Weekly Letter
1/16/21
For see, the day of the LORD is coming-the terrible day of His fury and fierce anger. The land will be made desolate, and all the sinners destroyed with it. Isaiah 13:9“
I, the LORD, will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sin. I will crush the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the mighty.” Isaiah 13:11
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:5-10
The only way to live life in the light is by God’s Holy Spirit. This requires confession and repentance. This doesn’t mean that a believer living in the light will be free of sin. But we can’t, as believers in Jesus Christ, continue in unrepentance. In fact, if we look at everything thing that goes on in the world today we see many who call themselves followers of Christ living in unrepentant sin. Until Jesus comes in glory we are to repent and receive His wonderful cleansing.
The windstorm this week seemed to give us a visual into the life of many in the street community today. One older man shared with a minister that he wanted prayer for anxiety and anger. The minister shared with this man that he had seen him grow in his walk with Jesus and that even though he was having a difficult time God was helping him through this. Years before, instead of asking for prayer this man would have walked off swearing and yelling when he was feeling tormented. God has done such an amazing work in his life and we will continue to pray for peace, rest and repentance for him. One younger man who usually doesn’t like having prayer left after the prayer time with a changed attitude. He gave his life to Jesus a few years back and is slowly growing in faith. We believe that receiving the prayer with joy is another step of growth in his faith. One man, who comes to the street corner most every week, can barely walk. He has had problems with his feet and ankles and we will continue to pray God’s healing touch on him. One lady that we have ministered too for about five years was down the block on the corner of a busy street. Her face was covered in mud and she couldn’t stand up straight. Please join us in praying that God would use her brokenness to bring her to repentance that she could once again have fellowship in the light. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the awesome wonder of Jesus Christ prepare our hearts to surrender completely to His will.
Love,Steve and Donna
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1/9/21
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again-my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5I
will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:7
Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You. Psalm 51:12
Since we didn’t go to the street corner the day after Christmas and we don’t go out the first weekend of the month we were excited about being back out to encouraging those who know Jesus in their walk with Him and sharing Jesus with those who have never met Him. After spending a wonderful time in worship with the people that was there and a few minutes into the sermon one person came up and sat down. After sitting down he decided to eat a bag of chips about as loudly as he could. While this person was still eating his bag of chips another person walk up talking loudly and saying something about Satan. As some of the ministers prayed one minister asked the man to quiet down so that people that wanted to hear the sermon could. At this the man walked away and the man eating loudly walked off too. We know that these men were demonically influenced but we will be praying that God would bring them back and God would open their ears to hear the freedom they could have in Christ. During the prayer time one person was battling discouragement. He has been working on his relationship with Jesus and with his wife for a few months now. The day after Christmas someone torched his car (his and his wife’s home) and he lost everything that he had. After spending time with several of the ministers and spending time in prayer he left with more hope than he came with. We will keep praying for him with the knowledge that a broken and contrite heart Jesus doesn’t despise. Another man shared that he was taking a blood thinner because of a clot. We are praying healing for him. Many of people from the street community seemed to be discouraged and struggling with so many different things and so the prayer times were spent encouraging the street community to keep their eyes on Jesus and keep fighting the good fight of faith. We are so thankful that we get to go to the street and bind the broken hearted. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. God Bless you and keep you!
Love,Steve and Donna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12/19/20
All right then, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a Child! She will give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel (which means, ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14
Immanuel – God with us is the message of hope proclaimed at Christmas.
God sent His Son to a life of humble service for the entire world by dying for our sin and rising on the third day that by His Holy Spirit He would live within us. This is the reason we rejoice at Christmas.
Too often people lose sight of the true purpose of rejoicing and when that happens they suffer because they have placed family, gifts or food above the blessed Hope that we have. Many think that this year people are suffering more than any other from not joining family or doing the things that they enjoy at Christmas, but every year people suffer from the loss of loved ones, jobs, homelessness, illness or many other circumstances that cause a difficult time around the ‘holidays’.
