On Being a Real Treasure Hunter

[Arkie John]

An Editorial: The True Treasure

Can we talk about the True Treasure for a few minutes? Walk with me for a while, if you have time. I'd like that.

As Christians, we are all called to share the Gospel, the Good News with sincere seekers of truth. Now we all can't be Billy Grahams or some flaming evangelist, but we are each equipped to give witness of The Lord to any who will listen. I think that the reason most disobey, is they have (1) either not been trained (2) are not real themselves but are only posers or (3) maybe they don't' want to be rejected. Each of these are major tools of satan to silence Christians from telling of the magnificent saving grace of our Lord! There are other reasons, but these are three main ones fer sur. Lets talk about each them for a minute.

(1) If you are real and are blood-bought and truly born again, then get trained. Hang out with folks that know more of Christ than you. READ and ingest the Word regularly. Go to sights like livingwaters.com and learn to witness the way Jesus did. Mark off 58 minutes of your time and listen to a message called Hell's Best Kept Secret. It will change you completely. Do this, then pm me and let's talk about it. Whether we witness or not, the Bible is clear. We are commanded to witness. Jesus even says in 1John as well as other places, "If you love me you'll keep my commandments." (So, if one does NOT keep the commandments as best he or she can, then whom do they love knowingly or not? Hint: It's NOT Jesus.) So get equipped and get with it. "The night cometh."

(2) Most of the people that give me trouble on the streets are (you guessed it) so-called Christians. They usually know just enough about the Bible to argue with you. They have walked an aisle, prayed a prayer, got dunked, sprinkled or confirmed, depending upon their upbringing, and after a while, continued to live like the world, giving Jesus the leftovers of their lives. Unless one has done it God's way, he will not enter into heaven, you can be sure of that. I was one of those people for a long, long time. I THOUGHT I was good to go, but satan just smiled and watched because I had never truly turned from the world and followed my soon-coming King. Can you believe that Billy Graham said that 60% of any given congregation is like that? ...false converts? I was so blind.

(3) Maybe you just hate rejection. I do too--it's human nature, but once I was reminded that it is not ME that is being rejected but Jesus himself, then it all became a non-issue for me. Campus Crusade For Christ says that statistically speaking, one in 18 will truly come. We are responsible for giving the message--not saving them. That's the Holy Spirit's job. You don't have to be a theologian. All you have to know is enough to get people to realize they each have a need and then to tell them about the only Way--Jesus. We are just the messengers, but the Books says "...the feet of the messenger are beautiful."

As you study the way Jesus really did it, you will remember how he used every day occurrences to relate people to the saving grace so sorely needed by each of us--no matter how GOOD we think we are. Jesus called them 'parables.' Remember how he talked of the farmer's seeds being sown on the different kinds of ground? Think about the others for a few minutes.

Now here's where it gets good. How many hundreds of times have you ever had someone come up to you and say, "Hey there! You found anything with that thar Geiger counter?" If I had a nickel every time that has happened to me, I could pay for the new Excal II I lust after these days! You can use your hobby as a springboard to the gospel and without being overbearing, you can transition the once-in-a lifetime conversation with this stranger into a Gospel presentation that can change their ETERNITY!

I usually say something like, "Well, I have not found much today but a few days ago I found a ring." Then I ask if they have ever found treasure. Then after a few minutes of sizing them up to see if they are open or not, I'll simply say something like, "You know, no matter if I found a chest full of gold rings, they wouldn't do me much good. But let me tell you of the greatest Treasure I have ever found. It happened at 7:30 in the evening, December 19, 1998..." I just let the spirit lead it. Use parables like Jesus did! It is a simple yet 2000 year old concept that is not offensive and you will be surprised how you will be used--as a guide--to show others how to find the Treasure.

You know what? My Bible says that when you show others about the real Treasure, YOU will gain treasures in heaven!!! How would EACH of you like to be a REAL TREASURE HUNTER? Go to Livingwaters.com. Listen to Hell's Best Kept Secret at least a few times--take it to heart and let JESUS do the rest. Then be ready. Treasure is where you LEAST expect it.

Wanna know more? PM me. I won't try to talk you into a certain denomination or ask you for your money, I just want YOU to be able to follow the command of "Go ye..." and to be a REAL treasure hunter from this day forward, wherever you live, that God created you to be. Thanks for comin' along. <><

aj

 

[Arkie John]

Apple trees produce apples. Orange trees produce oranges. Peach trees produce peaches. Christians, well coupled with conviction of the Holy Spirit, produces Christians.

If none of the above produces, remember Jesus and the unproductive fig tree. He was very clear.

