Saturday, March 15, 2014

ASTOUNDING EXPERIENCE OF DR. PAUL RADER


Dr. Rader went to visit a prominent businessman to speak to him about his soul.  The man cursed him violently and threw Dr. Rader out of his office.

The next day, Paul was guided to return and visit the same man again.  

As Paul called for a second appointment, he found that the man was not in.  He traced him to a golf course.

Paul Rader tramped over much of the course without a club or caddie.   After searching unsuccessfully for some time, he began to feel foolish. 

Finally, he saw the belligerent businessman on a distant green.

Paul bowed his head to pray for wisdom before pursuing the man.

Suddenly, he heard a voice.  The man had spotted him and was yelling.

“Paul Rader, what are you doing here?”

Paul fumbled for words. “I, uh, I…I got your telegram.”                   


“You didn’t get my telegram,” the man shouted.  “I destroyed it!”

Paul replied, “I…I mean the one God sent me.”

Incredulously, the man answered, “God must have sent it, because I’ve gone through hell this past night, and I promised God that I would get right with Him if He would send you after me once more.” The businessman handed his clubs to his partner. 

By this time, of course, Paul stood beside him.  He knelt on that golf course green and there, led by Paul, became a “new creature in Christ.”

The man stood to his feet, beside himself with joy.  As the two men walked from the golf course, they admired the beauty of the grass, the trees, the sky. In the course of the conversation, Paul posed a question, but there was no answer.  He turned in time to catch his companion by the tie as the businessman slumped into Paul's arms, dead.
-----------------------
Paul Rader was one of the most powerful evangelistic preachers of the early 20th Cen­tury. He de­scribed him­self as an “ex-bellboy, ex-cowboy, ex-prospector, ex-football player, and ex-pugilist.” He pas­tored Moo­dy Church in Chi­ca­go, Ill­i­nois (1915-1921)




Tuesday, January 14, 2014

TEXT TO THE WRONG PERSON

 

Recently I had a unique experience. 


Someone sent me a text by mistake. They thought they were talking to their drug dealer. 


The message went like this: (All names and locations are changed and ficticious although the conversation is accurate)

Man:   "Aye, its Tony."

Me:     (Not knowing who Tony was) Hello Tony.
Man:   What's up bro^.^

Me:    (I knew someone named Tony and wanted to find out if this was the same person) "Sorry, which Tony is this?"


Man:  "Smith." (Name is ficticous). My bad phone died and my chargers at my house. I'm in ------(city), but I was     gonna see if I could get 80 of that, but I have no way to you. I can have you meet that one girl that was with us that day driving the car, plus shes the one that was on my porch when you came.  I would meet you, but like I said, I'm not around.  I'm by ---(area). Also plan on getting a big amount early next week cause its my b day ^.^

ABOUT THIS TIME I KNEW I WAS IN ON AN INTERESTING ASSIGNMENT FROM THE LORD, AND I HAD NO INTENTION FROM WALKING AWAY FROM IT!  

I must admit my mixed emotions. My heart was skipping a beat at the same time I was smiling from ear to ear. 

I kept the messaging going and finally ventured to ask:

Me:     "You want 80 of what?"
Man:   "I'll buy 80 in weed."


GOD HAS UNIQUE WAYS OF PUTTING A HOOK IN SOMEONE'S JAW. NOW IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO PULL ON THAT HOOK. 


He still thought he was talking to his drug supplier and the next text from me probably made him fall off his seat... but I pray it makes him turn away from destruction to Jesus. 

Me: Man, do you really want to keep doing this? It could     bring you a lot of trouble, you know.

      
Let me tell you Tony--- You are not talking to your man.       

You're talking to a preacher lady and I want to tell you that you need to think about where you would go if you died tonight ---Heaven or Hell. You need help and Jesus is the one who can deliver you and save you."

SILENCE. THE TEXTS STOPPED, BUT THE CONVICTING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD JUST BEGUN.


Only eternity will reveal the outcome of that "text to the wrong person." In God's plan it was actually a "text to the right person." 

Some mother may be praying for that son. 


Some father may be weary of struggling over a wayward child. 

If God can redirect the hungry passions of lions in a den holding a prophet, God's same supernatural, providential power can interrupt phone activity to reach a lost soul and bring an answer to prayer. 

Thursday, September 26, 2013

COMPELLED TO TELL

NEW BOOK RELEASE

Compelled To Tell: A Fascinating Journey From A New York Dead-End Street To A Lifetime Of Ministry And Soul-Winning

By Claire H. Goodwin



Available Now Through PayPal



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

IS THIS WHAT IT WILL TAKE?

