Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Witnessing Miracles

2-20-2018by Cheryle M. Touchton

Miracle: An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.

An Introduction Before the Miracles

Welcome to Witnessing Miracles, the new name of our e-newsletter. You may remember it as Monday Ministry Moment. This is more than just a name change. We know you receive many wonderful Bible Studies in your inbox, written by Bible Scholars far more qualified than us. We want to give you something unique from this ministry, a glimpse into the miracles we witness as we bear witness to the Gospel across America. I will send this and post these stories on our blogs as they occur and the spirit leads so check your inbox to witness new surprise miracles.

Read and stand in awe of the power and simplicity of the Gospel and the overwhelming love God has for us. Pray for the people you read about. Learn from our words, tools, and approaches. Join us in witnessing to the people in your paths and circles so you can witness miracles in person. Share your stories with us so we can share them with others. Forward this newsletter to anyone who would enjoy witnessing miracles or wants to learn more about sharing the Gospel. Ask us for help if you need it. Equipping you to share the Gospel is the cry of our hearts. May these miracles thrill you the way they thrill us. These stories are our gift to you.

Today's Topic:
Miracles Multiply!

Dear (Contact First Name),

A strong muscular arm extended towards me. I looked up to see 4 large men wearing uniforms that identified them as New Orleans Grounds Keepers. Our team of 4 were at Mardi Gras 2018 using handmade bracelets to share the Gospel.

Miracle 1: The Gospel Attracts

"Can we have one of your bracelets? We've been hearing you all day. We want one of our own."

We'd been standing in the same place most of the day, shivering and giving the Gospel. I'd seen them cleaning earlier and had even thanked them and prayed for them. I had not offered them a bracelet because every time I saw them, they were busy working.

"Of course!" I said. All 4 grinned and pulled up their jacket sleeves to make room for their bracelets. Gospel Team members rushed to help tie bracelets on.

"I've watched you cleaning for us today. Thank you for coming over. Do I need to rush or do you have time for me to take my time explaining the meaning of the beads?" I asked.

"Take your time," one of them encouraged. All nodded.

Miracle 2: The Power of the Gospel

Heaven: "The gold bead represents the amazing plans God has for you, plans to give you a hope and a future, plans to prosper you. Those plans include one day going to heaven. The bead is gold because the Bible says heaven is paved with streets of Gold. I'm not sure why we like to wear God's asphalt but we do." The men laughed.

Sin: "The dark bead represents the darkness that comes into this world. The Bible calls it sin. Have you seen the groups of people walking around with the signs about sin?"

"Yes! They love to shout at people in our city," one of the men answered while they all laughed. He continued philosophically, "I suppose there's plenty to shout at."

"I'm so sorry you have to hear that. They sound mean and nothing about the Gospel is mean. If they yell at you, tell them that this minister lady you met on the street told you that we've all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, which probably includes them too."

"That's a good answer," one of them said as they all laughed.

Jesus: "The wages of sin is death, which is what those people like to scream about. Sin is the mistakes we make. It keeps us from everything good God wants for us, including heaven. The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life. The red bead represents the blood of Jesus that was shed for you and the heart represents that you are beloved by God. Jesus did not come into this world to condemn the world but that all the world would be saved."

The Way: "The white bead is my favorite. All who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. The word saved means eternal life with God but it also means healed and restored here on earth. The bead is white because there is a verse in the Bible that promises that when we call on Jesus, He washes us white as snow. When we confess with our mouth and believe with our heart, we are forgiven of our sins. White snow is a metaphor for purity."

Growth: "The green bead represents growth. Salvation begins on earth. After you call on Jesus, we grow through prayer, meditation, Bible Study, and church. Do you men go to church?"

They looked at each other and began to squirm. I laughed. "The Bible does not say all who go to church will be saved. It says all who call on Jesus will be saved. Do you believe in Jesus?" All 4 nodded. "What about the next life? Do you know where you will go when you die?"

Eternity: There was that squirming again. One of them said, "I hope heaven." The others nodded their agreement.

