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THE PROGRESSION OF REJECTION
2008-10-19 03:35:00
Acts 19:9 ?But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.?Paul had revisited Ephesus and spent more than two years there. As was his custom, Paul initially went into the synagogue and preached the Word of God. All did not enthusiastically receive his message. As our text declares, he met considerable resistance from some. As we read this Scripture, we can see how the rejection of truth develops. You will notice that those who heard Paul?s words ?believed not.? They did not accept the Gospel message as truth. When a person refuses to believe the truth, the only thing left for him to believe is a lie. Then we see that they ?were hardened.? Their hearts were hardened as they resisted the Word of God. The next thing we see is that they ?spake evil of that way before the multitude.? Because they refused to believe the Bible, their hearts be...
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For Atheists Only
2008-07-05 18:50:00
I would like to ask a big favor. Forget (for a moment) about whether or not God exists, and give me your serious thoughts on the few verses below. Please read them carefully:"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:24-29).Here's the build-up to my question: So...
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Casual Christians
2008-05-15 06:23:00
We have too many casual Christians who dabble in everything but are not committed to anything. They have a nodding acquaintance with a score of subjects but are sold on nothing. ?Of course I?m interested in church?but with my club and my lodge and my golf and my bridge and my stamp collecting and my ceramics and my African violets, I just can?t get too excited about religion.? Our Lord had no place in His program for casual disciples. It was all or nothing.Vance Havner
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Dangers of Drifting
2008-04-06 03:54:00
Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."Laws of the Drift:You always drift down stream.You can drift without realizing you are doing so.It takes no effort to drift. When we stop battling we often start drifting.Drifting cost you plenty. Sin takes you father than you want to go; keeps you longer than you will want to stay and will cost you more than you want to pay.Drifting puts others in danger as well.The closer to the ?falls? you get the faster the current.If you fail to stop drifting the trip will end in disaster.How to know when you are drifting.When you find you are reading Bible less than you once did.When you find you are praying less than you once did.When you find you are attending church less than you once did.When you find you are sharing the gospel less than you once did.When you find you are reading Bible less than you once did.When you desire for worldly things is growing...

The Blonde Mortician
2008-03-21 04:04:00
A man who just died is delivered to a local mortuary wearing anexpensive, expertly tailored black suit.The Blonde mortician asks the deceased's wife how she wouldlike the body dressed. She points out that the man does look goodin the black suit he is already wearing.The widow, however, says that she always thought her husbandlooked his best in blue, and that she wants him in a blue suit. Shegives the Blonde mortician a blank check and says, "I don't care whatit costs, but please have my husband in a blue suit for the viewing."The woman returns the next day for the wake. To her delight, shefinds her husband dressed in a gorgeous blue suit with a subtle chalkstripe; the suit fits him perfectly.She says to the mortician, "Whatever this cost, I'm very satisfied.You did an excellent job and I'm very grateful. How much did youspend?"To her astonishment, the blonde mortician presents her with theblank check. "There's no charge," she says."No, really, I must compensate you for the cost...

What the Bible Says About Television
2008-03-14 03:57:00
(The version of Psalm 23 believed by most Christians today)The TV is my shepherd, I shall not want,It makes me lie down on the sofa; it leads me away from the faith.It destroys my soul; it leads me in the paths of fornication and violence for the sponsor?s sake.Yea though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities there will be no interruption, for the TV is with me, its cable and remote they comfort me.It prepares a commercial for me in the presence of all my worldliness, it anoints my head with humanism and consumerism, my coveting runneth over.Surely insignificance and ignorance shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.
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True Christian Living
2008-03-03 04:43:00
Titus 2:12,13 "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"1. True Christian Living denies ungodliness and worldly lust.2. True Christian Living, lives Godly, soberly, righteously in this present world.3. True Christian Living, lives with the 2nd Coming of Jesus in mind every day.By Jim Preston

I DO BELIEVE IT'S A COMIN'!!!
