SHAME TO EXCITEMENT!

Shame is a powerful de-motivator and I believe that many believers are ashamed...not of Jesus...but of "christianity" as it is often practiced. Walk into your average pub at night, tap a glass and ask for people's attention and then when the noisy pub goes quiet ask them to set the alarm clock early on Sunday and come to your church...dream on! Even if you had the courage to do this I wouldn't hold my breath for a soul to respond. Yet our evangelism efforts are little different. Our focus is to tease them onto our turf where they will be hopelessly outnumbered and perhaps they will then cave in, repent and be saved. It happens for some this way but what about the masses? We need to go to where the sinners are...Like Jesus did!
When I go out on the streets of Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland i so often feel empty and inadequate..but... thank God I can and do ask Him to fill me afresh with His wonderful Holy Spirit. God knows how you find it difficult to get out there and share your faith. My advice is: Get intimate with God. Withdraw from company and society's noise and talk to Him in the private place and He will provide what you need to Go in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Believe me that is VERY Exciting.

INSTANTLY QUALIFIED!

The Gerasene Demoniac (Luke 8) would have never been given a leadership role in the modern church! This heavily demonized man whom Jesus set free in an instant would have had to prove himself over an indefinite period of time...before he was even let out of the back room! But what did Jesus do with him..scandal of all scandals!...Jesus entrusted the evangelistic leadership of a whole town to him, and that without delay!

The Truth is that if you are truly born again and set free by Jesus YOU ARE QUALIFIED to be HIs minister...so what are you waiting for? The approval of Men? Dream on for that will never come...and be careful if it does! Simply GO remembering the first 2 letters of G-O-D compared to the first three letters of S-A-T-A-N!!

How do I Street Preach?

Street preaching in Dublin, as in other places in this part of the world, is not difficult...It's impossible! That is why I need the unction of the Holy Spirit! Thankfully He graciously gives this as soon as I say the first word publicly! Every street preacher is different and preaches with diffferent emphesis. For me I only want to preach the cross and the fact that Jesus was seperated from the Father because He took on my sin, and yours. For me the message must be direct and personal. I often point at individuals as I preach because it is for them that I am willing to make a complete wally of myself when standing on a stool in the busiest public street at the busiest time. I am acutely aware that time is limited while eternity is at stake. I am also aware that dead religion has stolen the truth of God's power as revealed at the cross.
If you have never street preached why not do t some day with some saints and simply share your testimony (an overcoming story as far as God is concerned!). If you are afraid it does not even compare to the terror the enemy feels that you might actually lift the name of Jesus high one day on his turf! I promise you one thing for certain...you will not regret it and God will be glorified. The one who is whispering now in your ear saying "I could never do that" is a liar! Bless you. Ant

SPIRITUAL BUNGEE JUMPING

Sharing our faith in a public place to a stranger can seem like spiritual bungee jumping, terrifying, but then thrilling! Ask anyone who has done it and they'll agree. I suspect that our soulish desire to avoid rejection at any cost might have something to do with it. In itself that's understandable because we are in a society where the Gospel is seen as an outdated abusive controlling message for misinformed flat Earthers who hate fun...hardly "Good News". The truth is refreshingly different and has the answer to mankind's deepest longings and greatest need..one of acceptance by their loving creator (Father) based not on their "good works" but on Jesus' record! But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Remember the joy when you first met Jesus...get back to that! Now you have something to give without fear. I am not ashamed of the Gospel, not ashamed of the One I love! Ant