Skatepark Outreach with Christian Hosoi

We got to serve along side Eastside Assembly of God and Christian Hosoi a couple months ago and we were so blessed by the outcome.  Please let us know what you think of the video and if you could please pray for all of the people that were there!

picture shown: Tucson, AZ - Santa Rita Skatepark

Matthew 7.15-23 "Oh Fruitful Tree"

Our Pastor Josh was sick so they asked me to help out with a teaching.  I was deeply humbled by the trust and encouragement of the church to allow me to teach.  Let us know what you think and be blessed!

So thankful for the opportunity to witness with my wife at the times when we least expect to. Please pray for Monty. We met him at a thrift store that he owns. No one around and my wife was a little fisher-woman  Praise God for willingness to listen to Him at a time she was shopping for herself. Monty was a professing believer and when I asked him what would you say if God asked you why should I let you into heaven, he responded with all of the good things that he has done. Please pray that the Word penetrates Monty's heart and that God brings the increase! Also, praise God for using my little Elizabeth Peart!

Casting Nets at the Foothills Mall - 11.30.12

What a great night seeing the Lord move.   I really do not know where to begin so I apologize ahead of time for my run on sentences!

On the right you will see our first new friend of the day Matthew.  Sorry about the blurry image but it was a quick take.  Matthew was listening to music on a mp3 player walking along and we felt lead to get his attention.  The conversation started in small talk about what he was listening to (60's music he loved) but broke real fast from that to "if he knew who God was".  

Matt was very into the conversation and for that I am so thankful and give praise to God.  He said that he occasionally goes to an Assembly of God church but all that was really necessary to get to heaven was to pray a lot.  At that point we asked Matt if he had sinned or recognized that he was a sinner and he did not think so.  We ran just a quick test through a couple of the commandments and like us all, Matthew fell short.  He at this point was really speaking with us and interested in what was next because as he said, "No one has ever told me I was a sinner or that I needed to be saved".  

  So AMAZING, we walk around trying and begging people to repent and sometimes we don't quite see the fruit right away through repentance but Matthew was so appreciative that we had told him this important information.  

  The biggest part of the conversation that really caught me off guard was how he said that no one has ever told him that.  WOW.  Going to church even once you should hear that the reason Jesus Christ is called the Savior of the world is because He SAVES people from their sin.  Praise God for this opportunity!

  From there we were really pumped and excited to see where the Lord was going next.  Overall we spoke to about 6 different people and all separately different conversations like usual.  We ask that you would head on over to our prayer request page and lift this individuals up to our Lord as He knows there hearts and situations they are going through.  Even if we never see our new friends again, how amazing to know that the Lord is working on their hearts and He brings the increase!

  We thank you for keeping in touch with this specific ministry and if you ever feel lead to join we would be glad to have to!  Even if sharing your faith is completely new to you, how awesome to take the call God gives us and respond to it.  Imagine how many people you may never have but a 10 minute conversation with, but could possibly see them in eternity with our Lord because of the obedience to share that great news!  Praise God for His perfect work!

  We look forward to sharing more with you so please keep in touch!  -  IN CHRIST!

Thanksgiving Seattle Trip 2012

  This is our new friend Paridon.  He was a homeless man right in the middle of downtown Seattle.  Paridon had written a self help book that got him off the streets and now walks around spreading it to help others with the same difficulties.  He proclaimed Jesus as his Savior so if you could please pray for him and that he fully trusts the Word of God!  I'm thankful for the conversation the Holy Spirit lead us into as it was a great witness to my brother Jeremy and his girlfriend Heather which were aside listening.  

  We also ran into a man named Jacob at a parking lot of McDonald's.  He was a proclaiming Catholic and needed some help with money.  I asked him if I could pray for him and he said he wanted to pray to Mary.  We gave him the full Gospel and that he didn't need Mary but could go straight to God so we from there prayed that he would know the true and living God, Jesus Christ.

