Hi all, yes I am still around! I have things churning around in this brain of mine. Not sure yet where the blogging thing is going. I feel changes in the focus coming but am still unsure as to how to direct it yet.
Wanted to post this.
This is why I am now out in the streets telling others about Christ -- my focus is defintely more about this than anything else. I have heard the argument in the video so many times -- "You are being too judgmental". View on.
This five-minute video is by Tony Miano. You can read more about his ministry at The Lawman Chronicles.
J.C. Ryle
"When a man’s heart is cold and unconcerned about religion – when his hands are never employed in doing God’s work – when his feet are not familiar with God’s ways – when his tongue is seldom or never used in prayer and praise – when his eyes are blind to the beauty of the kingdom of heaven – when his mind is full of the world, and has no room for spiritual things – when these marks are to be found in a man the word of the Bible is the right word to use about him, and that word is, ‘Dead.’”
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thou Shalt Not Judge?
Friday, December 7, 2007
Deep Sympathy
It is with deep sympathy that I tell you that there is a good chance that...
...I may be putting my blog to rest! I was actually thinking that I might keep it up until the end of the year but have decided not to do that either.
I can't believe that I have kept up with it for nearly a year (at the end of the year)!! It has been a joy and pleasure getting to write about what is going on with me and my family and the changes that have taken place within me, particularly, over the past several months. However, most of the time I feel like I have been writing to myself! While this can be good there comes a time when I must branch beyond that "box". I am at a place where I have to stop writing about it and start doing it more frequently.
As some of you have seen in my posts, I have re-evaluated a lot about myself over the past few months. I have stopped straddling the fence, realizing the full extent of following the Lord's commandments, and I have moved into perhaps not greeener -- but deeper pastures. Deeper spritually, deeper in the knowledge and fear of the Lord and a much deeper focus overall.
I have a lot of things going on that I haven't written about yet. Not because I haven't got the time but because I am still learning. Learning that my ways are not the Lord's ways. Learning that I have quite a lot still to learn. Learning the true reason why we are here. With that being said, I feel like my time that I have spent has been good -- but not good enough. Perhaps, I am using too much of the time not doing the other things that the Lord has commanded that we do -- sharing and preaching the gospel of Christ. It is so heavy on my heart that I can not think, concentrate or put my focus on anything else. Part of the reason I started this blog was to do just that.
I also know that I need to continue to build my marriage as pleasing to the Lord and to grow my children up in the knowledge of the Lord. I feel that this as well as other areas has been neglected to some degree and I hope to get my focus back to the requirements of the Lord.
I want to thank those of you who have been faithful readers. It has been wonderful sharing the past year of my life with you.
What is next for me? Well, I have lots of ideas. I even have an idea for another blog but will put that on the back burner for now. I do hope to still write and if any inspirational ideas come to me, well, I guess I will have to stick with e-mail for now. My blog will still be up and I will not delete it for now because I may indeed return.
Merry Christmas!
"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:37)
Friday, November 30, 2007
State of Evangelism
Part I -- State of Examination
Part II -- State of Repentance
Part III - State of Evangelism
I was lost and now I’m found.
I was blind but now I see.
When I was in high school and college, I was pretty good about witnessing and sharing Christ with others. During high school, my parents owned a Christian book store so it was fairly easy to be a “witness”. I was always the goody-two-shoes and it didn’t bother me that I was. But, what they didn’t know is that I wasn’t a good person. Nobody is good (Psalm 53:1) except God alone (Luke 18:19). What perhaps they saw in me was a person they wanted to look up to but that’s as far as it went. No effort to change and be like me. Honestly, they probably didn’t want to and shouldn’t have tried to be like me. I wasn’t the person in whom someone’s life should be portrayed as an example. It may have seemed like it was on the surface but I’m pretty sure I was just as lost.
When I look back now, I realize that my heart was there and perhaps some did see a glimpse of the gospel that may have been silently portrayed by me. But I am pretty sure that it didn’t save anyone. Back then I was engulfed in the modern evangelical message that hoped someone saw the love of Christ in me. That they would just turn from their wicked ways because me, a Christian, just happened to live the “Christian life” or was praying for them. I would pray that the Lord would bring someone to me and just ask me what it was that made my life so great. Know what? I never had one person do that. Never. Even to this day no one has ever thought my life was so wonderful that they had to have whatever it was. Why? Because they don’t need it. They are happy with their own lives. Happy living with their own sin because it makes them feel better. And worst of all – they really don’t know what their sin is. They don’t know that our God is a just and righteous judge. And He will judge us for our sins. “God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day” (Psalm 7:11)
A.W. Tozer once said, “Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late and how little revival has resulted? I believe the problem is that we have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and it simply will not work. To pray for revival while ignoring the plain precept laid down in scripture is to waste a lot of words and get nothing for our trouble. Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience.”
If only I could turn back time.
If only I could do it all again.
I would tell them they must repent.