May we as believers in the blessed hope of Jesus Christ help to remind those in Christ, and bring those that don’t know Jesus to the truth of why we rejoice at Christmas.
As we pulled up to the street corner we couldn’t find a place to park. So we drove around the block and finally parked up the street and around the corner. The street was much busier than the other street but it was wonderful to be on level ground instead of standing on the hill. We were concerned that some of the people that normally come wouldn’t be able to find us, but trusting God had His reasons we parked there. As we set up one lady came up and asked what we were doing and we shared that we were setting up for a church service. So she decided to stay. During the prayer times she shared that she was having a really difficult day and that hearing the sermon was just what she needed. As she shared this she started to cry with thankfulness to Jesus for having us be on the ‘wrong’ corner so she could join us. The entire day was truly a day of rejoicing in the Lord! A lady we hadn’t met before came up as we were getting ready to load up and leave for the day. She said she needed so many different physical things. But as the minister shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with her, she left with the One most important thing, faith in Jesus Christ!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that if you are having a difficult time this Christmas encourage yourself with the truth that Jesus came to a manager to go to a cross for you. And if you know someone that is struggling this Christmas please share the real reason to rejoice this Christmas.
For those of you that enjoy listening to some of the sermons online this Saturday we did a video of the sermon. You’ll find the video sermon under videos second one down. Enjoy!
Love,Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12/12/20
Joy is not an emotion, it is a choice. We need to choose to place our eyes on Christ and His promises rather than our own tragedy’s and circumstances. To have joy in the midst of the tragic things that are taking place in our country, we have to trust that Jesus is good and desires not just ok for us but the best for us and for those around us. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before the LORD. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:9-10
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the LORD appeared among them, and the radiance of the LORD’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid! “He said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:6-11
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
Living a life filled with the Holy Spirit by keeping our eyes on Jesus is the only way to live filled with joy.
As we pulled up at the street corner today the temperature was still down in the thirties but the sun was shining. We set up the chairs in the sun so it would be slightly warmer for those that came to hear the worship and listen to the sermon. As the first song was playing the street corner became full of people wanting to draw closer to God. After a sermon on Satan’s defeat by Jesus at the cross, we started serving hot coffee and hot chocolate. One man showed up and his wife was with him for the first time. They hadn’t been together for a long time because of his anger but the more he walks in the Spirit and looks to Christ the more restoration God is doing in his life. This man couldn’t wait to introduce everyone to his wife. Even with living in a tent they had joy. They shared with the minister that they both want to put Jesus first! During the prayer times one man shared that he was having a difficult time from not being with his family during Christmas. After praying comfort for this man the minister shared that as a believer he is part of God’s family. We will continue to pray for him. Several people shared in different prayer times that there is chaos and confusion going on everywhere they go. With everything that is going on with lockdowns, people losing jobs, politics and violence, the street community feels it most of all. But if we keep looking to Jesus, God will show us the joy that only He can. As we were praying and serving the street community two cars pulled up and asked if they could hand out sandwiches. This has happened more often in the last year than any other time in the last fifteen years that we have been going. God’s people are waking up to what matters, doing God’s work with joy in whatever circumstances God has placed them! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the joy of the Lord fill your week with strength!
