Honoring Nick Kinn

The Bible tells us to give honor to whom honor is due. Yesterday was the 70th birthday of the minister most responsible for helping me become a successful soul-winner. Therefore, I’ve written this tribute to him.

Alex Nicholas Kinn Jr. was born on August 21, 1951, and grew up just west of Minneapolis. Like myself, he went through confirmation at a Lutheran church that didn't teach the necessity to be born again. Following high school and a brief college stint, Nick was drafted into the U. S. Army and got stationed in Germany. After his discharge, Nick returned to Minnesota and continued being an alcoholic. One night, he caused a drunk driving accident that almost killed six people.

Meanwhile, a few Christians had reached out to Nick with the gospel. Two of them happened while he was in the military. Another person had slid a tract underneath his door. A turning point occurred 45 years ago today. After Nick had been out celebrating his 25th birthday, he got down on his knees at 2:00 a.m. and said, “Jesus, if you’re real, I’m tired of being a drunk. Come into my heart.” His life hasn’t been the same since.

Nick immediately started witnessing but didn’t lead anyone to the Lord until almost three years later. While hosting an Amway meeting in his house, Nick had an altar call. One woman came forward to give her life to Christ. After attending various churches, Nick started going to Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park. In 1986, he was asked to take charge of their evangelism ministry. Two years later, Nick left his job at the post office to become a full-time pastor. As he often says now, “I used to be a mailman, but now I’m a messenger.”

I first attended Living Word in 1991. Back then, Pastor Nick also led outreaches called “All-Church Evangelism.” Wednesday night services were canceled once a month during the summer. That was to encourage more congregation members to share their faith. I participated in a few of those but didn’t pray with anyone until three years after my conversion. By that time, I committed myself to evangelize with Living Word every Monday night. Soon I became a team leader and started training other people how to win souls. 

My faithfulness to Living Word’s evangelism ministry resulted in various blessings. Since Nick and I are about the same size, he frequently gave me clothes he no longer needed. One night after returning from an outreach, Pastor Nick asked if anyone wanted prayer. I mentioned my starting a sales job with a meat company that day and needed to make money. Nick suddenly took up an offering for me. I received $68 in cash. That sales job wouldn’t work out for me. Eventually, the Lord led me to go into full-time ministry.

For over a decade, I mostly traveled along the east coast as a missionary. During which, I had little contact with Pastor Nick. Then one night in a Minneapolis suburb, I walked into a bus station. Nick happened to be evangelizing there along with another man I knew named Tom. Nick gave me some of his “Have You Heard the Good News” tracts. Tom then handed me $20. That inspired me to resume regular outreaches with Living Word during return visits to the Twin Cities area. I still enjoy listening to Nick’s teachings before we hit the streets.

I appreciate Nick Kinn’s continued commitment to the Great Commission and also his sense of humor. Often we experience bouts of holy laughter while looking at each other. With the help of other laborers involved with Living Word’s evangelism ministry, over 1.6 million salvations have occurred. Pastor Nick has (so far) ministered in 28 countries and 35 states. May the Lord give him many more years to give the devil a black eye.

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you” - 1 Thessalonians 5:12

How to Fish for Men

While growing up in Minnesota, my family had property on Big Sugar Bush Lake just north of Detroit Lakes. During the summer months, we spent almost every weekend there. Dad often went fishing. That wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed except when I caught a lot of fish. Years later, the Lord called me to be a fisher of men.

