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Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."
On our way home from church today we stopped by Kohl's to do some shopping. When we checked out we told the cashier that Jesus loved her and to have a blessed day. The cashier smiled and we went on our way.
ReplyDeleteJohn and Jennifer
Dear Grace Family,
ReplyDeleteAs I was driving home to Pomona today I thought of several ways I could share the Gospel to people I didn't know. Driving up Arrow Hwy. and saw the car of a former colleague in his driveway. I thought of knocking on his door and then after glancing at the clock on my dash, and knowing this guy pretty well, I realized just how likely it would be that he would answer the door in his boxer shorts. So I passed FOR NOW.
As I turned the corner and saw Starbuck's approaching, I knew I'd surely find someone to share God with....... Well, I did. Her name is Mandy and she is a Christian who moved here from Northern California with her husband and children to start a church in Azusa! It was sure nice sharing a quick story and inspiration together, but I knew I had to do more...... :0)
Because I live in Pomona and my parents live in LaVerne, I always check on them before leaving the area. Now let me tell you this....my Mom (Helen, 71) was baptized as a Jehova's Witness about 12 or 13 years ago, and my Dad (John, 77) NEVER wants to hear anything about Jesus.... because, as he put's it. "he's had too many people in his time try and jam their hypocritical views and judgements down his throat".
You see my Dad (John) had a stroke nearly 3 years ago and has been humbled dramatically by it. I have tried many times to pray with him and share with him and he just flat out resists. Yesterday was different.
My Dad has been suffering with much discomfort (more than normal) lately and because we run the family business together, I get to see him every day. Much of the time, he is stuck in his chair. In a moment of discussion on the next medical treatment we might want to seek for him, I just stopped, put my hands on his shoulders and asked if he minded if I pray with him. He actually was very willing this time and we proceeded with the prayer. My Mom was in the room too and began to cry a bit. The seed was planted...
Today when I checked in with him I asked how he had been feeling and wether or not the prayers worked. He laughed a bit and said, YES, and also said he believed they had worked, because since then, he had been feeling alot better. I finally just came out and asked him point blank, and asked, "would you mind if I went a step further and shared some scriptures with you each day for encouragement and inspiration, so long as I don't jam it down your throat, as you have shared it's been done in the past"? and he replied "SURE!, that sounds good to me"!
PRAISE GOD and than you Pastor Gene for encouraging me to not be ashamed of the Gospel. Although I didn't think I was ashamed, I had held back for so long with my DAD of all people because I was afraid of rejection and ashamed that I wouldn't have the right words to say.
May God continue to richly Bless you and all of the Grace Family - Suzanne Bombardier
My “Not Ashamed” story is an ongoing effort to encourage others Christians to share their faith as often as possible. Inspired by a message Pastor Gene preached in 2007 I set up a MySpace page to provide resources for faith sharing. I now have about 11,500 MySpace friends I regularly communicate with in this effort. If you’re on MySpace please join us at www.myspace.com/WhoNeedsGod? Because I feel it is tremendously important for those sharing their faith to know the whole Bible I also created a companion website with a 90 day Bible reading program and some other helpful study links. You can find that at www.TheBibleCoverToCover.com. And most recently, I created a website specifically designed to deliver the Gospel in a way unbelievers can hear. What I’ve tried to do is offer the details of why we believe what we believe in and effort to unmask the deception of this world. While I believe fully in the power of the Gospel I also believe fully in the power of the opposition. For that reason, I tired to put together a website that counters some of that misdirection and gives unbelievers enough information to consider the truth. Please take a look at www.just33minutes.com and share it with others as often as possible.
ReplyDeleteI have really learned to not "be Ashamed". Shame is satan's stamp of approval! After leaving church this morning I was compelled to share how God has changed my life this past year! I'm in recovery from Alcohol abuse & have been sober for 16 months! I know that God is using me today for his work to share with other women how Jesus can heal the broken heart & free us from bondage of self! I decided to invite the women from stepping stones recovery to our women of grace event in April! I was able to share with a woman there how Jesus has shown me my insecurities & I don't have to live with them. God used me today to plant a seed, what a gift & it's up to him to make it grow! May God bless these women in recovery so they may come to know Him!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAfter today's service I went home and jumped on facebook. I have all sorts of friends on facebook, Christians, backslidden Christians, followers of the New Age movement, gay and lesbian friends, atheists etc. They all know I'm a Christian, but it can also sometimes be a conversation stopper.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago, I was told by a Christian friend of mine that I was excellent at e-vangelism ... so I thought I'd take the challenge as an opportunity to e-vangelize once again.
On my newsfeed I posted a link to the Bible Gateway for Romans 1:16-17, and as a comment I stated, "Many will reject it, but I'm not ashamed of it". (with a little smiley face at the end :) ).
So if there was ever any doubt in any of my fb friend's minds of what I believe ... this should dispel that doubt. I also prayed that when people saw my newsfeed, it would cause them to pause and think.
This message will go out to approximately 50-60 people. Ultimately, I hope it can bring at least one of them, one step closer to the cross.
We sent over an E-mail to President Obama and the White House to restore this country to a country of faith in the One True God. Our country was founded by men of Faith and the courage to not be Ashamed and call upon God Almighty. That answers to today's problems can only be solved thru faith in Christ.
ReplyDeleteWe hope they listen!
The Takahashi family
Earlier this week, I had the privilege to lead a family member to the Lord. It was a long journey of 34 years with lots of prayer from friends and family.