Valuable treasures...that's what they are! You've seen them. Maybe you know one. Maybe you are one. I do know that they are rare. I suppose that's what makes them so valuable. But what a pity it is that there are not more.

What will it take to increase the number of dedicated, sold-out, genuinely consecrated Christians in our churches?


Today we visited a place that seemed to have the answer--not the answer most would want.

We are in Bartlesville, Oklahoma this week holding revival at the Revivaltime Outreach Center, and had the privilege of driving over to the huge facility belonging to the Voice of The Martyrs. What a heart-stirring experience it was.

 I took a few pictures to share with you. They say it all. After you view them, you will know what produced dedication and evangelism that is almost unheard of in our part of the world.









Friday, August 9, 2013

THE GRANDMA WHO BELONGED TO ANOTHER WORLD


THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN HIGH-TRIPLE-DIGIT OUTSIDE so you can be certain we are ready for some cool air. No doubt our friendly 2006 Chevy Equinox knows exactly where to go. Sure enough--- this “Red Salsa” swings around a curve and pulls into another Texas mall.

WHO KNOWS WHAT OPPORTUNITY IS HIDDEN BEHIND THOSE HUGE GLASS DOORS? I HAVE THE FEELING THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO FIND OUT.

As senior citizens, we know our need to exercise more so we frequently make use of mall walking space. But don’t’ think that is the main reason we are here. One look and your vision is filled with shoppers and walkers from all over the world. The Lord must surely agree when we transpose His command into “Go ye into all the malls…” for all the world has now appeared within their walls.   


I LEARNED TO LEAVE MY HUGE PURSE AT HOME and instead use this unique lightweight, over the shoulder bag that has about four zippered pockets to hold my variety of gospel tracts. One pocket gets international and specialty tracts, in different languages, or for specific religions. Another holds my small business card type tracts like the great Man-Card tract and the ones I get free from the online Bezeugen Tract Club. Another holds my million dollar tracts and larger sized gospel tracts. I save the back for my personal items.

NO ONE IS SITTING ON THAT BENCH

Let’s just stop here and leave a million dollars! It is always interesting to look back and see who picks it up after you walk away. Each tract is a gospel seed planted.


BOB SEES A SOLDIER SEATED IN A SMALL SIDE AREA and heads over to him engaging him in conversation and leaving a ManCard in his hand. The friendly smile of appreciation for just being thanked means a lot. We often try to express appreciation to military people and offer them the gospel.

I leave a few more million dollars along the way hoping for an opportunity to converse with someone.

After walking steadily for awhile we find a sitting area where others are also relaxing in the comfortable coolness of the mall.

MY EYES ARE DRAWN TO A LADY SEATED ACROSS FROM US.




She seems to be staring at a card and not moving. What is she doing? Her long flowing, colorful dress, and uniquely twisted head wrap appears to belong to another world.

She is still looking at that small card and now her lips appear to be slightly moving. Is she praying? Looking closer I realize that she is holding a prayer card with the picture of either Mary, or some other saint on the back. 

ALMOST HIDDEN IN THE FOLDS OF HER MODEST DRESS ARE BEADS OF VARIOUS COLORS---a long strand of beads. I conclude that they must be rosary beads and continue to pray that the Lord will allow me to speak to this lady.

Having been to Kenya, East Africa, and associating with people there makes me suspect that this is an African lady—not a young one, but perhaps a grandma.

THIS IS MY MOMENT.

While she is still seated there I get up and walk over to her with a smile and kneel down beside her as she turns her eyes toward me with curiosity.

“Who is this woman and why is she kneeling here?” I’m sure she wondered.

“HELLO,” I SAY, AND QUIETLY WHISPER, “ARE YOU PRAYING?”

“Yes,” is her quick response as she shows me her prayer card and tells me that she always prays.

“DO YOU KNOW JESUS?”

She becomes exuberant, and her face becomes one large grin. She knows about Jesus.

I tell her, “Jesus loves you.”

Her gentle brown skinned face nods in agreement as I tell her how Jesus died for her sins, and that He is the only One who has the power to forgive her and to save her.

“DO YOU KNOW THAT JESUS WANTS YOU TO TALK TO HIM? HE IS WAITING TO HEAR YOUR VOICE TALK TO HIM.”

Although she has been earnestly talking to someone else in her prayers, she seems to be receiving the words I am speaking to her.

“You can talk to Jesus! He will listen to you. You don’t have to ask someone else to talk to Jesus for you.”

“Are you from Africa?” I ask.

“Yes, from Lagos, Nigeria.” She is anxious to tell me that she is here visiting family and will soon return to Nigeria.

MY HEART REACHES OUT TO HER, WANTING SO MUCH TO MAKE THE GOSPEL CLEAR TO HER, BUT TIME IS SO LIMITED.