"I hope you're going to heaven too. I'll get there before you. If God asks me, I'll put in a good word for you but I don't think He'll ask." The men laughed again. "If God were to ask why he should let you into heaven, what would you say?"

The brave man who had first asked for a bracelet answered first. "I'd tell Him I'd tried to be good."

"Is he good?" I asked the others.

They laughed, hesitated, and made hand motions that indicated it was marginal.

"Don't take them to vouch for you," I teased. They all laughed again. "What about the rest of you?" All were trying to be good enough but none were sure they were.

"I want you to be good," I said. "So does God but none of us are good enough to get into heaven. The reason you hesitated is that you were probably remembering sins you had committed."

They agreed completely and made a few self conscious jokes about sinning. Like most people I meet, they knew they were sinners and not worthy of heaven.

The Invitation: "God does not have a point system that says you have 5 points and your buddy here has 10 points so he gets in but you don't." They laughed. "The Bible says good works do not get us into heaven. God does have a book that has a list. It's called the Lamb's Book of Life. That book has the names of people who called on Jesus for salvation and accepted His free grace. I'd love to lead you in a prayer calling on Jesus. Would you let me?"

They enthusiastically nodded. I was surprised when they formed a circle and held hands. The man's hand next to me trembled. I prayed and they slowly repeated the words after me.

Miracle #3: They called on Jesus

Prayer: "Dear God, I believe that your son Jesus died on a cross for me and rose from the dead. Help me with any part of me that doesn't believe. I confess that I've made mistakes and ask for your forgiveness. I invite Jesus into my life to be my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for my salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Miracle #4: The Holy Spirit Glow
They looked up smiling broadly. There it was - what I call the Holy Spirit Glow. A couple even had tears in their eyes.

"All of heaven is throwing a party because of what you just did! An angel party is way better than a Mardi Gras Party. Let me ask my question again. Where will you go when you die?"

Miracle #5: They knew they were saved

"Heaven," they all said enthusiastically. As promised in the Bible, the Holy Spirit testified to them about their salvation. I gave out materials for suggestions about what to do next and mentioned a local church. I thought we were done but we God had more miracles waiting for us to witness.

Miracle #6: They brought friends
A few minutes later, Gospel Team Member Doug Tubbs was walking when he saw the man who had first stuck his arm out for a bracelet motioning Doug to come over. Doug went to where this man was standing with a friend.

"Tell him about what you just told me!" the new Christian encouraged. "Give him a bracelet." Doug gave him a bracelet and within minutes, the 5th grounds keeper invited Jesus to be His Lord and Savior.

"Let me know if you have any other friends," Doug said.

"As a matter of fact we do." They pointed out another friend and everyone walked over to him. Can you guess what happened next? Yes, a 6th grounds keeper called on Jesus for salvation.

A few minutes later a big burly security guard who I'd seen with the rest of the men walked over. I worried for a moment he was going to tell me to take our sign down but he asked for a bracelet, and called on Jesus to be saved. Those 7 men greeted us with smiles every time with saw them later that day.

Think about the miracles we witnessed. These men heard us giving the Gospel and were drawn to it. Four large muscular men were willing for us to tie bracelets on them. They held hands as they prayed. A couple even had tears. They left that day with their eternity secure. They encouraged 3 more people to meet Jesus.

When does something so personal happen with men who had just moments before been boisterously teasing one another? I'll answer that for you. When they hear the Good News of the Gospel.

You know it's God when you can't keep up. For 4 days, we witnessed those kinds of miracles. People flocked to us, waited in line to talk with us, met Jesus, and brought friends and family back to hear the message.

Miracle #7: The harvest is ripe
172 people prayed to ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior in just 4 days. Many more heard the Gospel but said no. Pray for those who said yes and no, but we aren't worried about those who said no.

Miracle #8: The word of God does not return void
The word of God continues to work on hearts long after we leave. The thumbs up for giving the Gospel is speaking the scriptures, which our team does. The people we speak with have free will so the response to the Gospel is up to them. Our only job is to find out if people know Jesus, speak the Gospel Scriptures, and invite them into a saving relationship with Jesus. The miracle is in how the Holy Spirit uses those Gospel scripture to convict hearts. The amazing thing about witnessing miracles is that we get to watch those miracles multiply before our eyes.