  This whole trip was encouraging as I was able to speak with many family members about the love of Christ and the importance of knowing Him instead of seeking righteousness alone.  Praise God for the time and thank you for your prayers!

2012 Tucson Fire Dept Chili Cook-Off

Well, we were going to go to the Foothills Mall for our weekly share but the Lord had different plans and called us to go somewhere else.  It was the Tucson Fire Departments Annual Chili Cook-Off 

(http://www.tucsonfirefighters.com/chili_cook-off.html).  

There they seek to raise money for different reasons by having a friendly competition between any entries. They all simply make their home remedies of chili and let the best one win.  

It all sounds good and fun but when the sun went down it basically turned into a drinking festival.  I pick my mom up at work most days and we just happened to drive by and the Lord revealed the great opportunity so I immediately called my wife and Josh and they were on board.  So off we went.

As we went we really weren't expecting the environment that was ahead of us.  We thought we were off to a family friendly picnic setting but instead we came upon a college drinking party.  Everyone with a draft beer in their hands along with your usual Halloween costumes to go with the mix.

The Lord had called us there so we lifted up the night to Him in prayer and off we went.  Below was a little greeting video as we walked from the parking lot to the event and my little fisher woman wife was already being led to share with two ladies walking along side of us.  It was amazing to see her being lead to share immediately as she does not naturally feel comfortable sharing in a crowd.  Praise God all things are possible by Him and not by us (Mathew 19:26)!

Oct 26, 2012 | Sharing the Gospel at the 2012 Tucson Fire Dept Chili CookOff. #wehavegreatnewstoshare by peartkyle on Keek.com

As we approached the entrance we saw my sister-in-law with her boyfriend hanging out which was a great witness as they are not believers and for the world to see us take our Friday night and give it to the Lord is all glory to Him.  We gave big hugs and my wife chatted with them for a bit as Josh and I lingered and met with a few men.

We did not catch the first mans name so keep the unknown in prayer.  This man was available to hear but drawn by the world quickly.  We were mid sentence sharing the truth as a friend of his was told by his girlfriend to get this man "outta there".  He did receive a tract so we pray that man wakes up and seeks the Lord when all alone and remembers the things Christ gave him that night.  Hope.

Next was our new friend Chuy.  This young man was greatly influenced by his love for the flesh and need to continually "experience" his life.  He knew that the direction he was going lead to eternal death but he wanted to live his life to the "fullest" by smoking and drinking which was way more important than what Christ could do for him. I am very thankful for him allowing us to carry as long as a conversation as he did but in the end he truthfully admitted that he wanted to enjoy his temporal life though he knows where it leads.  He has hit rock bottom several times and knows he is a sinner but it doesn't impact his life.  We pray that the Lord continues to work on our friends heart.  Please cry out for Chuy.  He received a Gospel of John from us and our contact information so we pray and wait on the Lord!





Next was a long very fruitful but testing at times conversation.  We came to meet several new friends here.  Josh had approached three gentlemen and asked what their thoughts were on Heaven.  Two immediately claimed to be Christian and another was Catholic.  It was interesting that the Catholic recognized he was not Christian as most assume they are the same.  We asked him why he said and believed they were different but he was not interested so he walked off.  We didn't catch that young mans name but we ask for your prayers for him.

The other two guys blessed us by staying and engaging in the conversation.  There names were Zack and Michael.  Zack was a younger 17 or 18 year old man that grew up in the church.  He knew the "copy and paste" version of the Gospel and admitted that if he died at that moment he would go to Hell because of his lack of relationship with Christ.  Throughout the whole night, I myself with my fleshful eyes, think this was the most fruitful conversation of the night.  This man let us pray for him and really recognized he needs to repent and go the opposite direction that he is headed.