Love,Steve and Donna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11/28/20
“Come to Me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” Isaiah 55:3
Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:6-9
“It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11
Today we celebrated a day of Thanksgiving for all Jesus has done. We shared hot turkey soup, rolls and mini pies with the street community. Today seemed to be a day that those who have put their trust in Jesus needed to be encouraged in their walk with Him. As the ministers spent time serving lunch, one older man was getting really upset because he wasn’t getting what he wanted off the bus right away. Usually this man would end up walking down the street and yelling at a light pole because the anger would consume him. But today as soon as a minister went to help him with some things off the bus he calmed down and said he needed to trust God. During the prayer times another man that deals with anger needed to be encouraged that putting Jesus first in his life would keep him from exploding. One lady, who has been learning to walk with Christ, shared a poem about trusting Jesus. It was beautiful! One man who is going through chemo was thankful to have some hot soup. We will continue to pray healing for him. One lady that we hadn’t met before kept doing a pole like dance and had to be told many times that wasn’t appropriate behavior. After being told this several times she started throwing her trash on the ground. We finally had to tell everyone that everything needed to come to a stop until the garbage was picked up. After this she stopped throwing garbage. Sadly, after a minister shared the Gospel with her, she chose to ignore God’s truth and stated that she was a guardian angel. One man that we hadn’t met before also chose to turn away from the free gift of salvation when presented with the Gospel. We know that God’s word won’t go void so we are praying that they come back and have repentant hearts. Really busy day but we were so thankful to be able to go out and share what Jesus has done for us all! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God open doors for you to witness to His glory!
Love,Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11-21-20
Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. John 1:45-46
They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself-no prophet ever comes from Galilee!” John 7:52
The religious leaders at the time of Jesus assumed certain things about people based on where they lived or who their families were. In this day and age we see the same assumptions made especially with people who have been in prison or have been homeless.
Christians have a different perspective of people. We know it is when someone is hopeless, broken and recognize their need of a Savior that Jesus comes into that life and transforms everything.
Today as we stepped off the bus at the street corner someone that we met years ago that was homeless, drove up. He stopped to share the news that he was engaged! It has been such an honor to see this man go from homelessness to Seminary and now become engaged. We can’t wait to see what else God is going to do in his life. During the worship there seemed to be a lot of chaos going on with people talking and getting up and then sitting back down. But during the sermon everyone seemed to settle down and pay attention. One lady that recently married asked for prayer for restoration of her relationship with her daughter. Jesus has already restored her relationship with her son. As Jesus draws her and her husband to walk closer to Him we have watched healing in many of her relationships. A minister shared the Gospel with a lady and her boyfriend that we hadn’t met before. Sadly the lady kept rambling and couldn’t speak clearly about anything. The boyfriend paid attention but because of the lady distracting him they walked away without a clear understanding of what Jesus has done for them. We will be praying that they come back. Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we all fill this week with thankful hearts for what Jesus has done!
Love,Steve and Donna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10/31/20
And this is the way to have eternal life-to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth. John 17:3
And we know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God and He is eternal life. 1 John 5:20
So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock – His church, purchased with His own blood – over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. Acts 20:28
We have met some people over the years out on the street that say they are Christians. But when asked a few questions about what they believe about Jesus many have made up their own belief system. Sometimes it means that they can work their way to God or if they are just nice to everyone they will be accepted by God.
The truth matters. Jesus redeemed us by His blood. This is the Gospel.
I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Acts 20:29-30
Many people want to help the homeless. Not everyone, including many believers share the Gospel. If you give the homeless food and clothing you most likely will be met with gratefulness and appreciation. Doing good for people is always good. But just caring for someone’s physical need is not sharing the Gospel and it doesn’t always point someone to Jesus. Sharing Jesus with people isn’t always welcomed. But it is what ‘Christians,’ ambassadors for Christ, are called to do. Which is the better good, to offend someone with the truth of the Gospel or to send them to hell with a full belly and a happy face? We want to care for the needs of the homeless but our more important mission is to share Jesus, the reason we have hope. Each week we take the short amount of time we have and try to make sure that every person that we meet leaves with a better understanding of who Jesus is.