Blessings,

Cheryle

Seeing is believing. Watch our short Evangelize Mardi Gras 2018 video and pray for the people you see:

Witnessing Miracles

2-20-2018 by Cheryle M. Touchton
Cheryle Touchton

Miracle: An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.

An Introduction Before the Miracles

Today's Topic:

Miracles Multiply!

Dear (Contact First Name),

Miracle 1: The Gospel Attracts

"Can we have one of your bracelets? We've been hearing you all day. We want one of our own."

"Of course!" I said. All 4 grinned and pulled up their jacket sleeves to make room for their bracelets. Gospel Team members rushed to help tie bracelets on.

"I've watched you cleaning for us today. Thank you for coming over. Do I need to rush or do you have time for me to take my time explaining the meaning of the beads?" I asked.

"Take your time," one of them encouraged. All nodded.

Miracle 2: The Power of the Gospel

Sin: "The dark bead represents the darkness that comes into this world. The Bible calls it sin. Have you seen the groups of people walking around with the signs about sin?"

"Yes! They love to shout at people in our city," one of the men answered while they all laughed. He continued philosophically, "I suppose there's plenty to shout at."

"That's a good answer," one of them said as they all laughed.

Eternity: There was that squirming again. One of them said, "I hope heaven." The others nodded their agreement.

The brave man who had first asked for a bracelet answered first. "I'd tell Him I'd tried to be good."

"Is he good?" I asked the others.

They enthusiastically nodded. I was surprised when they formed a circle and held hands. The man's hand next to me trembled. I prayed and they slowly repeated the words after me.

Miracle #4: The Holy Spirit Glow
They looked up smiling broadly. There it was - what I call the Holy Spirit Glow. A couple even had tears in their eyes.

"Let me know if you have any other friends," Doug said.

"As a matter of fact we do." They pointed out another friend and everyone walked over to him. Can you guess what happened next? Yes, a 6th grounds keeper called on Jesus for salvation.

Blessings,

Cheryle

Seeing is believing. Watch our short Evangelize Mardi Gras 2018 video and pray for the people you see:

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Be the Delivery Person In the Name of Jesus

by Cheryle M. Touchton

I confess that what I call "Service Evangelism" is harder for me. It takes more time and sometimes years to see the fruit - if ever. However, sometimes our only job is to be the delivery person. Recently,God told me to take a meal and money to someone. It seemed random. I am not usually the person to cook or take food anywhere - that just isn't my calling. I love and support several ministries and my church and in order to be a good steward, I'm careful with what and who else I give money too. While I deeply love the woman God laid on my heart and have shared my faith with her, she wasn't someone I spend much time with. I knew money was probably tight for her and that she was having a medical issue but my responding to that wasn't something she would have expected. With regards to spiritual issues, I know she doesn't have the joy of being alive in Christ but also know to respect clear boundaries and not be pushy.

When God first put the idea into my head, I argued. I felt self-conscious about showing up with food and money – was it presumptuous? I had a busy schedule and a short window of time when it was even possible. Scheduling complications made it even more inconvenient. God’s leading was urgent – even forceful. I knew to listen.

I went shopping and began the 30 minute drive across town. When I was almost at her house, a friend called to say that the woman I headed towards was distraught over a sudden severe financial crisis and too upset to even answer the door. I finally understood why God was sending me to her and why the food and money were so urgent. I also understood not wanting to see someone while distraught so I worked it out that I would knock and leave the gifts on the porch. I confess that I hoped to have a larger role than just being the "delivery person." My fantasy was that she would open the door, I'd put my arms around her, she'd cry on my shoulder, and finally surrender to the sweet comforting love of Jesus. That didn't happen. As planned, I knocked, put the bags on the porch, and left.