There was a whole group of the family there while we spoke with Zack, along with his mother, which wanted to heckle a little bit but the Lord opened a great door for my wife to be able to speak with her so I am so thankful we had my wife there to speak with the ladies.  Overall, the whole group was looking for a church on the north side of town, so we ask for your prayers for this family to reach out to the body of Christ and seek new life in the Lord!

Last we wrapped it up at a picnic table full of people and ended up having a one on one conversation with Julian.  Julian is a high school senior that is a proclaiming Atheist.  He said that he likes to believe in "facts" and "science".  I promise this was a great conversation.

Before we jumped into the actual science in the Bible, we asked Julian if there was a truth that he did not know would he want to know it and he truthfully answered no.  I am glad he was honest though that seems to be the common desire of the world more and more.  From there, Julian asked for me to show him how God was real.  Without putting God on the stand, all we had to do was have Julian read Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.  I asked him after reading, who that was talking about and he said Jesus.  Without me even swaying him that way, that is how he answered.  I proceeded to ask Julian if he knew those each were written from 500-1000 years before Christ ever lived on earth.  Julian was speechless.

At that point, I asked him to show me scientifically how evolution is correct.  He said he couldn't.  I reminded him that he said he believes in facts and science so it doesn't really make sense that he believes in a theory claiming it to be fact.  We explained to him the difference between "Observational Science" and "Historical Science" which Julian wasn't aware of.  It was clear that Julian had faith but it was much more blind than hope in something sure.

The whole table was ready to go though they were so thankful for us taking the time to speak to this Atheist young man so we left Julian with one question.  We asked him "How could something, come from nothing?"  He was handed one of the tracts that point him to http://www.youroriginsmatter.com/ and asked him to please consider that question.

We are so thankful for all of the conversations that the Lord lead.  He continually proves it is not us out there but Him speaking individually to these souls.  We merely are just vessels filled with His Holy Spirit ready to be used by Him.  Please do pray for these men and woman as we all wish for them to have that intimate and saving relationship through our Lord Christ Jesus!

Christian by default?

  So often today, we see Americans who naturally think they are born into the Christian faith. An example that comes to mind are country music artists. Why do so many of them think they are "Christian" by default? It's become more and more apparent that certain cultures, especially within our country believe they are Christians simply because they sing supposedly wholesome songs, going to church, etc.  Simply writing lyrics about faith in God doesn't make one a Christian. The Gospel of John provides a good definition of how the Lord defines Christianity: 

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12,13)  

  Believers in the true Gospel of God should not stop at, "Oh, you're a Christian.  Okay, God Bless you" when evangelizing.  The mediocre and sometimes misrepresented conversions that occur in America today only add to our lukewarm attitude that Christ talks about in Revelation 3:16.

Rev 3:14-22  ¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 
¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

  I think America is a picture of the church of Laodicea; a country filled with too many lukewarm people proclaiming to know Christ with their mouths, yet having no desire to walk with Him.  So often a proclaiming believer in Jesus will say it just takes confessing with your mouth and believing, and while true belief in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross does save, we have to be honest and recognize there is a difference between having "head knowledge" about the truth (like the Jews did) and having faith and trust in the truth of Jesus and His Word.  Jesus told the Jews in John 5: 39-

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me."

  Taking this a bit further, you can have knowledge of God without personally placing your trust in Him.  You can know the truth and think you are good based on that knowledge, but that would mean you trust in works to save you. It is insufficient to simply know about God without allowing His Son Jesus to change their life. You see, the Scriptures testify of Him, but the Scriptures themselves do not give eternal life. They simply point to the One who does. 

  There is a good reason why so often the Word of God is more readily received in foreign lands.  When you preach the Good News of God's forgiveness to someone who has never heard it, and has a full understanding of his desperation there is a sense of warm welcome to the news.  In contrast, there are those in this country who have heard the Gospel over and over through out their childhood, yet not recognized their own sin that's worn on their sleeves.  They may have plenty of knowledge of the Gospel, but to appreciate and receive it would literally take losing everything they consider as their life.

