For those of you listed as “friends” on my Facebook site, and others I am extending an invitation to you for the next 31days. It is to join with me in a discovery of what it means to be a soul winner. You may not have any idea what that is, or have no desire to learn, but I’m very impressed that some of you do. Otherwise I wouldn’t even bother with it. In prayer, I felt impressed that the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart about doing this. So here it goes. Please feel free to comment or share your story as we go along this journey.

 next month I will post a blog entry on this site which will take you into the world of soul winning like you have never seen. I will share with you the Word of God on the subject, and I will share my experiences with you. At the end of each day there will be a saying and a scripture for you to look at.I have ministered the Gospel across the country and in foreign lands successfully and easily. And I’m sure that people desire to win folks to Christ. But, it’s been my experience that many will stand before the Lord empty handed when that Day comes. As far as soul winning goes, they won’t be able to account for anyone. It doesn’t have to be this way. A few simple tweaks and you can be on your way to becoming a soul winning dynamo!

From the first person I led to Jesus to the last I can tell you my stories. I wish to inspire you also to gather your own. Because there is a time coming very soon when we will be gone from this earth. So let us endeavor to take as many people with us as we can, actually let’s do Eph 3:20, “…exceeding, abundantly, above and beyond anything we can ask, or think, or dream according to the power at work within us.” Go with me now to the land of soul winning.

Day 1- Proverbs 11:30, “ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” We could all stand to be a little wiser and a little more fruitful. But, why does winning souls make us that? Because in it’s very essence, soul winning is selfless. And, Jesus said that the greatest among you would be the least, or the servant of all. Soul winning is God’s heart and mind. It is the first and most important agenda we should have and yet, I believe it may be the most neglected. I live in the Bible belt, and I think this! Could it be worse somewhere else? Yes, it is. But, let me tell you a story that should encourage you that seamlessly living your life for Christ as a full-time witness and example will pay you rich dividends. Instead of always trying to separate work and church, worship and society. Live with no regrets for Him who hath called you!

Have you ever walked into a restaurant to make a presentation to someone whose trust you badly needed? You really don’t know this person but you need to find a way to gain their support for what you are doing. All of the sudden the person seating you is someone you led to Jesus a year before when they were waiting on you at another restaurant in town. While they seat you here they praise you and make you feel ten feet tall on your way in right in front of this business associate. You didn’t know they were going to be there, but they were. And all of the sudden you have a level of credibility with someone seated across from you that you hardly know. Winning that person to Jesus so that they could be your spokesperson wasn’t even on your mind, but it was wise to win them to Jesus when you did because it came back to you here on earth at an opportune time.

I was in a Mexican restaurant and the last thing on my mind at the time was winning my waiter to Jesus, because I was having such a hard time at that moment. But, prompted by an inner witness, a still small voice, I opened a dialogue with this person that led us into his story. He was from Columbia-yes, the drug capital of the known world. He came to America to get away from the danger and the drugs and God led him to me. Or vice versa, whichever.

But, after hearing his story of turmoil, I asked him if truly knew what it meant to have peace inside him that surpasses all understanding. (You have to give them an opportunity to say yes or no) I did. I was very much uneasy with life growing up. Athletic records, good grades, pretty girlfriends, and popularity got me exactly one thing…an understanding that having it all didn’t bring peace into my heart. I was still miserable. Maybe twice as bad off, because as far as the world was concerned, I should be happy. How could I be so ungrateful while having so much going for me, and complain about being unhappy? Well, I was, and there was nothing I could about it until Jesus came into my life. This fellow prayed with me to be born again sitting down at my table and has been going with God ever since.

Imagine your lunches and your home visits now with God’s soul winning agenda at the forefront of your mind. In sales it is known as the three-foot rule. Anyone within 3 feet of you is a candidate for your product. Since Jesus is the best you have to offer, adopt this rule. You can put down your rocks. I’m not saying stand on a table or anything crazy.  I’m just simply saying, why not once try to do something you may have never done-be vocal!

Say this aloud today… ”Lord, put the exact words in my mouth that would lead someone to salvation this week, even today! In Jesus name Amen.”

