume.

Dean made more than one attempt to speak directly to the heckler, but was unsuccessful in negotiating a climate of "Coexistence" with the professed Mormon. 

There was considerable discussion, back in the parking lot, with some disagreement among the team. Some felt that the team was vindicated by the truthfulness of our response to the heckler's verbal attack, while some felt remorseful that the response had been overly defensive. This is always a challenge for believers: How do we walk in Christ-likeness while our flesh wages war against us? 

Lest we forget, we are always being observed and evaluated, and sometimes, recorded.

The apostle Peter offers this:

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. . . For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; (Isaiah 53:9) who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return, when He suffered, he did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes we are healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:11-12,21-25)

In spite of the resistance, the Gospel was presented from the box and tracts were distributed.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all. . .(Galatians 6:9-10)

Encouragement

This wonderful teaching from John MacArthur is worth internalizing. There is no challenge that we cannot endure through Christ who strengthens us. 

John MacArthur's sermon, "Jesus' Death Shows Us How to Live"

Please Pray

This is an important Facebook site with prayer requests from persecuted Christians in the Middle East:

News

Recent articles from Christian News.net:

Muslim Terrorist Group Beheads Journalist

Response to "Christian" Performer "Coming Out"

Richard Dawkins Asserts Downs Babies Should Be Aborted

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!!

Being Watchful 8/16/2014

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)

This evening's team of evangelists included Mark, Razmik, Richard, Jeremy, Dean/Sai and...two new guys!

Mark: I met a new family to CBC who moved to Burbank near our church. Vinny (on right) used to attend Grace Community and do evangelism outreach. He is now at CBC and would like to join our evangelism team. I welcomed him and told him to please join us. 

Vinny brought along his friend Sheldon, also from Grace Community, who is involved with their Sunday door-to-door neighborhood outreach. 

Both men dove right in to one-to-one witnessing, never standing alone for more than a minute.

Jeremy: "As far as setup, we arrived to the sounds of our favorite beboxer and his growing crowd.  Dean suggested, and Mark agreed, that we move to and try a new fishing spot - in front of the Burbank mall.

Primarily covering 3 of the 4 corners, with the man on the box directly in front of PF Chang's.

"The area where we set up was fertile ground for tracts.  Lots given out!  You would think that people over there would be the same people as going to the theaters, but they seemed to be more open to getting tracts and not like they've been offered them every week for the last few years :)"

Richard got the opportunity to pray with a lady who had been listening to him on the box. Richard actually stepped down, spoke then prayed with her, then got back on the box.  

Dean got to talk with several young men right near the beginning.  

Razmik, as usual, spoke to several people, one-to-one.

As always it was a blessed time of evangelism and fellowship for everyone on the team.

Abortuary Duty 8/16/2014

Anne reports the following incident from the Saturday morning outreach at the Mission Hills abortuary: 

A couple in a Mercedes Benz drove in, the woman was visibly distraught and crying. They parked near the street. The man and the woman both started screaming and yelling at each other. Don could see them from a certain angle at the driveway. The man was standing at her window. Don said it looked like he might have hit her and he tried to physically pull her out of the car. More screaming and crying. She eventually got out of car and told him she wanted to "keep the baby" and would

do it on her own. He yelled at her that he didn't want any "f****** baby" with her because she was a "whore." She grabbed the phone out of his hand and left the parking lot and went down the street. By this time Don had called the police for a domestic abuse call. The man got into his car and left the parking lot to follow her. By the time he got to the intersection, the police had arrived and pulled him over.

They handcuffed him immediately. Unfortunately, the woman started defending him saying that nothing had happened. They spoke to each of them separately and the couple made up. They did not arrest the man.

The police came and talked to us and told us that that the couple said we had harassed them and that's why she got upset. In truth, we had not said anything to them. The police told us we could protest but not talk to the people. A man who had gone in before and was in a verbal confrontation with Don came out and spoke to the police and told them that we had harassed him. The police reiterated that we could not speak to them. The Police told the man that we had a first amendment right to protest.

Unfortunately, while the police were speaking to us, the couple who had been arguing went in to get the abortion.

