B l o g - ENGLISH

Good News For The World

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:25:16 +0100

1. The God Who Cares:
Let me put a question to you. If I was to point a building out to you, and then asked the question, "How do you know if there was a builder?", how would you respond? Most people would answer by saying something like, "Buildings don't build themselves; therefore there must have been a builder." Things made need a maker.

The same is true with the world. If we look at nature and the complexity of life, we must conclude that someone had to have made it. That being is God. That then raises another question, “Who is this God?”

God is not a quiet and distant God, but rather He is a God who speaks and cares for us. He has communicated with humanity by giving us a book, which is His Word. We call this book the Holy Bible.

In the Bible, God tells us: “For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’" (Isaiah 45:18)

There is only one God, and He is the one who created the world.
God has made the world and all that which is in the world. He made you and He made the animals. He even placed the stars in the sky. This God is a God of love and He cares for His creation. He has made us to have fellowship with Him, but we have a problem. No one in the world naturally has a relationship with God. The relationship has been broken and we are separated from our Creator.

2: We Are Separated from the God Who Cares:
God says to us: “…your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

We see from what God has said that we are separated from Him. Our iniquities and sin have made a big gap between us and our loving God. Every person in the world experiences this separation, since we all have sinned. God has given us a Law, and when we break that law we are guilty of sin.

The Bible says, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) We have all done that which is wrong in the sight of the God who created us. We show how by nature we are sinners when we lie, steal, lust, hate, curse God, disobey parents, have sex before marriage, commit adultery, covet, get drunk etc.

If we break the law in our society there must be a punishment (e.g. jail or fine). It is also true of God; when we break His Law there must be a punishment.

The Bible tells us what the punishment is. God says, “…the soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4) and “…the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)

Because of God’s goodness, He must punish sinners, and God’s place of punishment for all eternity is Hell (eternal torment in fire).

But remember, God is a God of love and He cares for you. Because of His love, He has provided the only way to have forgiveness of sin and go to Heaven when we die.
 3. God's Only Solution:
Nothing we can do could ever provide the solution for sin. Our good works won't take away our sin; our prayers and fasting won't do it either. Nothing we can do will ever get us right with God.

2000 years ago, God Himself became the solution for our sin. Jesus Christ (God in flesh) came to Earth to “...save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) He was born of a virgin and lived a perfect sinless life. He lived the life we could not. He was the only person in all of history to remain free from sin, even though He was tempted. When Jesus Christ was about 33 years old, He paid the price for the sins of His people.

Our sin demanded that we be punished with death, but Jesus Christ died in the place of sinners. He was killed on a Roman cross and, while on that cross, He paid for the sin of those who would believe. On the cross, He became sin for us, so that we can have a personal relationship with God.

The Bible says: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
But the story doesn't finish there. Three days after Jesus died, He arose again from the dead, defeating sin and death. Now because He has paid the price for sin and beaten the grave, He can offer you forgiveness of sin and right relationship with God. i.e. He paid the price so that we didn’t have to.

4. Our Response:
How can we have this forgiveness of sin? How can we have fellowship with God? How can we be assured of Heaven when we die? The Bible says, in order to receive this forgiveness you must repent (turn from and forsake your sin) and trust that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again from the dead. If you would trust that He did that for you and if you repent of your sin, then the Bible says you can have fellowship with God.
That is the good news for you and indeed all people. We have sinned against God, but God loves us and sent Christ to take our punishment on the cross. Then He rose again. God Himself has provided you the greatest gift. The question is, will you respond to Him by repenting of your sins and trusting in Jesus alone?

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Josh Williams
http://evangelism-matters.blogspot.com/

Toy Story’s Incinerator

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:57:30 +0200

One of the most emotionally charged moments in Toy Story 3, probably the strongest moment in the trilogy, is the incinerator scene.

>Don't read or watch the clip if you haven't seen the movie <

Woody and his friends are desperately trying to climb out of a huge mass of garbage, that is slowly moving into the flames that will incinerate it all.

You can see the desperation in their movements and in their facial expressions. They know that soon, those flames will completely burn their plastic bodies.

