October 2022
Harvest time! It’s amazing how sharing God’s love brings people to Jesus. He took our punishment for sin at the cross, but beware, rejecting his blood-bought payment will end in harvest at the Great White Throne judgment.
“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” 1
An Unbelievable Response…
“My name is Thierry, and I live in Belgium. I am an artist, and I make websites for a living.
“I don’t know why, but I often think of you. You know, in Belgium, the longest prison sentence is about 30 years, and nobody does it full-time. You were so young, so many years passed… It was another world. Hope someday you’ll get a second chance.
“How have you dealt with the COVID-19 crisis? Are visits and daily walks still allowed? Here in Belgium, inmates are even more isolated from the outside world since the crisis started, and some revolts have happened. It’s probably the same in California. Does it affect your ministry activities?
“Speaking about your ministry, I don’t believe in God because I wonder why the Creator should be a man. There are plenty of other living species on Earth. What could you tell me to make me believe? I’m curious, and I’ve always been open to new ways of seeing and thinking. Hope to hear from you soon; cheers from Belgium! Thierry.”
My Grateful Response…
I’m so very appreciative of those who hear of my salvation and take it upon themselves to write. I personally believe that God puts me upon their hearts, whether they are believers or not. The Holy Spirit is at work in this world, as Jesus promised He would be, saying, “…it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate [Holy Spirit] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.” 2
But as for me, my heart goes out to Thierry and to anyone who does not know the Lord because of their fate on judgment day. The Holy Spirit living in me desires their salvation through faith in the finished works of Jesus at the cross. I believe Christians are sent to unbelievers, like Jesus sent the apostle Paul, saying, “…to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” 3
A Second Chance…
In 1972, I received the second chance that Thierry hoped for when the California Supreme Court overturned the death penalty. Similarly, because of the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden recorded in Genesis chapter 3, all mankind experienced a spiritual death penalty. “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” 4 But we received a second chance when “…God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.” 5
Many times on the site, I recall how the love of Jesus was revealed to me over a period of time until that spark of faith took place in a revival meeting on May 23, 1975. Like me, you’ll always remember that day the miracle of salvation takes place in your heart because your eyes will be opened to the revelation of Jesus. The light of God will remove the darkness, and God’s power will put Satan under your feet when you receive forgiveness for your sins through faith in Jesus Christ.
An Unbeliever’s Question…
Thierry asked, “I wonder why the Creator should be a man? There are plenty of other living species on Earth. What could you tell me to make me believe?” The only thing I can do is share God’s Word. Simply, “…faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” 6 Jesus said, “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” 7
“Why did God’s Son become a man?” Let’s go to God’s Word for the answer. “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” 8 Why believe in Jesus? One reason is to receive eternal life! Won’t you receive Him today? The apostle John says,
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” 9
A Prayer for You…
Jesus, thank you for forgiving my sins and saving me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. I rejoice that Your resurrection from the dead shows Your complete victory over sin and death – making me holy and acceptable in God’s sight. Thank You for providing the way for me to have a relationship with my heavenly Father and eternal life. Thank You for hearing my prayers and sending Your Holy Spirit to heal me in areas where I have been wounded and my emotions have been damaged. Thanks for the strength and wisdom to walk in the center of Your will now and forevermore. In Your holy and precious name, I pray, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Scripture References (NLT):
1) Matt. 13:41,42, NKJV
2) John 16:7-11
3) Acts 26:18
4) Rom. 5:12
5) Rom. 5:8,9
6) Rom. 10:17
7) John 6:63
8) Heb. 2:14,15
9) John 1:12