As a young Christian, one of the most powerful sermons I heard compared evangelism to fishing. Pastor Mac Hammond mentioned five key points to successful soul-winning. I will list the points below along with my thoughts on each one…

1. Go Where the Fish Are. Many Christians fish out of their bathtub. If you’re always surrounded by other believers and isolate yourself from the lost, you won’t have opportunities to lead sinners to salvation. Jesus said in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
2. Go Where the Fish Are Hungry. Although everyone needs to hear the gospel, those who are well-off financially usually aren’t as receptive. That’s why when coming into a new city, I often seek out low-income neighborhoods to evangelize. As Jesus said in Luke 4:18, “…He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.”
3. Use the Right Bait. The right kind of gospel tract can make a difference, especially when given to someone who doesn’t have time to converse with you. Normally I use Nick Kinn’s “Have You Heard the Good News?”, but sometimes hand out million-dollar bills. The latter are good conversation starters. Sometimes the Lord leads me to minister healing to people first before asking questions about their eternal destiny.
4. Present the Bait Correctly. We must always show compassion by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). It’s the goodness of God that leads one to repentance (Romans 2:4), not guilt or condemnation.
5. Reel Them In. It’s frustrating when I work with believers who take too much time talking about the gospel when a sinner is ready to get saved. Jesus said in Luke 14:23, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

One Christian cliché I find annoying is “we are to make disciples, not converts.” Making disciples starts by being a fisher of men. When doing the work of the evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5), the focus is getting people saved. It’s often been said, “You catch them, He’ll clean them.”

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:19

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Touch Not God’s Anointed

When I’m sharing the gospel with people, an objection that occasionally comes up is bad behavior by certain ministers. Unfortunately, a few “men of the cloth” have done despicable deeds such as committing adultery or abusing children. But non-Christians cannot use those incidents as excuses to avoid their need for salvation. When they stand before the Lord Jesus Christ, He won’t examine other people’s lives but only their own.

Years ago, I knew a woman who claimed our then-pastor was involved in an immoral relationship. Believing her story, I brought up the issue with an associate pastor at our church. The resulting friction made me realize I didn’t rightly handle the situation. 1 Timothy 5:19 says, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.” 

In court trials, defendants are supposed to be presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Numerous people are called to the witness stand to give testimony before the jury reaches a verdict. Why then do some Christians quickly assume a preacher is guilty of something based on claims of one person? Rumors spread through social media and satirical sites like Babylon Bee certainly doesn’t help.

In Numbers chapter 12, Miriam became leprous after criticizing Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman. There have been more modern incidents of people who suffered devastating consequences for discrediting men of God. One that comes to my mind involved William Branham, an evangelist used by God during the “Voice of Healing” era of the 1940s and 50s. Two preachers and their wives plotted to expose Brother Branham as a fake at one of his meetings. One of the preachers came up with a prayer card falsely claiming he had various diseases. The Holy Spirit revealed this scheme to Branham. He then confronted the preacher for being a fake himself. The preacher left the meeting with the same diseases he claimed to have! 

So how should people respond to ministers who have truly sinned against them? Jesus taught us to proper way to confront any erring Christian in Matthew 18…

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 

16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 

17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.  But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

The next time somebody starts talking to you about a sin supposedly committed by a preacher, advise him to keep quiet about it unless he has proof and his motive is restoration (Galatians 6:1). Ministers encounter enough persecution from the world. Christians don’t need to be siding with the accuser of the brethren.

“Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” - 1 Chronicles 16:22

Heaven on Earth

An objection that sometimes comes up when sharing the gospel is “heaven is here on earth.” Recently I heard that from a panhandler who wanted money from me (I handed him a snack and a gospel tract but he soon gave them back). It later occurred to me there is no need to beg in heaven. I could have also asked this man where one could find the Pearly Gates and the streets of gold on earth.

That beggar might have been a Jehovah’s Witness. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society teaches that only 144,000 people will get into heaven while all other Jehovah’s Witnesses will live forever on earth. Before the latter could happen, Jehovah’s Witnesses left behind after the rapture will have to suffer through a tribulation period and avoid taking the mark of the beast. That certainly won’t be heaven on earth.