ReplyDeleteSo this morning while driving to church, I am thinking of another family friend who needed Jesus. The Holy Spirit brought her name to my mind and after Pastor Gene's sermon, I knew I needed to go and share with her the Good News of Jesus Christ. It was not me but the Power of the Gospel that softened her heart and she accepted Christ at 11:45AM. As Pastor Gene said ... we do not need to defend the Gospel, we just need to use it. It was trully amazing to see God's power at work.
- Matt Uyboco Feb 7, 2010 12:46PM
I simply posted todays verse on my Facebook page so each of my 213 family/friends will know that "I am not ashamed of the gospel"
ReplyDeleteWe visited Chili's for lunch after church and spoke to the hostess finding out that she is a Christian and needed prayer for her sick 7 month old, Anthony. Then we spoke to the waitress, Kim, who really had no prayer requests. We did tell her we were Christians and would pray for her life and future.
ReplyDeleteJust getting home. Carol and I stopped at a restuarant for lunch. I came back from the buffet and found my wife talking to the waitress. She had seen us praying and had initiated some conversation. We ask what we could pray for and she showed us a picture of her husband and two teen children. She wishes us to pray for them to stay close to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteUpon arriving home I went next door to talk with my neighbors. Been here 19 years and have not yet expressed my desire to be involved in their lives spirtually. One was not home - or perhaps saw me coming:) The other lady was home. She has lived there 12 years. I have never even spoken with her. Gave her a copy of Gracelife and expressed my desire to be available when needed. We talked about our children and grandchildren and then I ask if there was anything I could pray with her about? At that time I discovered she has attended Grace Church functions. You can imagine how embarrassed I was to discover my neighbor had been on our campus and I did not even recognize her. Nothing spiritual but let her know I would try to be a better neighbor and talk to God for her and about her.
Pastor Gene
NAC (Not Ashamed Christian)
ReplyDeleteNanette (Shell station cashier)
NAC: Brought Grace Bulletin into store
Nanette: What is that
NAC: I just came from church at Grace in Glendora, here, you can have this bulletin.
Nanette: Thank you
NAC: We have three services, listed here.
Just take Arrow Highway and turn left onto Glendora Ave.
Nanette: Thank you.
Gary Ledger
The challenge was a great opportunity to meet our new neighbors. Bought some tostitos and queso dip and hit the streets. Husband went to one house and wife to another. Said our hellos, welcomed to the neighborhood and gave them information on Grace with service times as well as a track. Go Saints!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Coopers
We drove thru Taco Bell on the way home from church. Pastor's challenge on our hearts we decided to pay for the meal of the car behind us.
ReplyDeleteOne of our kids wrote a note on a piece of the bulletin that has Grace's website info. The note said simply.........."Jesus loves you, Have a great day!" We drove up to the pay window, paid for our order, then told the cashier we wanted to pay for the car behind us. The cashier says "They have 2 orders". "Thats Ok", we said. "We'll pay for both.". After all was paid for we handed the cashier the note and asked him to give it to the driver. He read the note and smiled. As we pulled up we saw the car behind us pull forward and the cashier hand her the note. As we drove away I was looking at the receipts and noticed the cashiers name was "JESUS". How great is our God! The Celaya family is NOT ashamed!
Steve Gunter
ReplyDeleteAt two of the homes on our street we have relatively new neighbors. One I know to be Catholic family and have wanted to discuss with them their understanding of salvation. I left an EE tract with the wife saying that I thought this was a wonderful set of scriptures that explained salvation. She was very appreciative. I hope this will be the first step in further conversations.
I visted the other family, a remairried coupled with no kids at home. I was sure they had no interest in religion. Upon asking if they has any religious interests they said they were Christian but just didn't attend church. I left an EE tract with them and definitely intend to follow-up.
I walked to Church today. On the way home, a man said "hey gorgeous" as I walked near to him. I stopped, said thank you, and told him that I wanted to share the Gospel. He wasn't very receptive, but didn't seem to mind when I said "God Bless you, then". I also pointed him in the direction of Grace Church. Who knows, maybe I will see him there next week.
ReplyDeleteKelsey and I were in line at Disneyland today when we found ourselves behind a person with a shirt that said "sign my shirt." A few people around us started signing it so we decided to also. We wrote "Jesus loves you." A woman asked me if I had actually written that. I replied with a "yes :)"
ReplyDeleteShe then said "oh that's wonderful" as she went on to also write an uplifting spiritual statement.
I know; not the deepest spiritual story, but it was cool to see anoher person join in and also make a stand.
After today's church service we went to our local coffee shop (The Baglery")in La Verne.
ReplyDeleteWe decided to sit by a window centrally located with our Bibles wide open and our 'Small Group" books. We studied about an hour with several couples around us looking on.
We prayed that we would be a guiding light.
Larry & Sharon
Was at the gym in the locker room and inserted myself into a conversation when one of the men mentioned evolution as if that was the only option for how we got here. Noticed several other guys smiled at my bold assertion that maybe there was a purpose to this life. Not ashamed - good times.
ReplyDeleteAfter the service yesterday, my kids and I talked about what we wanted to do to show that we are not ashamed of the gospel. We wanted to get some tracts at the Perfect Parcel and go talk to our neighbors. But the PP was not open. We still want to talk to our neighbors, but we want to have something to give them too. I promised the kids to stop at the Christian bookstore this week to buy some tracts. I especially want to talk to the lady who lives in the duplex behind us, and the neighbors who live on either side, since they have all been pleasantly receptive in the past when I have given them marketing materials for Grace events. Plus this is a great way for my kids to see first-hand what it is like to share our faith and not be ashamed.