Here are some related articles:

Police watch as business owner steals pro life signs

Pastor arrested found not guilty

New Jersey police ticket Christian for posting scripture

The Morning Shift  8/15/2014

Our brother Paul took it upon himself to go to NoHo Metro Station on this sunny Friday morning to proclaim the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was joined by Richard and Tim. Paul also brought his table with displayed copies of the Bible in Hebrew and Greek. This is always a great answer to the false assertion that the Word of God has been changed through the years.

Apologetics Corner

The linked article, Children Groomed to Fight Jihad is a sobering reminder of the passion with which the enemies of God seek to destroy His people. Do we have the same passion to reach out in love to these enemies? There is a video within the article which is worth seeing.

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!!

Your Soul Shall Live 8/9/2014

Please, obey the voice of the Lord which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live. (Jeremiah 38:20 NKJV)

With Deacon Mark leading, the team included Jeremy, Dean, Sai, Sharon, Debbie, and Richard. Razmik and Jack joined up later on, along with a surprise visitor. 

Mark reports: "When we arrived at the plaza our friend John was now doing a vocal singing act with a gentleman waiting for him to finish so he could play some pan-pipes. Jeremy set us up in front of Pizza Rev and I was the first on the box." 

"John pulled up a chair & sat in front of me."

"Bobby (a gentleman w/his bible) listened for a while then began asking questions. I fielded the first set of questions because I could still proclaim the gospel." 

"When the questions turned into a teaching time I asked Bobby to wait and then I finished up on the box. Bobby, John, & I then continued the bible discussion for about another hour."

Brother Richard carried on from the box, followed by Dean and Jack.

Tracts were given out and one-to-ones took place.

Brother Jeremy reports: "We also had a surprise visitor!  Brother Walt from CBC was in the area, he saw us and decided that today was as good as any day to join us :)  He's a natural when it comes to tract handing out!  In this picture Walt is talking to a young man who used to be one of his Jr. Highers, who apparently had been saved after Walt lost contact with him, and they were catching up."

Jeremy: "Razmik had several one-to-ones. He reported having a good conversation with a man who, in an incident reported on the news last week, was on the freeway and a driver, going the wrong way, flew right by him. It got him thinking about death. The man grew up catholic, but had no idea of even the basics of the gospel. Razmik took the opportunity to clarify that, and the man was both receptive as well as contemplative. We can pray that God will continue to work on his heart, and to grant him salvation."

As always, the Holy Spirit was at work for God's glory!

Encouragement From Colorado

Brother Dave sent this message:

On the news the other day I heard a guy talking about Americas strike on ISIS had to be "ferocious" or it will appear that we are weak. Also that a "ferocious" strike will encourage our allies and let them know they are not alone. Here's the lesson:

PREACH FEROCIOUS! and you will do the same in the spiritual realm. You will attack the enemy of our souls with courage and embolden the saints to join you!!

Abortuary Duty - Praise Report!!

Our brother Don shared this wonderful news:

"4 victories today at the abortuary, PTL. All 4 couples verified by Juan (Clinic Security Guard). Please pray for John and Jasmin, one of the 4 couples I had the opportunity to talk to after their decision. Blessings brother & say hi to all."

You can join the effort at the Mission Hills clinic every Saturday and Tuesday morning from 8 to 10 am.

Apologetics Corner

Here is a video of a sermon by David Platt: "Relenting Wrath: The Role of Desperate Prayer in the Mystery of Divine Providence"

Understanding the Times:  Eric Barger interviews Ivan Soto who came out of the New Age deception. He describes the power of the scripture, repentance and the name of Jesus Christ to break the power of this demonic deception. This comprises the first 20 minutes of the program.

Join Us!

Please join us as we hit the streets again to proclaim the glorious truth of our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He is worthy to be proclaimed. He calls us to redeem the short time that is left. Each day brings us closer to His return.

And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has." (Luke 12:42-44)

Maranatha!!

(Street) Cornered Again 8/2/2014

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  (John 8:31-32)

Once, again, the corner of Magnolia and San Fernando proved to be our best spot.

A providential few drops of rain which came down while we were still in the parking lot convinced us to leave the big amp in the van and go with the small amps.

No more rain fell this evening, but the mall area was again overtaken by superior amp power as a couple of troubadours out-volumed us.

So we went with Plan B, and had a blessed time of sharing the Glorious Gospel with many as they crossed the street or waited for the light to change.

Many one-to -one opportunities came along.

Join Us!

Please check the schedule above and join us in Burbank!

Maranatha!!