From Suzi:
Greetings from the Good News Friends,
Here is a recap of Sunday. For me it started with a 'Couldn't find my keys' kind of morning which resulted in me taking a cab, which is rare but whenever I cab it, I love to ask the driver if he's heard the good news. Hiram answered, "There is no good news anymore, it's all bad news!!"
"Well, Hiram, today you are going to hear the best news ever!" and I proceeded to tell him how much Jesus loves him and that He died for him and wants to have a relationship with him. He told me that in 37 years of driving a cab, no one had ever told him about Jesus. His heart was wide open, and we prayed together for him and his family, and I left him with the gospel of John and pray that the Lord continues to love on Hiram!!
Of all days to be in the subway tunnel, it was "pants off" day in NYC. We happened to be sharing the gospel last year on this same occasion. It was freezing in full attire, just couldn't believe how many people dared to be out in their underclothes! At any rate we passed out gospels and prayed that we would communicate God's love to all that we met.
We talked with the 'Harold Camping date setters' who believe Jesus is coming back next May 21st even though according to Matthew 24:36 Jesus said, "But of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
I explained that it can be likened to the ancient Jewish wedding tradition. After a man made a covenant with his bride to be, he would then leave her to go and prepare a place for them on his father's estate. He would not return for her until he had his father's approval. So neither of them knew the day or hour when he would return for her, but she was always waiting and prepared. At night, she had oil in her lamp so that if he came, she would be ready. After the father gave His approval, his son would return for his bride along with a groomsmen who would give a shout, and she would then be taken by her bridegroom back to the Father's House.
We are that bride waiting for our Lord. We don't know the day or hour of His return, but we look forward to it and are filled with the oil of His Holy Spirit, always ready and waiting for His return!
We explained to these sincere folks that they will most likely see May 21st come and pass and if that be the case, to remember we must always place our trust in God's Word and not in the words of men when they contradict scripture. Harold Camping has already set a faulty date before, and he may set another. It's interesting that when the disciples asked Jesus, "What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?" He answered them saying, "Take heed that no one deceives you." He went on to warn of false teachers and prophets and even lying signs and wonders. Matthew 24:4,5,11,24
We met an artist who was in seminary at one time but was so turned off by the politics and hypocrisy that he dropped out. There will always be plenty of that in and out of the church, but we encouraged him to place His faith and trust in Jesus and His Word which is faithful and true. We exchanged emails, and he sent a note thanking us for sharing the truth with him. We pray he continues to pursue the Lord and find fellowship and grow in his faith.
I talked with a woman who had many questions which I answered to the best of my ability from God's Word and gave her the gospel of John. She explained that she had a Christian friend who shared with her from the Bible, but they had lost touch. I was able to water the seed that was planted in her heart by her friend, and we prayed for her and for her family that they would come to know Jesus and follow after Him.
I saw a video this week by the Arrows which exposes the father of lies and how he deceives us. With God's shield of faith, we protect ourselves from his fiery darts. When we go out into the harvest field to share the gospel, it is as though we are sending arrows into the enemies camp and dispelling his lies. God's Word is our greatest weapon for it is sharper than a double-edged sword and penetrates to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
We continue to pray that God will raise up more laborers to share the good news until He comes and that we will be ready in season and out to give a reason for the hope we have with gentleness and respect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHhR98SXWio