Although it is not against the law, I hope I didn't offend any of you. My intent is merely to get people to understand that we can be easily distracted from the Main Thing. We can be fooled into thinking that if we are just "good people" then when we die, that our loving God will simply place us on the cosmic scales and if we have done more good than bad then St. Peter will open the gates of heaven and usher us in. If all we had to do to go to heaven was be GOOD, then why did Jesus die on the cross?

It's not just about going to church, speaking Christianeeze and wearing Jesus shirts and practicing lifestyle evangelism. Thank God Jesus didn't do that! He left the upper room and he went where he had to go--even in hostile environments, day after day. He told us to do the same thing and most people on the church roles ignore it. Being a Christian is to be Christ-like. We can't pick and choose you know. Read John 6: verses in the 50's. Jesus said if you want to be mine, you must eat of my flesh and drink of my blood. And many turned away and followed him no more.

He's saying we must be real. He must be our Lord not just a savior. He will not accept the left-overs of our lives no more than you would eat the left-overs of my dinner tonight. He wants your first-fruits and demands them if you are to be His!

Tough huh? Yup, and if the consequences weren't so permanent to those who have been deceived, I would just lighten up and post some photos some trinkets I found at the beach. I feel like I'm talking to a stone wall,but I know someone is reading and their conscience is being pegged by the Holy Spirit--and that's between you and Him.

As for the 'Christian' forum, I think I have delivered the message. It is, after all, a metal detecting forum, so if you want to interact, just PM me. I don't expect it, but that's okay. I'm really not the one being rejected, friends.

When I became real, I became His witness!! Can I have fun along the way? You bet. I've got a new Excal II coming and I'm about to purchase an electric hookah from Keene Engineering and can't wait until I hit the water again! But folks, lets not lose sight of the real Deal here.

Finally remember; if I told you, "Hey, I don't believe in freakin' gravity!" and jumped off a fifteen story building, would I still be subject to the laws of gravity? You know it. You do not have to believe the message I gave but you certainly are subject to certain spiritual laws whether you believe them or not. The Ten Commandments posted at the top of this forum: we each will be judged by them one day and unless you have Jesus Christ to wash us white as snow they we will be held liable for breaking each and every one countless times and thus will be doomed and damned to a devil's hell for all eternity. The spiritual laws are real and to be reckoned with, God's way. I hope you understand that, friends.

I've said all I need to say I guess. The job is done. I just felt compelled to give this message and now, I have. I would prefer that you not respond just to respond to it-- but to pray in your heart of hearts and then see someone you know and trust and knows more about Jesus than you, and talk it over. If that happens to even one, then it has been well worth it. I'll be signing off the forum for a spell. Blessings to all. <><

aj

Matthew 27:22 "the eternal question each man must ask."

livingwaters.com

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

Doing what a Christian should do. Research and then will come the reply! I have to still watch the video too. Maybe tonight if I get a free hour.

 

[Mike Chgo area]

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[Mike Chgo area]

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[Arkie John]

It's just so important that we keep things in perspective and not get caught up in (just) lifestyle (leading by example) evangelism. It's one of satan's best tools against the Gospel. The world wants us to stay behind the monastery walls and be passive. But Christ was not passive and therein lies the issue. We cannot follow when we choose to disobey.

Mike, when I watched the vid and listened to HBKS the first time, I thought it too radical. Then my mentor gave me the book weeks later, not knowing I had listened to the presentation already. He challenged me to find one unbiblical thing about it. I could not...and I listened to it again and again.

I have had many occasions to present that message and I have seen it change people just like I was changed. I had been lulled into a state of non-compassion...a state of non-interference by listening to the subtle (and sometime not-so-subtle) messages of the world. I found that when we pare all the fluff away, that Christianity in general, is missing the boat. The evangelists of yesteryear fought the same battle over and over again.

I hate to admit it but with each new generation, it seems satan is so adaptable and more successful at taking Christian soldiers and neutralizing them, attempting to keep them in the upper room and off the streets to prevent the spread the real treasure message. The truth is, if one wants to catch fish, they must go where the fish are, not just stay at the marina. The world will not (sadly) beat a path to our door...so we must apprehend them through the power of the Holy Spirit.

You will enjoy this most provocative message and it will affect the way you think, I believe, and make you and any reader that takes it to heart, a much better soldier.

 

[love to dig]

Keep up the good fight.... remember.... it's not you that is saving, but God. When you feel lead to share your faith etc., always do so, the last thing you want to do is know or see that person or people that God told you to talk with or share with and you did not. Sad. Don't apologize for sharing your faith... always do it in love and God will take care of the rest and of you.
Blessings

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

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