ReplyDeleteI also plan to take another opportunity to talk about Jesus with my boss - a scary thought for sure. He is a bitter man who claims to believe there is no God and in his words, "if there is I wouldn't want anything to do with him anyway because he lets innocent people suffer." Trust me, I have shared the gospel with him in the past and I've done my best to graciously debate with him about points of theology, always bringing the conversation back to the Scriptures and what they say. He openly mocks and ridicules me and the others in the office who profess our faith (there are a few others), and says only weak-minded people believe in God. In spite of all that, I've come to realize he really knows nothing about the good news of the gospel - his bitterness stems from his past experiences with religion and misguided people who have said or done things in the name of religion that hurt him. Needless to say, he is a difficult man to work for, and he seems to enjoy making life miserable for me in particular, which I think is due in part to my stand for the truth of the gospel. I have stopped talking to him about spiritual things in the past months (expect to occasionally remind him that I pray for him) because I don't want to further stir up his anger towards me. But he was the first person that came to my mind during Pastor Gene's sermon yesterday, so I feel the Holy Spirit is moving me to be bold and look for a chance to speak to him again. Hoping to find that chance this week.
Although I posted something yesterday, I decided to show that I'm not ashamed every day this week, and continue to post. Hope that's ok! I copied the taco bell story, only I did it at Starbucks. I wrote God Bless You, Have a Happy Monday on a piece of paper and paid for the car's order behind me. They smiled and waved. I'll blog again tomorrow after I think of something new to do!
ReplyDeleteI issued the I Am Not Ashamed challenge to some of my Christian friends, told them about the blog, and invited them to download the message from Grace's website. Let's see if any of them blog!
ReplyDeleteAfter church yesterday, I went to see a Cirque du Soleil show. I met Kelly, who was sitting next to me with her young daughter. Kelly was very friendly, and we got many chances to talk and found out that we have much in common (being wives, moms, photography lovers, etc.). During intermission, I asked her a simple question: Do you attend church? She was very open and told me that she used to (Catholic church) but stopped after her father died 7 years ago. She expressed that she still has anger toward God in her heart. I shared with her how I lost both of my parents over 10 yearsn ago and how I relied on God to help me through the difficult times. She admitted that she was a lost soul and needed to find her way back to God, and that the only way for her to have peace is through God. It was definitely an appointment only God could make that we sat down next to each other!! Anyway, I told her that I would pray for her and I encouraged her to go to church to find answers. If you are reading this, I would ask that you pray for her as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Penuelas Family wrote on our FACEBOOK status "The Penuelas Family is not Ashamed of JESUS CHRIST" Are you??? The comments continue to come and we are able to share our beliefs and how GOD is working through us to show that GOD is GOOD for ALL :).
ReplyDeleteYesterday afternoon I went to a gift shop in downtown Covina to buy a birthday gift for my mother in law. The lady working behind the counter was telling me about a charity fundraising event taking place Wednesday 5-9pm throughout downtown and invited me to come. I told her I would not be able to make it because my kids were in AWANA and my husband and I attended a small group while our kids were in AWANA. She said she had heard the word AWANA, but didn't know what it was. I first told her that AWANA stood for "Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed" and that it came from the Bible verse 2 Timothy 2:15. I explained the best I could in simple terms what the verse meant, that we are to be diligent and unashamed in accurately sharing God's word with others. She replied, "hmmm". I left there feeling a seed was planted. Since I am a regular customer there, I hope to have other opportunities to share my faith with her.
ReplyDeleteAfter church was thinking about how to carry out Pastor Gene's request. A gal I've know since she was 6 (now she's almost 30) came to my mind. She's not yet a believer. I called her and said, "I just wanted to call and let you know I love you and God loves you and I think you're great!". She replied "I needed that". She shared about what will be part of her week... so I asked if I could pray with her about it. Yes, she replied. So I lifted her up to the Lord in prayer. We talked for a while and I still felt I should say more. So, with the Lord's help, I said something like "At church today they were talking about Jesus and His love for us and how He offers us forgiveness of sins. You know this is what I'm about. I so desire this for you!" She again said thank you. We continued to converse more. The she said, "I've been thinking that I'd like to go to church... just to go." Of course, I welcomed her to join us anytime. And I invited her to the Beth Moore simulcast on April 23-24. So, we'll see how God takes these seeds and helps them grow. Thanks, Gene, for encouraging us to take a stand! I say I'm not ashamed, and sometimes it's very easy to share the Gospel. But at other times I guess I am ashamed...more likely fearly. Fearful of reactions. This past year I was encouraged not only to be "not ashamed" but "PROUD OF JESUS!" May the Lord help me to be "proud of Jesus - Savior, Creator, Lord, Hope!"
ReplyDeleteYesterday, right after the service, my friend Vanessa and I got paper and markers and made signs for my car. We wrote one that said "I'm not ashamed of the gospel. Are you?" and we made two that said "Honk if you love Jesus!" and we drove around with my sisters, Kathryn and Kimberly, and their friend, Kara. We had the windows rolled down and Vanessa was holding one of the Honk for Jesus signs, screaming "Jesus loves you" out the window while the girls in the back seat watched behind us and kept count. The total count came to 27 honks that we heard, 7 thumbs up, and a few waves in two hours.
ReplyDeleteAfter leaving church Sunday I made it a point to say "God bless you and thank you to the check out clerk when ever I paid for something at the store. I also gave a Daily Bread to a waitress today at a resteraunt that I have been going to for a long time. I will go back and ask her if she read it and if she has any questions.
