If you could sit down with Jesus for five minutes what would you say?

 

I recently saw a video on social media of a guy named Zach going through Walmart asking people this question. It was amazing the responses he received.

If you could sit down with Jesus for five minutes what would you say? Here are their varied responses:

• Good night
• Go away
• Stay away from me
• Oh please, just stop
• I have no clue
• Drawing blanks
• Thank you
• I’m so tired I can’t think
• I don’t know, I would need some time to think about that
• I would tell Him, not you
• I’m a Christian, I’m good
• I already did, we just left church. We’re Christians we don’t need saving, we’re good
• I don’t need saving
• I’m already saved

Then, a guy has a response that warmed my heart and I’m sure pleased the Lord:

• Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, are my first words. Do we thank Him enough for what He’s done? If you fear Him, you don’t so easily move into the flesh. We’re not saved by faith and works, but faith alone.

What a delight it was to see Jesus in this man who answered the question without hesitation. Zach asking him that question made his night. The man told Zach that it was a divine appointment for them to meet. He thought he was going there to get orange juice, but decided it wasn’t about the orange juice at all. He was happy to meet up with Zach.

For the others who “ran” from Zach, it was heartbreaking to me to watch. I sat and watched that five minute video in shock at how rude people were to him and how fast they moved to get away from him. It touched me because God has given me a heart for the lost. I’m consumed with learning all He wants to teach me to share. God has commissioned me to spread His love and the message of salvation to the world; to get His truth out. Here I was watching with deep sadness at the lost souls that have no clue what, and don’t want to know what, God is offering them, or what is awaiting those who deny Jesus.

Here they are shopping at Walmart during the holidays, and these ones couldn’t even answer the question; each person quickly walking by to get away from Zach. One person said thank you as they speedily walked by. Let’s assume she was answering the question. Otherwise, the rest of them were very rude to him. Even the two “Christians” were short with him and didn’t answer the question. They cut him off and quickly stated they were Christians. It would seem to me that a Christian would want to talk about Jesus, and know right off the bat what they would want to say to Jesus.

Stop and think about that a minute. If someone approached you and asked you that question, how would you respond? If your response would not be to happily discuss your answer to the question, then stop and pray about it. Ask God why you would hesitate and not want to answer. We should always be ready to share our faith and excitement about what Jesus did for us, and getting to spend eternity with Him. (1Peter 3:15)

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33

If you step back and look at the big picture of the world and how God made it and what His Word says, you will realize that He is the only thing that matters and is worthy of our time.

 

Why won’t God bless me?

 

While replaying the video images in my head of these people, I’m reminded to pray for all. Everyone is consumed with the expectations of their life and what the world demands from them. You could see the unhappiness and the fatigue in their faces, body language and responses.

People have become so focused on themselves and their responsibilities, that they can’t think past that; each of them in survival mode. Some are so desperate to get past their problems, that rather than take them to Jesus, they run away from them thereby creating new problems. Many think that there is no God, or, they think that He doesn’t care or He would give them a better life and make things easy for them.

God is not a genie in a bottle. He doesn’t exist to make us happy and our life easy. You see, our life isn’t about us. God teaches us in His Word, the Holy Bible, that He created us to worship Him. Contrary to popular prosperity gospel, He didn’t create us to name it and claim it and have all we want like winning the lottery living a rich life where we don’t need God.

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:15-16

Hard truth: If you ignore God’s interests, don’t expect Him to care for yours.

God created you to worship Him, and to spread His love to others so that they can find hope and peace in Him also. And, He created you for a very special purpose to carry out for Him to spread His love. It’s very exciting when you think about your Heavenly Father who created you and breathed life into you, wanting your help for a special project.

If you aren’t interested in why He created you and having a close personal relationship with Him, you have literally chosen to be miserable and unhappy. You turned from eternal hope, love, peace, and joy, and intentionally chose pain and misery. That is what comes with worldly things. They can’t bring you happiness.

Ask yourself this question: why would God give me a life filled with worldly things that would take my focus off of Him?

He wouldn’t. God wants a close personal relationship with you. He wants to lavish you with His love and teach you, and help you to become what He created you to be. 

“But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” Exodus 20:6 NLT 

 

To spoil or not to spoil

That is the question!

 

God loves His children. In the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, He specifically teaches us how He lavishes His love on those who obey Him. He doesn’t spoil us. That’s actually a sin. Yep, you heard me right. Observe.

So I was studying in Exodus recently and I read a passage that I have studied many times in the last few years and saw something new this time that I had not seen before. This time, the word “spoiled” jumped out at me. The Holy Spirit said, pause and mediate on this word. So I did. This is the scripture, and what I found in the Strong’s Concordance, for original meaning of Hebrew words in the Bible, and two different dictionary’s.

Exodus 3:21-22
21   And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
22   But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

• In the Strong’s Concordance the number of “spoil” is H5337.

