Journey's of a Christian

6/5/09
The Love of God

Today the Lord so graciously gave me a opportunity to speak to the youth. For a few weeks my heart has just been so heavy. I wanted to so badly speak to them about the Love of God, and tonight the Lord gave me that chance. I wanted to come as early as I could, so I would be there before they came, and when they did i went around introducing myself and asking there names. I began participating in basketball with some of the kids, and lets just say afer one came my feet were throbbing lol.
Now there was a incident with some of the kids and they were forced to leave the church. Even though i was sadden that they wont get to hear the message, I understand that there must be order in the house of God.
Around 8pm all those who remain gather together, and Harry, who leads Friday night, asked them about last weeks message, then finally I was introduced.
Before I had to speak I went to one of the youths they was a believer and told her how i was goona ask the question what is love, and wanted her to raise her hand ;) and she did just that. To that young youth, I believe that God is going to do something amazing in you, and I look forward with joy to see when that time comes.


Below is just an outline of what i wanted to say, but the Holy Spirit took over.

1.What is Love?
Note: Ask unbeliever and believer

Tonight God has called me to speak to you about the Love of God. Now I shall I describe the love of God? Well I cant tell you if i weren’t for the love of God I would have no hope at all, cause you see I know who I was 5years ago, and what God has done for me \by sending His Son to die a criminals death on a cross.

Now Im gonna read read you a couple passage, and remember I’m talking about the love of God
1 Cor 6:9-10
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? (Do not be deceived; (neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God NASB

rev 21:8
8"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."NASB

Now I know what you’re thinking what does this have to do with the love of God, but I tell you it has everything to do with the love of God

Question: Why can we only see stars at night? Because it’s too light outside, but notice only when it just dark out, you can behold in awe of the brightness of the stars.

You see in order for you to appreciate the Love of God you must first come to the reality of who you are in light of how Holy God is.The bible calls you and I sinners, because when Adam sin will inherited a sinful nature, Now the bile says that sin is breaking Gods law, which we all have broken either in taught or in deed. And since God is Holy and just he will punish sin!

Now I know that for a good amount of time I left you with no hope, well that’s a good thing, How? Well cause I know when I read this passage that I’m about to read you are gonna understand how amazing Gods love really is,
Romans 5:6-8 6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. NASB

Note: Explain the gospel

Close in prayer!


Let this be an encouragement to you all. I am a frail man, who shudders when he speaks, I'm always nervous, and even fearful to share the faith with people. May these verses be and encouragement to you

Joshua1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

psalm 81:10
I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umn3iCn90IY&feature=channel_page

Journey of a Christian

4/16/09

After a week. classes were back in session for the students at LaGuardia College. I packed my bible, tracts and headed to LaGuardia. I arrived around 1:30pm and like always I read His word and pray. As I began to go witness, the Holy Spirit was leading me to open air. Since I've been on the campus, I've stuck to one to ones, and God has given me so many opportunities. But today I found myself outside in what is called Cobblestone Area It's a popular hang out and gathering spot for students and visitors to LaGuardia.
I took out my bible and open to Romans 5. My message was going to be from Versus 6-8. With my bible open, I looked at all the souls that were there, and fear came upon me, that I was trembling so much my knees were knocking. I called up two dear brothers and asked them for prayer.
After I got off the phone, I looked at the time and, it was 3pm. It took my about 1 hour and I by Gods Grace, I broke silence.

I began introducing myself to the students, and then reminded them of Resurrection Sunday, and why we celebrate it. I then proceeded to mention how last week, someone asked how can you love someone who don't love you, and even though you always do things for them and yet they show no gratitude. With that I began to read Romans 5:6-8

As I read, I was mocked by a group of students, which only cause me to have more compassion as I spoke. I don't know how long I preached, but the outcome is too wonderful to not share As I was spoke about Gods love, I young man, named David, raised his hands, thinking he might just want to heckle me, I continue to preach, but this young man, got up, and with his hands still raised walk next to me.

It was about this time I was interrupted by another young man, Zach who is a Muslim, who said I and wondered if I come on Tuesdays, I reminded him that it was only Thursdays. Zach and I have had a few conversations regarding the bible and the Quran. I asked him a about 3 weeks ago, for him and his friends to bring the Quran, in which i was going to show them from there own book where Islam plunders. I did get his email, so i will present him Truth VIA email. The last time, I saw him, I gave him " God Loves you my Muslim Friend" by Samy Tanagho . Zach, was really thankful that I would give him that book. I do pray that he reads it.

As Zach went off, David still stood, waiting to talk to me. David is 19rs old, who claimed to be an agnostic. He told me how he grew up in the Catholicism, but as he grew older, wonder if he really believed in the Catholic belief, which lead him to become an atheist. However, he then began to question his reason for becoming and atheist, and it did had up, there was too much evidence of a creator.

Romans 1:19-20
¹⁹For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.²⁰For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Davids, struggle was God is omniscient then why did he let evil come into the world. I tried my best to answer his question, and continue to speak truth to him. We talked and talked, and before we knew it it was almost 5:20, then he had to go home, however it just so happens we wer both headed on the same train...HOW AWESOME IS GOD!!!!!!

