The Govt Mule concert was the primary reason we were downtown this week.  Where there is a crowd, there are people that need Jesus.  Arriving early allowed us to take our time walking over to the theater.  We managed to speak with several people at the bus stops and a few at Fountain Square.  [I changed up the names partly because I can't remember everyone's name and partly to ensure their privacy]

We were walking by the bus stop handing out our 'hell' tract exclaiming "it may be cold here, but it's real hot where this guy is..." in reference to the guy that is burning in the lake of fire.  One guy in particular that we spoke with was Agreeable Al.  As I shared my testimony and talked about the wages of sin, all Al could do was agree with everything we said.  I even used an illustration of what true repentance is... changing your mind and actions.  He agreed.  We didn't have the time to really figure out what was going on with Al because his bus came.  But he did receive the word of God.  When you share the truth of the Word of God with people, they will either agree, refuse to talk with you, or disagree.  All three of these types of people are either right with God or not right with God.  So, don't be fooled by a person that says... "I'm saved" or "I believe"... the devil believes, and trembles.  The question is... have you repented and believed the gospel?

Crowds began to gather around Taft Theater so we made our way over to see who God had for us to speak with.  One of the first guys we had the opportunity to speak with was Drunk Catholic Guy (DCG).  DCG was in his early 20's and had a history of partying from his college days.  As he was outside talking with whoever, he asked me and Jim what we were selling.  I gave him a tract and told him we were talking with people about what happens when they die.  He took a step back and said, "alright, you have 5 minutes to give me your best sales pitch."  SALES PITCH?  I told him that there is no pitch... it's simple; if you aren't born again you won't go to heaven.  He went on to tell me that he prays every night, he went to catholic school as a kid and that he is a good person.  I let him know that drunkards won't inherit the kingdom of heaven according to I Cor 6:9.  He didn't believe me so I opened the word and let him read it for himself.  Before he left me, I told him that if I were him, I'd be worried about what happens to me when I die.  Drunkards, fornicators, homosexuals, idolaters, adulterers, etc won't inherit the kingdom of heaven.  He asked me if thought that he would go to hell for eternity for being a sinner.  I told him that according to the scripture, there is no way for him to make it into heaven unless he repents and believes the gospel.  He left shaking my hand and disagreeing with me.  He did have 2 tracts in his pocket so I pray that he read them when he sobered up.

While I was talking with DCG, Jim began speaking with DCW (Drunk Catholic Woman).  She informed him that she was a good person.  Jim quickly said, "no you aren't."  She was a little taken back by this but Jim elaborated by telling here that there is none good, no not one.  All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.  He asked her if she ever stole anything and she agreed that she had.  That makes her a thief and it only takes one sin to make you a sinner.  Jim was able to give her a tract as well and our prayer is that she finds the tract when she is sober and realizes the error of her ways and repents.

Right around this time Jim and I began to preach one-liners as we handed out the tracts.  "Repent and believe!"  "Turn to Christ before it's too late!"  A scalper (buys tickets and resells them) spoke out and said that nobody goes to hell.  Hell is only for satan.  That was enough for me to begin preaching.  I let him know that hell is not only for satan, but it's for the disobedient.  It's for those that aren't born-again.  I told the crowd that the unrighteous will NOT inherit the kingdom of God (basically preached I Cor 6:9).  I didn't preach long but it was a break-through for me because I haven't preached in the streets for 18 or 19 years.  Jim preached a little message as well.   

Overall it was a great evening.  The temperature was about 18F so it was a little nippy and we had to get out of the cold at least once.  But God blessed and we were greatly encouraged.  It's amazing how God designed us and nature.  Unless we exercise our muscles and break them down, they won't grow.  Unless we stretch our tendons to the point of pain, they won't allow maximum motion.  Unless a kernel of wheat dies, you can't grow more.  Unless we stretch and push ourselves to obey the calling in our lives, we will never accomplish anything for the kingdom of God.  He is awesome!

dg

As we were making our way through the downtown area, we stumbled into a crowd of homeless people that were being fed by a dear brother in the Lord.  It turns out that this brother feeds and ministers to the homeless at Washington park every Saturday from 4:30pm - finished.  He also has a sound system that he "fires up" to preach the gospel once it warms up outside.  We were invited to join him which we will gladly take him up on that offer.

We then headed to Fountain Square to encourage people to forsake their sins and accept the Lord as their savior.  The first guy the Lord sent us to was Greg.  I handed him a tract and asked him if he ever considered what happens when he dies.  He told me that he has been thinking allot about this topic lately since he, literally, just got out of detox.  He had his bag in hand and was waiting for a bus from the detox center to his Dad's house... talk about God's providence!!  This is what happens when you pray before you witness!  Anyhow, Greg told us that Jesus is exactly what he needs.  Jim and I encouraged him to repent of his sins and turn to the Lord.  We told him that God can cleanse his heart and will empower him to overcome the temptation of alcohol.  We prayed with him before he had to catch him bus.  Pray that God continues to draw him to repentance.

We handed out several more tracts - most were receptive.  One guy, in particular, was standing out in the crowd?  Why?  Well... there was a crowd of about 30 people that Jim and I were thinking of preaching to and Jim handed this guy a tract for some reason?  Another moment where the Holy Spirit guides you to do something at a particular time for a particular reason.  The light turned green, the crowd crossed the street and the guy that Jim handed the tract to asked us why we handed him the tract.  I told him that we've been handing these out to people all over town and we just happened to give him one.  Then I asked him if he has been considering if he would go to heaven or hell when he dies... amazingly, he has been thinking about hell lately.  It turns out he attends church but isn't living a Christian lifestyle.  We reminded him of the consequences of sin and encouraged him to repent.  He told me that he has committed some BIG sins.  I let him know that when you repent from your sins and ask for forgiveness, Jesus casts your sins as far as the east is from the west.  You can have the weight of your sins REMOVED by Christ.  We prayed with him before he had to catch his bus too... recurring theme, huh.  Keep this guy in prayer (I can't remember his name). 

Lastly, we met several homeless.  Some claimed to be Christians on one side of their mouth while using the Lord's name in vain on the other.  Obviously NOT serving God.  But we did find a couple of guys that have absolutely nothing in earthly possessions but have everything is heavenly possessions.  Jim and I were greatly encouraged when speaking with these brothers.  Pray that God makes a way for them to get out of the streets.  He is our provider.