Back in 1987, Belinda Carlisle had the #1 hit “Heaven is a Place on Earth” (from an album called “Heaven on Earth”). The lyrics talked about a couple enjoying each other to where it’s almost heavenly. That is God’s intent for marriage. However, the Bible makes it clear heaven and earth are two separate places. The very first verse mentions God creating two separate realms. Genesis 28:12 describes Jacob’s ladder reaching from earth to heaven. 

This is coming a time when a city in heaven will relocate to earth. Revelation 21:2 talks about the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God.” This occurs after the millennial reign of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment. 

In the meantime, God wants His people on earth to live as citizens of heaven. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus said, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As ambassadors of Christ, we can bring increase to the number of people who will have a heavenly home by being a witness for Him and fulfilling the Great Commission.

“May you be blessed by the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” - Psalm 115:15

The Watchtower’s “Kingdom of God” Examined

One thing I will commend Jehovah’s Witnesses for is their persistence in spreading their beliefs. Every Saturday morning, many of them go door to door in various neighborhoods. In recent years, I’ve seen JW’s standing by portable displays of their literature near libraries, stores, restaurants, bus stops, and on street corners. Unfortunately, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society promote another gospel based on works (Galatians 1:6-9). Their teachings can put undiscerning followers into religious bondage, eventually resulting in them being lost for eternity.

Recently after I led a young man to the Lord at McDonald’s, a Jehovah’s Witness who overheard our conversation placed a brochure on my table as she was leaving. “What is the Kingdom of God” lists several Bible verses and then asks, “What will life be like under the rule of God’s Kingdom?” That question is answered by referring to two passages of Scripture…

“The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever.” - Psalm 37:29

“They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them.” - Isaiah 65:21-23

I agree life on earth will be wonderful when the Lord sets up His millennial kingdom. However, this brochure doesn’t instruct a person how to become part of God’s kingdom. This is probably to lure potential converts into having home Bible studies based on Watchtower doctrine and attend Kingdom Hall meetings. Jesus said in John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This same brochure makes reference to Matthew 24:3, 7 and declares, “Jesus foretold that just before the Kingdom brings peace to the earth, our world would be plagued with wars, famines, and earthquakes…We see those very conditions today. So we can be confident that God’s Kingdom will soon bring an end to all such problems.” Jesus also said in Matthew 24:13, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” I’ve never heard Jehovah’s Witnesses talk about how they plan to survive the seven-year tribulation period prior to Christ’s return. How will JW’s respond when the Antichrist pressures them to take the mark of the beast?

Thank God I’m already part of His kingdom…as a joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). My citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). While the earth is tribulating, I’ll be enjoying the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. An invitation is waiting for you as well if you haven’t already accepted it. All you need to do is receive the free gift of salvation.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” - Mark 1:15

Serving God and Country

This coming Saturday, the United States of America will observe Veteran’s Day in honor of those who served in our armed forces. In recent years, I’ve gone out of my way to thank veterans who helped preserve liberties we often take for granted…especially the freedom to preach the gospel.

As a teenager, I cringed when a friend suggested the idea of reinstating the draft. I dreaded the thought of going to boot camp and having some drill sergeant yelling at me. But at 21, I became dissatisfied with my life and enlisted in the Army National Guard. The military taught me much needed discipline and respect for authority. Today there are national anthem protestors who I believe should spend time in the armed forces. Perhaps they would develop a greater appreciation for this country.

A young minister I knew once wrote on her Facebook page, “I will not bow to a country nor will I pledge to a flag. This country is not my home. My home is in heaven as is yours if you know Jesus.” Except for her mentioning heaven and the name of Jesus, this sounded like something a Jehovah’s Witness would say. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society command their followers not to salute their country’s flag and to avoid military service.

Sometimes when I ask fellow believers where they’re from, they answer “heaven.” This is a bit annoying when I simply want to know what city or country a person lives in. Philippians 3:20 does say that our citizenship is in heaven. Nevertheless, each of us has a purpose for being in the nation God has placed us in. 