Before we departed ways, I had the opportunity to give him a gospel of John and Luke. I did get his email, and I will continue to invest in his life.

The bible says 1 John 4:18 "here is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
Psalm 81:10 " I am the LORD your God,who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Let this encourage anyone, who is fearful when it comes to share their faith, either one to one or open air, trust on the Lord, if He be for you, who can be against you. Just take that first step of faith, and trust God with the rest. His love will drive away all fear, His grace will see you through, and His Spirit will speak through you.

Philippians 2:13
f"or it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Today, God displayed his mighty power, through someone who is weak. I give him all the Glory and Praise, for He is worthy!!!


Grace to you all
Nick

Journey of a Christian

3/24/09

For the past couple of weeks, the Lord has being putting Muslims in my path. Last night I talked to a Muslim name Yoseph for the 2nd time in a couple of weeks. By God's grace I spent over an hour going verse by verse through the Gospel of John 1 to explain who Jesus was, and how he was who John spoke about in Matthew 3 about he who is coming after him.
Like other Muslims, Yoseph had the same arguments concerning the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus. Also he is confuse on who the Spirit is , he believes the spirit is referring to angels. It was hard because he would cut me off, but as I read to him verse by verse you can see Gods words piercing his heart. I got his email, and will be emailing him Paul Washers teaching on the trinity from his book One true God.
I pray the Lord continues to give me grace, and that Yoseph comes into the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior,Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus Christ!

God Bless
Nick

Journey of a Christian

03/17/09

On Monday night I meet up with Brother's Gary, Calvin at 42nd times sq, to preach the gospel.I handed out tracts as Gary and others proclaimed Gods word.. It was an awesome night that ended with us ministering to a man named Ryan. Ryan was searching and trying do please God but he is bondage to alcohol. We prayed with him and we all went out to eat and continued to minister to Ryan.
We encouraged him not to go by what others tell you, nor trust in your feelings(heart is deceitful )

We read him Ephesians 2 and tried to explain to him what the context was saying. It was tough, because he needs to learn to be slow to speak and quick to listen.. He is homeless and apparently has a warrant. He tried to turn himself in yesterday but was turned away. He told us about a program that he was going to, to help him with his alcohol problems. I pray he reads the Bible and knowns that if the Son sets you free you are free indeed.

On our way back home Gary began to preach on the a and D train. It was very powerful, people though looked annoyed(because it was late) listen to the message. He preached on Noah and the Fload and the sinfulness of man.hen i got to preach on the next cart. I preached from Luke 16, about the Rich man and Lazarus, and i asked the question "what if today was your last day here on earth" When preaching the gospel it is always a win win situation!

God Bless
Nick

Can't Think of a Better Way to Spend Christmas Eve...

By Nicole Campanali

Nick and I went to meet a college friend of mine in New York City. We have subway performers who have permits from the city. They are allowed to collect money, set up mics and amps, etc. There were these two women singing some secular jazz songs in the 42nd Street/Times Square subway station.

I convinced Nick to walk up to one of the women and ask if they were Christian. The plan was if the answer was yes, he'd ask if I could have their mic to sing some Christmas carols. After the song, Nick would ask if he could preach on their mic.

Well, they agreed. I started off with "O Holy Night." The women were so impressed that they insisted I sing another song. Then another...and another. I just asked the woman if I could sing one more and the preach the Gospel. She said "sure!"

And then I did. People were listening. I haven't had the opportunity to preach in almost 5 months. But God is good!

Immediately after I got off the mic, a heard a young man say something about how "what my sister just said..." He was on the mic and spit out some rhymes about the Lord and salvation!! He was quite good!! His name was Peter and he is from Miami. I told him about one of our organizations CCN (www.changeyourcampus.com)

. I then asked if he wanted some tracts to pass out. He was like "I know these!! I see Kirk Cameron pass them out all the time on TV!!"

After we departed, we saw a homeless man with a sign that read "Tell me off $1" I walked up to the man and said, I'll give you a dollar, but I'm not going to tell you off. Instead, I'm going to tell you some good news. I started to talk to him and he said that he believed God existed but wasn't sure what happened to us after we die. He wasn't sure if hell existed. I went through the law with him. He said he would be found guilty if God was to judge him. He still didn't know if hell existed though. He couldn't understand how a loving God would create hell.

I asked him if a loving God would allow rapists and murderers to enter heaven if they never repented. He said no. I told him the Bible says that hell is real. It wouldn't seem fair if bad people were allowed everlasting life. It's not just.

I continued with the news of God's greatest gift, showing His grace and mercy through His Son Jesus Christ. I could see the wheels in this man's mind turning. I pleaded with him to consider what I said. Nick gave him his Bible. I left him with a tract reiterating what I had said. We prayed for him and he thanked us.

I really was feeling bad about telling my family that I would not be spending Christmas eve with them; however, I can't think of a better thing to do than to let the world know the true meaning of Christmas. Why do we celebrate? Why do we rejoice over the fact that Jesus Christ was born 2,000 years ago.