Read Psalm 45:1” My heart is indicting a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”

Day 2- Soul winning starts with a hunger for the lost. Everyone it seems can tell you what you need to do, or even why and when, but few I find can really tell you how to do it. I say study the Book of Acts, pray, and open your mouth. The Book of Acts technically isn’t completed. You and I are supposed to be extending it out even to now. It is the account of the early church and Jesus partnering together to turn the known world upside down. See Acts 17:6. We should be doing this too. Jesus hasn’t changed. It must be us! See Heb 13:8. Your world is your Book of Acts. See I Cor 3:13 and 2 Cor 10:13-16. What is being written about you? There are Divine Books of Accounting all through the Bible. See Mal 3:16 and Phil 4:3. There is one with your name on it!

 I remember the first person I ever prayed with to be born again like it was yesterday. Before he and I met I had prayed a simple prayer. “Lord, I feel I should win people to you because it’s the right thing to do, and because I want to. You have done so much for me. Please send me somebody, or send me to somebody to win them to You, in Jesus Name Amen.”  Later that month in my dorm room in college, there I was having ambushed a soccer player from Ecuador. (I think partly this was me and partly the Lord) He just happened to be in my dorm for some reason, and I took advantage of this time to tell him about his need for salvation.

He was, as many are in South America, a devout Catholic. He felt as many do, that doing good works was enough to get to heaven when he died. It was four o’clock in the morning before he accepted the free gift of salvation found in Jesus, “…not of works lest any should boast.” Eph 2:9. I don’t know if I just wore him out with the Word. And he finally gave in, so he could go to bed, or it really became clear to him after all those hours of going back and forth about salvation that he could never do good enough, long enough, to get in. I do think though, that he finally saw he wasn’t really being that good to begin with, and probably needed some assurance about the matter.

Who is to say that if good works is all it takes that you’ve kept up accurately with the number of your good deeds? Would the scales would tip in your favor? What if you were one short?! (I’m speaking crazy now because it isn’t like this) Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again! See John 3:3. Ironically, this mentality is exactly where another major religion in the world is misleading people-the Muslims. Their belief for entrance to heaven has to do with doing good deeds. Even then they aren’t really sure if you get in. Hence the suicide bombers! Theirs is the only sure entrance. You know the seventy virgins and all! Look at what deception does to people. I echo Jesus’ words; “you must be born again!”

 Anyway, now I had prayed with one person to be born again and, it almost wore me out completely. I had a nine o’clock class, college basketball practice, and more homework to do, and I didn’t get to bed till after 4 am because the soccer player wanted to work his way into heaven instead of just accepting the free gift! Now, both of us are walking around campus with bloodshot eyes. Not from Budweiser but from getting wiser! (Remember Day 1 and Proverbs 11:30)

I told the Lord if it’s this tough to get everybody born again then I’m going to need a lot longer than the 120 years he promised Noah and mankind after the flood. See Gen. 6:3.  But, ironically, so far he has been the hardest to win one on one. Maybe it was a test to see if I was sincere or maybe the devil wanted to discourage me from the get go. Either way I persevered and have found soul winning to be the most rewarding endeavor.

Say this out loud today,” Father you said in your Word that the harvest is ripe and that we should pray that you would send forth laborers into Your Harvest. I am asking you now to send me. On my job at the right times, in my social endeavors, and in my home with my family I commit to yield my self to You to accomplish this. Give me fruit for my labor. In Jesus Name Amen.”

Read John 9:37,38 “Then he saith unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.”

Day-3 Snake. I remember him like I’m standing next to him today. It was my tryout for the first team I would play Semi-Pro with after college, Spirit Express. It was in a prison in Waycross, Ga. Can you imagine keeping it together long enough to impress a coach while trying out for his team in a correctional facility hours away from familiar surroundings. But, there I was trying out for his basketball team and the Holy Spirit’s soul winning team, while I was lined up for a free throw.

I was supposed to box this guy out who had a snake tattooed all the way down his upper arm! He looked mean enough to eat me, and I’m 6’5”. We were there to play the inmate all-star team and to share the gospel with them at halftime of the game. I really felt a tremendous amount of pressure that day. It wasn’t just for me anymore. Because of my ability to play basketball well, peoples live were now hanging in the balance. I mean no bible-school training, nor fancy ordination. It was just little ‘ol me, and the Jesus I had gotten to know in the last year or so.