But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved.) Ephesians 2:4-5
Today was another amazing day. As we set up for worship people down the street started screaming at each other. After praying for them they seemed to calm down. But as the day went on it was as if there was a spirit of anger and hatred swirling all around the street corner. One car stopped at a stop sign and the truck behind it almost hit it but instead of behaving rationally the person in the truck started honking his horn and yelling at the car that stopped for the stop sign. Another car skidded around the corner it was going so fast. Satan hates that we are there and hates even more that we dare to speak the truth of Jesus Christ. But with all of this going on there seemed to be a hedge of protection around the corner. One person wanted to argue with a minister that everyone goes to heaven. The minister tried to help this man understand what the Bible says about Jesus being the way, the truth and the life. We will continue to pray for this man. One lady was under the influence of drugs. It is so heartbreaking to see someone that has given their life to Jesus so completely out of it. We will continue to pray for her. One man that we have ministered too for a couple of months seemed to have decided to surrender to the will of God in his life. He was miserable last week and wouldn’t accept any help physical or spiritual but today he desired to hear the sermon and knew that Jesus had ministered to him through it. He also put some shoes on so he wouldn’t be so cold. One man shared how much better life seemed and how he had hope that things could improve after asking Jesus to save him last week. One young man who we have ministered too for about five years and never wanted anything to do with faith in Jesus and has always had a mocking spirit, after hearing the sermon wanted Jesus to save him! The change that came over this young man was immediate and it seemed as if heavy weights had been lifted off of his neck and he was able to lift his head up for the first time in years. Thank you Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and minds this week.
Love,
Steve and Donna
10/24/20
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24
And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27
October is such a beautiful time of year, the leaves turning yellow, orange and red. There is one outside the kitchen window that turns a gorgeous mixture of red, burnt orange and yellow. Of course when they start changing color it means the leaves are dying. They will soon fall to the ground and the tree will be ready for winter.
The same thing happens to a person that surrenders their life to Christ. Jesus starts that transformation work in them and brings them from darkness to a brilliant light and that light shines brightly for all to see. And it all begins as they die to themselves and allow Christ to live in them all for God’s glory!
Everything on earth will worship You; they will sing Your praises, shouting Your name in glorious songs. Psalm 66:4
The sun was shining as we pulled up to the street corner today. But as we stepped off the bus the wind was blowing so hard that it felt as if it was cutting through to our skin even with layers of warm clothing on. On days like this it is so difficult to see the struggle that the street community goes through, ravaged by addiction with the added pain of the cold weather. One person who refuses to wear shoes was struggling more than the others. Of course being barefoot in the cold wasn’t helping him. The ministers wanted to get him shoes even off their own feet; insulated pants and warm sweatshirt but he refused all of it. Instead he wanted money to buy drugs. All of the ministers were praying for him and we know that God’s word does not go void but will accomplish all it set out to do. So even with this man being so angry and non-receptive to spiritual or physical help, we pray that he would come to a point of brokenness where Jesus could work in his life. One older man who has given his life to Christ has been surrendering to the work of Jesus in his life. We have witnessed him go from being as angry as the other man to praising God and knowing God is working in his life. Even with the cold this older man had a smile. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. God is working in amazing ways in the street community for His Glory!
Love,
Steve and Donna
10/17/20
Attention! Let all the people of the world listen! Let the earth and everything in it hear. The Sovereign LORD is making accusations against you; the LORD speaks from His holy Temple. Look! The LORD is coming! He leaves His throne in heaven and tramples the heights of the earth. The mountains melt beneath His feet and flow into the valleys like wax in a fire, like water pouring down a hill. Micah 1:2-4
The LORD is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is His mighty army, and they follow His orders. The day of the LORD is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive? That is why the LORD says, “Turn to Me now, while there is time. Give Me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:11-13
There is a day coming when Jesus will return and it will be a horrific time for those that have chosen to ignore His truth. Until that day comes we should keep trying to reach everyone with the Gospel.
Today during the sermon a police car went racing by with the siren and lights going. As he went by three other police cars were just down from the corner flying down the street with sirens blaring. We stopped to pray for the officers and the situation that they were headed to.