  I hope anyone reading this does not take it as though I am directly saying Americans stand no chance at being saved because of the spiritual numbness that's alive today, (I know the Lord has done a work in me, the last one deserving His grace).  It's my personal opinion that America is a great example of the rich man Jesus was talking about in Matthew 19:24.  Here Jesus describes how hard it is for someone who already thinks he's good enough and in need of no earthly thing to receive the Gospel.  

  Because of the lukewarm and confused state of American Christianity, it's become more and more apparent that we need to stop holding our tongues as Believers and get out there and ask people some serious questions.  In this culture we see the common country artist naturally bring Jesus into his songs.  I am in no way proclaiming all country artists are non-Christians.   I am simply using an example of how too many people in America do not fully understand the meaning of true Christianity.  Per statistics, the percentage of proclaiming Christians today (2012)  in America is 78.4% (http://religions.pewforum.org/reports).  Being honest, do you really think this percentage is true?  If this is true then why is this country clearly getting more depraved every day?  

  We have to being willing to break through the barrier of tradition and religious talk when speaking with people.  As true believers, we have to use the full Word of God when sharing Christ.  That is the only thing that will penetrate through the hardness of hearts that Americans carry today.  

  You see, I can name a list of artists (ie. Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, and Montgomery Gentry) just to name a few (and I am being very broad here) that include Jesus in their songs.   Again, I am in no way making a judgment on their heart by saying they are non-Christian but I can and do share the truth of Gods Word and what it states about His children.  

  In Matthew 7:20 the Lord tells us, 

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

  It's very clear that by the fruit they produce you will know what kind of tree you are looking at.  By observation, I can reveal several songs with graphic lyrics, that would explain to you exactly the fruit those people I stated produce.  Again, we have to be honest that because someone proclaims and gives you the copy and paste version of the Gospel does not mean they are a converted believer.

  We must examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5) continually to see if we are in the faith and never withhold the truth from anyone.  I know myself have been challenged every time I dive into the Word.  I have a more sure hope in Christ that I have received Him because the Word is sharp and it naturally causes me to evaluate my life and the type of fruit I produce.

(I encourage EVERYONE to put aside 45 minutes for this teaching!) 

True and False Conversion - Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron

  I'll close with this.  Whether you are a proclaiming Christian reading this or a non-believer, first evaluate your life.  Get right with the Lord and repent.  Make sure you have an intimate relationship with the only Savior of the world which is Christ Jesus.  Christians, take heed that no man deceives you, including the one writing to you now, and be ready at all times with the boldness that the Lord gives all men to share the truth.  Please do not stop at "hello" and "oh, your a christian".  Ask questions like "How do you know" or "Explain what you mean by that."  These are great ice breakers to get the conversation started and get to know the person you are talking with.  Remember, its a conversation, not a skull crashing session.

  The song below is just one of the examples that kind of set this article off.  May we always be willing to evaluate whether someone knows the True Gospel of God and not stop there, but seek a way to reach the one that so easily falls into the "lukewarm" territory.  We need to pray for these artists that are lost into the famous game and ask the Lord to lead them to repentance as they are leading so many proclaiming "Christians" right into Hell.  

ATTENTION:  THE SONG BELOW IS NOT BEING ENDORSED BUT BEING REVEALED AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW MISUSED CHRIST IS IN TODAY'S CULTURE!!!