ReplyDeleteI am not ashamed of sharing my faith or of sharing the Good News to people I come in contact with; yet, I do not like evangilizing just for the mere sake of evangilizing.
ReplyDeleteI knew that 2 hours was not enough time to get through the assignment that Pastor Gene had given us to accomplish but I was willing to be used by God.
Today, while getting my hair cut, I was speaking with my hair stylist and she was asking me if I had sent my kids to catechism class, she knew I was a christian (at least my wife is) but she didn't know that both my wife and I had had 12 years of catholic school. She was intrigued. As I started talking to her I could hear Pastor Gene's sermon ringing in my head. I said to my self, this is it, do I take the challenge or do I let it slip away.
I was obediant and I shared with her my testimony. I told her that being part of a church does not save you but that only through Jesus Christ can we be saved.
I don't know what impact if any my words had but I did get a great hair cut.
Andrew Aguirre
Yesterday I was able to share with a friend the love that Jesus has for her.
ReplyDeleteShe has come from an abusive past, where the relationships that she has had have been built on false notions of love. I explained to her that the only true love comes from God and pointed her to 1 Corinthians 13. I think that her life was impacted on a deep level, and I continue to pray for her as she is weighing the option of letting go of the past and embracing the future that God has for her.
So after church my high school group had a superbowl event with company 122. Once church let out we left to set up athe the Cook. It didn't take too long before i noticed a high schooler I hadn't met before. I intoduced my self and had a great conversation about life, that led to a brief discussion about God. I was able to ask him some questions about his thoughts and beliefs, and he seems to be open. Prayerfully soon this will end up with a report that another has committed to Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThen yesterday afternoon i was at the skate park taking some video when i noticed a photgrapher shooting as well. I struck up a conversation and told him that i was a pastor at Grace (he knew the church) and that I was here because i care about high schoolers and want to help them make better decisions, the best being one to Jesus. He thought that was pretty cool, and he wasn't opposed to God. So we talked more, and i got his card to continue the conversation.
Not Ashemed update from my earlier post about the gym conversation about God and purpose. Yesterday at the gymn took another opportunity to share with the person swimming next to me. He was a lifeguard so I told him I knew a life-guard of sorts who has a perfect record - Jesus. Nice. JDD
ReplyDeleteWe made up two signs to hang in our car windows that aksed people to "Honk if you love Jesus!" We then posted one on each side of the car in the passenger windows, and had a contest with our boys to see which side of the car received the most responses.
ReplyDeleteSadly, over the course of our 15 minute drive, we received zero honks. Our boys were surprised and saddened by this and it led to a good conversation about why that might have happened and how we can not be ashamed to be a witness to His love in the future.
I share a common name and a common fence with my neighbor Paul, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq. He moved in about six months ago, and since then, God has really put him and his young family on my heart. He attends church off and on because he did so as a kid, but hasn't seemed to have embraced Jesus beyond that.
ReplyDeleteOur work schedules don't really sync up, so we communicate every now and then via text message, but I admit I haven't really made an attempt to reach out to him for Christ via those communications. I sent him a message telling him that he's in my prayers and communicating God's love for him and his family. Hopefully, an opportunity to run into each other along the mutual fence will come soon, and I and I can follow up on that.
--Paul Ham
I am training to run a marathon. There is a girl that is training with us that is a non-Chrisian. I have had the opportunity to share Christ with her through many questions that she is asking me. I have been asking God to give me the wisdom to answer the quesions in a Chrislike way but not overwhelm her and to develop a trusting relationship.
ReplyDeleteLast November, when we redecorated most of our home I asked God to give us the opportunity to use it for Him to reach our neighbors, fellowship or whatever He chose. Our neightbor across the street wanted to do some work in her home and we invited her to see our home. This resulted in Monica and her sister Gretechen coming to dinner. We had a very good time with them and feel this is a beginning to a meaninful relationship. Their mom died last year also and that opened the door to faith discussions. My small group is praying for more opportunities with Monica and Gretchen.
ReplyDeleteThe serman on Sunday reminded me its the little things we do everyday as we go about our lives that God can use to touch others lives.
Linda R.
The sermon on Sunday was indeed very inspiring and it touched the spot in my heart deeply as I think of my siblings in China, My two brothers and my sister are all living in the Communist China now and none of them is a believer yet. For the past few years i have been wanting to share my faith with them and nothing seemed to be very effective so far. But the message on Sunday brought me into a deeper understanding that I need to be bold in sharing the gospel with others. Not only I understood that I became a debtor to the love and grace that I have received from our Lord Jesus; but also there is a urgency to take actions on what i have been taught. In two days i will be back in China to spend the Chinese New Year's holidays, and my plan is to gather my brothers and sister and share the gospel with them. I pray that the Holly Spirit will guide me when spending this precious time with my siblings so they can see God's grace and mighty power working in my life; ultimately they maybe touched by the message and receive Christ as their savior.
ReplyDelete"I'm not ashamed the Gospel" I porclaim it everyday in my life and I'm determined to spread to all we have encountered.
I have also prepared a English and Chinese New Testament for one of the young couple invited to Grace Chinese New Year Gathering on last Saturday night. Song Yang and her husband had never heard Jesus before; they are expecting their first child and the message pumped me to give her a call at work today and I told her taht i will drop off the NT of Bible with her before I leave for China home on Thursday.
Also I would like to invite Song and her husband to our Sunday morning services so they can experience the live message of Jesus Christ.