2008-02-26 02:49:00
Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge in Bozeman, Montana, while awaiting their respective flights.One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer. Another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show & the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana State University from the Middle EastTheir discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim who has a famous relative in America. The conversation falls into an uneasy lull.The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face.The wind outside is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old windsock is flapping; but still no airplane comes.Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, 'At one time here, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few.'The Muslim student raises an eyebro...

Little Is Much When God Is In It
2008-02-24 04:18:00
?One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.? John 6:8?11Thousands of hungry people surrounded Him. There wasn?t enough money to buy food for everyone, so Christ sent His disciples out to find food among the people. No one could find anything except for Andrew who found a little boy with a lunch that consisted of five loaves of bread and two fishes. This boy was willing to give his lunch to Jesus.From Andrew?s perspective, this wasn?t very much. He had searched and found what he could in his own strength, and he offered it to Christ, not know...

Blonde Joke
2008-02-23 02:50:00
A blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off thetail of her cat who was hiding in the grass. She rushed her cat alongwith the tail over to Walmart!Why Walmart? Walmart is the largest retailer in the world!
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Clever Monkey
2008-02-22 03:52:00
National Geographic are at it once again. It seems that ratings are more important to them than the truth. Apparently, they have exclusive videotape showing a chimp actually making a spear. In a documentary called ?Ape Genius,? the narrator says, ?Never before has any non-human species been known to routinely make and use deadly weapons.? Wow. That is amazing. It looks like more evidence to back up Darwin.Jill Pruetz is one of the National Geographic explorers who spent four years following the monkeys around in their natural habitat. When an NBC interviewer asked her the question, ?When you saw a chimp actually fashioning a weapon, were you amazed?? she replied, ?I am still amazed. In fact, I saw it a week ago before I came here, and Bilbo [the chimp] was nice enough to make a spear. He wasn?t successful, but I'm still amazed by it.? Whoa! What did she say? ?He wasn?t successful?? In other words, he didn?t make a spear. All he did was bite off the end of a stick and use it to poke...
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One Home Under God
2008-02-11 04:48:00
The Pathway to a Better DayIn 1607 one hundred and five settlers landed in Jamestown and ALL OF THEM WERE MEN. From the founding of our nation to 1820 men were the leaders, providers, and protectors of their families. These men were self-reliant and self-sufficient. Men of that era lived off the land, built their own houses, and grew their own food. The average family had seven children who were an integral part of the family economy.The Industrial Revolution took place from 1840-1940. During this period, fathers left the homesteads to work in cities. The influence of men in home and society began to gradually decrease. Women assumed the moral leadership of home, school, church, and social reform. The reason matriarchal influence became dominant was because men had abandoned their roles. An ongoing erosion of manhood has been under way in our nation for the last two hundred years. Strong male leadership has not been the defining feature for many decades.Most men are so busy today th...
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PREPARING FOR WINTER
2008-02-06 01:47:00
"There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;" Proverbs 30:24-25.Ants are considered wise because they plan during the summer months for the coming winter. Since ants cannot read, this passage must have been written for our sakes. The message is simple; wise men prepare for the winter.Fortunate is the pastor who has leaders in his church that are farsighted and will implement some form of retirement for him. Neither the pastor's health nor his ministry will endure forever. The time will come when you will be forced to retire. (That time has come for me.) You must ask yourself the question, "Will my wife and I be able to live on Social Security?" You probably cannot.I suggest the pastor purchase his own home and have it put in his name. The church is also permitted to give him a housing allowance with which to make the payments. This allowance is also tax free. In addit...
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The dying Preacher's last request!!!
2008-02-02 20:38:00
The old preacher lay dying in the hospital. For years, he had faithfullyserved the people of the nation's capital in Washington D.C. He motionedfor his nurse to come near."Yes, preacher?" said the nurse."I would really like to see President Bill and Senator Hillary Clintonbefore I die," whispered the preacher."I'll see what I can do, preacher." replied the nurse.The nurse sent the request to the Senate and waited for a response. Soonthe word arrived; the Clintons would be delighted to visit the preacher.As they went to the hospital, Hillary commented to Bill, "I don't knowwhy the old preacher wants to see us, but it certainly will help ourimages and might even get me elected President. After all, I'm IN IT TOWIN IT." Bill agreed--it was a very good thing for her campaign oncethey put out a press release about it.When they arrived at the preacher's room, the old preacher tookBill's hand in his right hand and Hillary's hand in his left. There wassilence and a look of serenity o...