H5337   (Strong) nâtsal naw-tsal’

A primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense: –    X at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, X without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, X surely, take (out).

• American dictionary

spoil /spoil/ intransitive verb

To impair or destroy the value or quality of; ruin.

“spoiled the dish by adding too much salt; spoiled the party by getting into an argument.” To harm the character of (a child) by overindulgence or leniency. synonym: pamper.
Similar: pamper  To plunder; despoil.

• Webster’s Dictionary

spoil verb

ˈspȯi(-ə)l  spoiled ˈspȯi(-ə)ld  ˈspȯi(-ə)lt or chiefly British spoilt ˈspȯi(-ə)lt  ; spoiling

Synonyms of spoil

transitive verb

1 a : to damage seriously : RUIN

b : to impair the quality or effect of a quarrel spoiled the celebration

2 a : to impair the disposition or character of by overindulgence or excessive praise

b : to pamper excessively : CODDLE

3 a : PILLAGE, ROB

b archaic : DESPOIL, STRIP

4 archaic : to seize by force

It struck me in the end of the second verse that they were to “spoil the Egyptians.” I was thinking of the twisted definition we live by today where we spoil those we love and give them what we didn’t have, and everything they want. It never occurred to me that spoiling was actually a sin. You are harming that person you spoil!

Over the years, as with anything else, truth from the Bible has been twisted, and we have become desensitized to this evil of God’s truth being twisted. Now, people laugh it off when you say they are spoiled or you are spoiled. It is said like it’s a good thing. It’s not.

Being spoiled takes you further from God because He doesn’t spoil, He blesses His children. He blesses them in the good times and in the bad. But He never blesses us to the point of spoiling us so that we can run off and leave Him, and enjoy those blessings without Him.

This is why people are so unhappy; they are trying to do life without God. Either they don’t want Him in their life interfering or they believe the lie that He doesn’t love them, and could never forgive them for their many sins. These are all lies from the enemy to keep them separated from God.

 

Taking God for granted

 

There’s a story in the Bible in a short book named Haggai. He was a prophet during that time that God used to speak to His people. This story is a great example of taking God for granted. Taking your life for granted. Taking “time” for granted. Taking your “blessings” God gives you for granted. It’s only two chapters. I encourage you to read it; it’s full of useful teaching from the Father for us.

This story of Haggai is during a time when God wanted the people to rebuild His temple that had been destroyed. The people are so grateful to be out of captivity and back in their homeland. During their captivity they had allowed themselves to be distracted by their circumstances and their personal needs and had no interest in what God wanted; they just wanted to get back to their life. Rebuilding the Temple for God was the last thing on their mind.

That was when God sent Haggai to talk to them and show them the err in their ways. God did not stop loving them because they stopped serving Him and were disobedient; on the contrary, He loved them and was trying to teach them and warn them. He talked to them through Haggai and showed them their choices. A “remnant” of the people listened and repented, and rebuilt the Temple. Sadly, only a “remnant” was interested. The others chose to live their life on their terms the way they wanted. Having God interfere with their plans did not interest them at all. Sadly, they didn’t fear Him or His warnings of the consequences of their sinful choices.

“All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:21

For the remnant that turned back to Him and repented, responded in like manner as all do who turn back to Him wholeheartedly:

“I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.
I cling to your laws. LORD, don’t let me be put to shame!
I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.
Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.
I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
LORD, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me.” Psalms 119:30-41

For those who believe the law doesn’t apply to non-Jews, or was nailed to the cross when Jesus died, it’s simply not true. The law is God’s law for eternity for all His followers. The law (Ten Commandments) is a divine ritual to Jews, but for instructions in righteousness to all. Hallelujah!

 

If you had to choose between one billion dollars and eternity with Jesus, what would you choose?

 

Here’s one more story I will share from Zach’s street ministry experience to inspire you and give you more food for thought. Zach stood on a downtown street and asked passerby’s the above question. It was so comforting to see about half of the ones he asked, they smiled and happily answered: eternity with Jesus – without hesitation. But, also without hesitation, at least half of the people he asked wanted the billion dollars.

They literally willingly chose money over Jesus. There was one family who never stopped walking by but answered in passing. The teenager said the money after his dad said it too. The mother said he’s just a kid he doesn’t know. He’s a teenager; is she saying he doesn’t know Jesus? 

My heart hurt at the flippant attitudes thumbing their nose up at spending eternity with Jesus. Then it was heartbreaking to watch one adult female at her direct response. She stopped, listened to his question, and quickly responded that she was too sinful to answer that question. She believes that she can’t spend eternity with Jesus because she has sinned. She doesn’t understand that Jesus died for her and His blood washed away all her sins. There are so so many lost souls like her that Jesus needs us to reach.