So I turn to another tool that I have tucked away in that little over-the-shoulder bag---the JESUS DVD that is used all over Africa and other mission fields to present the whole story of Jesus to Muslims, and others, concluding with a wonderful invitation to come to Christ for salvation.

“I am so happy to meet you,“  I tell her as she reaches to touch my arm expressing her thankfulness that I came over to talk with her.

“I HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GIFT THAT I WANT TO GIVE YOU TO TAKE BACK TO NIGERIA WITH YOU.” 

I hand her the DVD and explain that it is the story of Jesus, and is in English, as well as some African languages.

This dear lady seems overjoyed to receive my little gift, and my heart is filled with thanksgiving that I could present even this much of the gospel to her. It was with smiles and handshakes that we parted and went on our way.

She may listen to that story of Jesus and receive Him as her own personal Savior. She may let others listen to it also, and who knows how many may be touched, through that little meeting in the center of that Texas mall. Thank you Lord!

DO YOU KNOW THAT A MALL SOMEWHERE IS WAITING FOR YOU? NOT TO SHOP, BUT TO GO ON A SPECIAL MISSION FOR THE MASTER! GO AND DO IT! YOU CAN


Friday, July 26, 2013

IT HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 70

I WAS ON MY WAY TO SPEAK AT A CHURCH IN OHIO WHEN I SUDDENLY HAD THIS FEELING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

My foot went to the brake to slow down, just as the minivan I was driving began to shudder and jerk and steer out of control.

“Jesus, help me!” I cried out, and struggled to guide the van past speeding vehicles to get to the side of the road.

When I was able to stop in a safe spot I sighed with relief and said, “Thank you, Lord!”

WHAT WAS WRONG? WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
I got out and saw a long rod protruding out of the rear wheel area and a wheel spinning around on the end of it. Not being mechanically inclined I had no idea what it was.

FOR THE MOMENT I WAS GLAD I WAS SAFE, AND THANKFUL TO THE LORD THAT JUST THE NIGHT BEFORE SOMEONE GAVE ME MY FIRST CELL PHONE, SO I WAS ABLE TO CALL FOR HELP.

It would be about an hour before my help could arrive at my location. There I stood on the side of the road on busy interstate seventy in Pennsylvania, all dressed up for church. There was no place to sit as the hillside rose straight up and I didn’t want to sit in the van with all the traffic passing so fast. So I stood there watching and waiting when the Lord spoke to my heart.


LOOK AT ALL THESE VEHICLES FILLED WITH PEOPLE… 
FLYING BY… 
MOST OF THEM SPEEDING ON THEIR WAY TO HELL.


“Lord,” I said, “I have a whole hour to wait. Send some people that I can witness to while I wait.”
 I reached into the van and grabbed a handful of Gospel tracts, stuck them in my pocket, and situated myself in a visible spot, “looking as helpless” as I could look.

Well, it didn’t take long.

First a white van stopped. It was filled with ladies and they were concerned about my situation. I thanked them and told them help was on the way and gave Gospel tracts.

Next came a guy on a motorcycle who said he was a Marine. He said my axle had dropped and it looked bad. I thanked him for stopping and said, “I thank the Lord I am safe, and that He watched out for me, getting me my first cell phone just last night, so I could call for help.  Do you know anything about a God like that?  He mumbled something and I offered him the Gospel Tract that would tell him all about that God, and how He could give him Salvation and eternal life in heaven. He received it and went on his way.

Then a farm truck stopped and the kind farmer was worried about me waiting on such a dangerous highway. I assured him that help was coming and started to talk to him about the Lord. He was very receptive and also took the tract as he left.

GOD WAS ANSWERING MY PRAYER! PEOPLE WERE STOPPING! BUT THIS NEXT ONE WAS THE REAL REASON WHY THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED.

I will always believe that God planned it just for this person. He was travelling in the opposite direction and saw me standing there across the highway, drove down to the exit and came back on my side offering his help.

As he examined this fallen axle I began to tell him how the Lord was so good, that He had taken care of me, protected me, got me this cell phone just last night so I could call for help…”Do you know anything about this kind of God?” I asked.

He was a young man about 25 years old. He stood up and said, “Yes, I know about Him.” 


“Really? What do you know about Him?” I asked.

“Well I used to go to church all the time.”

I COULD ALREADY SENSE THAT GOD WAS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING GREAT.

“Where did you go?” I inquired.

“My father is the pastor. It’s a Pentecostal church.

“Well, I’m Pentecostal too. Don’t you go to church now?”

“No, I haven’t gone for a long time now.”