To my complete surprise Snake asked me about our team while I was standing there watching my teammate shoot free throws. Shocked that such a big tough looking guy had an inquisitive side I told him we were ambassadors for Jesus Christ, as well as Semi-Professional athletes. And, that the game, and basketball in general, was a vehicle to tell people about Jesus. As I opened my mouth, with all the courage I had. I began to tell him about Jesus intervening in my life the year before, and he began to melt.

Literally, his face softened, his demeanor changed and I could see a transformation right in front of my eyes. This was blowing my mind. The more I spoke, the more he listened, to the point that while he was guarding me during the game, and at each free throw attempt, I almost got to pray the sinner’s prayer with him. I did by the end of the afternoon, and for the first time I really got a glimpse at the power of the Almighty God.

Lots of us know the peace that passes all understanding in our hearts, but it is a wonderful awe-inspiring thing to see a man hardened through and through soften and change in front of your eyes because of the Holy Spirit’s power to convict and transform. Try it sometime. Open your mouth and let Jesus come out to the least likely in your world. God works! His Word and your testimony are bondage breakers. See Rev 12:11.

Say this out loud today “Father help me to proclaim Jesus to those around me. Because in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I desire to win souls for You, oh Great Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Form this new aggressive mentality inside of me now as I yield myself to You. Quicken my tongue to speak of Your great goodness to others I meet. In Jesus Name Amen.”

Read- Col 2:3,”In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” And Rom 8:11, “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

Day-4 I was in the back gym my senior year in college and my coach approached me and said, “If you go over seas after this year to play ball professionally, you won’t make it! It’s not the basketball part that concerns me it’s your testimony for Him.” You won’t last because you just got born again this past summer, and over there you won’t have a church or a mentor for discipleship.”

 Wow that hurt. I mean my whole life I had dreamed of playing ball after college professionally. Now with the opportunity staring me in the face, I was being told not to do it by someone qualified to speak into my life like that. They were actually putting my highlight tape together downstairs as we spoke. I had already begun looking for the guy who would be my agent. I had inroads with the one of the most prestigious agents in the world, as well as a lesser-known contact. Either one could have gotten me over there. Actually two countries were already possibilities, Sweden and Italy.

 What a choice to have to make. But, I knew in my heart that he was right. Then he said, “However, I spoke with a Christian team called Spirit Express out of Memphis, Tn and they have a need at your position next year and they want you to call.” After much soul searching, knowing I was giving up on my dream for God’s plan for my life, I called them. Each year as an athlete is like an eternity. The longer you wait the quicker you age. You lose a step, your coordination goes, and your name fades, and on and on it goes. I knew it was over before it began.

But, after traveling with them for a year and with several teams the next few years, any fame or money I would have gotten over there has been traded for an untold number who will be spending eternity in heaven. I think of the 21 prisons I’ve shared the gospel in over in North Carolina. There are other states such as Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama.

I remember the Universities like Tennessee, Furman, Texas Christian, Mars Hill, Western Carolina, Carson-Newman, Newberry, Presbyterian and on and on it goes. I think of college teammates who were lost and now pastor churches. I can remember crying night after night as a lost person all through high school, and then the tears of joy that I experience now because of what God has done in my life through His Son Jesus Christ.

Foreign countries like Maracaibo, Venezuela twice where they can’t believe I’m not a native because of my skin color. Actually my family a few generations back is from South America as well as part Cherokee. I got to go back to my roots and share with the Real Root!

There is Ciudad de Victoria in Mexico where the connecting church leaders said they had not seen a response for healing like in my meeting the last nite we were there in the last 15 years. At the city dump almost eighty homeless people gave their hearts to Jesus after I shared my testimony with them. A leader from our church said that in 5 minutes I shared the best salvation message they had ever heard in their life. Am I bragging? Just stirring up you and me for more!!

 Will you join with me now and embrace Jesus as your Lord, completely? Not just the One you run to when your in trouble or need something, but also the One you stand in the face of death, hell, and the grave and tell He is the Risen Lord! Come Hell or high water or both.

Say this out loud today “Jesus, make me bold and courageous in the face of opposition to your Testimony and mine. Give me open doors of utterance to win someone to You today. In Jesus Name Amen!” See Eph 6:19, Col 4:3,4.

Day 5- Having already touched some of my history let’s take a look at the Apostle Paul’s life to get some inspiration. By his own admission he was the best of the best at persecuting Christians. See Phil 3:4-15 One thing he did was to chase Christians down and have them stoned to death (see Phillip’s story in the Book of Acts 7:58) because of their beliefs. It was this stalwart of opposition that Jesus transformed into His great champion warrior of light and love.

