Day 11- Open wide thy mouth that I may fill it. Record the vision and make it plain so that he who reads it may run. I set a goal a few Thanksgivings ago. It was to win 15 people to the Lord within 30 days. I had read about Smith Wigglesworth claiming 50 souls at a time and getting them. I thought about how in the olden days revival could spread like wildfire when people were hungry for it. I would hardly call 15 souls a revival but it was a nice start. I imagined maybe the Lord would lead me to a masked murderer or a fine upstanding citizen, a good person, yet lost inside. Someone significant to the community who would be a big catch for the Lord, and there I was scoring at will on some teenagers and their younger friends at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. I heard this loud authoritative voice inside me say “Why not here? These kids deserve to hear about Me. You’ve got their attention with basketball, now lead everyone of them you can to Me.”

The thought had never occurred to me before to do this. I mean one on one maybe by the water fountain afterwards. Or a few outside on the way out might listen, but I just met these kids and really don’t know any of them personally. I consider myself to be bold but this was risking it. What if I made one of them mad by interrupting the games or set one off that just didn’t want to hear about God? What right did I have to just stop play and do this? But, I when I know that I’ve heard from the Lord I know I will regret not obeying so I threw caution to the wind, and at the end of our next game I said to everyone out loud to come to me. I guess my jump shot even at my age was enough to impress them and win their respect. So coupling that with a soul winners anointing I began to share my story. The awards, the records, the years of playing after college all got their ears opened and the Lord just naturally worked on the rest. I presented Jesus as the Answer I was looking for. He was and is and will be the peace I was truly looking for. They listened under the power of the Holy Spirit and seven decisions were made for first time salvation that day. I guess my expectations were a little off about the mass murderer on death row or the famous person earlier. But then again one of my teammates from high school AAU basketball from Oak Ridge had as I heard about it accepted $10, 000 to kill someone and whose to say that I hadn’t stopped the next “hit” from happening before it even got started? Or maybe years from now I’ll hear of some well known Oak Ridger say I’m so glad some stranger with a “tight J” stopped drilling our eyes out long enough to share Jesus with me at the Civic Center when I was a kid or I wouldn’t be here today? I’ll just smile and thank the Lord for my own personal revival. The one you never heard of but shocked the world at least someone’s world long enough to frame history for them and me!

Say these words with me today “ Jesus I’ll not make light of the price You paid for us. I’ll tell anyone, anywhere, and anytime about You. I claim by faith 12 (or you pick a number) souls for Your glory this year one each month. In Jesus Name!"

Day 12- The crowd was packed in this gym that seats 2,500 people in the beautiful North Carolina mountains. I had spent the last four years there in school at Mars Hill College. Now my first year out I was playing them as a member of The Spirit Express Christian Exhibition Basketball Team. Our mission was to travel the globe and win people to Jesus through the vehicle of a basketball game. At halftime of each game one player would share his testimony with the crowd and another player would close things out with a salvation invitation.

We also generally ate a pregame meal with the opposing team that afternoon and got to share with them then. Since this was my alma mater it was a big day for me personally. First there was the players that had known me for four years and three of which I not a Christian. The last year my life had really changed and they knew it. But, I didn’t get to share with them like I would have liked. I also knew the 1,100 or so students I went to school with would mostly attend that night too. With little else going on there the basketball game would be the main attraction.

So I stood at halftime and shared with these students and faculty and community people how God had changed my life. I simply told them my story. It’s here at this point that I always like to point out that everyone has a story. The more you tell it the better you get at sharing. If we would simply tell folks what God has done in out lives people would get saved.

And they did this night as well. At the count 50 hands had gone up for 1^st time salvation, and 100 or more for re dedication. It was my life that had changed but as a result theirs had too. I know I’ve been affected by other’s stories as well, and I’m already saved. There is something about hearing Jesus at work in someone’s life that lifts us up. It causes us to believe in God more. It settles us and fills us with a joy that cannot be described.

Say this today” Father I commit to You today that I will tell someone, somewhere, somehow one thing you have done in my life. If the door opens I will share with them my entire testimony. Make me bold! In Jesus Name Amen.”

