Does it really matter if we preach the Gospel at small carnivals? What if some are
offended? Could God’s plan even include a little carnival in 29 Palms? Should we give
up an afternoon, or evening, just to introduce a few people to Jesus? Could God really
use us in His eternal plan? As if we shouldn’t have already known the answer, God
answered these questions recently.
Many of you may have read the Desert Sun over Memorial Day weekend. There was a
whole display of our fallen Marines from 29 Palms that had died since the Iraq War
started. As I skimmed over the names and faces, I remembered one of them, and so did
my Brother in Christ, Chris.
Last summer I accepted an invitation to come and “witness” at a small carnival in 29
Palms. Yes, I was nervous! Of those people that God allowed me to witness too, I
remembered a short Marine from Massachusetts named David; and marveled that God
had two east coast guys together at a carnival, on the west coast. I had moved here a few
months earlier in June. The conversation with that Marine was memorable because he
had come up, and then left twice before I could finish presenting the Gospel. I remember
him coming back a third time and saying he thought he should hear the whole message.
As he listened, he finally understood that Jesus had died for him, and accepted Jesus
Christ as his Lord and Savior.
God’s love, and prompting of the Holy Spirit, was critical for David. As the newspaper
story tells of his death only a few months later in Iraq. David knows the truth now, and
undoubtedly is thankful for God’s messengers that came to that little carnival, and that
the carnival had allowed us to be there. I brought that newspaper layout to the Grub
Steak Days, to show other Marines how important that it was to not sit on the fence, but
to make a decision for Jesus Christ. I also used the story of the Marine that recently fell
on a grenade to save his fellow troops. I contrasted that Marine’s actions, to Jesus’
willingness to take the blows and death, meant for all of us; for our transgression. I
explained that Jesus had already absorbed their punishment and death, but that they
needed to claim what He did, by asking Jesus to be their Lord as well as Savior. It was
pointed out that their refusal to accept what Jesus did, was a kin to turning the Marine
who fell on the grenade over, and throwing down another grenade to render the sacrifice
of the Marine worthless to them. They then understood what a waste of a life that would
be, and how dishonoring to the one willing to die in their place. The Lord used these
stories and His Word to bring many Marines to Jesus at the Grub Stake Days, as we hope
they will again this year at 29 Palms.
In reality, none of us know when our time is up and we shall stand before God to give an
account for our life; therefore, we must live everyday for the Lord. Can you make a
difference for God? Ask David! Will he use you? Only if you are willing to be used!
Please consider making yourself available to bring the Gospel into this world. As I was
encouraged and invited, I now invite you, and pray that this story will encourage you to
come out with us. Finally, pray that those who run the carnival in 29 Palms will
understand how important this is for those willing to loose their lives to protect all of us.
Pray that we will have favor with them, for this very important outreach. May God bless
you!
Jack Jackson
offended? Could God’s plan even include a little carnival in 29 Palms? Should we give
up an afternoon, or evening, just to introduce a few people to Jesus? Could God really
use us in His eternal plan? As if we shouldn’t have already known the answer, God
answered these questions recently.
Many of you may have read the Desert Sun over Memorial Day weekend. There was a
whole display of our fallen Marines from 29 Palms that had died since the Iraq War
started. As I skimmed over the names and faces, I remembered one of them, and so did
my Brother in Christ, Chris.
Last summer I accepted an invitation to come and “witness” at a small carnival in 29
Palms. Yes, I was nervous! Of those people that God allowed me to witness too, I
remembered a short Marine from Massachusetts named David; and marveled that God
had two east coast guys together at a carnival, on the west coast. I had moved here a few
months earlier in June. The conversation with that Marine was memorable because he
had come up, and then left twice before I could finish presenting the Gospel. I remember
him coming back a third time and saying he thought he should hear the whole message.
As he listened, he finally understood that Jesus had died for him, and accepted Jesus
Christ as his Lord and Savior.
God’s love, and prompting of the Holy Spirit, was critical for David. As the newspaper
story tells of his death only a few months later in Iraq. David knows the truth now, and
undoubtedly is thankful for God’s messengers that came to that little carnival, and that
the carnival had allowed us to be there. I brought that newspaper layout to the Grub
Steak Days, to show other Marines how important that it was to not sit on the fence, but
to make a decision for Jesus Christ. I also used the story of the Marine that recently fell
on a grenade to save his fellow troops. I contrasted that Marine’s actions, to Jesus’
willingness to take the blows and death, meant for all of us; for our transgression. I
explained that Jesus had already absorbed their punishment and death, but that they
needed to claim what He did, by asking Jesus to be their Lord as well as Savior. It was
pointed out that their refusal to accept what Jesus did, was a kin to turning the Marine
who fell on the grenade over, and throwing down another grenade to render the sacrifice
of the Marine worthless to them. They then understood what a waste of a life that would
be, and how dishonoring to the one willing to die in their place. The Lord used these
stories and His Word to bring many Marines to Jesus at the Grub Stake Days, as we hope
they will again this year at 29 Palms.
In reality, none of us know when our time is up and we shall stand before God to give an
account for our life; therefore, we must live everyday for the Lord. Can you make a
difference for God? Ask David! Will he use you? Only if you are willing to be used!
Please consider making yourself available to bring the Gospel into this world. As I was
encouraged and invited, I now invite you, and pray that this story will encourage you to
come out with us. Finally, pray that those who run the carnival in 29 Palms will
understand how important this is for those willing to loose their lives to protect all of us.
Pray that we will have favor with them, for this very important outreach. May God bless
you!
Jack Jackson
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