I point this contradiction out to you because many failed to testify in the past because of a sense of condemnation over their former lives. Look at I Cor 6:9-11. It says and such were some of you but now ye are washed. Look at Isaiah 43:25,26. “ I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. V 25.” And Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Can you see that you have nothing to back down from? Jesus has made you His righteousness; you are in right standing with Him because when the Father looks at you He sees Jesus. You are in Him and He is in you through His Word.

Paul knew this well. He of all people could have been afraid of what people might think about him sharing the gospel. I’ll quote Ananias in Acts 9:13 “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy Name.” In other words, “Jesus, It aint’ happening. The guy is going to kill me because that is what they said on CNN, Fox News, WBIR, Twitter, and Facebook…” Shall I go on? What about you? Are you nervous because of you past, or your present? Let me tell you another story about myself. It’s okay my skin is thick enough!

I sold a car to a guy who worked for my ex-boss from back in high school.  I had a serious moral failure with her at the age of 17. She was then 25. Now, I had gotten born again and called to preach. I say I did these things, but actually that guy died in the summer of 1991 and this was 1997.

Here is what I mean 2Cor 5:17 says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ (Remember Snake from day 2), as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” Ok, I wasn’t going to quote all that, but I did because it kept illustrating the point better and better as I read it out loud. So that was actually 2Cor 5:17-21!  When you are born again you are a new person in your heart. Your soul can remember things it should and needs to forget, but your slate is wiped clean by the Blood of Jesus! Mine was too!

So I sold this car to a guy who knew my old boss. As it turns out her parents pastored a church. When he told this girl, who was now his boss, my testimony, that I made sure I shared with him, she, in turn, told her parents. They called, and wanted me to share my testimony at their church.

 Needless to say, I felt queasy about the whole thing because of what had happened earlier. But, I felt impressed to do it anyway. I cited these scriptures above as my right to. The devil soon left me alone about the matter, and honestly, it was, to date, one of the most powerfully rewarding things I have ever done. What seemed intimidating, almost crippling- a mistake from the past that they, the pastors, may have known about was a façade. Fear or faith, you choose!

Say this out loud today “ Lord, I give you my life. My past is gone and forgotten it’s under the Blood. Today, send someone my way or me to them, who I can encourage with what you have done in my life! In Jesus Mighty, Precious Name Amen!”

Isaiah 60:1, “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”

Read- Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because He hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound: To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.”

Hebrews 13:3, “ Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."

Day 6- “He’s ready.” I heard the Voice inside me say. I got really excited I badly needed to sell a car and here was a young person pulling onto the lot driving an older model vehicle like the newer ones we sold. But then a picture of a famous minister flashed in my spirit. “He’s that kind of ready!” “Oh,” I said a little disappointed, “salvation ready.”

Isn’t it funny how we are tested even at our lowest points financially are we going to be so self consumed that the Lord Himself explaining that a person is ready to be saved, doesn’t have the impact that it should. I mean the angels in heaven will be rejoicing when he receives Jesus as his Savior, but because I had bills due the best I could do was “Oh, that kind of ready.”

I took the young man on a test drive and kind of halfheartedly shared with him things that I knew would prep him for when I actually confronted him with the gospel all along the drive. We got back to my office to do the paperwork and I asked him about his job. He said he built canoes and such in Midtown. I had seen the place before because my grandmother lived near there. Feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit I asked,” Don’t you name your boats?” He said, “Yes, we do.” I said, “What are some of the names of those boats?” He said, “Apostle…” I don’t remember the rest of the names he gave. I had him right there where I wanted him. “Do you know what an apostle is?” I asked. “No,” he said. “Well, Jesus was an Apostle. It means “sent one”. Do you know John 3:16 says?” I asked. “No,” he said.

 I was shocked that in the south, especially East Tennessee, here was a person who didn’t know what John 3:16 said. I closed the deal that day, not on his car, but on his salvation, right there at my desk. I told my sales manager, who was a Christian, what had just happened. He said “Great, because he has a better chance of walking on water than he does of buying a car!” Okay so he didn’t get the car too, but he did get something much more significant that day. He got Jesus and soon he will be flying through the air on a winged horse. How’s that for an upgrade?!