Scriptures for today, “Zephaniah 3:16-20”

 “¹⁶In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. ¹⁷The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. ¹⁸I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. ¹⁹Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.  ²⁰At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.”

 Day 13- "You love my puppies?" I asked. She said, " Yeah, they are so cute!" The strays were the most Heinz 57 lookin' dogs around but they were adorable. I lived in a neighborhood with a ton of kids and it dawned on me just then that maybe these dogs were just the tool I was looking for to reach them. I beleive that in the Book of Acts we are given the soul winning strategy of the Father. First there is Jerusalem, that represents where we live the people we are familiar with. Then Judea, that is our friends, those we hang with. The next sphere is Samaria, our enemies. God sends rain on the just and the unjust. We are to pray for those who persecute us, and do good to our enemies. Then lastly the uttermost parts of the earth which represents the unknown world. At least those places we have yet to get to but should be trying to get there.

It hurts sometimes to witness to those familiar with us. They think they know all about you, and how in the world could their kid brother or nephew have a word from God for us. Just like Jesus, whom they tried to throw off of a cliff, they only saw the carpenter's Son, not their Messiah.

And just like Jesus said, a prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown, among his own people. But, nevertheless, we are told to try. If for no other reason except as a witness that an effort was made for them, and they are without excuse come judgment day. And who knows maybe they will listen? James changed his tune and called Jesus Lord in his book, not my half brother!

So anyway while Samantha was walking my puppies I began to share the gospel with her. She didn't seem to mind as long as she was getting to play with them. Soon her friends came over too and I got an audience with them because of the three stray puppies I was a sucker for. You know they are giving them away for free or else they are going to be removed from this world! Well, maybe we are like those puppies and the message is that Jesus was a sucker for us too!

Out of the pack of kids I counted nine hands to go up for salvation. Years later my I was in Wal-Mart late at night in the sewing section(remember one sows another waters but it's the Lord that reaps the harvest) and there was Samantha behind the desk. She was engaged and going to church. She had prayed with me that day so long ago! Thank God for strays!

Say these words today," Father, I confess you as Lord and I wonder if there are others who I could help to get to know You this way. If there are please send me to them. They may be strays as far as the world is concerned, but You know who they are. In Jesus Name Amen."

 Scripture for today Acts 1:8-"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria , and to the ends of the earth."

 Day 13-Soul winning is an art form. I believe you can rise to levels you never dreamed of if you only believe. A few nights ago a person that I have been mentoring for five years called to tell me how well things had been going in his life after a major set back in his family. When I answered the phone the Holy Spirit showed me a the word "preach" in my heart for him. I quickly cut to the chase and told him I believed that it was time for him to start sharing his faith with young people like he had seen me do. I got off the phone with him to pray. He said he was on his way to work and that he was working at a group home. I saw that as a confirmation since I did not know where his new job was yet!

30 minutes later I got 3 consecutive texts from him that he won his first person to the Lord. The young man was making noise when he was supposed to be asleep. My friend went to check on him and the young man said he was hungry. My friend explained to him that man does not live on bread and water alone! From there he won him to Jesus while in tears that God had moved so quickly.

This is not rocket science, but it can take you higher than you have ever been before!

Say this today "Lead me to one lost person today Lord in Jesus Name Amen."

Sciptures for today John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Soul winning Day 15- Did he really just raise his hand for salvation? Does he really understand what this means? Did I make it clear enough, too easy to do?

These questions shot through my mind the other night in the gym when I gave the invitation. Charlie raised his hand to be born again. I guess I thought he didn’t seem too interested in the whole spiritual aspect of the basketball league. I know for a fact he was there to play but what I was caught off guard by, great man of faith that I am (: was him asking to be saved.

But you know he didn’t even seem to be at all vacillating about it when I asked him some questions later on that night. And you know he’s been different since then. I can see Christ Jesus the Lord in his life. He’s been kinder, softer and more humble. I sense a peace about him too.