Buzz realizes that there is nothing to do. There is no escape. Their efforts are useless. In a matter of seconds, the garbage avalanche will carry then into the flames. This is the end for them.

All of the adventures they have had, the problems they have solved, etc, count for nothing now. The toys, in a sad realization of their unavoidable fate, hold hands and wait for their end.

One day this scene will take place in real life. "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15). On that day, there will be no salvation-- today is the day of salvation, the Bible says (2Cor 6:2).

Just as the toys, people will desperately try to justify themselves, to earn a passage to Heaven, to expose their good actions. In reality, they will be trying to climb out of the garbage of their own sin: words, thoughts and deeds. But the avalanche of garbage is way too big. And the flames will last for eternity.

This is a terrifying thought! You don't want that to happen to a family member, to your best friend, to your teacher. In fact you don't even want that for your worst enemy!

Share the gospel today! Millions of people will fall into the incinerator sooner or later-- and that ain't a toy story.

Cannes Film Festival

Mon, 17 May 2010 16:09:41 +0200

Year after year, the city of Cannes receives thousands of visitors during the well-known and prestigious International Film Festival. This year, the Festival celebrated its 63rd edition.

It is a fantastic, unique opportunity to distribute gospel tracts and engage people in conversations about eternity.

People are lined up, all along the famous "Croisette", walking or sitting down hoping to see a Celebrity walking. Outside the big Hotels, crowds of people waiting to see if any super star will go out to the balcony and wave at them (or like couple of years ago that Van-Damme threw his underwear at the crowd).

"So y'all waiting for Celebrities? Here I have Celebrity Millions for all of you while you are waiting!" Was one of the lines we used and gave out a bit more than 900 tracts in 2 hours!

At first, we were concerned about special restrictions or reglamentation by the city or security enforcement agencies, but there was not a problem. In fact, police officers, security staff and bodyguards were gladly taking the tracts.

We also had a few very nice conversations, for example, with Efrain, a native Indian from Ecuador; watch the interview (in spanish with english subtitles) HERE.

We have witnessed at many popular, massive events such as the Cotton Bowl, Oscar weekend in Hollywood, NBA All Star Game, etc; and we can honestly say that the Film Festival is by far the... WOW for evangelistic purposes.

The Cannes Film Festival is such an opportunity to share the gospel with thousands and thousands that come to the city for full 11 days! Imagine, yesterday one person gave out close to 1000 tracts in a couple of hours, how many people could be reached throughout the duration of the Festival?

Our prayer is that churches and evangelists in France, Europe and all over the world will see the uniqueness of this event and will join forces to share the everlasting gospel with a dying world. If the church does not take advantage of these type of events, the enemy of our souls will (for example, see THIS).

Will you pray with us? Will you act with us?

Thanks for reading, thanks for praying, thanks for considering participating.

Paper Missionaries

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:38:37 +0200

Paper Missionaries and Silent Preachers: The Value of Gospel Tracts
By: Mona Leiter
www.lakeroadchapel.org

What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? -Mark 8:36

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No man comes to the Father, but through Me.” -John 14:6

These, and many other portions of truth from the Bible, are the message we are seeking to proclaim to the lost world around us. We communicate these life-giving truths to people by our words and by our actions. The words of men are weak and changeable, but the Word of God is powerful and lasts forever.

How can we best communicate the message of the Glorious Gospel to those around us, especially to those with whom we only come in contact briefly? The God-ordained method of proclaiming the truth of the Scriptures is preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21). Preaching would normally be in the form of a gathering of people, a Bible study, or in a conversation with someone. Tracts should help us to share words of life and truth with the lost people around us. Most of the lost world that we are seeking to reach will never enter a church building to hear the truth proclaimed through preaching from a pulpit. So, we must go to the people with the precious seed of the Gospel!

Gospel tracts, sometimes referred to as « Paper Missionaries » or « Silent Preachers », are very useful to start a conversation about God and eternity and plant a seed of the Gospel. There have been untold millions who have been reached by the message of the Gospel through this method. In my own life I discovered a gospel tract on the ground in the subway system in one of the major cities on the east coast. That gospel tract was one of many things God used to work in my life and to draw me to Himself.

