Multi-Colored World

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

I continue to have the awesome and wonderful privilege of representing our Lord Jesus Christ in India. I will never forget one morning's adventure when I shared my "One-Minute Witness" with a young man who was cleaning my hotel room. Shortly after that, I prayed with him to receive Christ's forgiveness and salvation.

Later on, I went to the hotel's rooftop terrace for a time of devotions. While I was reading from my Bible, a young man approached me and asked for prayer. Then two other men joined us, and then three more. I shared with them how Jesus is the only 'one true God,' and I told them about the tremendous healings we had recently seen at our Gospel and Healing Festivals. It turns out that three of these men were Christians; two were Hindu, and the other a Muslim.

After presenting the gospel, I asked the young men if they would like to pray to Jesus as their 'one true God.' To my delight, they all said, "yes." So I reached out my white-colored hand, and six dark-colored hands joined mine. Then I placed my other white-colored hand to sandwich their hands between mine. We all prayed aloud: three Christians, two Hindus, and a Muslim...all praying to Jesus Christ!

What a great picture: men from three different ethnic backgrounds
praying to Jesus for His wonderful forgiveness!

After I said, "Amen," I asked the Muslim man, "What happened when you prayed?" A big smile gripped his face as he said, "I have happiness in my heart."

The Bible says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). The word "nations" is "ethnos" in the Greek language. It is where we get our word "ethnic." You don't have to go to India anymore to find ethnic diversity. The world is multi-colored everywhere you look.

Let's take the gospel to all races, colors, and creeds. After all, no matter what our backgrounds are, we all have red blood, and we all are looking for the same thing...Christ's love!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy as Hell?

“What shall it profit a man if he gains the world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

In my opinion, most Christians don’t believe in hell. Sometimes I wonder, how much do I? It’s an inconvenient truth...and downright uncomfortable to talk about.

I don’t like the idea of an eternal hell anymore than you do. Neither does God. But His justice demands its existence, just like our laws demand prisons, solitary confinement, life sentences, death row, and even the death penalty.

Rebelling against God is the worst capital offense.

Consider this: Preachers don’t preach about hell. It’s rare to hear the word ‘hell’ preached from a pulpit. I only remember one sermon during my growing up years, and you guessed it, it was about hell. It’s a morbid subject, and frankly, it’s easier to hear about grace than judgment. But Jesus talked a lot about both.

I was in a gas station just two days ago, and a guy was buying a big pork bone for his dog. He said, “My dog will love this. This bone will make my dog 'Happy as Hell' for three days."

I thought, “Happy as Hell?” That’s an oxymoron. Where did we get that expression?! Last time I read the Bible there’s no happiness in hell.

But believers don’t like to warn others about hell. The vast majority of Christians will live their entire lives without ever introducing someone to Jesus and sharing His plan of salvation. Most Christians don’t share their faith.

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, was a Bible-believing preacher. He wished that every Christian could hang over the burning flames of hell for 24 hours. If we did, we would never be the same again...and I think he’s right.

But the Bible is very clear. For instance, the Bible says: “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27), and “What shall it profit a man if he gains the world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36), and “Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell” (Luke 12:5).

Here’s the point. If the Bible is true, which it is, then hell is as real as heaven. If hell isn’t real, then we must discard the whole Bible. Hell is a prison sentence meant for the devil, and for whoever decides to reject God's love and His priceless sacrifice.

Maybe instead of ignoring the subject, Christians ought to plunder hell to populate heaven! Maybe those in hell wished that they had heeded the answer we know.

There is hope for every human! Let’s stop pretending hell doesn’t exist, and let’s start telling people the whole truth...for heaven’s sake!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Being His Witness

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall BE My witnesses” (Acts 2:4).

Okay, this is not for the squeamish or for those who live by making excuses.

The very idea of “going witnessing” strikes rabid fear in most Christians. No one likes doors slammed in our face, rejection, being labeled a “fanatic” or facing questions we aren’t equipped to answer.

In fact, it’s a fairly common belief that evangelism is for those who are “called” or “gifted” do the evangelizing.

But isn’t evangelism for all of us who follow Jesus Christ? Aren’t we ALL called to be His ambassadors and His voice? Aren’t you glad someone shared Jesus with you?

For many of us, “going witnessing” has been reduced to short-term mission trips, special outreaches, and inviting people to attend Easter and Christmas productions. Sharing Jesus has been assigned to a tiny and infrequent part of our life.

“Going witnessing” takes a lot of preparation…. mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I have to make time for it and get psyched up for it. It feels like a reluctant visit to the dentist’s office. I know I should go, but I don’t enjoy going.

We can do better.

Here’s my solution… let’s not GO witnessing; let’s BE His witness… everyday!

“Being His witness” means that I am ALWAYS ready, able, and looking for “divine appointments.” I don’t have to get psyched up. I just live my life ready to be His mouthpiece. When I live my life as being His witness, than each day becomes ‘normal Christianity.’ The fear factor diminishes, and I’m excited to experience how God can use me each and every day.

I think this is what New Testament evangelism looked like. It was part and parcel of who they were. Going witnessing is out… “being His witness” keeps my flame for Him burning brightly.

C’mon, the excuses are getting old. Let’s replace them with Being His witness… together!'

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.