I have a nephew named Benjamin who once served in the Marines. My brother-in-law Greg shared a touching comment his son made when calling home from Basic Training. Benjamin was asked what he liked best about being a Marine. His response was “breakfast and being an example for the Lord.” Greg felt he had succeeded as a father. Benjamin’s platoon mates called him “Holy Man.”

It's not ungodly to be patriotic unless you obey an order that clearly goes against Scripture. Being too nationalistic may cause you to miss God’s will for your life. Bible scholars believe Jonah initially refused his divine assignment to preach in Nineveh because of his pride for being an Israelite.

No country will be perfect until Jesus comes back. Until then, be a good witness wherever you reside. God can move you if He sees it best for you to live somewhere else.

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” - 1 Peter 2:17

Let Our Sisters Speak

As a young Christian, I devoured numerous teaching tapes and books that God used to help me grow in my knowledge of Him and prepare for ministry. One Bible teacher from who I’ve gleaned a lot is Joyce Meyer. Her “Battlefield of the Mind” is one of the most powerful books I ever read. Joyce’s testimony of overcoming abuse and rejection has inspired millions of hurting people. I appreciate her candor and sense of humor (especially her “What About Me?” robot imitation).

It grieves me when I hear fellow Christians criticizing Joyce Meyer. She is often labeled a “prosperity preacher.” Her website clarifies: “A ‘prosperity gospel’ that solely equates blessing with financial gain is out of balance and could damage a person’s walk with God.”

Another reason Joyce receives flak from religious folk is simply being a woman behind the pulpit. Yet the Bible has numerous examples of women ministering to God’s people. These five prophetesses are mentioned by name:

• Miriam (Exodus 15:20)
• Deborah (Judges 4:4)
• Huldah (2 Kings 22:14, 2 Chronicles 34:22)
• Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14)
• Anna (Luke 2:36)

Joel 2:28 says, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” That came to pass in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. Women were amongst the 120 in the upper room.

Romans 16 refers to women in ministry. The Apostle Paul wrote in verses 1 and 2, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” Other female laborers mentioned in this chapter are Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis.

So how does one reconcile Scriptures that supposedly tell women to remain silent in our churches? There’s a simple explanation. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12 deals with church order amongst married couples. The Greek word for women is gynē, which has also been translated as “wives.” Not every woman has a husband. Likewise, the Greek New Testament used the same word aner for “man” and “husband.” In his book “The Woman Question”, Kenneth E. Hagin pointed out, “You must determine from the context whether it is talking about women in general, or specifically about wives…He [Paul] is talking about learning something and asking questions.”

Throughout church history, God has done powerful things through women such as Maria Woodworth-Etter, Aimee Semple McPherson, and Kathryn Kuhlman. Kathryn believed her ministry was originally offered to a couple of men who didn't respond to the call. Current Mozambique missionary Heidi Baker has seen food multiplied and the dead raised! Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “…by their fruits you will know them.”

It’s obvious God has His stamp of approval on female ministers. If He can talk through a donkey, why not a woman? The Great Commission wasn’t given solely to men. Let our sisters speak!

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:28

Remember Their Sacrifices

Every year on July 4th, my fellow Americans celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s declared independence from Great Britain. Yet many of them take our freedoms for granted. It’s often been said, “Freedom isn’t free.” Over the years, countless U. S. soldiers shed their blood so we can enjoy this prosperous nation God blessed us with.

What’s also tragic are the veterans neglected by the very people who should be assisting them. Fortunately, President Trump recently signed the Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. This will hopefully cut down on the number of bad VA employees making it difficult for veterans to receive benefits they deserve.

In the meantime, many homeless veterans are begging on street corners asking for help. I go out of my way to minister to them as well as other veterans I’ve seen wearing caps indicating they fought in certain wars. First, I approach these veterans by thanking them for their service and mention my spending time in the Army National Guard. If they’re hungry, I offer these veterans a snack and then a gospel tract explaining I’m now a soldier in the army of the Lord.

