Hell's Best Kept Secret

Recently the Lord began to impress me with the great need to share the Gospel with the lost. When He put an opportunity to witness right on my lap (via my laptop!), I realized I needed to know how to witness, where to start, what to say. The Lord led me to pick up my sister's copy of an amazing book, Hell's Best Kept Secret, written by Ray Comfort, evangelist, author, and host of the award-winning TV show, The Way of the Master.

In the preface, the author presents his reason for this book. Many people do not hear the Gospel because Christians are bound by fear of rejection or fear of saying the wrong thing. In addition, many people think they are saved because they have been reached by a false Gospel under the name of Christianity. The purpose of Hell's Best Kept Secret is to break away from the present-day, faulty evangelistic fads and to return to "the way of the Master", the way that Jesus and Peter and Paul evangelized in the Bible. Ray also desires to give answers to frustrated Christians who are unsure of how to witness, and to inspire them to go forward for Christ's kingdom with fresh zeal.

Ray begins explaining the errors in modern-day "evangelism". Instead of giving a Gospel that calls people to repentance and surrender to God, people today advocate a man-centered Gospel. They say things like, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!" "Jesus will make you happy!" The Gospel becomes "a ticket out of hell" and allows people to continue to do whatever they wish with their lives. In most of the great evangelical campaigns, quite often less than 20% of the people who have professed salvation have stayed true and shown fruit of salvation. What has gone wrong? Is the Gospel less powerful today than it was in the days of Paul?

By no means! Ray Comfort reveals the major element missing in the popular Gospel presentation today: the Law. He explains, by Scripture and through colorful illustrations, that unless a person realizes their spiritual destitution and their need for God, they cannot experience true salvation.

Scripture sheds light on the function of the Law. The Law can never save anyone, and yet it is needful for a person to see their need for salvation. The Law (1) convicts of sin (Acts 24:24-25), (2) produces understanding (Hosea 4:6, Matthew 13:23), (3) builds faith (Romans 1:17, (4) exposes sin (Romans 7:7-8), (5) prepares the sinner to receive Christ (Luke 19:1-10), and (6) is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Drawing from Christ's encounter with the "Rich Young Ruler", Ray presents the principle of using the 10 Commandments in witnesses to convict the sinner of his sin and of his need for God. Based off of the account of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, he presents for principles to remember while witnessing to someone: (1) Relate (finding common interest, beginning a conversation), (2) Create (swing to a discussion of the Gospel), (3) Convict (help the person to see his need for God), and (4) Reveal (share with them how their sin can be forgiven and how they can have a personal relationship with God.)

In addition, the author answers questions such as, When and where should I engage in a spiritual conversation? How do I begin a spiritual conversation? When do I begin to talk about Jesus? How do I know a person has truly been saved? What do I say when a person has prayed for salvation? Can I be a witness for Christ? He also includes an eight-page appendix of additional frequently asked questions regarding witnessing, and answers to those questions.

This book was a great blessing and encouragement to me, as well as a huge motivator for me in sharing the Gospel. As well as helping me to know how to share Christ with others, it filled me with a fresh realization of my own sinfulness and a renewed appreciation and awe for the wonderful work Christ has done in me. After reading Hell's Best Kept Secret, I hope that I am now better equipped to take part in God's purpose for all believers: to disciple the nations. I highly recommend this book to those of you who desire to serve Christ with confidence and wisdom.

Hell's Best Kept Secret is copyrighted 1989 by Whitaker House and can be found at your local bookstore or at Living Waters. In addition, audio lessons, articles, and videos by Ray Comfort and his co-host Kirk Cameron regarding witnessing/evangelism can be found at The Way of the Master's website.

New Poll!

This new poll should be a little more edifying than the last, and definitely tougher. (Or so I think, because I am having a hard time choosing my answer myself!!) (I mean, a REALLY hard time!! :-P)

Can't wait to hear who you vote for! Have fun trying to decide between SIX amazing options!! :-D

Morning Questions

The following is a list that Eric Liddell put together for thoughts to set your mind on Christ at the beginning of the day. I've been looking around for the notebook where I had written them and finally found it yesterday. So now I am posting them here, certain that they will encourage you as they have encouraged me. :-)

1. Have I surrendered this new day to God, and will I seek and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout its hours?

2. What have I specially to thank God for this morning?

3. Is there any sin in my life for which I should seek Christ's forgiveness and cleansing? Is there any apology or restitution to make?

4. For whom does God want me to pray this morning?

5. What bearing does this morning's Bible passage have on my life, and what does he want me to do with it?

6. What does God want me to do today and how does He want me to do it?

-From Manual for Christian Discipleship by Eric Liddell

Poll Results

I think I did not give enough time for my poll! Oh well! Now to share the results, as well as a quote by or about the person being mentioned. :-)


Fitzwilliam Darcy: Unbelievable! This, the man that everyone adores, and only one person voted for him!