---Liping Martinez
I went to classic coffee with a friend and decided to talk to the man working behind the counter, Jon. We proceeded to tell him that we are, "Not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." He responded with, "Me neither!" We then discussed where he attends church and a bit about his faith. It was quite encouraging just to know that a random stranger believes too.
ReplyDelete-Jaime Fahey
I met a visitor on the plaza and was able to spend some time with him talking about Grace, the Christian life, and life in general. I invited him to our Super Bowl Party and Worship Night but he was unable to attend. So I took his phone number and asked if I could call him to follow up and keep our conversation about Jesus going.
ReplyDeleteI called him this morning to see how he was doing but I got his voicemail. So I left him a message asking if I could get him a coffee sometime this week and answer any questions he might have about this guy called Jesus.
I also had the opportunity this morning to join Jaime Fahey in telling someone that we are NOT ashamed of the gospel. Jaime chose to drive us up to Classic Coffee and we had a great conversation with the barista there called Jon. We both told him that we are not ashamed of the gospel and he replied: "I'm not ashamed of the gospel either". He told us that he used to be in Campus Crusade and would talk to people all the time about Jesus. He encouraged us (and Grace) to keep going and to never be ashamed.
Good times!
//Jon Parker
It is a habit of mine to sit arround in Barns and Noble in the Philosophy/Religion section and strike up conversations with people there. When I went there this week I was sad to find it empty and sat down in one of the chairs provided. After a few minuts the lady next to me caught my eye and I noticed her stack of book.
ReplyDeleteI lost my breath when I saw there titles: "Surviving an Affair", "Infadility", "What Now", and "Life after Infadility". Everything inside of me wanted to to pack up and run, I fealt totally unprepaired to talk to a woman about this...but God told me to stay there.
After a few more minutes of prayer I gained the courage to ask talk to the woman. I politely asked her if those were for her, or for a friend, and she told me they were for her. I told her how sorry I was for her and asked if I could pray with her. She thought about it and asked me not to - she didn't think she could hold it togeather. I then asked if I could pray FOR her elsewhere which she gladly accepted. I also handed her a book I knew dealt with some of what she is going through by a christian author called "Healing is a Choice". I prayed all the way bakt to the office
Hey, this morning(Tuesday 9th)I had the opportunity to share the gospel with Samuel. He is a mexican guy, he was working in the garden and I stoped to talk with him and gave me permision to give a track, brochure of grace and a Bible. I spent 35 minutes only but the experience was enormous. He does not accepted but I prayed for him, his family, his job, etc. Finally, I gave my bussines card for futures contacts.
ReplyDeleteBefore I was married, I would place star-gazzer lillies or empty crosses with a note proclaiming "He Lives" on the door steps of family & friends around mid-night Easter morning. I would also randomly place a flower on the door step of 2 or 3 houses on my route - most people had no idea who the "Easter Angel", as this phantom person began to be called, was. Over 23 years, I beleive about 14 deliveries a night were made. Many still only figured out who the "Easter Angel" was after I got married and stopped making these 5-6 hr a night drives 5 years ago.
ReplyDeleteAfter Paster Genes challenge, I realized, I missed leaving that reasuring message with someone when they weren't expecting it. So this morning, I pulled a couple $20s from the ATM and dropped into a thrift store. I walked up to one of the cashiers asked for a couple paperclips and asked her to please give the note and apply the money to her next two customers purchases. If the charge was under $20, then please give the customer the change.
The cashier could hardly speak. She ask why I would do this? I told her because I am able to and someone needs this.
As I walked away to peruse the shop, I noticed the cashier left in tears. About 5mins later she was back all smiles.
I little bit later, after finding a book for my son and paying another cashier, the first cashier caught my attention and with a big smile on her face gave me a thumbs-up.
When delivering the flowers and crosses on Easter I seldom knew of an impact these made on the people when they first started arriving. And I don't know the impact the money and note made on the customers, I do know the cashier will know the impact on the customers. And maybe those three individuals will continue to have impacts on those around them, because of two bills and two hand writen notes "Jesus Loves you and is with you."
Oh- and I felt uplifted too. :)
LeeAnn
Today I felt compelled to call my cousin. Our families experienced a falling out of sorts last year and have not spoken since.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know if she'd be in class or not but I called her anyway. She was at home and received my invitation to meet at Starbucks.
I'd never talked with her about Jesus before and our current, sensitive family circumstances made me more nervous than ever.
We had a great 1.5 hour chat and I was able to share the message of a loving, life-changing and REAL Jesus Christ. She listened and asked questions although she decided that right now there is nothing that she needs in this life that she doesn't already have.
Despite her response, I left with confidence knowing that God will use this coffee chat someday to draw her ever nearer….and I’m still not ashamed of the Gospel.
- Kellie
After receiving Pastor Gene’s challenge I hopped in my car and drove down Arrow Highway looking for “my chance” to show someone/anyone how not ashamed I really was. Turns out, this evangelism stuff is harder than it looks when you make it a point to talk face-to-face with adults. I mean, I’ll take kids any day of the week! That’s comfortable for me and totally within my natural gifting!
ReplyDeleteSo I find my way into the Community Thrift Store on Arrow Highway and I’m looking around for someone to talk to. The first thing I notice is that my heart is already beating a bit faster. My nerves start shaking a bit. And I feel deep gulps in my throat. But finally I gain the courage to strike up a conversation with the man in my aisle as we both look through the vinyl record selection. The conversation went nowhere real fast and ended abruptly. I felt bummed and discouraged and even ended up leaving the store with my head down / no results.