When David volunteered to take on Israel’s enemy Goliath, he was offered many rewards including not having to pay taxes (1 Samuel 17:25). I believe our veterans should receive similar benefits particularly those who fought in combat. Many of us never experienced the danger of enemy soldiers firing upon us.

So the next time you see a veteran, thank him for the sacrifices he made for our country. But don’t neglect to share the Good News about the One who sacrificed His life so that all of us can receive the benefits of eternal life.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:7-8

Supernatural Speeding

Christians are living epistles according to 2 Corinthians 3:3. Non-Christians carefully observe the actions of professing believers to see if they are “walking the walk” as well as “talking the talk.” One thing that leaves a bad witness is when God’s people don’t obey traffic laws. Imagine what an unbeliever thinks when he sees a Christian speeding with a “What Would Jesus Do” bumper sticker on the back of his car.

I’ve met a few Christians who tried justifying their need to speed but still found themselves in trouble. One morning I rode with a pastor who was running behind schedule and drove well over the posted speed limit on our way to his church. Despite having a radar detector in his car, this pastor got pulled over. Since I was from out of state, the patrolman searched my luggage to make sure I wasn’t transporting drugs. Fortunately for the pastor, all he got was a warning ticket. In spite of this, we arrived at his church much later than had he obeyed the speed limit in the first place.

There was another incident when a friend of mine went past the speed limit while driving me to the airport. When I suggested he slow down, my friend claimed speeding would help him avoid flying rocks. A rock hit and cracked his windshield just before we exited the freeway.

Then there was the time a man asked me to use his car to drive a female friend of his to work. When I showed up at this woman’s house, she insisted on driving since she knew the way to her workplace. Once we got on the freeway, she started going 80 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. I politely asked her to slow down. She replied, “I don’t want to lose the job God gave me.” I reminded her what the Bible says about obeying the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-2). She got more defensive and so I quietly prayed in the Spirit. This woman was forced to slow down due to heavy traffic and still arrived late for work.  

Daniel 12:3 says that in the last days, “many shall run to and fro.” In today’s society, multitudes are constantly rushing to go somewhere. While street evangelizing, many people I approach won’t stop to talk with me because they claim to be in a hurry.

Christians don’t have to live under that kind of pressure. God can translate us if He needs us to be somewhere when we cannot be on time by natural means. Personally I know at least two people who experienced translations while driving. In 1992, a former girlfriend testified how God supernaturally got her to church one night faster than the 15 minutes it normally took to get there. When she left her house, the clock in her car read “6:25.” When she arrived at the church, her clock read “6:31.” She got to the church in six minutes without speeding.

Another friend of mine who was on staff at Calvary Campground emailed me a testimony of her being translated. One morning she drove 90 miles from Ashland, Virginia to Washington, DC where she was scheduled to speak at a church. She was running late and had to drive slower than the posted speed limit due to heavy traffic on Interstate 95. While driving through Northern Virginia, God suddenly moved her forward several miles and got her to the church on time.

Don’t let the busyness of this world prompt you to break the speed limit or do other foolish things that can create additional problems. Trust in the Lord and He will always help you be in the right place at the right time.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.” – Psalm 37:23

The Naked Truth

During the 1980s I regularly watched MTV (an initialism of Music Television) to hear cool sounding songs I wouldn’t have heard otherwise on the radio. Although I wasn’t living for the Lord then, I still didn’t care for the suggestive imagery in many of these music videos. It’s ironic this network still calls itself MTV considering their programming nowadays is mostly reality shows that have nothing to do with music.

That’s also the case with MTV’s sister channel VH1, which originally played songs targeting older viewers. One of their current programs called “Dating Naked” features nude contestants (with certain areas of their bodies blurred) talking openly about sex and body parts. This program came to my attention through a Charisma article about the activist group One Million Moms. They launched a protest that resulted in one of the “Dating Naked” advertisers pulling their ads.