A good gospel tract contains portions of Scripture and an exhortation to the reader to turn to God. The purpose of gospel tracts is not to entertain people but to stir their spirits and challenge their intellect. A tract should not give the wrong message concerning what true Christianity is all about. After all, no one can be tricked into becoming a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. The « new birth » is not signing your name at the end of a gospel tract or a Bible. The goal of every good gospel tract is to show the readers their need of a Savior and to point them to Christ, because one day we will all stand before a Holy God.

If we are truly burdened for those around us, then we will look for ways to reach them for Christ. It is important to be ready to share the gospel any time we are in contact with people, one-on-one or in a group. Since we are planting the seed of the gospel, we may not see many visible results immediately, but we can be certain that God is at work even when we are not aware of it or cannot actually see what He is doing in lives. Gospel tracts are a very good tool to reach students on a university campus, people at a bus stop, walking in the streets, at the bakery, cinema, newsstand, a park, beach, etc. People may read the gospel tracts at the time they receive them or sometimes even much later.

It is good to be reminded that the « Paper Missionaries » or « Silent Preachers » can go on speaking to people long after we have no further contact with them. Even if they are thrown away, someone may later pick them up and read them. The Apostle Paul said, « I might by any means save some. » If Paul had access to the printed page as we do, we can be sure that he would carry his convictions to the full. We should all carry gospel tracts with us everywhere we go and open our eyes to hundreds of opportunities before us, to either give them to an individual or simply leave them behind (phone booth, elevator, bus seat, etc.).

We are called to go and share the good news of forgiveness of sins and eternal life with those around us. It is very easy to distribute Gospel tracts; they are very effective in starting a conversation that leads into the full gospel message. We should use tracts constant and frequently... just because God can use them in lives.

« When preaching and private talk are not available, you need to have a tract ready . . . Get good striking tracts, or none at all. But a touching gospel tract may be the seed of eternal life. Therefore, do not go out without your tracts. » - Charles Spurgeon

If you would be interested in a free sample of good gospel tracts contact us
at: www.lakeroadchapel.org

----Footnote:

For a summary of what true Christianity is all about order copies of the excellent little booklet entitled < Ultimate Questions > by John Blanchard (almost 15 million copies in print in approximately 40 languages) from Cumberland Valley Bible & Book Service: www.cvbbs.com phone: 800-656-0231

Online version of < Ultimate Questions >:
http://www.the-highway.com/ultimate_questions.html

Scientology

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:23:57 +0100

The basketball game finished, Dallas won over L.A. and the crowd was pretty excited.

It was late, passed 11pm when we walked out the Stadium and there they were, more than 15 young guys distributing "Free Tickets" for an "Introduction to Scientology" movie.

The guys were very bold, approaching every single person coming out the Stadium and they didn’t care too much if people took the tickets or rejected them. They were on a mission, focused on giving out those invitations to as many people as possible. The floor was covered with their tickets, so many people have thrown them away but the guys knew that few or many of them will accomplish its objective.

I have to say that in that very moment, I didn’t feel any love towards them but anger. These guys distributed probably thousands of tickets to thousands of basketball fans, hoping they come to learn about Scientology and then join their church.

They were evangelizing with lies! Spreading venom! Separating people from the truth! Dragging them to hell!

Dear Christian, follower of Jesus Christ, we have the true gospel! We have the message that can save a soul from eternal condemnation. We have the only way to have peace with God, forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Wouldn’t it make sense to go out and share that truth with more boldness and assurance than those guys?

Don’t you feel anger when you imagine that your neighbor, the one that you have never shared the gospel with, probably attended that NBA game and was reached out by those evangelists and now he is closer to hell than he ever was? What about your unsaved sister? Do you want her to be reached by Scientologists or Mormons outside a Stadium or at a park or at the mall or at the cinema? These guys are everywhere, spreading lies... offering Ajax as the cure for your stomach ache.