After the sermon one person told a minister how the message had really spoken him. This man told the minister a couple of months ago that he had asked Jesus to save him when he was young. The minister explained that Jesus had never let go of him. Since that day he seems to have been growing closer to God. We are praying that he doesn’t wander away from God again. One lady told a minister during the pray time that the group that had been helping her to get into housing seemed to be backing away from helping her. It was obvious from the way she held herself that she was feeling abandoned. Before praying the minister shared with her about the apostles being martyred and yet it wasn’t because Jesus had left them, just the opposite. We are praying that Jesus would encourage her to keep close to Him in everything that she faces. At the end of the day one person wanted to keep talking about what Jesus was doing in his life. So we stayed longer than we usually do, but as he continued to talk one man walked up needing some food. The man told the minister that he was ready to give up, he had enough. He had the look of someone that didn’t care if he lived or died. After handing him some food the minister shared the Gospel with the man and he started to cry and asked Jesus to save him! Thank you Jesus! Please join us in praying for him that God would encircle him with protection and fill his heart with the joy. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. God is moving through the streets of Tacoma because of your prayers!
Love,
Steve and Donna
10/10/20
The LORD gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for You! I’m too young!” The LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I tell you. Jeremiah 1:4-7
God is the One that sends a believer to reach people. And God planned this before we were born.
Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads – I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” Acts 18:4-6
If anyone should have been able to reach the people in the synagogue, it would have been Paul. As a Pharisee he had been a part of and familiar with that group of people. But it was the Gentiles that God sent Paul too. We can see how easily Paul might have questioned the path God was leading him on with the reasoning being all his training as a Pharisee.
God will often send us to a people group where we in our natural mind think we shouldn’t be and can’t relate to their circumstances. But we need to remember that it is God that convicts the heart of separation from Him. God is the One that turns that conviction into repentance and a desire to obey Him. It isn’t our ability to relate. We are called to use our ability to point to the Savior. We never know what words we speak or action we take will be the pointer that God uses to open a door to faith in Jesus.
But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. For no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them to Me, and at the last day I will raise them up. John 6:43-44
The heavens seemed to open up and pour out the entire contents of the clouds as we headed to Tacoma today. But as we prayed for the homeless on the way to the street corner the sun came out and was shining brightly along with a rainbow over the city. During the prayer times one younger lady who we hadn’t met before seemed to have put together her own version of ‘god.’ The minister spent a lot of time with her pointing her back to Scripture and the truth of Jesus Christ. She seemed to receive what was being said. We are praying that she comes back and the Holy Spirit would bring clarity to her mind. One younger man that we have ministered too over the years had been doing really well. He asked Jesus to save him about three years ago and ended up in a Christian clean and sober house. But today our hearts were breaking when we saw him. As we set up for coffee after the worship and sermon, one minister noticed blood all over the sidewalk. This younger man’s hand was bleeding and he didn’t even know it. This man had gone back to the life that Jesus had so mercifully brought him out of. So the minster gave him some band aids to help stop the bleeding and keep the wound from getting infected. Please join us in praying that Jesus would once again lift him out of the addiction. One older lady all of a sudden realized that she remembered one of the ministers from about four years ago. The minister had given this lady the shoes she was wearing because there wasn’t any on the bus to fit her. During the prayer times this older lady asked Jesus to save her. We believe that the shoes given were a seed planted for a time that this lady had stopped doing cocaine and was clear minded and ready to accept the gift of salvation. Thank you Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God give you a glimpse of how many lives your prayers and donations change!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/26/20
And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection. Luke 20:36
But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. Galatians 4:5
See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him. 1 John 3:1