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." -Mr. Darcy to Lizzie

"We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but this would be nothing, if you really like him." -Mr. Bennett to Lizzie




Edward Ferrars: Poor Edward, no one voted for him.

"I do not attempt to deny that I think very highly of him-- that I greatly esteem him-- that I like him." -Elinor about Edward

"My behavior at Norland was very wrong, but I convinced myself that you felt only friendship for me, and that it was my heart alone that I was risking. I have come here with no expectations only to profess now that I am at liberty to do so; that my heart is-- and always will be-- yours." -Edward to Elinor (in the 1995 movie)




Christopher Brandon: Two votes for Colonel Brandon! It was hard to find the right quote because Emma Thompson did much to develop his character in the 1995 movie version of Sense and Sensibility. He is a man whose actions speak what is in his heart, rather than his words. So I just posted a picture from one of my favorite parts in the film. :-)






Edmund Bertram: No votes for Edmund either! Too bad, because I do like him despite his faults. :-P

"To me, the sound of Mr. Bertram is so cold and nothing-meaning, so entirely without warmth or character! It just stands for a gentleman, and that's all. But there is nobleness in the name of Edmund. It is a name of heroism and renown; of kings, princes, and knights; and seems to breathe the spirit of chivalry and warm affections." -Fanny about Edmund



George Knightly: Ahhhh!! Who doesn't love Mr. Knightly? He's nearly everyone's ideal. He received three votes from very enthusiastic Emmas. :-)

"I must, I will,—I will tell you truths while I can; satisfied with proving myself your friend by very faithful counsel, and trusting that you will some time or other do me greater justice than you can do now." -Mr. Knightly to Emma

"I cannot make speeches, Emma: If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." -Mr. Knightly to Emma


Henry Tilney: Two votes for Henry (one of them being mine)! I'm ever so curious, who else voted for him? I love Henry because he's so real; he has Knightly's good sense with the addition of a great sense of humor!

"It was no effort to Catherine to believe that Henry Tilney could never be wrong. His manner might sometimes surprise, but his meaning must always be just: and what she did not understand, she was almost as ready to admire, as what she did." -Jane Austen, chapter 14



Frederick Wentworth: No votes for him either! Understandable, because it is annoying when he flirts with the other girls when he is really in love with Anne. :-S But he is a cool character nonetheless, and his proposal has got to be the best! :-D

"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you." -Wentworth in a letter to Anne


Disclaimer: Just because I posted a picture of Tilney from the 2007 movie edition of Northanger Abbey does not mean that I have watched it or promote it. My mom previewed it and I guess the screenwriter added some questionable elements to it... so I suggest you read the book and fall in love with Henry that way. ;-) (All the other films represented in these pictures I enjoy very much! :-) )

God is Good!

Yesterday I posted Psalm 46, one of my favorite psalms as it reminds me to rest in the character and promises of God. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted..."
"God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble."

When I think refuge, I think of a place where one can hide-- from a storm, from a battle... perhaps someone hiding from an enemy in an inner chamber of an old castle or monastery. God has granted us to be able to "hide" in Him-- He provides shelter and protection in the storms of life. When the storms of trial or temptation break over you, you can flee to Him to hide you. He is so good!

When I think strength, I think of a soldier in battle, growing weary, perhaps, or unable to stand against an enemy so much stronger than himself. We are in a battle. There is an enemy stronger than ourselves, and sometimes we feel like we have been fighting so long and so hard, and that we cannot go on anymore. That is when we must acknowledge our weakness to God and go to HIM for our strength. He is the God who created and sustains the world by the world of His power. He is stronger than our strongest foe. We can trust Him!

"A very present help" can also we translated, "a well-proved help." God is both! For one thing, He is always present to help us. To those who follow Him, He has said "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He is also well-proved. When has He ever broken His word? When has He ever failed to keep His promises? The question is rhetorical; the answer is "never". Day by day, God continues to prove to us His love, His mercy, His justice, His patience, His greatness, His power, and His faithfulness. Therefore, we can go to Him and trust Him in times of trouble!

This week He has proved again that He is the help of those who seek Him.

Perhaps you have heard of the earthquake in the South Pacific, and of the predicted tsunamis. When Mommy told me about them, we were concerned for our many missionary friends in the area of Fiji and American Samoa. We have been praying for their safety in the face of these impending dangers.

This morning, we got an update from Scott and Katie, who are missionaries in American Samoa.