Some argue nudity is “natural” since the first people mentioned in the Bible “…were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:25) Keep in mind Adam and Eve were the only two humans on earth at that time. Some theologians believe the earth’s first couple were clothed with the glory of God until they ate the forbidden fruit.

Nudity is discouraged in numerous Scriptures. In Genesis 9:20-25, a curse came upon Ham and his descendants after he told his brothers that their father Noah was lying uncovered in his tent. Years later Moses instructed the Israelites not to look upon the nakedness of various relatives (Leviticus 18:6-19). The priests were told in Exodus 20:26, “Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.”

The demon-possessed man in Luke 8 originally “wore no clothes” but became “clothed and in his right mind” after receiving deliverance. When Jesus comes back to judge the nations, He will commend those who clothed the naked (Matthew 25:36). Other New Testament passages such as 1 Corinthians 12:23 and 1 Timothy 2:9 encourages modesty.

Since the Fall of Man, the only passages that mention nudity in a positive context describe marital relations. Proverbs 5:18-19 says, “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.” Song of Solomon chapter 4 gives a more graphic description of a married couple enjoying each other's bodies.

One might question why 1 Samuel 19:23-24 says of King Saul, “Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’” This doesn’t mean God approved of Saul prophesying in the nude. By this time Saul lost the anointing to be king and exhibited erratic behavior until he died on the battlefield.

God did command Isaiah, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” (Isaiah 20:2) The next two verses explain why, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia, so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.”

Have you thought about what you might be wearing for eternity after you die? Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

On the other hand, I’ve seen gospel tracts showing unsaved men and women standing naked before the Lord on Judgment Day. There are Scriptures supporting this belief. Jesus said in Revelation 16:15, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 

In Matthew 22, Jesus spoke these words in the Parable of the Wedding Feast…

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 

12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 

13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Regardless if any clothing will be worn by men when facing God, every hidden sin will be exposed. Nobody will be able to hide behind fig leaves. Make sure you ready for eternity by being born again.

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” - Hebrews 4:13

M. O. M. (Memories of Mother)

 Thanksgiving 2008

In these last days, Satan is trying to pervert gender distinctions. Currently the media is flooded with reports of men “identifying as women” fighting for the right to use women’s bathrooms (and vice versa). For the past ten years, Spain has issued birth certificates replacing “Father” and “Mother” with “Progenitor A” and “Progenitor B.” No matter how the world tries to redefine the family unit, children cannot be born without a mother. 

On this Mother’s Day, I want to honor the woman who brought me into this world 52 years ago in Fargo, North Dakota. Growing up in the bordering city of Moorhead, Minnesota, I wasn’t fond of the traditional church we attended as a family. Still my mother made sure my sister and I said our prayers before going to sleep. If there was a thunderstorm outside, Mom told us God’s angels were bowling (the loudest claps of thunder meant they got a strike). She happened to be an avid bowler.

Football is another sport my mother enjoys. We've spent many Sundays watching the Minnesota Vikings on TV. Mom often got more emotional about the games than I did. She would jump off the couch and yell at the players while nearly knocking me over in the process. 

Back in the day my mother was a homemaker and often cooked meals for us. As my sister and I got older, Mom worked outside the house more. One of her jobs was a sales representative for a major candy company. As a result we got to enjoy a lot of free samples.

Another thing I appreciate about my mother is her sense of humor. Whenever my sister and I did something naughty but wouldn’t fess up, Mom sarcastically declared, “Ol’ Tom is at it again!” (Tom was my imaginary twin brother.) A few years ago while finishing a phone conversation, I told Mom I would “keep her posted” on my happenings. She replied, “Don’t take our name in vain.”