As a Christian, our purpose is to glorify God in every thought, word and deed. To love lost people enough to warn them that they are children of wrath who are waiting to be sentenced to eternity in hell for breaking God’s laws. We are to love lost people enough to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and that the only hope of avoiding the wrath of God is to repent and trust in the Lord Jesus. Our sole purpose is to proclaim the gospel – to fulfill the great commission.
The video above is alarming, but if it is offensive to you, then you might need to examine your heart and see if you are in the faith. I hope it has served it’s purpose in disclosing that hell is real. And people are going there. I am not on a high-horse. I am not judging and condemning. I am only professing what the Bible says. I have no way of knowing where you stand spiritually with the Lord – but He does.
However, if you are not actively engaged in sharing your faith with lost people or you can’t be bothered by it out of fear, doubt, unbelief, or if you have believed the modern lie that evangelism is only for ministers or those with the gift of speech, then you must look in the mirror and realize that you may be a false convert who has never fully repented and are living in disobedience to His Word as failure to share the gospel. Paul was fully aware that he was not an eloquent speaker and that he was weak and fearful (1 Corinthians 2:1-5) but he did not let that excuse stop him in being obedient.
I took a long hard look at myself as seen in the previous posts listed above. I was in disobedience in quite a few areas. This is why it is out of love and concern that I pour out my heart that bears the truth of the gospel, and his command for all men every where to repent because he has appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:30-31), to you and to strangers on the street. I do it out of obedience. And, because I do not want anyone to spend eternity in hell.
I am reminded of what God said to the prophet Ezekiel when he commanded him to call the people of Israel to repentance. “When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand” (Ezekiel 3:18).
I don’t need much more motivation than that!
Mark 16:15 (the Great Commission) states that we are to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” and that we are to do it all the time “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).
In Isaiah 58:1 we are instructed to lift our voice loudly, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Notice in this verse it says “my people”. We also are to be reminding those who say they are in Christ to examine themselves and make sure they are repenting from sin and that they are in fact in the faith as they so claim.
With the Lord’s help and for His glory, I am now in obedience to Him and am being a witness to Him. From time to time, I hope to share some of the encounters that I have with people on the street. A lot of times I am just handing out tracts or leaving them everywhere. I am in continuous training through God’s Word in how to effectively preach the gospel of Christ.
I know that if I am correctly telling the lost and false converts about their sin, and that they must repent and turn away from their iniquities, that I will be hated, shunned and labeled as judgmental, harsh and unloving (Matt. 5:11-12, Matt. 10:22, Matt 24:9, John 7:7, Luke 6:22). The more I get out there and do it the more I see the hatred for me and for the truth. I have all ready had people who refused to associate with me because of my stand. Nobody is offended when we say that “God is love” or that we know “God will fill the empty hole in their heart.” When the correct method is used, they sometimes get angry, self-righteous and proud. Thus I know the Law is doing its job in revealing that sin is transgression of the Law.
How do you stack up against the Law of God's word (The Ten Commandments)? Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything, regardless of the value or how long ago it was (time doesn't forgive sin)? Have you taken God's name in vain (said "Oh my G-d")? Have you looked at another person with lust, therefore commiting adultery? Then by your own admission you are a lying, thieving, blasphemer, and adulterer at heart and you are going to have to face God on Judgment Day. Because God is Holy, good, righteous and just He will sentence you to hell as the just punishment for your sins against Him (just like Josh).
Oh, but there is good news! Our righteous and just Creator provided a way out from that terrible wrath. He provided himself. God came to earth in the form of a man, the person of Jesus Christ. He suffered and died a horrible death on the cross, taking upon himself the puishment that we deserve for breaking his law.
What does God require of us? That we repent. It's not praying a prayer asking Jesus into our heart -- that does not save us. We must turn away from the sin and call upon the mercy and forgiveness of God. We must by grace alone, through faith alone, receive and trust in the Lord. Then, and only then, will our sins be forgiven and will we receive the free gift of eternal life.
Will you stand? Will you be in obedience to Him no matter what the cost? Will the Law and the Gospel of Christ proceed from your lips today?
The nets are not full...
Need help with how to witness effectively (and biblically)?
Need to purchase biblical tracts or other evangelism materials?
Want to read how me and others are sharing their faith?
Want to make sure you are not a false convert?
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Still Thankful
With Thanksgiving 2007 now come and gone, I am still thankful!
Thankful that my turkey turned out pretty darn good if I do say so myself!
Thankful that we have family to share another Thanksgiving together. Thankful for those who came and enjoyed food, fun and fellowship with us.
I am thankful that the Aggies can beat Texas two years in a row. And, I am thankful that when change happens we can leave the past behind, remembering the good times, while we anticipate new and fresh beginnings.
I am thankful for our soldiers who volunteer to fight for their country and for millions of people that they don't know. I am thankful for their dedication and courage even when there is little applause for their service.