I invite you to transfer that anger (if you feel any) to concern. Feel the huge responsibility that we have by knowing the truth. We just cannot keep it for ourselves... we MUST share it!

Wake up, dear Christian, we gotta go out and share the true gospel! Opportunities are all around you!

Wake up, Christian, share the gospel with someone today!

Wonderful Plan of Martyrdom

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:59:18 +0100

I just finished reading Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and I was deeply moved by it.
It is a historical document on how the church has suffered for their choice to follow Christ. They were tortured, beheaded, burnt, etc. The martyrs were just sincere, firm believers in what Bible teaches and true followers of the Lord Jesus. They all had to face a lot of pressure from their families, friends and authorities but they all endured until the end.
All of them died in the flames, worshiping God and holding on until their last breath.
Would you die today for believing in Jesus? Would you be ready to stand in the fire? Worshiping God and to die for his name?
Do you consider martyrdom as a wonderful plan that God has for you and that it can be accomplished through your death in the fire?
Did you know that there are hundreds of Christian brothers and sisters suffering daily all over the world where Christianity is forbidden?
Do you think they lived a wonderful plan while dying in persecution?
The truth is that the wonderful plan and the hope to live and have a glorious future, that was all accomplished thru the Glory of Christ's victory on the cross.
We will have a glorious life in Heaven.
But until then, we have to remember that we are in war against our enemy, Satan, and our only glory and victory are in Jesus. Every time you are comfortably sitting at your desk, remember there are still so many Christians giving us the example of endurance. One day (sooner or later) it will be our turn to endure.
So go, conquer your fears, your fake beliefs and hopes; to finally start reaching the lost, on the side of our Savior; the one who died for you...
Please take a moment to also read this post.

Up

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:23:24 +0100

I just watched Disney's "Up" for the first time in a flight from Amsterdam to Dallas.

Tears filled my eyes in a couple of moments throughout the movie. The main reason was because the movie shows in a very simple but powerful way, the reality of death. It shows how helpless we are, since we all form part of the ultimate statistic that says that 10 out of 10 people die.

It will come to us, sooner or later. I am not trying to dramatize it, it is simply the truth. To some it will come in an old age, like it happened to Ellie but to others it can happen in their thirties or in thirty minutes. We just don't know when it will be our turn, and when it comes the effects can be devastating for our loved ones. Just as it happened to Mr. Fredricksen.

But if we could have the assurance that our loved ones 1) will be in a "better place" and 2) we will see them again; then death looses its power.

Imagine if Mr. Fredricksen had that assurance. The effect of Ellie’s death would have been different. He would have mourned for a period of time (of course) but having that assurance would dramatically change his future.

We should, as Christians have that assurance. We will be “Up” in Heaven (way more "better place") not because of our own good deeds but because Jesus took the punishment we deserved. We will be declared righteous on judgement and will be forever and ever with God, in Heaven together with those we loved and were saved by God's grace too.

Whom do you know that doesn't have this assurance? Or worse, whom do you love that doesn't have Christ?

Close this blog now, shut down your computer and share with them the gospel. Today they are here, tomorrow you don't know.

Understand Christmas

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 15:37:51 +0100

With Christmas just around the corner, it makes sense to understand the REAL REASON why God became flesh.

To start, we can first define the wrong reasons; the following are NOT the reasons why Jesus came 2008 years ago:

- To balance your checkbook
- To improve your marriage
- To make you famous
- To help you find a parking space
- To be a good moral teacher
- To break bad habits (scratching your head, biting your nails, leaving your dirty socks in the floor, etc)
- To make your business successful
- To end poverty in Africa
- To help you pass a final exam
- To be just a religious leader
- To give you material prosperity
- To keep your kids from trying drugs
- To give you the best husband
- To end the world's financial crisis
- To fulfill all of your dreams
- To fix global warming
- To give you the best life... now

If you think that Jesus came for any of the above reasons, I invite you to keep reading. You have a wrong understanding of the gospel and your eternal fate may be at stake.

The glorious gospel has been perverted and degenerated into a life-enhancer instead of being a life-saver.