By the time I got to my car I dug down deep and said “nope, I’m going to do this.” So I called up a guy I just met about 2 weeks ago, not knowing where he really stands with God at all and asked him to lunch. We met over at In-N-Out. Now this next part is a true testimony about how amazing our God really is . . . even in the midst of feeling pretty pitiful about my Thrift Store Failure:
This new acquaintance of mine and I start in with some basic small talk and then I slowly start asking him some “bigger questions” in regards to how we deal with life when God allows rough things to happen to us when all the sudden the guy sitting alone next to us chimes in literally out of nowhere and says, “have you guys ever watched the movie Gangs of New York?” I looked at my new friend and then looked over at this stranger and said, “No, I’m sorry - I haven’t.” He takes us through this 10-minute explanation about how hard it is for him to believe in God when he sees Christians fighting with other Christians (like the Catholics and Protestants did in this movie apparently).
And that one question was the beginning of a 30 minute conversation that my friend and I got to have with a complete stranger [Jesse] in In-N-Out. We both told him about Jesus’ teachings about love and how sometimes even Christians get in the way of that message. By the end of our conversation my friend and I were telling “Jesse” not to put his trust in any MAN but to look to Jesus and no one else.
It’s funny when you think you are setting up an appointment to share Christ with ONE person and that person ends up being your teammate in a tough conversation with a complete stranger. God is good.
-Zack Grelling
I spent about 2 hours with Rose, 80 year old sister of Alice Abuhamed. Alice has been concerned that her sister might not have received Jesus as her own personal Savior. As w talked. I asked if she had asked Jesus into her heart to save her and she very positively affirmed that she had done that and that she wasn't afraid to go through heart surgery, because she knew that she will go to heaven when she dies. I think Alice and Sami were happy to hear Rose say she had trusted in Jesus. We sang some songs. She especially wanted to sing "Just As I Am." We prayed and made arrangements to get her a giant print New Testament. I will talke with Alice and Sami next week and get their input to our meeting. It is a joy to share Jesus with others.
ReplyDeleteJim Redden
I was caring for an elderly lady and she was not doing well. I grabbed her hand and said I envied her because soon she would get to see Jesus. He is waiting just around the corner. How much He loves her and wants her to be with Him.
ReplyDeleteShe held my hand tight and we prayed together...tears flowing. Carol Wood
I gladly accepted Pastor Gene's challenge because recently I had prayed, "Lord, here I'm going tothe Philippines to win the street children to You and I haven't won anyone for such a long time. Please lead me to someone soon."
ReplyDeleteI know I coouldn't do it within the 2 hours as I had group right after church, but figured it wouldn't matter as long as I did it.
After group, I stayed behind and talked to Christine. " I took Pastor Gene's seriously but I have no idea where God wants me to go. I sort of consider McDonald's as my mission field because almost everytime I go there, I inivite someone to church, gave a tract, or pray with someone."
Christine: "Which McDonald's?
Elly: "Oh anyone."
Christine: "There's one near here"
Elly: "But I thought that one closed."
Christine: I don't think so. There's a man that M. witnessed to and he needs the Lord."
Elly: "What's he look like?"
Christine: "He has white hair and could be working either inside or outside."
Then I left thinking that would be my mission. But somehow it didn't feel right. I wasn't hungr and it was in the wrong direction as I had planned to stop for groceries. So I proceeded on to the store. I found a handicapped place immediately and as I opened the car door there was a young worker with a cart, "Thanks God, that must be the one."
As I handed him a tract, I said :Here's something for you. It tells how you can know for sure that you can go to heaven when you die. Do you know that."
Boy: Yes
Me: Then you must have received Christ as your Savior. (Again, he answered in the affirmative.) Then you can give it to someone else. And with a smile he thanked me.
That was good, but somehow,I felt God had something more so Is I did my shopping, I looked for someone to speak to. There was a couple with 2 children in the same aisle as I. Tthey had been.argueing so after I picked up what I wanted, I asked them, "Do you go to church any where?"
"We go the church of the Open Door"
"That'ts a good church." God bless you."
So that was that. I still didn't see anyone else to approach so as the very friendly checker was putting my groceries in the cart I thanked her and quickly handed her a tract saying, "Please read this when you have time. She thanked me. I still didnt feel and I had God's appointment.
cont.
continued from above...
ReplyDeleteAs I was putting the groceries in the car, I saw 2 mwn sitting on a bench. As i approached them, there faces looked puzzled. I greeted them with, Hi, it's a nice day." They agreed so then I said, "I was wondering if you know for sure that you will go to Heaven.when you die.:
One piped up right away, "I do. I've gone to Sunday School and church all my life" He continued on and on about how good he is but before I could quote Ephesians 2: 8 and 9 the other man said, : I don't think anyone can know until you die and either land in Heaven or Hell.".
Then I said, " I know for sure because God's Holy Spirit lives in my heart." Then I explained the way of salvation but before I could finish the other man interrupted and went on aand on about how he expected to go to Heaven - even his mother had taught SundaySchool....so I turned to the other man handing him a tract, saying, "God's going to do something special for you." He nodded his head. Then I turned to the other man and handed him a different tract.about the best Gift. He looked at it and handed it back. I knew he wasn't ripe fruit.
On the way home, I was so impressed by the Holy Spirit that I should go back and offer to pray with that other man. After putting the groceries away, I sttarted back praying all the way that God would hold them there.
