What you are saying offends me!

The words in this title was what I heard from a lady in front of our local Home Depot a few years ago. I was out on the sidewalk near the street, preaching. What words offended her? The Ten Commandments. Yes, the thou shall nots! You see we are in time in the United States where people are using the word "offends" more often when it comes to the Christian faith.
This young lady went so far as to get the manager of the store. He came to talk with me and asked me to stop. I stated that it was my right to be there (in a polite manner) and stated what part of this offends, "you shall not steal"?
The lady then held her ears and said stop! The youngman said the same. I asked them, do you want people to come into your store and steal things? I heard the words, "stop preaching to me!"
The whole time I never raised my voice and stayed polite during all of this confrontation. The manager said, "look I am a Christian and go to church, but I don't think you should be doing this here". How wonderful to know that a person who claimed to be a Christian would tell another believer not to preach. Yes, people we are in that era as well. Yet, we are called to preach the gospel.
The sidewalk I was on was all the way across the parking lot from the store. It was a city owned sidewalk and I was facing the public road. Yet, they didn't want me there because the young lady was offended. They walked away when they realized I wasn't going to leave.
As they were walking away, I felt the need to pack everything up. Once I left the parking lot and was going down the main road, a policeman passed me. Coincidence? No, I felt the Lord speak to my heart that the policeman was called by the manager and he was on his way to talk with me. Just as when Paul felt there was trouble in a certain city and he was compelled to leave.
I am no super Apostle, but we do need to be aware of God's voice.

My reason for this post is to expose believers to what is happening in our communities. Our rights as believers to present the gospel is being trampled. Yet, the very Constitution of our United States protects this right to preach the gospel in the open air.
Plus it protects the very word we speak. Here are some samples of court rulings that can help when confronted.

"We have repeatedly referred to public streets as the archetype of a traditional public forum," Frisby v. Schultz, 487 U.S. 474, 479 (1998)

The simple fact the young lady found what I was saying as offensive is also protected.

"The fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it. Indeed, if it is the speaker's opinion that gives offense, that consequence is a reason for according it Constitutional protection." Simon & Schuster, Inc. v. Member of New York State Crime Victims Bd., 502 U.S. 105, 118 (1991)

The fact is the very freedoms we hold fast to in this nation should prompt us to be more diligent in proclaiming the gospel freely in the public. Many will say well it should only be done in the pulpit. Of which I would strongly disagree. The pulpit isn't the only place for the gospel. That young lady may never have set foot in a church. We must bring the Word of God to the public. What offended that young lady was actually conviction. People must first know why they need a Saviour. I gave the law first during that street preaching time, then I gave the grace message. Jesus came to save that which was lost. People, don't depend on the people in the pulpits to be the only way people here the gospel. Go and be doers of the word while you proclaim that word! The world needs it!

Are we ready for what the Lord is doing?

Well, it's been nearly two years since I have last posted anything on this blog. I took a much needed break from blogging and have been blessed for doing such. I have so much in my heart just bubbling up and needing to speak about yet, I didn't want to just post thing for the sake of it.
So hopefully in the next few days or week I will be presenting new things I feel the Lord has put on my heart.

Thank you to all who have been coming to this site and continue to comment. More to come later....

ACTS 10:44-48...The Holy Spirit

"While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who had heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 'Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?'
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days."

Acts 10:44-48 (ESV)

There are many passages in the New Testament that attest to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, yet this one just stood out to me the other day as I was reading to my son.

I am a firm believer in that the gifting of the Holy Spirit is still here today.
God didn't stop speaking or giving His gifts to His people just because we now have the "complete" version of the bible.
He is the same yesterday, today and forever. For us to believe He stopped giving the gifts of the Spirit is unbiblical.
Why would He say, "OK, you my people now have the "completed" version of the word, so now I don't have to give you anything else?

If that were the case couldn't we say that He doesn't save people anymore, considering, that is a gift also?

Our life has to be changed, and in order for it to be changed we must continue to believe in a God who still has so much love for His children that He continues to gift us as He sees need.

I have more to say on this topic and wasn't really planning on commenting at all, yet my heart breaks to see and hear so many believers who state, that the gifts aren't for today or that God doesn't speak to us now that we have His written word.
Granted there are a fringe group that has abused the "gifts" and go to extremes on saying, "God said....". To that I would say that yes, they are wrong. If what is called the gifts are being used, don't match up with how they are described in scriptures, then they more than likely are false or the people need corrected.

As for saying that God, said such and such, to me, what I have experienced was never an audible voice. Yet, I have many instances of where a thought comes to my mind, usually with scripture. That is how I hear God.

My reason for posting this isn't to criticize those who believe that way. It is my hope that the Lord will show His way to all.

Again, I have more to say on this, but at this time, I don't have all put on paper yet.

Be blessed!