I am thankful that the wrath of God was satisfied on the cross for our sin with the death of his precious son. I am thankful for his faithfulness and his never ending grace and mercy.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
Thankful...still.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Always Thankful
(Reprint of Mark Cahill Newsletter)
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, we all have a lot to be thankful for. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4
Do you ever thank God for your family? I have met two different people in the last couple of weeks who were not being raised by their parents. One, a 17 year old, told me that he lived with his brother. His divorced parents live in California. Another guy told me that his Mom died as she was giving birth to him, and his Dad left him when he was 16 years old. He moved away to Canada. So, for the last two years of high school, he bounced around from friend’s homes each week to sleep. He told me that he didn’t like to spend more than a week at a time anywhere because he didn’t want to wear out his welcome. No matter how dysfunctional your family is, and they are all dysfunctional in some way, isn’t it nice to know there is a roof above your head tonight?
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Do you ever thank God for the freedoms that you have to stand up for your belief in the Lord? We are losing those rights here in America and many of our brothers and sisters in other countries have already lost those rights.
Do you ever thank God for persecution? Recently, I was doing a radio show that originated from Toronto. A lady on the station said, “if you would witness the way you do in America up here, you would be torn apart.” I said, “According to Hebrews 11, why would that be such a bad thing?” So many people are concerned about how we look in other’s eyes and it just doesn’t matter when we die. Please the Lord. He judges all things.
“To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” Psalm 30:12
Do you just thank God when you eat a meal, or do you really THANK Him for that meal? Isn’t it nice to know that you get to choose to fast, when others have to fast because there is no food?
Do you ever thank God that you know there is only one way to heaven and you know what that way is? I had lunch with a Nation of Islam follower named Rodney Muhammed. I met him because he regularly sells newspapers on the same street corner. So I always invite him over to my car to talk. We had lunch one day and he let me know that he believes there are many paths to God. Let’s just say I didn’t agree with that!
“Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.” Psalm 18:49
Do you ever thank God that you can read? I just read where 60% of the world cannot read. This is one reason we are paying for translations of the New Testament into audio of different languages. We do this so we can reach those people for the Lord as well.
“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1
Do you ever thank God for friends? I met a guy the other day that just cried on my shoulder because he was so lonely.
Do you thank God for the job you have? Do all that you do for the glory of God. When He moves you to another job, great, and if He keeps you in this job for a long time, great. Either way, glorify the Lord.
Do you ever thank God that you don’t have to produce your own tracts to hand out? Isn’t it great that someone else has done that for you? You can find good tracts at:
www.customtractsource.com
www.livingwaters.com
www.chick.com
I received an email from a guy that said, “I stood in front of a book display around 3 or 4 yrs ago and asked the Lord to direct me to a book that would inspire. There was one copy only; and it caught my eye. Evangelism sections are never big.”
Do you ever thank God for that perfect book or sermon you hear at the right time, just when you and your soul need it?
Just received an email from a church where I spoke recently. They said, “PRAISE GOD Testimony: In the past 225 days there have been over 150 evangelism testimonies shared in daily emails from 92 different people.”
This church began collecting stories of the obedience of their people who had been faithfully sharing the Gospel. We should thank God for the people and opportunities He puts in front of us. Faithfully share the Gospel and let Him worry about the results. He does a great job at that. You just need to be faithful.
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
An inmate emailed me from a halfway house and said,“I participated in the study for this book while incarcerated at Skyline Correctional in Canyon City, Colorado. Currently I am in a half way house in Denver and providing the clients there with structured bible studies. Currently we are doing the Truth Project DVD study distributed by Focus on the Family out of Colorado Springs.”
Do you ever thank God for inmates? Being incarcerated is a time when many people’s lives finally slow down enough to think about eternal matters.
Do you ever thank God when life is smooth and there seemingly aren’t any problems? I was talking with a Marine named Antoine on the train the other day. He joined the military and four months later was in Afghanistan. He has seen a lot in his short time in the service. I asked him why he joined the service. He said, “My girlfriend was in the second plane that hit the towers on 9/11.” That event sent a ripple effect through his and his family’s life that has gotten him to the point where he is today.
A Russian friend sent this to me: “And of course greatest news came from the women’s prison camp from the Far East of Russia. One lady Tanya who is doing her third sentence for a murder and who used to be a trouble maker violating rules became a Christian after reading your first book! Administration and prisoners alike all see the difference in her life! She is plugged into the small fellowship that the have there. It’s so cool, Mark! I still didn’t give up with an idea of sending your book to every prison camp in Russia so I need more of contact info, which I’ll try to get.”
Can you just imagine that whole scenario taking place? A triple murderer becoming born again in a Russian prison!
By your donations to the ministry, we were able to help pay for the printing of the book into Russian. That testimony above is a direct result of your giving. They have just finished One Heartbeat Away in Russian, and it will be ready to print it in a few weeks. Praise the Lord.
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” Romans 1:8
So let’s end this newsletter the way we should have started it. Is anybody out there thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ in that He died and rose again just for you and me? Is anybody out there excited enough to go tell someone about the great news of what He has done? Let’s be so thankful to the Lord for the redemption of our sins by His blood, that we will not only go tell some, but that we will go tell all the truth of His Gospel.
Until the nets are full,
Mark Cahill (E-Newsletter)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Rescue the Perishing
By: Billy and Cindy Foote
Are you sharing your faith??
"Have you no desire for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself, you can be sure of that."
Charles Spurgeon