Jesus came to the World to: "Seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10).

- THE LOST. The Greek word 'apollumi' means to be in permanent state of lostness, to be ruined, destroyed. The reason why humanity is lost, is because we stand condemned before a holy God who sees hate as murder and lust as adultery; who won't allow any liar into the Kingdom “...the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars; their place will be in the fiery lake...” (Revelation 21:8). God's standard is -perfection- and it is reflected in His holy Law (Ten Commandments). We are ruined, as criminals waiting for the death penalty. One day we will die, face God and will receive our sentence: eternity in Hell.

- SEEK. From the Greek 'zeteo' that means to pursue, to look for, to search for. Since the beginning, God looked for Adam when they sinned; he is still looking for lost people. God does the first seeking and we must respond by seeking Him back.

- SAVE. The Greek verb 'sozo' means literally to save, rescue from danger or destruction. God, who us rich in mercy, is willing to save us from the destruction to come. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). He sent Jesus to step in and pay our fine so that out case can be legally dismissed and our file can be closed. The death and resurrection of Jesus satisfies the justice of a holy God. “The next day [John] saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Jesus came to save humanity... from eternal damnation, from the wrath of a just Judge, “ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). He is gracefully offering forgiveness of sins, justification and eternal life.

In response, we must repent (turn from our sins) and put all our trust and life in Jesus Christ.

This is the real gospel!

This is the reason why Jesus came! This is the reason why we should celebrate Christmas.

Now that you know "The Reason"... share the truth.

“... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–
of whom I am the worst.” (1 Tim 1:15)

[This post was published for Christmas 2008 and was entitled “The Reason”. Since “The Reason” hasn’t changed, I decided to re-publish it]

Bread

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:42:24 +0100

On Thanksgiving Day, we usually thank God for what we have. But this year, I want to thank God for what I do not have.

Take a look to these verses from Proverbs 30:

“Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”

God has been so faithful by not giving me riches. Yes, God has been so loving and caring with me by not letting me become rich.

Why?

“Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or may I become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

God hasn't given me material riches nor "ministry riches." Ministry riches can be dangerously pursued consciously or unconsciously by Christians like you and me.

For example: You actively share your faith but have seen a handful of people coming to repentance and faith in Christ? You have a prayer group but the members are inconsistent? Your church has the same attendance as it had 325 days ago? You've been praying for that one issue but it hasn't been granted? You've spent time and money in gospel tracts but haven't seen much fruit?

Rejoice with me, then. The Lord hasn't given you poverty nor riches, but He has faithfully provided your "daily bread." You have had food in your table and clothes to dress you, as well as the bread you need for whatever ministry you are involved in: overcoming your fears to share the gospel, brothers and sisters to join you in a prayer group, committed members in your church, money and time to distribute tracts.

Now learn to be content and thank God that He is keeping you from riches. He has lovingly kept you from becoming reach and faithfully provided you with daily bread.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." -Phil 4:11

[FOR A RELATED POST, GO HERE OR FOR THANKSGIVING 2008 GO HERE]

Persecution

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:50:58 +0100

Please pay attention to the above map.

Do you live one of the countries colored or mentioned?

If you DO NOT, then you DO NOT have an excuse! You are free to share the gospel with your neighbor, the bus driver, the postman, your doctor, your coworker and your family members. You will not get killed! You have the amazing privilege of living in a free country, where your biggest enemy isn’t the government or pressure groups but your own fear. Do you fear to be rejected? To be discriminated? To be seen as a religious nut? Who cares! The Lord entrusted you with the gospel, the only way that people can be saved from a well deserved eternal punishment. Go and share it! Write an email, hand out a tract, call someone, do something! Today you are free to do it, but that freedom will be taken away from all of us one day. Soon. Very soon.

If you DO live in one of the above colored countries, thank you! Thank you for being an example to follow. Our prayers are with you and your families. Click HERE to learn more about the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Please watch the following interview with Andrew and Deborah Drapper, that should motivate us to reach out the lost, today... while we still have time.

You can download the map HERE.

For a related post, please click HERE.