Isn’t that something!? I find myself looking for shooting stars and fireworks going off, and once again Jesus did the supernatural. I was excepting that something spectacular would happen. Charlie simply gave his heart to the Lord, and now can see the fruit of it in his behavior. What an amazing God we serve. It’s been used before, but it’s appropriate here. God could have sent an army, but He sent a baby, Jesus to invade the earth with His will. They were looking for an earthly king who would deliver them from the Romans, but He was first and foremost saving them from hell. They wanted natural independence, and God gave them spiritual rebirth.

What are we looking for here and now? Is it visible, or something we can grab hold of with our senses? Or, in His wisdom is it right under our noses? The gentle touch of the Holy Spirit upon our lives is what we need. Let us drop all preconceived ideas, and leave the door open for God to do whatever He sees fit to do. He does know best, after all!

Say this today, “ In Your own unique way Lord visit me with your saving plan for someone’s life. Make me sensitive to your leading and make me an open door of utterance to speak whatever it is You wish me to say to them!”

Scriptures for today, Ephesians 3:20 “ …exceedingly abundantly, above and beyond anything you can ask or think or dream according to the power at work within me.”

Day 16- Salvation is found in no other except Jesus Christ. It ought to be easy to see. I mean look at the other major religions of the world and their leaders. Basically they all say the same thing. Do good. Well, I could have come up with that! Jesus went a step further and showed how far He was willing to go in order to do good! He gave up His life in the prime of life for us! He sacrificed everything so that we could spend an eternity in heaven with Him and the Father. When everyone else was talking about it, meditating on it, He was doing it! I have an older brother who has this classic quote, “Do it then talk about it!” That’s “country” for John 3:16!

So with that said why is it so hard for us to share our faith? Listen to this testimony. I saw this leather wearing motorcycle rider lookin dude walkin down Lovell Rd where I youth pastored at. Day after day there he was going down the road. Finally, one day I just had to ask him where he was going? He told me his girlfriend was going to pick him up down at the store about a mile up. I told him who I was and asked if he needed a ride. He said politely no thanks. I asked him if he wouldn’t mind me asking him another question. He walked over to me and said no.

I told him I may never see him again and that I felt like it would be remiss of me if I didn’t find out firsthand if he was going to heaven when he died. He said he didn’t know. I explained the verse John 3:16 to him, and that there was a way to know for sure. I told him how to make Jesus Lord of his life!

When I finished talking my partner the Holy Spirit had him soft, broken and sobbing. He absolutely prayed with me to be born again. When I looked up from praying with him he jumped on me and gave me such a hug. I was scared at first because he had chains on him and a knife hanging right there on his belt. I wondered if he maybe was faking the cry and was actually going to shank me right there in my yard.

However he was totally sincere. He told me he had been at a party the night before and was so high on marijuana he couldn’t really remember what all he had done, but that he woke up at this house up the street from the parsonage I was living at. He felt peace for the first time in his life. I sent him on with my headphones and some literature, my phone number and a some Christian music. I will see him again in heaven!

Say this today, “ Father I will seek out the least of these! I will try to witness to someone today. Please be my partner and soften their hearts ahead of time! In Jesus Name Amen!”

Scripture for today,” "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' “Matthew 25:40.

 Day 17-The church was open for everyone during the week to come and fellowship at the altar or to bring an offering. I went with my 5 year old daughter. I wanted her to see me bringing my tithe to the Lord personally. When I explained to her what we were doing, and how this money was an act of obedience to God, I asked her what would she like Jesus to do for her? She said very plainly and without hesitation, "Daddy, I want to ask Jesus into my heart." I almost cried. In fact I think I did. It's been so long since she did that and everyday I see the fruit in her actions that tells me she was sincere. I can see and hear God at work in her life. She is fifteen now and I thank God for what He did then and has done all her life. He is so faithful to us. I never worry about her. I know that God is working inside of her His good pleasure. I know she is doing His will. She is faithful and believe it has to do with my own obedience and God's faithfulness. And she just caught on to Him. She sees clearly because it has been modeled in front of her. Not every person that I win to the Lord is a complete stranger some are in my family too.