   Thomas Rhett Akins - If I Could Have A Beer With Jesus Lyrics

If I could have a beer with Jesus 

Heaven knows I’d sip it nice and slow

I’d try to pick a place that ain’t too crowded

Or gladly go wherever he wants to go 

You can bet I’d order up a couple tall ones

Tell the waitress put ‘em on my tab

I’d be sure to let him do the talkin’

Careful when I got the chance to ask

How’d you turn the other cheek

To save a sorry soul like me 

Do you hear the prayers I send  What happens when life ends

And when you think you’re comin’ back again

I’d tell everyone, but no one would believe it

If I could have a beer with Jesus If I could have a beer with Jesus

I’d put my whole paycheck in that jukebox

Fill it up with nothing but the good stuff

Sit somewhere we couldn’t see a clock Ask him how’d you turn the other cheek

To save a sorry soul like me

Have you been there from the start

How’d you change a sinner’s heart

And is heaven really just beyond the stars

I’d tell everyone, but no one would believe it

If I could have a beer with Jesus

He can probably only stay, for just a couple rounds

But I hope and pray he’s stayin’ till we shut the whole place down

Ask him how’d you turn the other cheek

To save a sorry soul like me

What’s on the other side?

Is mom and daddy alright?

And if it ain’t no trouble tell them I said hi

I’d tell everyone but no one would believe it

If I could have a beer with Jesus

I’d tell everyone but no one would believe it

If I could have a beer with Jesus 

A teaching we did back on the 10th of June, 2012 about the gods people build up and then reject, ultimately rejecting the One true God of the Bible.

Scripture references: 

Romans 1:18-19 (King James Version)

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Nogales Landfill Mission Trip Sept 22, 2012

Here's a compilation of a lot of the work the Lord did in Mexico!!! Thank you to Sonny Islas for putting this video together!

CASTING NETS AT THE FOOTHILLS MALL!
10.4.12


Man, what an exciting night going out with empty nets and seeing the Lord draw such great conversations.  I am never surprised but just in AWE of how God uses us despite our ability.

Three great conversations.  It would be hard to describe them in written form and it was awkward to try and ask to record with video but let me just say, three different conversations, three different situations.  ALL LEAD BY THE SPIRIT!

Our first was a couple, from Pueblo High who were in there Senior year.  There names were Sergio and Leticia   Both raised Roman Catholic and Sergio actually had a "Saint" Jude necklace on.  Sergio was pretty receptive even though Josh and I were ruining their alone time in the mall.  I appreciated there willingness to hear the Gospel and not walk away.  Thank you to you both for bearing with us and I ask all who read this to please pray for them each individually.

The second was a worker in the food court and we were cut short after about 15 minutes but from starting to end we got into a discussion on how the earth was made and how all creation points to a Creator and the issue evolutionists have with recognizing this is because though science reveals it, if they admit to it, then they have to fall into subjection to the One who made it all!  Our new friends name is Jake and though our conversation was cut short, he did hear the truth of the Gospel in short form and God's Word never comes back void.  We exchanged numbers and he was willing to meet and continue our conversation so please pray that the eagerness to talk will stay and we do meet up!

Last but definitely not least, our fourth new friends name is Erie.  Wow, the Lord totally allowed us to have such a fruitful conversation with him.  Erie had so many questions from, "why do you believe that" and "how do you know".  Interesting those are the questions so commonly we ask the non believer but I am so thankful that we are also put in that same situation.  How awful for us to go out expecting to show people the truth but when asked the very same questions we freeze.  Thank you Lord for preparing our hearts by sticking to your Word.  We are called to always be ready (1 Peter 3:15) to give an answer.

We would really appreciate your prayers as we continue this ministry and for these souls we run into.  God knows exactly who and where they are and we are called to just share that GREAT NEWS!  He will bring the increase! 

An Opportunity to Point

As Christians we are often faced with times of trial.  Perhaps it's because of being heavily investigated for actions I had taken as a nonbeliever, but one of the main things I thought of during that time when I heard the word trial was a court of law.  In the end, whether I'd be facing jail time, paying a fine, or the best case scenario, being set free to have new opportunities, one thing I knew for sure was that no matter what something was going to be different after that trial.  

Now being born of God, I immediately think of other things when hearing about trials.  Still, the investigation is being set, but it's a whole different kind of trial. It's so amazing how God transforms our lives, starting from scratch.