Dear Praying Friends,

I am sure that most of you have heard that American Samoa and
Samoa experienced an earthquake at 6:45 a.m. local time. Fifteen minutes
later a tsunami struck parts of the islands. We only felt the
earthquake where we live. We live in the middle of the island and
farther inland. Several other spots were totally devastated. Boats
were taken out of the water and placed on the land. Cars were left in
the sides of buildings. Houses and buildings were flattened. Some
areas were only flooded, while some had 15-20 foot waves hit them. All
of our church members are okay, but everyone seems to know someone
either killed or injured by the tsunami. Thank you to everyone who has
inquired about our safety. We know that it could of been much worse.
Please continue to pray for the people here, especially those who have
lost loved ones and lost everything they owned. We keep on reminding
the people of God's goodness and grace to help in time of need.

Serving our Lord,

Scot and Katie Daku

Isn't God good? He is our refuge, our strength, an ever-present, well-proved help in times of trouble. We can trust Him!

"Be still and know that I am God." Know that He is in control, guiding the events of life for His glory and our good. "The Lord our hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear,
though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah.
There is a river,
the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (or, The Great Dog Robbery)

Cruella deVil, Cruella deVil,
If she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will!
The world was such a wholesome place until
Cruella, Cruella deVil!

Most of us know the song. Most of us know the story of how a family of fifteen puppies became a family of one hundred and one dalmatians. Most of us know Pongo and Perdita, Roger and Anita, and, of course, the famous fur-worshipper, Cruella, and her two cronies, Horace and Jasper.

But before 101 Dalmatians became a popular Disney film nearly fifty years ago, it was a book called The One Hundred and One Dalmatians, or, The Great Dog Robbery, published in 1956. The story, written by Dodie Smith, also ran in serial form in Woman's Day magazine.

Pongo and Missis, a Dalmatian couple, live with their "pets", Mr. and Mrs. Dearly, in London, and become the proud parents of fifteen busy little puppies. However, someone wants those puppies! Cruella deVil, a former schoolfriend of Mrs. Dearly's, loves fur coats, fur furniture, fur everything, and she is determined to have those puppies on her back one day. One day, the puppies disappear! Pongo suspects what has happened to them, and, through the cross-England canine gossip chain, the Twilight Bark, discovers that they are held hostage at Hell Hall, Cruella deVil's house in Suffolk. So he and Missis set out on an adventure to rescue their puppies, only to discover that their rescue mission will be a little greater than they expected.

The book contains some features different from the cartoon movie, particularly in names. Roger and Anita are actually named Mr. and Mrs. Dearly. Pongo's wife's name is "Missis", while "Perdita" is another Dalmatian who acts as a foster mother for some of the puppies before they are stolen. Other characters are added, deleted, or altered in the film. However, I found the book as fun and delightful as the movie (though not so Disney-ish :-) ).

The author presents the story in such a lively way. She has the most amusing way of putting life through an imaginary dog perspective: the idea of owners being pets; of dogs communicating through different barks, thumpings of the tail, and the "Twilight Bark"; of dogs understanding human's language and trying to learn concepts such as "left" and "right"... Of course, I understand that dogs are not like humans (like we've been learning at Bible Institute: the thing that makes us different from animals is that we are made in God's image, with a mind, will, emotions, and the ability to choose between right and wrong and to have a relationship with our Creator), but the imaginary element of the story is charming nonetheless. Overall, it was a very enjoyable, 200-page book for a rainy day (or in my case, two rainy days! :-) )

Origin of Species Challenge

Here is something on Way of the Master's current project. I would love to get involved, but getting other people involved may be a challenge.... and I'm afraid I have big ideas...
But as you watch, maybe you can consider what you can do. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Make sure you browse the rest of Way of the Master's resources at www.wayofthemaster.com !

Emergency!!!

I want you right now to get up from your computer chair and walk to the nearest window. See a house? Does your neighbor live there? Perhaps you don't see a house from out that window. Try another. Does your neighbor live that way? Maybe you have no neighbors. Drive to the nearest gas station or WalMart. Did you see someone there? Not necessarily someone you know. Just anybody. Sure you did. I'm sure your region didn't just get evacuated, or if it did, you would have gone too. You saw scores of people-- so many people that just mix in one with another like colors on a tapestry. You barely notice any of them, except the one you bumped into in the food section or happened to be trying on shoes in the same aisle as you.

Sign into your Facebook. How many friends do you have on there? There all Christians, right? Uh... probably not. Think about where you work, if indeed you do have a job. You work with a lot of people, don't you? Whether they be coworkers or people in the drive-through or at the counter or whatever! I'm sure all those people who went by were Christians. Or were they? Well if they weren't, they seemed okay, didn't they? They didn't go through the drive-through yelling, "Hurry, hurry, I'm in a hurry-- I have no time to loose! I'm dying!" No, they got their sandwich or their cash, smiled, said, "Thanks; you have a nice day," and drove away in a carefree manner. But they don't realize something... do you realize it? Realize what?