The scripture says that God will give us the hidden riches of the earth. He said He would give us the heathen for our inheritance. Today it is just as true.

Say this out loud today” Lord I ask You for my inheritance, I ask You for the souls of mankind that You promised me in Your Word. I pray in Jesus Name that whether they be hidden to me or very obvious that I would successfully seize upon the opportunities to win them to You.

Scriptures for today Isaiah 45:3, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places that you may know that I, the Lord who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.” Psalm 2:8, “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.”

Day 7- Merry Christmas! Oh the people we meet; the fun, the food, and the presents. Life is a vapor for sure. Those we meet are here today and gone tomorrow. Only yesterday I walked a homeless young man, age 15, to the rescue mission. He was from Memphis and had gotten away from there because of gangs and violence. Here in Knoxville his mother forced him to shoplift. So, he ran away…to me! Neither of us knew that morning or even 5 seconds prior to meeting that we would. Then he asked me for a cigarette…”

This past Christmas I was bummed out because of some Facebook posts I saw on a friend’s wall. We are so fleeting in our walk with other people. We take each other so lightly. Anyway a friend of mine really encouraged me and helped me overcome it. I should have known that something was warring in the spirit realm that afternoon. There was an attempt to get me off my game so to speak but Jesus helped me to prevail through awareness, we are not ignorant of the devil’s schemes, and another friend's encouraging words.

That friend used to be one of the most at odds with me people I have ever known. Now because of Jesus we are close. That evening I rescued two teenagers from hell. There at the house I was at I took the time to focus one their situations, and prayed with both to be born again; one in the computer room, and the other in the garage. There were two salvations on Christmas because I got my mind off of me. One of them was already on probation and one more slip and he would be locked up.

So yesterday there was another teenager that Satan was trying to kill. He told me he had been put in a mental institution before coming to Knoxville because he had put a gun to his head and tried to kill himself. Now he is in Knoxville asking me for a smoke. Long story short, we prayed and talked and shared some Zotz candy. Now his life will be different. He told the devil, “You can’t have me anymore. I’m not yours from this day forward!” He’s out of the gang life forever. He’s not smoking marijuana anymore! I encourage everyone to slow down and see those around you. It is a seed of time that you will not lose from sowing but, gain one hundred times the investment. You are not to busy.

Say this out loud today...” Father, I love You, and because I do, I ask you to share Your love for others through me this day in the earth. I especially ask You to focus my sights on the “little ones”. They need you so very deeply.”

Scriptures for today Mt 19:14, “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 10:42, “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say unto you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Day 8- Without a doubt I would be lost without prayer. When I was in high school I used to date a girl whose father is extremely wealthy and famous in this town. Her mother lived on one side of the golf course and her father on the other. Now, I think his house is the biggest in Knoxville. Anyway, whenever I would be over at her mother’s house this girl’s mother-Ann would literally fall asleep in the kitchen while reading the bible. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. She never tried to push anything on me but I saw it with my own two eyes whenever I would go to get a Sprite or something out of the fridge during a commercial. It stuck with me for a long time. It was genuine. She was at church every Sunday. She was nice and kind and wholesome. She showed me favor all the time. It never left me.

To my knowledge I don’t ever remember anyone telling me to my face about Jesus Christ like I am advocating here. But, years later when I was on my way to Cuba to deliver bibles and preach the gospel in the streets of Havana I ran into Ann at East Towne Mall, excuse me the Knoxville Center Mall. I told that I knew she prayed foe me all those years ago and that I’m sure her prayers were in part the reason I met God the way I did in college. She thanked me and said it looks like I still need to pray for you now for safety!

Today would you pray for lost souls? Would you take the time out to be confrontational on their behalf to the Father God. Think of those you know don’t yet know the Lord.

I have used this  prayer below with tremendous success over the years. I know it works. The angels are sent to minister for us. They respond to God’s Word coming out of our mouths. We have the authority that Jesus gave the early church. Nothing has changed in that area because Jesus doesn’t change. Now expect results to be forthcoming. There is someone that everyone will listen to. This especially works with family members because sometimes they just are to familiar with us and our past to believe God would ever speak a word to them through us! But, there is somebody!

Scriptures for today Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 1:14, “ Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Psalm 103:20 “ Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His Word, heeding the voice of His Word.”