A few minutes later I received a sweet text thanking me and insisting I didn’t “have to do it.” I texted back confessing that I didn’t get the credit and that God had urged me to do it days before I knew how urgent her situation was. It was all God’s idea and I did indeed “have to do it” because God insisted. She thanked me again via text. She also thanked me for my prayers.

I prefer using the cookbook formula for evangelism. It's quicker and I'm more comfortable with it.

Cookbook Evangelism

1. Pray for and respond the the assignments God sends.
2. Ask questions about where people will spend eternity.
3. Listen.
4. Give good news Gospel scriptures.
5. Invite people to meet Jesus.
6. Pray with them if they wish but don't push.

With many and possibly most people, cookbook evangelism is the best approach but not with everyone. Service evangelism requires us to hear the creative voice of the Holy Spirit, trust that we've heard it, and do the required work without have the reassurance of ever seeing the results.

Service Evangelism Is Only Evangelism If:

1. God sends the assignment.
2. The people know the Gospel (if they don't, we have to make sure they hear it.)
3. We make it clear that we are doing it in the name of Jesus and not because we are "good people."
4. We follow up with prayer.

As with all evangelism, it must be driven by love and a pure desire to share the Good News of Jesus. This week, my job was to deliver food and money in the name of Jesus. I didn’t give the Gospel – she already knew it. I didn't even see her. I heard God, acted, and made sure she knew it was God's idea. As always, I continue to pray for her.

Friday, July 11, 2014

2014 Freedom Fest Event Report

Bob Touchton Leading Someone to Jesus

Heard From New Christians

When people accept Jesus they have an experience like they have never had. Here are some things that were heard at Freedom Fest...

"I feel tingly all over."

"I almost fainted when I felt the Holy Spirit."

"Thank you thank you thank you for leading my daughters to Christ."

"I need to tell the rest of my family."

3 New Christians on Right - With Melinda Saaman

Report

The Christian event Freedom Fest is held in Washington DC over the week of July 4 and is sponsored by Santos Ministries. Churches and ministries come from all over the US to give Gospel CD's in dozens of languages, give Bibles, paint faces in the name of Jesus, and to make sure visitors to the DC mall in front of the Capital hear live Christian music all day on the 4th. Pocket Full of Change Ministries and Inside Out Ministries join forces to evangelize at this event each year. We set up our tent, gave out free Liberty Bracelets - which give the Gospel via colored beads, and lead people to Jesus. The event is always exciting but we all agreed that we have never seen anything like what happened this year. We felt like it was Pentecost. The wind was blowing so hard that we had to take turns holding down the tent to keep it from blowing away. People crowded around the tent to hear the Gospel. There were so many people that none of us wanted to take breaks. We prayed before and during the event. The Holy Spirit went before us, prepared hearts, and sent people willing to meet Jesus. We used the words directly from the scripture to give the Gospel and over 350 people met Jesus. We know there were many more but we were leading so many people to Christ that at 350, we simply lost countThank you for your support of this amazing event.

2014 Pocket Full of Quarters Journey

Cheryle is leaving July 21 and plans to be on the road evangelizing for 3-4 months - if the funding holds out. She wanders and stops where the Holy Spirit leads. She goes where invited. This year, she also plans to deliberately visit and evangelize at summer festivals. Yes, she is taking Shiloh. Shiloh has had a year since last year's fiasco of traveling with an impish puppy so we have much better expectations. As always, Cheryle will blog and put pictures and videos out. You can follow the journey. Be sure to check the map to see where she is, She will also post the same materials in other blogs, on Facebook, and on Twitter but the easiest way to see everything is at the Pocket Full of Quarters website. She'll include a weekly update in the Monday Ministry Moment. Support the Journey through prayer, invitations to Cheryle, suggestions for events along her route to attend, and donations at Donate. We send out special prayer requests to the prayer team. Click Prayer Team and fill out the info if you want to be included on that.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Evangelism Tip: The Worst Thing You Can Do

If you want to lead someone to Jesus, preaching a sermon about morals or debating religious beliefs and practices is the WORST thing you can do. The Bible says your words are foolishness to non-believers. Seemingly foolish words never leads anyone to Christ - even if they are true.