“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”Matthew 9:35-38

He is not saying to pray that God would send others to spread God’s love. He is asking you to go.

“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

You are not responsible for knowing what to say, He will give you the words. He just needs you to be willing. Also, you are not responsible for the outcome of sharing His love with others. Only the Holy Spirit can save people; not us. So that should be a relief to you and take the pressure off of you knowing that you only need to be a willing vessel.

 

My experience at street ministry

 

Allow me to share a “quick” (LOL! I’ll try to make it quick) story of my experience at street ministry. As I’ve stated before, and in my last blog, I grew up deathly afraid of sharing the Gospel because I thought I had to be a Bible expert, and I wasn’t.

During my major “transforming season” (in my early 50s) that God was helping me through as I became hungry for more of Him, He sent me to a tiny church across town for a couple of years. God has a habit of sending me places for a short season to learn, then when He’s done teaching me there, He moves me to my next lesson. It actually became fun learning and then moving to the next thing He had for me. I call it my Mary Poppins visit. I go when He tells me to go, then I leave when He tells me to leave. Over the last decade alone, He has worked hard pruning me and refining me in the fire to burn off the impurities and cut off the dead limbs in my life, while teaching me new things. It was the most painful time when I was wrestling Him over the changes, and the difficulty of letting go of my clenched grips as He was pulling me out of my comfort zone. Once I literally “let go and let God” do what He needed to do and stopped wrestling with Him, it was peaceful and fun to learn what He was teaching me. I’m so glad He doesn’t give up on us. Even when we tell Him we are ”all-in” with His plan, but we keep wrestling out of habit; He doesn’t give up on us.  There’s such peace in letting go and trusting Him with everything.

During that time at that tiny church for those two years, one of the many things He taught me was to get over my fear of street ministry and sharing the gospel. One of the church leaders is an amazing godly spirit-filled man named Wes. His personality is a gift from God and his enthusiasm and excitement about sharing Jesus with others has a way of rubbing off on you to help get you past your fears of sharing God’s love. God used Wes to help me get past my fear. We would go one Saturday a month to Walmart or gas stations along the highway near the church and tell people Jesus loved them and ask if we could pray with them about anything. Wes always paired groups of two or three together. and I was always with an experienced person. One day I asked Wes if I could go with his group. I really wanted to see firsthand how he did it. Well, God had it all planned out, let me tell you. I fell right into God’s love-teaching “trap” on that one. He had a lesson for me that day that I did not see coming.

We stopped at an old off-brand gas station, and Wes and I walked up to a car where they were pumping gas. The wife was in the driver seat and the husband was pumping the gas. They looked like they were on hard times and maybe everything they owned was in their very old car. As we were walking up to their car, I observed the woman as I was trying to get a read on how she might react to us coming up to her car. She was looking off into the distance with a sad look like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. Wes walked up all energetic like he is, and shared with them that Jesus loved them, and wanted to pray for any needs they may have. The woman was clearly taken off guard, but we were apparently an answer to her prayer and what she needed at that moment. It was like a flood gate opened up and she poured out their life to us. She didn’t hesitate to share her heart and welcome us to pray for them. As I’m trying to process her story and the experience of being a part of this moment where God was using us; when she stops speaking, Wes turns to me without hesitation and says, Daisy, why don’t you go ahead and pray for them? My heart almost jumped out of my throat! But, at the same time, I knew God had set me up. I knew it was another teaching moment for me. 

I realized immediately, it wasn’t about Wes and his way of doing things; it was his obedience to God to be a vessel. I knew right away that it wasn’t about me and how prepared I might be. It wasn’t about having the perfect prayer; the perfect words to say. It was about being a vessel for God to love on these two people that were in the depths of despair. I immediately “got over myself” and the fear that was trying to seize me, opened my mouth, and I allowed God to speak through me. Her husband didn’t say anything. He stood there and listened and then bowed his head when it was time to pray.

That day changed my life! I realized it wasn’t about Wes and his style of street ministry, or about me; it was all about God. He needs workers to harvest the field for Him. All these years, I had allowed my fears to prevent me from being used by God to spread His love the way He needs me too. All my life, I’ve served in the “safe zone.” FYI: that’s not a fulfilling zone to be in. Trust me, I speak from experience. Trust God. Step out in faith and follow Him. His ways are so much better.

I will add, that my personal experience at Walmart sharing Jesus love and praying with people was life-changing for me, as well. There were many people who said thanks but no thanks, but there were also so many that said, yes, please pray for me. They would share things they were going through and we had the pleasure of taking turns praying for them. The experience changed their lives, and ours. Praying right there in an aisle at Walmart.