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LIMPING ALONG
2008-01-28 03:57:00
"The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools." Proverbs 26:7. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..." Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.Some people limp because they are winners; others limp because they are losers. Balance in interpretation and living is the sign of stability and maturity. Balance is the evidence that we are growing in our relationship with Christ.Bible knowledge without grace makes one a self-righteous, critical Pharisee. Grace without Bible knowledge leaves one gullible and susceptible to false doctrine. We must have both, grace and sound doctrine in our lives, if we expect to walk as Jesus walked. Knowledge puffs up; grace builds up. A liberal, who ignores sound doctrine is not in step with Christ, nor is the fundamentalist who fails to display Christ's grace toward others. Spurgeon said, "We must have a backbone to hold up our head; it must be able to bend or we will bump our head on the beam." Hopefully...

HILLARY'S FIRST NIGHT AS PRESIDENT...
2008-01-22 13:23:00
(I received this via email and thought some of you would enjoy it.)In January 2009Hillary Clinton gets elected President and is spending her first night in the White House. She has waited so long..........The ghost of George Washington appears, and Hillary says, "How can I best serve my country?"Washington says, "Never tell a lie.""Ouch!" Says Hillary, "I don't know about that."The next night, the ghost of Thomas Jefferson appears... Hillary says, "How can I best serve my country?" Jefferson says,"Listen to the people.""Ohhh! I really don't want to do that."On the third night, the ghost of Abe Lincoln appears..Hillary says, "How can I best serve my country?"Lincoln says, ......."Go to the theater."
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THERE IS STILL A FEW AROUND
2008-01-22 03:47:00
Jeremiah 42:1-2 "Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)"I. THAT LOVES THE BOOK - Psalm 119:97 "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Jeremiah 15:16 "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts."A. It is for our instruction.B. It is to inform us.C. It inspires us.II. THAT LEANS ON THE PROMISES OF GOD.III. THAT?S LOYAL TO THE HOUSE OF GOD.IV. THAT LONGS FOR REVIVALV. THAT LABORS FOR SOULSVI. THAT LONGS FOR CHRISTBy Jimmy Jones

Is Evolution Science?
2008-01-19 22:07:00
When most people hear the word science, they think in terms of all the wonderful technology we have today: computers, jet planes, cell phones, and so on. And certainly, scientists have accumulated much knowledge about this world and the laws which govern the universe. This has enabled us to build the wonderful technology we use today?the technology that sent you this email.But when most people hear the word evolution, they think in terms of Darwin?s ideas concerning the supposed evolution of animals and man. Darwinian evolution teaches that life evolved from non-life millions of years ago and that over millions of years, one kind of animal changed into another. Finally, man arose from some ape-like ancestor.Studying evolution is very different from studying present-day processes that have led to many amazing technologies. Molecules-to-man evolution is a belief concerning what supposedly happened in the past, but no one was there to see it happen. Thus, evolutionists are free to post...
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My Dog Ate It
2008-01-19 22:03:00
A minister delivered a sermon in ten minutes one Sunday morning. That wasabout half the usual length of his sermons.He explained, "I regret to inform you that my dog, who is very fond ofeating paper, ate that portion of my sermon which I was unable to deliverthis morning."After the service, a visitor from another church shook hands with thepreacher as he was leaving, and said,"Sir, if that dog of yours has any pups, I sure would like to get one togive to my minister!"By Mike Walls

QUALITY OR QUANTITY
2008-01-19 05:39:00
We hear some pastors justify their lack of evangelism by boasting that they are more concerned with quality than quantity. This may sound pious and accurate, but in the real world, no one believes it; not even those who say it.I have five children. Let's suppose they all get lost in the nearby mountains. We gather a search party, spread out and begin our search. About four hours into the hunt, someone yells, "I found one over here!" My wife and I run to see who it was found. We discover it is our "quality" child. I spread the word that we can now call off the search. We found the best of the five.Of course, some will scoff at this illustration, but the argument is the same. God does care about numbers, and He cares about those who are weak and inferior. The parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son make that abundantly clear.Let us first worry about the quantity of lost people we can win to Christ and then labor to make them quality Christians. There is no conflict ...