Say this today," Lord give me my family. I ask You for their salvation. I ask You for their protection. in Jesus Name Amen."

Scriptures for today, "

 ¹There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

 ²A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

  ²⁴And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

 ³⁴Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

 ³⁵But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

 ⁴⁴While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Really the whole chapter relates!

Day 18-"I'm not done yet" I said to myself. Why quit when you are so close?" I 'm standing inside a metal cage at a mixed martial arts match in front of 500 people being asked to open the night in prayer and preach until they take the mic out of my hand.

I'm bold. I've preached in every prison in North Carolina and some in other states as well. I've street witnessed in inner city Detroit and Skid Row in L.A. But, there were armed guards there. These guys at this Caged Aggression Fight League looked like the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome Crowd. And they actually came to fight. I didn't see any bibles in their hands when I came in!

All of the sudden I remebered the words I heard in my spirit ealier that night. "Eric, I didn't come up here to ask for permission to say anything. Take the authority that I gave you and say what I tell You to say!"

So I did. And several miniutes later I gave a salvation invitation from a metal cage to a starving crowd; quite possibly the first one in history at a mixed martial arts match! They applauded as I left the stage. God is good oh, so very good. Later I heard from a friend of someone who was there that she had chills all over her when I was speaking. Praise God for the Holy Spirit.

Say this today. " Lord I'm yours use me now!"

Scripture for today Isaiah 1:19 "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:"

Day 19- Okay, we are over half way through with Soul Winning Extraordinaire and I'll bet you are inspired to go and do greater things in this area. With that said let me remind you of a very scriptural principle at this time. Jesus told the church at Ephesus that they had left their first love.

You can debate about the exact specifics of what leaving your first love means if you want, but let me tell you a story first. A couple of years ago a friend of mine was at wedding shower in Georgia. Not really knowing protocol at these things he could not stop telling his family about his girlfriend whom they had just met. It was his cousins wedding but as far as my friend was concerned there was no other girl there. Celebrating the bride was supposed to be the order of the day, and he did give her props but in his mind he could only think of what a blessing he himself had.

So like my friend who had actually been going out with this girl for sometime and still had her first above all others. Will you remember this article once the newness wears off' When the other "girls" are vying for your attention, what will be your response? Will it be to continue to celebrate soul winning or will the new job get the focus. Will the new Wii or new toy get your time and attention or will Jesus?

Keep Jesus as your first love! Keep telling others about Him and what He has done for your life.

Say this today, " Jesus I claim You as my first love. I make you first above all others and I will keep You there.In Jesus Name Amen."

Scriptures for today,Rev 2:3-5,"And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Day 20-Okay the home stretch is here! After writing for two thirds of the month I'm realizing that just like soul winning writing is more about keeping it up than great flashes in the pan! I wrote a manual for the school outreach that I do that was easily more than one hundred pages that I'm still editing for Spring release and this may become a book also.

With that said let me share something of a personal nature with you, not that all this up to this point hasn't been right from the front pages of my life. I can remember sitting with a girlfriend on her couch not to long ago and helping inspire her to win her brother to the Lord right over the phone. He was in Texas and we were here in Tennessee. I think that though I'm not with this girl now being a soul-winner redeems so much of life. His life changing experience that day may very well have been the one reason we were together. I'm not saying that she would not have won him later on, but the process was at least sped up by my presence there at that moment. Maybe some of you are realizing now your influence over other people's lives and how it takes on a new dimension as you transform into a voice for Jesus on this new level.

Think of it this way. What's two and a half years of your life with someone in exchange for someone else's eternity? So always leave a gospel footprint wherever you go! You never know how much of a difference it can make in the long run.

Say this today, " Father I forgive them! I forgive, I forgive, I forgive. It isn't worth it to stop the Blessing in my life to hold onto grudges from the past. I desire to be a soul winner for you today! Help me to lay it all aside and go aggressively towards mt future in You. In Jesus Name Amen."

Scriptures for today, " 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."