Maraca with Bible Verse

Maraca with Bible Verse
1 Timothy 2:5

Good Reads From Amazon

Friday, December 21, 2012

Everyday Evangelism - A Really Neat Ice-breaker

   I don't own too many sweaters, and don't have a whole lot of need for one, but it was quite cool out today, so I put on my sweatshirt that I got from The Voice of the Martyrs, which said, 'This Message is Illegal in 53 Countries" along with a Gospel message on the front and back. https://secure.persecution.com/p-286-illegal-hoodie-l.aspx
I actually saw a woman wearing this a couple of years ago, and it was easy to start a conversation with her. It is a very interesting shirt/sweater unlike anything else available.
   I was paying for some items at the checkout when the cashier, a very young man, asked me about the shirt. I would have wished he and I could have had more time to talk, but I had to get back home and there were customers waiting behind me. He was surprised and didn't realize that Christianity would have been a hardship for anyone. He thought that everyone, everywhere was favorable toward Christianity. I did give him a tract and told him to go to the web site Voice of the Martyrs . He said he was getting ready to take a break and was going to look it up.
  I don't wear the sweater that often, but I am going to be more prepared for people to ask me questions about that subject. It is a great way to introduce the Gospel to people who may have wondered about it, but never went as far to ask anyone about it.
  I pray that this young man finds the web site easily and wants to know more info. When I go back to that store, I will see if he is working there, and will try to arrange getting in the line where he is the cashier.
  I have put out the picture of this subject as well, on Facebook. Most people respond by thinking this is great. They seem to understand the battle between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. But there are some people who don't get it at all. I have gone to the posts where the picture has been shared, and a few of the comments are interesting. I have seen one twice, that the poster seems to think that the Bible isn't the only book that has been banned, and they send a link to a web site that lists books that are banned in America. The books that are banned that are listed there, are not banned for the same reason that the Bible is banned in 52 countries. I think that it is possible that people aren't aware that Christians are being severely persecuted in other countries. People must be thinking that Christianity is a nice religion and that it is safe to be a Christian, but that is not so. Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace, but a sword. He also told us that we would have tribulation in this world, yet He leaves us in this world so we can be lights that reflect His glory. He gives us the grace we need, day by day, but He never promised it would be easy. Many people have been martyred for their faith in Christ, and today much of the world is under heavy persecution toward Christianity.
   I have also read comments where people said they couldn't find information anywhere saying that the Bible is banned in 52 countries, so they discredit the statement of the Bible being banned in 52 countries. Again, I think this could be from ignorance, not understanding that in most of the world Christianity is under persecution. One book I enjoyed reading that helped to understand this is called, 'God's Smuggler' (Brother Andrew). Brother Andrew had to be careful about publishing things and being too open for fear that he could have been caught, but he managed to smuggle the Bible in many parts of the world, that had little or no access to God's Word. The Bible is considered contraband in many countries, and there is a high price to pay for being caught with one.

         

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Evangelism With Postcard Tracts

We were at the parade on Saturday, and were passing out the tracts designed by a man who writes tracts and orders them by the thousands to pass out at large events. The ones we used at the parade have a picture of Santa on them, and explains how we have sinned by breaking the 10 Commandments. The tract ties in with the Santa Claus message explaining how Santa has a list, but God has a serious list that we are measured against.
  As I was passing these tracts out, I noticed a reluctance of people wanting to take them. They probably have seen them before and knew what they were. When I pass out my Giant Money tracts, I always explain to people that there is a 'fun' quiz on it, and if they get stuck, the answers are on it as well. I tell them not to cheat, but if they can't figure it out, they can look for the answers to help them. So I thought that maybe if I start to explain that these tracts we are passing out are postcards, people will be more open to taking them, which they were. But I took it a step further. I told them that they could mail it to their friend in California. What was interesting, was that two different people asked me how I knew they had a friend in California. I thought that was interesting because I really didn't know if they had a friend or not who lived in California.
   Well, the parade was fun, and I have more 'postcards' to give to people during the Christmas season in many other places. I will tell them they can mail the postcards to their friend in California, or they can keep it for themselves. Either way, somebody will read it, and will learn that even if they are well behaved in Santa's sight, God knows their hearts, and they need to repent and come to Christ to be forgiven of their sins. So, Christmas is a wonderful time to share the Gospel with other people.