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On the Lighter Side...
2008-01-15 21:28:00
Gas PricesWhen the family car developed a slight knock, the husband asked his wife if she had bought regular or premium gas, but she couldn't remember. "You probably got the cheaper gas," he said. "That could account for the engine running so rough." "No, the gas wasn't cheaper!" she replied indignantly. "Well, how much did it cost?" he asked. "It cost the same as always," she replied. "I bought the usual ten dollars worth."Plans"I want my children to have all the things I never could afford - then I want to move in with them."Relatively Speaking"What are you so happy about?" a woman asked the 98-year-old man. "I broke a mirror," he replied. "But that means 7 years of bad luck." "I know," he said, beaming. "Isn't it wonderful?"Lost PhoneMy girlfriend called me as she was driving to an appointment. She arrived, and I could tell from her voice that she was getting frustrated. Finally she said, "I know I had my cell phone with me. And now I can't find it!" I replied, "Aren't you t...
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EIGHT EVILS OF PRIDE
2008-01-15 17:04:00
1. Brings strife - Proverbs 13:10 "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."2. Hardens the mind - Daniel 5:20 "But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:"3. Produces spiritual decay - Hosea 7:9-10 "Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this."4. Keeps from real progress - Proverbs 26:12 "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him."5. Hinders coming to the Lord - Psalm 10:4 "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."6. Issues in self-deception - Jeremiah 49:16 "Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the cleft...
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Why Have a Bus Ministry?
2008-01-14 15:16:00
Me (Josh) with some bus kidsTaken from a message preached by Dr. Bobby Roberson at the National Bus & Sunday School Convention at Clays Mill Road Baptist Church, Lexington, Kentucky, October 6, 2005.I love the bus ministry. We have been in the bus ministry for about 37 years, and I will tell you in a minute how we got started. If I wasn?t pastoring, I would get a bus route. A bus captain will win more people to Christ in his lifetime than the average church will.Notice James 5:20, "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." That is the job for you and me. We are to let him know that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way ? gets it changed ? will save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins. James had been talking about some Christians that have backslidden, but I think you can use this just as it says here. If we can get people converted, we can save them fr...
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Heart-breaker
2007-10-30 03:37:00
There?s a website that?s recently been in the news. It?s called http://www.dogsindanger.com/ It shows pictures of cute and long-faced dogs who are soon to be put to death. It?s controversial because they have a clock ticking down to when each dog will be put to sleep. That pulls on the heart-strings. I would like to create a website called www.humansindanger.com with a clock ticking down to when human beings will be put to death. Every day 150,000 people die. The clock is ticking. Our hearts should more than break at the thought. We should be horrified that a single soul would end up in Hell, and let that horror energize us (with God?s help) to rescue them.
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Joke of the Day - "Bubba"
2007-10-30 03:18:00
Bubba goes to the tent revival and listens to the preacher. After awhile, the preacher asks anyone with needs to come forward and be prayed over. Bubba slowly rises from his chair and gets in line. When it's his turn the preacher says, "Bubba, what you want me to pray about?" Bubba says, "Preacher, I need you to pray for my hearing." So the preacher puts his right finger in Bubba's right ear and his left hand on top of his head and prays a while. Then the preacher puts his left finger in Bubba's left ear and his right hand on top of his head and prays some more. After a few minutes, the preacher removes his hands and says, "Bubba, how's your hearing now?" Bubba says, "I don't know preacher, it ain't til next Wednesday."