God did one better. When I arrived the first man was gone and the other one seemed glad to see me. I told him, "I have something else for you but first I came back because I thought you might be ready to receive Christ as your Savior." With a loud voice, he answered, "I sure am."
I led him in the sinner's prayer and when we finished, his face was beaming. I exclaimed, "Its so wonderful to know for sure that you can go to Heaven."::He joyfully agreed.
Then I quoted John 1:12 and said, ":Now you're just like a baby in God's family "Babies have to breath so when we pray it's like breathing. Babies have to eat so when you read the Bible, It's like food for your soul." Then I gave hiim the Gospel of John, explaining what it was. He loved it and said, "This will help me" Then I told him that babies have to esercise and telling others about Jesus is like exercising your faith,"
Holding out his hand, he said,"My name is John." I took it saying, "I,m Elly. You must have some Christian background." He replied, "Yes, my mother is a Christian, but she's in Heaven.
"How wonderful it must be that you will see her when you get there!." There was more conversation and rejoicing. Then I gave him some different tracts, one with Grace Church's address and invited him to come He said that he sometimes goes to a Friend's church on Lone Hill, but he would like to visit ours too. So I invited him to meet me in the Plaza this Sun..I hope he does, but if not, I'm sure that God will take care of him.
I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the POWER of God onto salvation to any one who believes.
Eleanor Allen
On the way to work this morning, I was wondering what I could do to fulfill Pastor Gene's challenge. The phone was ringing when I walked in the office door. It was a long-time friend and business associate on the east coast. He had a shipment of product at the airport that had been there for two days already, and it looked like it may be another two days before he could ship it due to weather. The quality of the product would need to be down graded, and the price point adjusted accordingly. This would mean a loss of all the profit in the shipment, and possibly then some. A tough loss to take in this economy.
ReplyDeleteHe asked for my advice, and I counseled him to take the loss now rather than possibly damaging his reputation for top rate quality in the marketplace. Tough advice to take, but he agreed it was probably the best option, and asked me to pray for him.
This is a man I have had a friendship with pre-dating my own salvation, and have been witnessing to him for years. Immediately, I began to pray for him in these circumstances. As I said "Amen", I could hear him begin to protest, saying "I didn't mean right now!". I think he may have been a bit embarrassed, but I am not ashamed of the gospel, and I wanted him to know that God cares about his circumstances.
We are praying that I have additional opportunities to share my faith and the reason for my confidence and peace.
RM
My coworkers started a discussion about the Catholic church today. I am sitting here listening when it hits me, I need to get into this conversation and speak some Truth! So I ask a few questions about the Catholic religion. We discuss some different beliefs about evolution (this was more their personal thoughts to how life came to be than the Catholic church's thoughts) to which I know little about but still spoke Truth!
ReplyDeleteWe talked a lot about how the church is corrupted and how they disagree with so much of how the Catholic church operates. I was able to take that to say how we should not put our faith in man but in the only one who was perfect, Jesus Christ.
Hopefully God will bless me with more opportunities to share the Gospel with them.
It took me a while to figure this blog out.
ReplyDeleteI was concerned that I wouldn't have an opportunity to speac to any one on Sunday. We were planning a trip to our daughters to watch the Super Bowl game. I didn't even make it out of the church before I spoke to a friend and her husband. He has been questioning God because of all the illness he has been having. I was able to share with him many things about bad things that Christians go through, but God goes right through with us. My friend told me in the parking lot, "you were not ashamed to speak for Jesus". I didn't even realize what I had done. It was so natural to encourage him. Thats what being "Not Ashamed" is all about. At church, at home or on the way, we can stand firm in our resolve to speak the truth in love. Janet McGee
My brother came by this evening to talk about the difficulties he's been having with my Step-Father in the year since my Mother's death.
ReplyDeleteWe were able to talk about our grief and share memories of my Mother. Rick and I were able to assure him that she is in heaven and to remind him again that he can be too. While he did not make a profession of faith, he listened and bowed his head as I prayed for him and the situation he's experiencing at home with our Step-Father.
I was also able to express to him how much I love him, and worry about him, and that I pray for him constantly. This was an unexpected opportunity (being the first time my brother has come by in months) and the answer to my prayer that I would find a way to demonstrate that I am not ashamed of the gospel.
Taking a hint from another blogger I posted the verse on my facebook.
ReplyDeleteThen yesterday morning I was talking with my father and I let him know that God is taking care of me and I am blessed. Also I said to him that he is in my prayers.
AJ
Dear Grace family: Tue. afternoon,it's raining. Cory (8) and I was going to get into our van. Cory saw a black wallet lying on the ground. I went over to pick it up and was wondering what we should do about it. I opened the wallet and checked the driver's license, and hoping to find a phone number I can contact the lady. I assumed that she's a parent from the school as well. I did not want other people to take it and keep it. So, we decided to take it to school office. Because of the rain, when we drove toward the school, there was a long line of cars jammed. I could only waited by the traffic light for a long time. Then, I saw the lady who was talking on the phone looked worried walked past by my van with her daughter. Her face looked liked the one on the driver license in the wallet. I lightly honked at them, and she turned over to look for the sound. I quickly rolled down the window and asked her whether she lost her wallet. She said yes. I said praise God and Praise the lord and returned the wallet to her.
