Phoenix, Arizona 2013

This posting is late because at the end of the week in Phoenix I flew to Virginia which is my home state.  While there I was blessed to enjoy fellowship with family and friends.  In fact I get spoiled by the affection they extend to me.  I need to shift gears now before I get home sick.

JESUS SAVES!

Now about the time I spent in Phoenix. Unfortunately this post will be very short because I did not take many notes.  I hope the pictures will make up for some of what is lacking.

Arriving Monday afternoon the Lord provided a great place to park for the week I served there and the week I was home.  Thanks, Redemption Church in Tempe, AZ.

Tuesday evening I picked up a P. A. System that I hope to use in sharing the gospel along “The Journey….”  That night I felt like a kid opening the boxes, putting things together and anxious to use it.  Like other gifts this one will bring challenges, excitement, and joy.  But it will also bring sorrow, confusion and contentions.  Not just to me, but much more too many others.  That’s what the message of the Gospel does!  So please pray that I may be a good steward using this tool to scatter seed in every town as it pleases the Holy Spirit.  Pray that the God will prepare hearts to receive the lifesaving message of Jesus Christ crucified and risen!

Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

On Thursday I began testing the multiple applications of the P. A. system and found a problem.  Not with the system but with “THEY!”  We all have the problem “THEY” don’t we?  This awareness came while I was testing the system in the church parking lot; what will the church people and the neighbors think if they hear me doing this?  Then Friday evening “THEY” happened again when I arrived downtown to share Jesus.  Now I see that “THEY” has a stronghold in my life.  That’s kind of crazy because “THEY” does not have a name or names and “THEY” have not said or done anything to me.  So I have reservations about something that has not nor may even occur.  That’s silly isn’t it?  It begins with; what will they think if they see me setting the equipment up?   At times this has been all it takes for me to abort a particular mission.  That’s not silly.  That’s wrong!  Here are a few examples:

• But what will “They” think?

• But “They” will probably not like it!

• But what will “They” do!

• But “They” will never go for this!

Why do the opinions of others weigh so heavily on my decisions and yours?  To be free from what “THEY” may think would be so liberating.  Don’t you agree?  I need to stop and acknowledge how God has worked in me because the “THEY’s” are less than they used to be. Praise God!!!   But God promises us better than that. The key to being free from the tyranny of public approval is found and established in a deep and abiding faith in Christ finished work on the Cross!  O’ how often have I and will I entertain thoughts, ideas and suggestions sent by the enemy!  Secondly, O’ am I not walking in unbelief of God’s promises?  That’s it! That’s the root of all fear!  Unbelief stops me in my tracks!

The fear of man brings a snare: but whoso puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Those are but a few of God’s promises, I believe that if I have sincere abiding faith in any one of them, the “THEY’s” will be powerless.

Jesus said, I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except by Me.

Going back to Friday night ministry on Mill St. from 4:30 until about 8:30 on Mill Street It was one on one witnessing as people walked up looking at The JESUS Truck.  It’s still amazes me how the Cross makes the impact that it does.  I think God knew how it would enhance my witness to the world.  Because it draws people my way and I have to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within me.  Then from about 8:30 on I did meet five different organizations that were there to evangelize.  It was very interesting to see differing methods, some offering tracts, one caring a cross, another hoisting signs, one group singing rap and giving testimonies and another preaching.  Friday night ministry on Mill Street was a memorable one.  Though, I did not use the P.A. System I was blessed to share the gospel, encourage and pray for many.

Saturday I spent most of the day getting ready to fly out early Sunday morning for a week at home in Virginia.

In closing I arrived back in Phoenix on Sunday evening.  Then Monday I made it to the next stop along; The Journey 50 States One True Story JESUS!

Thanks to everyone back home in Virginia and to everyone who has and continues to encourage me to follow JESUS!  I hope to write you again in about a week with good news about what the Lord has done.  Please continue praying and text, email or call me so I may know how I can pray for you.

Agape, David