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"The Bus Report" - 10/29/07
2007-10-29 20:45:00
We had another great day for Bus #3 this past Sunday. Because our route has grown so much, we're going to be driving two buses each Sunday from now on. We recently had someone donate a 21-passenger bus to our church so, that's one of the vehicles we'll be driving on our route. Yesterday's promotion for each of the buses was "Gold Fish Sunday". Each rider that rode the bus got to take home a gold fish. I think everybody enjoyed that. Also, each Sunday night of our program we're giving away a "Best Bus" banner to the bus who has the greatest percentage increase over their base number. The base number for our bus is 44 so, we're trying really hard to win the banner. Hope everyone had a great service at their church. Let me know how it went. Glad to be on Bus #3! ~Joshua~
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The Ingredients of a Christian Home
2007-10-25 16:50:00
PEACE?And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.?A truly Christian home is a place of peace with the peace of God ruling in people?s hearts. It is not a battleground, but a rufuge. It is not a place of fighting, but a place of fellowship. It is a place fortified against the Devil.In God?s Word, we read about peace with God and the peace of God.Jesus Christ was sent forth to earth, and He gave Himself on the cross. He bled and died for our sins, tasting death for every man. God punished sin in the body of His own Son when He became sin for us. He died, was buried, and rose from the dead. When we ask Him to forgive our sin and by faith receive Him as our Savior, we are born into God?s family. We become children of God, and we have peace with God.However, having peace with God does not mean that we have the peace of God. Look closely at a passage of Scripture in Philippians 4:5-7,"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every th...
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DaVinci Code
2007-10-24 16:43:00
"And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2Timothy 4:4)"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen..." (Jeremiah 10:2)I've been hearing people talk about "The DaVinci Code ". When the book first came out a few years ago, I thought most Christians steered clear of it. Since the movie has come in the spotlight, I think the book has gained popularity, now even among Christians. I hear them say things like, "It's good entertainment", or "It really is like that in the picture of the Last Supper". So, what? Who says that a painting (by a non-believer) has any validity? I heard several pastors on the radio say that they would watch it for "entertainment", after all it's just fiction (duhhh!).Anything Hollywood produces about the Bible, Christianity, or religion, you can always expect to be twisted and distorted. But DaVinci Code isn't just a differing viewpoint or slight misrepresentation. It is complete heresy, I would even say b...
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The LORD Is A Man Of War
2007-10-23 16:35:00
"The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name." (Exodus 15:3)Down through the centuries many men have been known as great men of war, brilliant strategists, military geniuses, etc. There has never been a military mind like that of our God, Jehovah.Jehovah's war strategies may not look good to a West Point graduate, but they always work, He's never lost a battle! Think about how the Lord has won battles down through the ages:~ He wins them with as few men as possible, as with Gideon (See Judges 7:1-7).~ He wins them with pitchers and lanterns and trumpets (Judges 7).~ He wins wars by marching and shouting (Joshua 6)~ He wins them using teenage boys with slingshots (1Samuel 17)~ He's also used other means such as: hornets, locusts, angels, one strong man and a jawbone, and also just old fashioned hand to hand combat.The strange thing about the Lord's wars is that most of the time He first sends word to the enemy, of what He's going to do, and then He does it. And He still wins,...
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"The Bus Report"
2007-10-22 23:50:00
This past Saturday we were able to go visiting again with several other workers from Bus #3. The Lord allowed us to be able to sign-up some new riders for that Sunday, which was a blessing. While we were out visiting, another worker from our bus and I went knocking on doors. We were able to stop and witness to a young man about the Lord. When my visiting partner first asked the young man about his salvation, he just laughed and acted like he didn't really care. My partner asked the man if he was to die right now, where would you go? The man admitted that he would go to Hell. My partner asked if he could show him how to be saved, and the man said "yes". They went inside the man's house while I talked to some bus kids. When they came back out, the man looked different. Before, he looked and acted like he didn't even care. And now, he looked like he had a peace about him. He told me that he had gotten saved. Praise the Lord! The man's name is Larry. Pray that he'll start coming to...
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