Today as we headed to the street corner the weather forecast was for rain. We had been praying all week that the rain would hold off until after the baptism at Wapato Lake. As we set up for worship and the sermon the sun was shining brightly. The lady who was going to be baptized later that day shared with everyone that she had been blessed to speak with her son after not speaking to him for several years. In fact, someone had told her that her son had died. She was praising Jesus for allowing her to know that her son is alive and that she was able to talk to him the night before she was to be baptized. After the worship and sermon we set up for coffee and prayer. One person that has been growing in Christ the last month stepped up and helped at the coffee table, what a blessing! During the prayer times one lady needed a pair of shoes. She said that when she woke up someone had taken one of her shoes. She went on to share about the problem of theft that take place when someone is homeless. The minister prayed for God’s protection over her. One older gentleman who didn’t speak very good English needed some shoes. God had provided the shoes that he needed and the minister was able to understand that he believed in God. The older man said he needed help but the minister wasn’t sure exactly what he meant. The minister was able to point him to a Pastor that would be able to speak the man’s language. As the minister prayed for him, he started to cry. Please join us in praying that this man meets the Pastor that will be able to understand him and through that he will come to know how much God cares about him. After praying with everyone we loaded up the bus and headed to the lake. The sun was still shining. At the park the six people on the bus and others that had met us at the lake for the baptism started to gather by the bus when the lady parked next to the bus shared with one of the ministers that she was a believer. She was invited to attend the baptism also. The baptism was amazing with everyone cheering as she came up out of the water. Before leaving several women gathered around the lady that was parked next to the bus and prayed with her. She is living in her car and was excited to know that there was a church that meets outside. Right after everyone that was riding the bus stepped back into the bus the wind picked up and the rain came down in a torrent! What an awesome God we serve! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God bless you with strength and peace!
Love,
Steve and Donna
9/19/20
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23
All of us like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s path to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on Him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:6
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34
Once we, too were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. Titus 3:3
We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind. Isaiah 64:6
Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” He replied, ‘What is impossible for people is possible for God.” Luke 18:26-27
For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4
And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:16-17
Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in Your sight. You will be proved right in what You say, and Your judgement against me is just. Psalm 51:4
Whatever sin we commit, our sin is against a righteous God.
Accepting the free gift of salvation saves us from spiritual death, but it also saves us from the power of sin.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and make me willing to obey You. Psalm 51:12
Today the street community was on edge from a murder that had taken place recently. Over the years many people from the street community have shared that they can’t forgive someone. They have allowed the anger and hatred to rule over their life. When they put their trust in Jesus Christ, this anger doesn’t always just disappear. It is always a blessing to help them understand that God helps us with the sin of anger and if we repent and ask Him to help us, He will. Not only does Jesus help us forgive but He gives us the ability to replace the anger with love. With everything that went on recently with the street community today was the perfect day to teach and pray with those who have placed their trust in Christ to repent of anger and replace that anger with love.
One lady came looking for a coat for her small dog. God had provided a little red dog coat a couple of weeks earlier. It is always stunning how God provides for those that have so little. We are praying that this lady gets into the new life program at the mission. Another lady who showed up was angry and snapped at one of the ministers. When the minister treated her with respect and love and cared for her needs she came back and apologized. This lady has put her trust in Jesus but needs to be serious following Him. We will continue to pray for her. One man shared with a minister that he hadn’t been to the street corner since 2011. He still didn’t want Jesus to rule his life. We will continue to pray that God would bring this man to saving faith in Jesus. One lady who has been coming for several months now is looking forward to being baptized next Saturday. She has been serious about following Jesus. Please join us in praying for her that Satan doesn’t try to rob her of her commitment to Jesus. One man told the minister that he had to leave the place he was staying because the landlord was so hateful. After the sermon, he was encouraged and told the minister that was just what he needed to hear. When asked if he needed any provisions from the bus he stated, “I have already got what I needed in the sermon.” At the end of the day one younger man was walking by and not going to stop, but the minister asked him if he wanted some coffee. He didn’t want any coffee but he didn’t leave until he had put his trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the love of Christ rule in your hearts during these difficult days.
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/29/20
The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. Matthew 13:19
Satan wants to keep people from faith in Jesus, but if he can’t keep people from belief in Christ, he will try to deceive the followers of Jesus.
