Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. Today we where planning on a barbecue outreach in Stokes Valley, but the rain postponed it. So the Lord led us back to the lovely and warm, Queensgate mall. We were glad to be inside as the cold wind outside was unbearable. The four of us split up to try to keep as low a profile as possible.
It wasn’t long before the security and manager honed in on Sharon. She was asked to stop sharing the gospel of Jesus or she must leave. Another couple of young evangelist men spotted me praying salvation for a person and introduced themselves. Of course we prayed for each other and fellowshipped together.
Ephesians 6:19 And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation]
While praying a security officer interrupted us to ask what was going on. We replied we were just brothers in Christ praying together. He then left. Well our cover was well in truly blown. But I persevered, continuing on to share the Good News to the public.
Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Not long after that a security guard and the manager of the mall approached me. She informed me I could not share or preach about Jesus in the mall. I appealed to her that our nation, New Zealand was founded on the gospel of Jesus, referring her to our national anthem, God defend New Zealand. Despite this she informed me that they do not allow people to share their religious beliefs in the mall.
I then pointed out to her that the mall uses the gospel of Jesus at Christmas time, and Easter for their seasonal financial gains, but they won’t let anyone share Jesus in the mall.
The manager then demanded I leave the mall. I said to her, I would stop sharing Jesus in the mall and then she relaxed and walked off with the security guard. Bless her soul.
Philippians 1:20 It is my own eager expectation and hope, that [looking toward the future] I will not disgrace myself nor be ashamed in anything, but that with courage and the utmost freedom of speech, even now as always, Christ will be magnified and exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
This is not the first time we have been stopped or escorted out of malls. Malls generally have this policy of prohibiting the gospel of Jesus. This shows how far our nation has moved away from God.
Our governments have removed the gospel of Jesus Christ, from most if not all government ministries. Education, health and now prisons it seems, in Justice.
The gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing, I know because I was once in that position. But we see the world getting darker and darker as many people are suffering the effects of wickedness filling the void, where God has been removed.
2 Timothy 3:1-5. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Of course our Father in Heaven sees all things and has a great rescue plan for humanity, in Giving up His only begotten Son, to be sacrificed for our debt of sin. What a loving Father You are, of great mercy and grace, of which, we don’t even deserve. But You sent Your precious son Jesus, who died for us while we were in sin, because You truly do love us, and call us back into Your open arms.
Luke 15:17-22. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
God bless you all, I pray you are all firmly encompassed in God’s arms, firmly rooted in His love, peace and joy. Standing on the rock of our salvation, in the Almighty God Himself, Jesus Christ.
Blessings to you all, with love from your brother in Christ,
Paul
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