ReplyDeleteThe next two days, I started to pray to God for opportunities to share good news to her. Two days in a row, I saw her parking at the same spot and waiting for me. She said I'm her life saver. I shared with her that my life was like the lost wallet before. Jesus found me ant told me that He loved me and died for my sins so I've eternal hope in Him. I also quoted Jeremiah 31:3 that God loves us with eternal love and draws us close with tender kindness. I invited her to visit our church this Sunday Service at 11:00am. She said her daughter goes to Grace preschool and she never been to church and she has been thinking about it. I told her that Jesus is our life saver. When we need help, He will send people to help us just like the lost wallet was found and returned to her. Praise God for His active work in people's lives who is searching for Him. prudence t. chen
I spent some time over the weekend with a couple of my cousins who I usually see a couple of times a year. They both have extremely hardened hearts and they know that I am a Christian and are usually respectful of my faith. We did enter into a conversation about God and Jesus and satan too, and as I tried to share Gods love, my cousins just would say "well, if it works for you thats great..." So, all this to say, when I left I felt a bit defeated but I also let them know that I have been and will continue to pray for them. God is good and I know that He will nudge them in His time. mjp
ReplyDeleteI was doing a deposition on Tuesday over an accident that happened some time ago that was near one of our restaurants. I was sitting in the room with 6 other attorneys.
ReplyDeleteThe Plaintiffs attorney began the questioning with the standard state your name and your business. Well the name of our company is Lord & Cook Ventures, LLC. He said "I understand the Cook. Is there a Lord?" I quickly answered, "Yes there is." This caused some snickers from the other attorneys as the questioning attorney saw now how the question sounded. His next question was, "Does He have a name?" And I answered "Yes, it is Jesus Christ." This brought a few laughs so I continued. I said the Lord is what our business is all about. He is the center of our life and our business so He is first in our name. Now his crowning response to that, "So you are the only human one in the business."
For I am not ashamed the Gospel...
Mark
I recently decided to join the mission team heading to the Phillippinnes. After making this decision to go, I went to the owner of the company I work for to set up a savings account to have for my family when I leave. The owner, Kirk, is a strong Christian himself and was happy to here my news. A few months later, our company had a meeting to discuss our 2010 objectives. Without telling me, Kirk announced to everyone in the company that I was going on a mission trip and asked me to stand up and discuss it. There are not many believers within the company, and without notice of this, I was caught off guard and a little nervous. However, I stood up and told everyone about the mission trip and the purpose of it including how I felt lead by God to do this and serve the Lord. One of my struggles is my ability to be open about my faith to others, so this was a big step to share my faith and to not be ashamed of it.
ReplyDeleteJ.R.
I gave scripture to the cashier at Target
ReplyDeleteI didn't meet the challenge deadline, but I am not ashamed. For some back ground on my story, I have an individual who I come in contact with on a daily basis at work. This individual and I have had a rough start this year and this person has made my time at my new job very difficult by fabricating truths and speaking very harsh words about me or my colleagues to others, most of which are not true. Needless to say, I have a very hard time with this individual and try to make our encounters brief or avoid them entirely. Yesterday this person pulled me aside, at a completely random time and asked if they could ask me a personal question. This lead to whether or not I was a Christian and asked some truths about Jesus. I was able to share Jesus' promise, that he is the one and only way to heaven through a personal relationship with him and knowing that he came to Earth to die for our sins. We are washed clean by his blood which opens the gates to heaven. They thanked me for the truthful reminder. It was incredible to see God's hand on someone I have such a difficulty with.
ReplyDeleteI retired almost four years ago from public education after 38 wonderful years of service. My husband retired six years ago from careers in law enforcement and the L.A. County Assessor's Office. My husband was not able to be active in choir music, which he loved, after he retired, due to illness, but had served as a choir member and leader throughout our marriage in 1963.
ReplyDeleteI loved education, but I did not have the time I wanted to get involved in personal evangelism while I was teaching. I ran into JoAnn Bishop as she came out of Ralphs in Glendora after my retirement and she asked me if I would be interested in teaching for Azusa Released Time Christian Education. What a wonderful opportunity! The two of us have been instrumental in the salvation of four of our students just this year, and we are praising God. I also became active in the Gideons Auxiliary, Covina Camp, and have been able to distribute God's Word over the last seven years, both individually and in teams. What a privilege! I am so grateful to God for these opportunities to share the gospel.
In addition, my husband, Gary, and I conduct our own Bible study and prayer ministry in the home, since he has Parkinson's and isn't able to get out as regularly as he would like. We pray for everyone on the Grace staff, for the Released Time teachers and students, and the local and international members of the Gideons ministry, at least once a week.
God is so very good to us to give us retirement opportunities to serve Him!!! Carol Stidham
I have a large number of Facebook friends. Many of whom I grew up with at church and have lost contact with. I also have several work friends online who know that I am a Christian. Today I wrote in my Facebook status the following. Hopefully this will get filtered around and maybe even encourage others to not be ashamed.
ReplyDeleteI am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 1:16) Here's a challenge: post in your status a scripture verse that is applicable to your life right now.
Jesus had compassion for others and we should as well.I know I need to work on this.
ReplyDeleteMatt 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes,
he was moved with compassion.
James 5:11 the Lord is very compassionate and
merciful.
Lam 3:22 Through the LORD's mercies we are
not consumed,Because His compassions fail not.
Also see Lam 3:32
A friend had asked me what a good Bible would be. I finally found just the Bible for her. Very large print and references for her use for daily trials. I FINALLY took it over to her on Valentine's day. She was moved by it. She had a difficult day last week and told me how much comfort she had with her new Bible. This is the only Bible in her home. We take several time each day and now also include God in our conversations. Thank you for planting that seed in my with your services on Romans.
ReplyDeleteLinda