stories from the harvest fields

Hey prayer partners and fellow laborers, 01-31-2008

(Barbara’s update)
This Friday was so encouraging to see all the believers talking and praying for the lost and seeing them talk with them and plead with them about their eternal destiny. What a privilege it is to be ambassadors of Christ reconciling people to God. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." 2nd Corinthians 5:20

As we talked about where our hearts are at in the Bible study and how much are we really concerned for those who are lost and going to hell, it reminded me that we need to also compel whomever God puts in our path to be concerned with their eternal destiny hopefully Heaven not Hell. We need to not only tell them about their sin, and how they fall short of God's glory as a Holy Righteous Judge, but plead with them that they need to turn from (repent) their sin and turn to God. Michelle and Jackie and Jordan talked with Kenny (a homeless guy) and he's heard the gospel at the shelters many a time, but we weren't sure if he is really taking the truths for himself. We found ourselves pleading with him to take another look at his relationship with God and how he is in bondage of sin and that is keeping him from God. Kenny almost died a couple times this week of seizures because of alcohol taking a toll on his liver. We challenged him that if he had died during those seizures, would he be with God in Heaven for eternity or in Hell. Also only God knows whether Kenny has repented and turned his life to God, would he be found to be a faithful servant or just entering Heaven so as by fire (the thief on the cross just made it into Heaven not having time to be a servant).

Talking with people for their souls reminds me that we have to first care about them and then to show them that they need to care too, even plead with them that they need to care about their souls also. Ristela and I also talked with another homeless guy who has AIDS, and he really enjoyed listening and talking about scripture. He said, " I could be going off and getting another drink, but this is really fun to me."

God compels us to encourage one another daily as we see the day approaching. Plead with the non-believer to accept and follow Christ with all their life and Plead and challenge the believer - are they serving and telling others about Christ? Are they taking anyone with them to Heaven or are they keeping it to themselves?

Please take extra tracts with you as you leave for the night on Friday, so you can share with someone at the store or wherever you go. And pray for those people God allowed you to talk with or give a tract.

I love this song below it reminds me that God loved me and forgave me and He gave me truly an abundant life. Let's share that with others

I Will Serve Thee
(Bill and Gloria Gaither)

I will serve Thee because I love Thee
You have given life to me
I was nothing before You found me
You have given life to me

Heartaches, broken pieces
Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary
Your touch was what I longed for
You have given life to me

May God greatly bless each of you and give you a real LIFE as you tell others and pray for the lost and wayward believers.

With love, a servant of Christ,
Barbara Henry

(Steven’s update)
I can hardly believe it ~ January is already gone! Where does the time go? J As some of you know, I have been reading at Mark Cahill’s book, ‘One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven’ Wow! It’s really good! Well, I should say it’s really good and I enjoyed it! I finished it this week! (and started reading ‘One Heartbeat Away’. ~ : ) ) Wow… Here are a few more highlights.

Ø Mark explained a simple answer we can give to show that there is a Creator. He based it off of Romans 1:19, and I'm quoting from the book ~ “Every time you see a shirt [name an item around you], you know it has a creator. Every time you see a watch, you know it has a designer. Every time you see art [point to something around you], you know it had an artist. Every time you see order, like 20 Coke cups in a row, you now there is an orderer. When you look around the universe, what do you see? You see creation, design, art, and order. If every other thing has a creator, a designer, an artist, and an orderer behind it, why would we not think there is a Creator, Designer, Artist, and an Orderer behind this universe….” ~ I liked that! It was simple and to the point!

Ø Mark points out always try to use the 10 commandments when witnessing, because it is only when people understand the law and that we have broken it and deserve punishment, that they realize they are in trouble and need forgiveness ~ which makes grace amazing (as Kirk Cameron says). And

Ø Mark points out that we need to make sure that we aren’t too timid to talk about Hell and how it is a very real place Jesus described 30 (something) different times in the gospels! Luke 16:19-31 is a vivid literal story about someone who went to Hell and his conversation with Abraham.

Ø Mark also mentions one (among many) illustration that helps him keep a passion for talking with the lost and keeps his eyes open to the opportunities around him. As the prophet Ezekiel, we too have an important message to communicate. When we communicate the message, the responsibility is on them of how they will respond. But if we don’t communicate the gospel, then we carry some responsibility because we didn’t speak up. We need to ask God to help us share the good news of the gospel more!

Ø Mark also mentions what he calls the 4 deadly questions that when used properly, can not only be effective, but create an atmosphere for a deeper, more effective conversation.
o What do you mean by that?
o How do you know that to be true?
o Where do you get your information?
o What if you are wrong?
These are general ideas not necessarily a set format. I’m hoping and praying for opportunities to use them soon! J There were so many more very interesting stories, examples, points, and illustrations ~ that’s a teaser! I hope and pray that you will read it for yourself or keep challenging and educating yourself more and more how to share the blessed, most-amazing-news of all!

From what we heard, there were plenty of stories to go around! It was a pretty cool evening! Brittany, Cynthia and I walked around and prayed a lot for the teams and other soul-winners and for the lost, confused people all over downtown. And we also had some interesting conversations. One of them was a brief conversation with a guy named Arnie, who is really mad at God, but appreciates that we care. Another was a conversation with several people who said they are saved, but appear to really be running from God. Another conversation was with a guy named Flavio, a hot-dog vender, and we were able to give him some ideas on where to start in studying God’s Word and how to get more. And our last conversation was with Dina, the newest club-worker on the corner. She is new here and appreciates us because we are friendly and she seems to be thinking a lot about spiritual things ~ which is really good!

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Thank you to our prayer partners ~ we appreciate your prayers very much! And we look forward to seeing what opportunities God will bring across our paths this week, and next week, and… ~ : )

Your friends and fellow laborers in the harvest,
David, Barbara, Steven and Paul ~ the Henry Family