LISTEN FOLKS!! THE WORLD IS UNDER CODE RED!!!! Code Red, I said! The world is in a state of impending disaster. The lost of this world are going about their days content, not knowing of the danger that is coming. The saved of this world are going about their days content, thinking that at least they are going to Heaven, they have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Listen, guys! Those people who drove out the drive-through are driving to certain death! Perhaps not a car crash, or rolling over a land mine. But they are driving to certain death.

Each person is one day going to be faced with death. "For it is appointed once for man to die..." And each person is one day going to be faced with eternity. "...and after this the judgment."

What judgment? The day when all those who have rebelled against God and rejected Christ will stand before God and hear those awful words, "Depart from me into everlasting torment!"

I wish you guys could understand the heavy conviction that has been on my heart the last couple days, that people are dying around me and I hardly notice. These days grow worse and worse-- Socialism, Communism, Islam, atheism-- and why? Because we are silent! Face it, we do not speak up for Christ as we should. When was the last time you witnessed to somebody? Do you have any friends that on the Judgment Day will turn to you with wide eyes and say, "You are a Christian? Why, oh why didn't you ever tell me? Why didn't you show me how I could be one?"

Read Acts. That has been my pleasure this last month and it has brought me under such conviction. In Acts 2, Peter preached to the Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost, and 3,000 people came to Christ and remained in Him (2:41-42). Daily people were coming to the Lord (2:47). When God healed (through Peter and John) a lame beggar, even though the apostles were imprisoned, many people came to know God through it, and the number of the men (as in, males, so, not including the ladies) came to about 5,000 (4:4). After the scenario with Ananias and Sapphira, more than ever believers were added to the Lord, both men and women (5:14). Philip preached the Gospel to great crowds (8:4-8). He took the opportunity to witness to an individual whose heart God has prepared (8:26-40). God saved the wicked persecutor, Saul (ch. 9). God reached out to the Gentiles through Peter (ch. 10). Barnabas and Paul preached to people all over Asia Minor, and many came to Christ and healthy churches were established (13:12, 44, 48; 14:1, 21; 16:5, 34; 17:4, 11-12, 34; 19:6-10, 20; 28:24, 31; and more included). In about thirty years time, Christianity had infiltrated the whole Roman empire. No wonder the Jews of Thessalonica said, "These men...have turned the world upside down!" No wonder the Pharisees, in trying to silence Jesus, cried out, "You see that you are gaining nothing! Look, the whole world has gone after Him!"

And yet every year the number of Muslims in European and American population grows drastically, while the Christian population has dropped rapidly in the last one hundred years. More and more, the threat of Socialism and Communism becomes apparent, while the Biblical principles of freedom and justice and godliness are thrown out the door. Why?

Because the Christians are silent. We are afraid of offending others by "interfering with their religion". We are content to fellowship with our fellow Christians, and of course, "we must be separate from the world." We advocate an unBiblical understanding of "separation" over God's clear command to be His witnesses in "Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth." We are supposed to be salt-- salt counteracts the growth of yeast. We are supposed to be light-- and darkness is merely the absence of light, which only light can penetrate and overcome. We are supposed to be gospelizing for Christ, and the world is slipping right into hell because we have neglected that important command.

I am not trying to pull a guilt trip on you for not handing out tracts, or preaching on the street corner. But I am trying to impress you with the urgency of our mission. It is the reason why Jesus left us here. We live in a free country-- at least, it is free at the time that I write! We are free from our sins-- how can be content with ourselves being safe while family, friends, and neighbors are dying and going into eternity without knowing God?

Amber (a.k.a. "AStitchinGal") (not Lilly) and I have sort of ended up in a joint evangelism effort on the sewing forum we are on, sharing the Gospel with those who call themselves athiests or non-Christians. (Actually, we both spoke up individually when a conversation arose about different religions. She was the first to speak and encouraged me to do so as well. Thank you again, Amber!) I am wondering if you will join us to witness for Christ in the time that we have! And please feel free to share ideas to witness. This is an urgent mission. Death is not waiting for us to speak up. We must speak now.

Poem and Poll

Check out my poem today at Maggie Woychik's Encouraging Emerging Authors! :-D

It's been a while since I had a poll on here. If you scroll down a little on the sidebar, you will see a poll: "Whom is your favorite Jane Austen hero?" I'm sure all of us would marry one of them (or someone like one of them) if we could. ;-) I voted Henry Tilney (*sighs dreamily* ;-) ), though I also really like Edward and Colonel Brandon, and... well, all of them! Except perhaps Wentworth; he is a rather frustrating character until after Louisa falls...

And no, I didn't include Henry Crawford, John Willoughby, George Wickham, or any of those dishonorable fellows. :-P

Anyway! Feel free to share whom you voted for in the comments! ;-)