But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 2 Corinthians 11:3
The only way to do spiritual warfare and resist temptation is to entrust ourselves to Jesus care and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:2
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. Romans 8:13
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. Galatians 5:16-18
Today as we pulled up to the street corner the sun was shining towards Pacific Avenue but looking up the street, storm clouds where gathering in the sky. It seemed to represent what the day was going to be like. On one hand the street community seemed eager to hear God’s truth preached. But on the other hand we saw the internal spiritual battles with some people in the street community. We could see the mighty hand of God holding some even as Satan tried to cause distress. And the prayer times went the same. One lady who has been growing close to God and wanting to know Him more, is looking forward to being baptized. But another lady kept saying she was Holy Spirit filled but then saying things like she was a dragon queen. Very demonic. The ministers prayed for her deliverance. We will keep praying for her. One man wanted nothing more than to spend time hearing God’s word preached and encouraging others. One younger man was struggling with several different belief systems. The minister tried explaining and praying with him, but as with each individual, God has to be the one to intervene in his life. So we will be praying He does! At the end of the day one young man tried to explain that it was ‘iffy’ if he would be welcomed into heaven. He said he wasn’t always a ‘good’ person but he tried to be. The minister shared with him that the Good News of the Gospel was that Jesus was the only One perfect to walk this earth and that He paid for the sins of the world on the cross. The minister went on to explain that our part is to believe in Jesus and what He did and ask Him to save us. This young man made the most important choice of his life and asked Jesus to save him! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/22/20
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
There is one Mediator, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the One people need to meet.
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. James 4:14
During this time in history during the virus, God has shown this nation that we do not have the control over our lives like we thought.
For the believer, this is one of the very things that we choose, that Christ would have the reins of our life and we would follow Him.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirits leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:24-25
During the virus it is even more important that we show and explain the Savior to others. The results we leave to God, but we are called to arrange the meeting.
And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. Luke 12:47
Have you ever had one of those days that goes completely opposite of what you expected. Knowing that there was a group coming into town for prayer and worship down a couple of blocks from us, we weren’t sure what to expect. When they were up in Seattle the rioters showed up. But just like during this virus we went anyway, knowing that God had a purpose for us to be there. When we arrived at the corner there was a large group already gathered and before we were set up for worship the street community had filled the sidewalk. One person who we met for the first time to day came up stating he was a born again Christian and had only been in town for a couple of weeks and was looking for a church. It seemed the church found him! Sermons on the street are different each week. There are days when someone will come and fall asleep feeling safe after a difficult night. Other times people will start talking or walk off. And yet there are those who are excited to be there and take to heart God’s truth. Today it seemed that a few people had a mocking spirit as the sermon started but by the middle of the sermon that spirit had left and everyone was listening carefully. But they weren’t just listening they were standing in agreement with God’s word! It was one of the most amazing things to see what God was doing in each of them. And when the sermon was over they asked to hear more!
During the prayer times one person who seemed to have a mocking spirit spent a long time speaking with one of the ministers. He said he had put his trust in Jesus when he was really young but God hated him and had left him because he had sinned. The minister explained that God would never leave him or forsake him and that he was the one that turned away from God. The minister went on to explain that he needed to repent, ask God for forgiveness and turn away from his sin. He said he wasn’t ready to do that because he didn’t think he could turn away from his sin. The minister said that God would help him to do that. When the man left he looked like a different person. The guilt and condemnation of unrepentant sin gone and he had the hope that he didn’t have to fight the battle against sin alone. One lady who we have seen God transform the last couple of months was so excited to tell one of the ministers that she had brought two people to church with her. One of the people that she brought with her asked Jesus to save him! Many of the prayer times were praying for safety. The street community is still seeing a wave of theft and violence that hasn’t happened in many years. One man shared that he just got out of treatment and was so thankful that God was working in his life. One lady who put her trust in Jesus last month has an appointment to get into a spiritual treatment program. Please join us in praying that she keeps her appointment. One man who came to get some hygiene items after hearing the sermon asked Jesus to save him! Thank you Jesus! There have been weeks and even months that the sowing has been difficult but the fields are ripe for harvest and we thank all of you for working in the field with us! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission.