We would always gather as a group at the church and pray before we left out for the streets. Some people would share a prophetic word or dreams that God had given them. As a result, we often had a list of single words to look for that God had pointed out to different people in a dream or through prayer time. One day someone shared that God showed them banana’s; it made me giggle. I thought, God, you are so creative. So banana was one of the words on the list and I wanted to find that person. We had been successful with God leading us to people that associated with a word on the list that He wanted us to pray with that day, but we still discovered random ones to pray for as well. I was intrigued by the banana’s though, so I would look for anything like a picture on a T-shirt or banana’s in a buggy; none could be found. We were at the end of the ministry window and I said, wait, before we leave, let’s swing by the banana section up front. As we were rounding the corner, a lone woman was standing there holding a banana bunch in her hand looking at them. I promise you it was like a light from Heaven was shining down on her highlighting her to me and surely the angels were singing in that moment of her being highlighted. We three ladies looked at each other and laughed and quickly went over and said hello. I told her the story and that God told me to look for her, and I had been all day. She was so excited! She shared that she lived in a women’s shelter and was there with a small group of ladies to shop. We prayed for her and got to talking to her for a bit, then we said goodbye. The very next month when we went back, we ran into her again! I saw her from a distance and snuck up behind her and bear hugged her. She was elated to see us again and talked for a bit. She wanted to know what church we went too. She came that next day, and then started bringing women from the shelter to worship with us. It was such a God-thing! God is so so good! I’m so glad I didn’t give up on the banana’s that day. These are the kind of blessed moments we miss out on when we tell God, no. What if I had told God no, and missed that moment? I wouldn’t have a lifelong friend in her, that’s for sure. That was five years ago and she and I still keep in touch. No matter where this “Mary Poppins” is sent, she and I will be forever friends, sisters in Christ.

Moral to the story: I showed up, and God met me there. I trusted Him and He blessed my efforts.

So to be clear, you don’t have to do “street ministry” like I did or like Zach does, to spread God’s love and hope. It’s God that is calling you to be a vessel, so ask Him how He wants you to serve Him. He is calling you, so He will make a way just for you to do what He created you to do. For me, God was not trying to show me that Street Ministry was my calling. He was teaching me that it wouldn’t kill me; that I can do it when He needs me too. There is nothing that we can’t do for Him when He calls us to do it. It says in scripture that He gives us what we need when we need it. One day He may have you pray with someone that He points out in the grocery store. He may lead you to be on the prayer team at church, or lead a small group, or like me, He told me to create this online women’s ministry to spread His love to the world. The point is to be open to whatever, whenever, however, He needs you. He is with you, so stop wrestling with Him and start trusting Him to comfort and care for you. He will lead you, if you let Him.

Don’t worry when He asks you to get out of your comfort zone, you won’t be alone; He will always be with you. You are not sharing alone, ever. The Holy Spirit was standing with me, and He is standing with Zach, as those rude ones walk by. He is protected.

As I say that I’m reminded of a recent murder of a young street preacher; I believe he was in Texas. Remember what Paul said in the Bible, to be absent from this world is to be present with Jesus. To die serving God faithfully is the highest honor. To not let fear stop you from doing what God called you to do and effect your eternity. Cling to Jesus, He is always with you. (Matthew 28:20)

 

Maybe later; I’m to busy

 

If not now, then when? We’re living in the last days. According to scripture, Jesus will soon be calling up His Bride. It’s time to rethink being too busy for God, or wanting to wait until later when you are done having fun. You must study scripture to know what signs His Bride is to be looking for. For those who are studying it, are seeing all the prophetic signs converge. We are living in the literal last days. There’s no time to waste. Repent, look up, spread His love and warn others to prepare.

God loves you. He’s waiting on you. He’s forgiven you. It’s time for you to forgive yourself.

In the Bible, there are many warnings and prophecies of what to expect and be looking for; God even gave us clues hidden in Bible stories. You have to study the whole Bible to find them. In one place we are taught that Jesus said that He will come like a thief in the night to those who don’t know Him and aren’t watching for Him or living for Him. (1Thessalonians 4&5) And He goes on to say that those who are His will not be in darkness because we are children of the light. We are to stay awake, be sober, and spread His faith and love, and the hope of salvation, until that trumpet blasts!

Choose today: Are you going to remain in darkness, or are you going to be one of His Children of Light?

 

First step!

Before you embark on your path to spreading the Gospel, let’s make sure your heart is right with Jesus. Just to be safe, let’s complete these steps. Your eternity depends on it. Get right with Jesus today and stand on His promises to get you through these next steps for you.

Don’t complicate the process for salvation. Keep it simple.

Do the ABC’s and repent today.

• A: Admit that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9)

• B: Believe in your heart that Jesus is the son of God and that He died for your sins and rose from the dead for you. (John 3:16-18, 1Corinthians 15:1-4)

• C: Call on Jesus and repent of your sins and turn back to Him and ask Jesus to show you the way. (Romans 10:9-13, John 14:6)

 

May God bless you and keep you.

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