Too many "teachers" today are saying that if you are in a trial that it's because of a lack of faith.  How unbiblical to lead a person to such conclusions when too many times in Scripture we see the very opposite.

When we read Acts 14.22, we see that Paul had been stoned and thrown out of the city for preaching the Gospel, and yet went back in and continued even after being declared dead.  It says,

"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14.22

Paul knew that in order to live according to the Word, there would be tribulation.

Now, this being said, I think it is important to say that we do not get into the kingdom of God because of our trials, but this is the natural affect of knowing the truth, and sharing it with others.  There will be persecution.

This doesn't sound like the message you probably heard last week on TV does it? That's because the majority of what makes popular TV so popular is called "me-ism" teaching, i.e. it's all about me.  "Jesus died for ME, He gives ME treasures in heaven, He blesses ME in this life, etc." These are all indications of the direction these teachers are trying to take you. Let me give you 4 key words that are summed up in all of Scripture:

                               

Now that we've taken the "us" out of the picture, let's look at the trial.  You see, in my B.C. days (before I accepted Christ), I looked at trials as losing something, but when you're a new creation in Christ, like it talks about in 2 Corinthians 5:17, trials are actually a gain.  Bear with me on this.

Let's take a look into 1 Peter 4:12-19,

^{12 "}Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

¹³ But REJOICE, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (emphasis added)

Here we see that the Holy Spirit, through Paul, tell us not to count it strange when trials come.  Done! I think we've established that one.  Now he jumps to REJOICING.  Wait, WHAT?  We're still talking about trials right?  Yes!  God tells us to rejoice during these times which are bound to come.  Why on earth would we rejoice in a time of trial?  Well,  let's keep reading.

¹⁴ If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, HAPPY are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Now we're told not only to rejoice, but to be happy.  But there's a key to this happiness.  After my long awaited rabbit trail, we've arrived at the point of the title of this post.  God tells us that even though we're under persecution, having health issues, or anything else testing our faith (James 1:3), on our part we have the opportunity to glorify Him!  This is the key! This is the clincher.  We seek to praise our God not only for His gifts that seem pleasant, but also the gifts of stripping us out of the way.  There are two ways you can turn in a trial.  "Oh, woe is me" or "TO GOD BE THE GLORY!"

This is the trial that Peter is talking about in 1 Peter 1:7,

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

Continuing in 1 Peter 4:15-19 it says,

^{15 "}But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

¹⁶ Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him GLORIFY God on this behalf.(emphasis added)

¹⁷ For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

¹⁸ And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

¹⁹ Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."

So to end with the key point, trials come as an opportunity, like a gift.  God gives us the choice to point to ourselves and gain all the attention or we can point to the Lord on high, who while we were still sinners, He sent His only Son to bear ALL of our sins on the cross and die the death we all deserve.  Although Christ suffered and died in our place, He still calls us to die with Him and rise with Him in His resurrection, being given new life, all for the opportunity to point to Him.  I praise God He saved me from my consequences leading to eternal death.

Even though we WILL see tests, trials, and persecution in this life, we've been given a sure and certain promise that our home is eternally with Jesus.  Let's take advantage of the time we have to turn others away from us and point them to the only One who deserves all the glory!

                                             

Jehovah Nissi: The Lord is our Banner!

Take a look at this chapter of Exodus. 

Exodus 17  (for commentary and translation click here)

1And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. 2Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? 3And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? 4And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. 5And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. 6Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

8Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

14And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 16For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

 Such a great example of Gods mercy on Israel even when they tempted Him. In the end, He reveals His WONDERFUL power and saves the nation yet again. As a tribute, Moses is commanded by God to write this down for remembrance in a book (the Bible) and build an altar naming it Jehovah Nissi , for the Lord is our banner! 

What a great example and a message to ALL Christians to take this message to the streets and tell everyone that the Lord is your banner in remembrance of all the darkness He brought you out of!  We were all ONCE LOST and just like someone waved their banner to you, we should all have that desire to do the same to others!