Come out and Join us every Saturday, as we preach the Gospel to the lost in NYC & NJ
http://www.gnnteam.blogspot.com/

Union Square Street Meetings

14st Union Sq


It was the last outreach of the month, and the last night for the Holes family. Shawn and his family are missionaries from Lake Placid, NY. They have been laboring with us for 4 months in Union Sq, and it has been a blessing to see a family labor together. We thank God for them and love them to pieces. and pray God continues to bless them as they continue to reach the lost with the gospel. Also visiting was a group from PA, who could sing beautifully

It was a huge crowd, our Tibetans were back, protesting the injustice from China. We waited till they were done, and we started to set up. The Brethren from PA began to sing wonderful hymns, harmonizing with one another. After a couple of beautiful hymns, the preaching began.

It was a amazing night, Christians from the area got up to to mic and shared their testimony of how God saved them. Our friends from NYSUM, were there as well, sharing with the lost. At one point if felt like a Sunday service. : ).

It is always amazing, to see power of God work in the hearts of those who hear the gospel. A young lady, Olia, was so impacted by the gospel. she kept walking away, to walk right back and listen to more preaching. I along with others had a chance to speak with Oila. The Lord allowed me to show her Isaiah 53, in which she read for herself, covering her mouth in shock as she read.

Before the night was over, sister Liliy and I prayed with Oila, then I exchanged emails with Oila, and I promised her I was going to pray everyday for her. She was deeply touched. Yesterday i got a replied back from Oila, and she still can't believe there is a heaven or hell, and that nothing is purely good or evil. Even though it wasn't the response I had hope for, I am glad she responded.

I will continue to pray for Oila, and for all those who heard the gospel. May the Lord, have mercy, and may his spirit give them no rest, until they cry out "Lord be merciful to me, a sinner"( Luke 18:13)

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."John 6:44




God Bless
Cadet Nick

Subway Preaching

Preaching on the 1 train

Today, by the grace of God, I got on the NYC Train, to preach the gospel. Preaching the gospel in of itself, is very scary. When surrounded by like minded believers, we receive encouragement from one another, but the through test of a faith is when we are alone. God promised Jeremiah "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you. Behold, I have put my words in your mouth."(Jeremiah 1:6&9). He told Joshua "I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous." (Joshua 1:5-6) As God promised he's servants of old, so does he promise us, that he will be with us, he will gives us his words to speak.

Round 1

I made my way to the train station, passing out tracts along the way, I got on the train, which was empty. I waited awhile for the train cart to fill up, but in that time period, fear and doubt came over me. I started to quote to myself 2 Timothy 1:7. Around 125 st, I open up my bible to Luke 18 and i began to speak. I read the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector, and then expounded upon it.

Before I can get to the law, a lady sitting next to where I was standing, started to complain, I was too loud. I quickly apologize, and gave the reason why i had no choice, trains can become extremely noisy.
I reiterated that I come in love, then I continue to preach.

By the grace of God, I preached all the way to the last stop, South Ferry, and I could not just help but thank God, for giving me boldness, and favor with the people.

Round 2

As the train started back uptown, I again waited for the train to re-fill, around 42nd st. At 59th, I stood up and began to gain the attention of the people. I told him , my purpose for speaking, and i quoted Proverbs 24:11 " Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter." I then posed this question to everyone, " If you see a blind man walking toward a cliff, what would you do? what you warn him, or keep silence"

With that said, I open once again to Luke 18: 9-14, the Parable of the pharisee, and tax collector, and
again expounded on upon the passage, and explained how many people are just like the pharisee, in that, they judge themselves by comparing themselves with others, and they boast to God in what they do. The message was bringing mighty conviction, and the holy Spirit was working on the hearts of the people.

As I continue, I began to hear someone shushing me, I began to look to see where it was coming from, as I preached, but couldn't find the person. Again the shush noise, started, and another lady, spoke up, and sad " I want to listen to what he's saying". And with that the guilty party was revealed.

I began to go through the law, while the shushing continue and continue. The lady that was doing the shushing , was extremely convicted, she could not stay still. God was working in her, and I told everyone that the message is foolishness to those who are perishing" and that it was a offensive to those who wont believe.

Towards the end of the train ride home, the lady could do nothing but swarm in her seat, and make shushing noises. I turned to her, and spoke in love, and said I was preaching in love, and hope that everyone will consider the message. As she got off, I told her I would be praying for her.

I ended the train ride by speaking to a group of young teens, and gave them the full gospel. I do pray for everyone who heard the message. I pray the holy spirit will give them no rest, and God will have mercy on them, and saved them, for his glory and namesake.

My brother and sisters, all glory and honor belongs to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.By laying down his life, he brought salvation to us all, and died for all who would believe. I encourage you, if you feel alone, to trust God, take him at his word,and his promises. Take that step of faith, that step of obedience, and marvel of what God can do through you.

Jeremiah 20:9

" If I say, "I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,"
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot."

Grace to you all
Cadet Nick