Even if your mother hasn’t exactly been a Proverbs 31 woman, I exhort you to be a blessing to her. Proverbs 23:22 says, “…do not despise your mother when she is old.” If she’s still living but you cannot see her in person today, how about giving her a call to let her know how much she is loved? I’m sure she would appreciate that.

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” - Ephesians 6:2-3

Witnessing While Working

Two days ago I read in the news about a state trooper who was fired for proselytizing during traffic stops. Brian Hamilton (pictured here) was a 14-year veteran of the Indiana Police Force. During an eighteen month period, he was sued by two different drivers who were asked questions about their religious beliefs after being pulled over. Despite given a warning after the first lawsuit was filed, Hamilton insisted he was following the Lord.

This reminded me of an incident told by the evangelist who taught me to be a soul winner. Before Nick Kinn went into full-time ministry, he worked for the post office. One day while witnessing to a coworker, Nick was approached by his supervisor who asked, “Doesn’t the Bible say, ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal?’” He then pointed out Nick was stealing company time by witnessing instead of sorting mail. Nick apologized and from that point on witnessed to coworkers only during breaks. 

As much as Jesus wants His people to share the gospel with others, we should avoid doing so in ways that leave a bad witness or disrespect authority. Over the years I’ve witnessed to waiters, clerks, construction workers and other people while they’re doing their job. Usually I’ll offer a tract and encourage them to read it when they take a break. Sometimes I’ve felt led to ask questions about their eternal destiny if they don’t appear to be too busy.

One day I stopped at a Ponderosa restaurant where (to my surprise) the woman behind the cash register offered to pay for my meal. Later when Jacqueline stopped by my table, she started weeping when I began ministering to her. Suddenly more customers showed up and Jacqueline had to get back to work. Immediately I got in line behind the new customers. When I came up to the cash register again, I shared Romans 10:9 with Jacqueline. She prayed to get born again.

As long as we remain teachable, we can increase our effectiveness in reaching the lost while in the marketplace. I pray Brian Hamilton will correctly discern when and how to witness on his next job. Perhaps he could become a police chaplain.

“You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?…do you dishonor God through breaking the law?” - Romans 2:21, 23

The Jesus of Islam

Not too long ago during a prayer walk, I stopped to witness to two young men waiting for a bus. Both of them thought they would go to heaven for living good lives. Eventually Sayma told me he was Muslim but still prayed along with his friend Sam to get born again. Since Sayma didn’t have a Bible, I gave him a gospel of John pointing out it reveals a more accurate picture of who Jesus is.

The Koran has some verses about Jesus that agree with the Bible...

Jesus was born of a virgin (Surah 19:19-21)

Jesus taken bodily into Heaven (Surah 3:55)

Jesus was a miracle worker (Surah 2:253)

Jesus said to obey him (Surah 43:63)

However, there are Koranic verses about Jesus that conflict with Scripture...

Surah 3:59 claims Jesus was created. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Surahs 4:171 and 5:75 claim Jesus is no more than a messenger of Allah. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Surah 5:116 says Jesus did not say to worship himself or Mary. This is half-right. Certainly we are not to worship Mary. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” However, Jesus received worship from people such as the Syro-Phoenician woman in Mark 7:25.

Surah 9:30 claims you are cursed if you say Jesus is God's Son. John 3:36 says the exact opposite, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Muslims also claim Jesus was never crucified and is the Messiah for Jews only. Romans 3:29 says, “Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also”

In these last days, discernment is so important. Even supernatural manifestations of Jesus need to be judged by Scripture. Five years ago at a revival meeting, I heard Pastor John Kilpatrick talk about an incident that happened when he was 15 years old. A figure that looked like Jesus appeared before him in his bedroom. As John was about to fall down and worship this being, a voice inside him asked, “Where are his nail prints?” John then commanded this spirit figure to go away. 

Which Jesus do you preach and worship? Make sure He’s the one described in the Holy Bible. Otherwise, you are bowing down to a false Christ that cannot save you.

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” - 2 Corinthians 11:3-4