“You mean you are a backslider, drifted away from the Lord?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he admitted. I was praying and could feel the Spirit of God stirring inside of me to reach this young man.

“OH, MY FRIEND, YOU ARE THE REASON THIS HAPPENED TO ME!

God allowed this so you would stop here and I could talk with you. He loves you so much that He has sent me to tell you it is time to repent and get back to God. You don’t need to continue down this road that leads to destruction.  Right now you can come to the Lord and find forgiveness and a brand new start.  Isn’t it time you made things right with God?”

By this time things had become very serious.
Tears were already whelming up in his eyes.
He responded with his head bowed,
acknowledging his need for God.

Right there on I-70 I laid my hand on his head and prayed earnestly for him, as cars and trucks sped by.

He called on the Lord for forgiveness and made an altar right there, surrendering once again to Jesus.

With tears and thankfulness he finally went on his way to a new beginning with the Lord.

WOW! WHO COULD HAVE FORESEEN HOW THIS VEHICLE FAILURE WOULD TURN INTO A CAMP MEETING IN HEAVEN WITH ANGELS REJOICING! FOR THE BELIEVER, ALL THINGS DO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD!



How great are the tender mercies of the Lord, ever reaching out for one more soul. I have no doubt that his Pentecostal father and mother had been praying, “Lord save our boy.” 

It is amazing to see what great lengths God will go to in order to answer those earnest  prayers, even letting an axle drop to make one more soul drop to their knees.

If you are praying for a lost loved one, don’t quit.
Keep on interceding. God will move.

IT IS HIS WILL!

He moves Red Seas, fish, and axles
to meet the needs of His children.

THIS ACCOUNT IS TAKEN FROM THE BOOK
REACH THEM ONE BY ONE
By
CLAIRE H. GOODWIN

Purchase the book today and let the Lord awaken a new burden to reach the lost within your heart. The harvest is great and the laborers are few.  
Will you answer his call to be a soul winner?


Thursday, July 18, 2013

A DOG’S TEETH AROUND MY ANKLE

IF YOU EVER WONDER WHERE YOU CAN FIND SOMEONE TO WITNESS TO—just go out of your door and down the street…knocking on each door and greeting the people.  

I recall a Christian man who had just retired after thirty years at his job. He said that his only regret was that no one knew that he was a Christian!
30 YEARS!!
HOW WILL HE ANSWER TO GOD FOR THAT FAILURE
TO BE A WITNESS?
Could it be that some of your own neighbors would someday
stand up and witness against you?


 “YOU WORKED WITH ME ALL THOSE YEARS,
 BUT NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT JESUS.”


SOME PEOPLE ARE INTIMIDATED by the Great Commission where Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

“How can I go into all the world? I can hardly go out of my town.” “I don’t have the ability or money to travel to all the world.” 
I wonder what the Lord thinks about such responses to His call to every Christian! How about bringing it down to your level? “Go ye into one square mile around your house and preach the Gospel.” 



HAVE YOU DONE THAT?
WHERE THERE IS A WILLINGNESS TO OBEY
 THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT!

Some experiences can be unforgettable like this one.

Sometimes I would knock on doors in the daytime, but sometimes it was in the dark of the night. That was how it was the time no one answered the front door of a 31st street house. I had always taught others not to give up, but to try another door. Maybe they don’t use that first door. So I bravely headed around toward the back of this house.



IN THE MOONLIGHT I SAW SOMETHING
 THAT STARTLED ME. 

A distance away was a large dog. He growled...and then suddenly leaped at me. My heart almost stopped until I saw that he was chained and jerked to a full stop after a few feet.

Feeling safe I stepped up on the porch. Next came an unwanted revelation. That chain was merely caught on a rock, and now that dog came flying at me, leaping past the rock and setting his teeth around my ankle. 

I could not move. There I stood looking down as my prayers started going up.

“Nice doggy, in Jesus’ name let me loose. Nice doggy, let go in Jesus name” I quietly and prayerfully intoned to his perked up ears.

WHEN HE FINALLY DID LET GO, IT ONLY TOOK A SPLIT SECOND FOR ME TO PUSH THROUGH THAT DOOR AND INTO THE KITCHEN OF A VERY SHOCKED STRANGER. 

“I am so sorry, “I explained to the lady, catching my breath. “Your dog had his teeth around my ankle, and this was my only escape. Please forgive me!”

We both laughed with relief. I was safe, and this was not a home invasion, and I was not a thief breaking into her house.

As crazy as it all seemed, as the situation unfolded, somehow the Lord turned even this around into a great opportunity to witness to this lady.

THIS ACCOUNT IS TAKEN FROM THE BOOK

REACH THEM ONE BY ONE by
CLAIRE H. GOODWIN