Good News Travels Fast

By Cheryle M. Touchton

The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." Mark 5:19

They were from Bolivia – a mother and 2 lovely teenage daughters. I gave them Liberty Bracelets. Spanish was their first language but they spoke English well enough to understand. “The Gold is for heaven,” I explained. “God created it for us and wants us to go there. There is problem. We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death. The dark bead represents sin. God knew we would sin and provided a way for us by sending his son as the blood sacrifice for our sins. Red is for blood. The heart represents how much God loves you. The gift of God is eternal life and all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. If you confess with your mouth and believe with your heart, you will be forgiven. The white bead represents that purity. The green bead represents growing in grace and love for the rest of your life.”

This family recognized good news when they heard it. They eagerly prayed to confess belief in Jesus, ask for forgiveness of sin, and invite Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. Their faces lit up with what I call the Holy Spirit Glow. They hugged each other and me.

“Wait.” The mother said excitedly. “I must tell my husband. He doesn’t speak English. Can I have another bracelet?”

“Of course,” I said. I gave her a brief course on leading someone to Jesus. “Here is a Spanish tract. Walk him through it and have him pray this prayer.” She took the bracelet and ran across the street to her husband. I watched as she pointed to the colors and looked at the tract. In bare minutes, he bowed his head and prayed.

A few minutes later, this happy new Christian ran up again. “I need more bracelets!” she said breathlessly. “I need more! I have 3 more relatives in town. I must tell them about Jesus before they leave town tomorrow.”

I gave her three Spanish tracts and three additional Liberty Bracelets. Good news travels fast!

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Cheryle M. Touchton, the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady, is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. She and Shiloh the Shepherd’s Sheltie travel the country as evangelists and handing out quarters that represent the free grace of God. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to Pocket Full of Change Ministries

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep Shiloh and Cheryle on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at Donate Now

Monday, June 23, 2014

I'm Trouble

By Cheryle M. Touchton

The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. Eph 2:4-5

They All Met Jesus

You couldn’t miss her lying on the ground wearing coconuts connected by a string and little boy shirts. I liked her immediately. She had no idea where she was going in the next life but was pretty sure it was no where good.

“Why?” I asked.

“I’m told I’m trouble.”

“Are you?”

“Probably,” she grinned and answered dryly.

She was Catholic but not going to church. While she believed in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and had confessed sin, she had never met Him personally. She believed 100% that all had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that it applied to her. When she heard about grace, her eyes lit up with hope. I didn’t have to ask her twice about accepting that grace and praying to receive Jesus.

As she finished praying, her entire face lit up with the Holy Spirit Glow. After taking a minute to enjoy it, she looked down at her outfit self-consciously.

“I didn’t really mean to come out like this. It is possible I was inebriated.”

I enjoyed her humor and honesty. “Now that you’ve met Jesus, you are going to move from being described as trouble to being described as interesting. I suspect you are never boring and that will only get better with Jesus.”

She liked that. She had many questions so we talked for about an hour. One issue was boyfriend. He had wanted to discuss marriage but her parent’s divorce made her hesitant. She had told him that she would be “with” him but not marry him. I gave her my 5-question relationship test and he passed. He sounded like a great guy. In an effort to teach her about the hope of Christian marriage, I told her my parent’s love story and how they had recently died just 29 days apart.

“Awe,” she said. “That is so sweet.”

I surprised myself by agreeing. Somewhere in the time since my parent’s death, I had moved past the surprise and grief. I now saw their deaths being so close together as a sweet ending to an amazing Christian love story that would become a part of helping people follow Jesus.

I’m blessed to be a small of God’s amazing plans for this interesting young woman who is loved by God, made whole by grace, and will one day be meeting my parents in heaven.

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Cheryle M. Touchton, the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady, is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. She and the Missionary Dog Shiloh travel the country as evangelists. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go Pocket Full of Change

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep Shiloh the Missionary Dog and the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, Click to Donate .