Say these words today for somebody…I learned this prayer for lost folks from Kenneth E. Hagin along time ago in a book of his. Say, “Satan take your hands off of (person’s name here). I break your power over their life right now in Jesus name. I call the out of the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of the Son of Your dear love. Angels go and bring people across their path to minister to them the Word of God concerning salvation. Now Lord Jesus I thank you ahead of time for their salvation by faith ahead of time. Every time I think of this person I’m going to thank you for their salvation. I refuse doubt and I refuse to speak against the words of this prayer. I’m going to stay in faith for them.”

 Day 9- To many times we have left things undone with people only to realize that our lives really are interconnected with them. So why is it that we so easily divorce ourselves from the lost of this world. We are who they are looking for. We have in our bosom the words of life that set them free from darkness. I’m not saying to lower your moral standards and become best friends with them. But, I am saying we are who God is expecting to be His soul winning voice. Think about it. Do sinners really come to church? Not for the most part. But we seem to think that the pastors or the evangelists are responsible for getting all 7 billion people on earth to heaven safely. Look at Ephesians 4:11-13 very carefully with me if you will. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of Go, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;”

 Day 10- I am at the library typing this one... So I'll have to keep the scriptures and story to those in my spirit. The Concordance is at home and they, not that I care, would freak if they saw me thumping the bible here!

I am filled with the Holy Ghost. I define this as ... with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Jesus told his disciples before He keft the earth in the first chapter of Acts to stay in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. He said that this power would enable them to be witnesses of Him to others all over their world,s. I got endued just like the early church did. They sspoke with other tongues as evidence that they had been filled and I don't presume to be ant better than them. 5 times in the Book of Acts it is inferred or listed as the sign that they had been filled. I do not lack any power whatsoever to witness as I describe to you because I have been filled.

I tell you like Jesus told them. Do not try to be a soul winner on your terms. Get filled with the Holy Ghost. They were already believers in Him and so should you be too. This is a major reason many are not witnessing. They are definitely saved and goingto heaven, but they lack a certain something that would put them over in terms of boldness and effectiveness. I don't wish to refuse any gift the Father wishes to give me. With this said,go to Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Cornelious' story in the Book of Acts, the end of the fourth chapter of the Book of Acts and the Ephesian believers ,there are 12 that Paul ministered to,in the Book of Acts if you want more info on this topic. I might add here also that every author of every book of the New Testament was a Holy Ghost tongue talkin' believer. You can trace every one of them. Why do I emphasize this? Because God has many reasons to fill you up this way. I will save this for another blog but suffice to say it's exhaustive. 

Now as far as a soul winning testimony for you, I would like to tell you a story about an elderly gentleman who was cussing up a storm. I was next door to an 85 year old man's house one day sweating it out in 85 degree weather when I heard, " Awwww $%#@$%%#$" As I paused to see who had blurted this out so loudly I noticed he was talking to me. "That smell is terrible!"  I was mulching and I guess I had hit a nerve with him. I figured if he could spread his foul mouthed gospel I could share the gospel with him. Why should he be allowed to say whatever he wants but not me! So I walked over to him and made small talk about the weather. He cussed about how hot it was. You know the ornery type. Then he asked me if I also did carpentry work. I smiled and said no but my boss does.

He's Jewish. "Oh, I like Jewish guys. They do good work." he said. I told him, "His name is Jesus, do you know Him?" He quieted. There is just something about that Name! I began at the begining and led him to the Lord. 85 years old and never been born again. I said now you can't be ashamed to tell someone about Jesus because if you do He'll be ashamed to tell the Father about you. I knew he would hav eno problem with this part. " Oh yeah, (I thought he might accidently cuss again he was so fired up!!! It takes a little while to get sanctified) as soon as my wife gets home I'm going to tell her what I did!" he shouted so loud any one could have heard him. Suffice to say the Father was never ashamed of him. He died three years later. H went heaven. Praise God for the manure that God used to get his attention. There's a lesson here. Sometimes the things that stink the most in our lives can be used to save us. What does the scripture say count it all dung...in order to gain the prize!

Say these words today.."Father if there is anything that stinks in my life to day that you wish to use to win me or someone else to Jesus, I submit it to you now. In Jesus Name Amen."

Scriptures for today Phil 3:8 " Yea doubtless, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of  Christ Jesus my Lord:for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."  Phil 3:13-15 "Brethern, I count not myself to have apprehended: but his one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." (OK I used the bible online!!!!)