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/15/20
Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Luke 11:30-33
In the parable, Jesus doesn’t tell us why the priest and temple assistant crossed over to the other side. We don’t know what they were thinking but today many people would pass by with the reasoning that this man must have deserved what he got. Maybe he should have known it was a dangerous road and had someone with him or maybe God was punishing him.
We see this same attitude toward the drug addicted. Some people believe that they deserve whatever happens to them. It can be easy to forget that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And like sheep we all have strayed and left God’s path to follow our own (Isaiah 53:6). Yes, for a drug addict that one sin leads them down a path of worse and worse sins that hurts everyone around them. But as followers of Christ we should never stand up like the Pharisee and tell God how good we are because we are not like the tax collector. No, we should humbly show compassion to those that haven’t been set free all the while hating the sin.
Today as we pulled up to the corner there was a large group of people waiting for us. One younger lady who was there looked filthy and like she had given up on worrying about any type of hygiene or even combing her hair. We have ministered to this lady for about five years and this is the worst she has ever looked. As we started to set up for the worship and sermon she decided to walk off. We are praying that she comes back and receives the message that we have been telling her for five years, that there is hope in Jesus Christ. One older man showed up we hadn’t seen in a couple of years. He was thankful to be there but started talking about the people that were stealing from him. Even though he seemed to know God’s word, he was threating to hurt the people who were stealing. We are praying that God would intervene in this man’s life and transform him. Another older man asked to pray for world peace. The minister explained to him that the Bible is pretty clear that world peace won’t happen, but that Jesus can give His children peace that the world doesn’t understand. One man that we have ministered to for about three months was asking about the school of urban ministry. We are joining him in prayer that he takes the path that God is leading him and doesn’t allow his homeless situation to stop him from following Jesus wherever that leads him. One lady who had put her trust in Jesus last month said she was tired and wanted change. The ministers prayed with her and gave her some resources to help her become sober. It was clear to the minister that Jesus was speaking to this lady through her hopelessness to bring her to the point of brokenness and repentance that will allow God to work change in her life! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the great mercy and peace of Jesus guide you through the week!
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/8/20
He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. Matthew 13:11-12
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” And He said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to Me for healing.” Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?” And He replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland; until the LORD has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted. If even a tenth-a-remnant-survive, it will be invaded again and burned. But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down, so Israel’s stump will be a holy seed.” Isaiah 6:8-13
As followers of Jesus Christ we are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. We see the darkness that has cast its evil shadow over America. If we don’t reach the lost our country will lie in the filth of waste. But even now there is a holy seed that is growing!
But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! Matthew 10:26-27
It’s time for the Christians in America to stand against the culture of evil and to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
During the time of worship on the street corner one person showed up and wouldn’t sit in a chair. He said that his electrically field was too powerful and he would be electrocuted. He then said that the music had to stop because there were too many wires above. Two ministers prayed for and tried to minister to him but whatever drug he was on was blinding him to any truth. As soon as the music stopped he got up and left. We are praying he comes back and would have clarity of mind and that Jesus would reach him. After hearing an inspiring sermon on missionaries sending Scripture filled balloons to North Korea to reach the lost, we spent time praying with the street community. During one prayer time a lady needed prayer for an infection in her foot. She ended up in the hospital with really high blood pressure caused by the infection. Even with ending up in the hospital she wasn’t discouraged and was thanking God for all He was doing. She shared that she was also encouraging some of the older women who were staying in the shelter with her. During another prayer time one older man said that God was helping him to treat his new girlfriend with respect. This man might be homeless but he is putting God first in his life and trusting everything else to Jesus! We are humbled that we get to see God work in these beautiful saints! On the ride home we saw a younger lady that we have tried to minister to for about five years. She was walking the street ‘working’ and when she saw the bus she covered her face. In the rear view mirror we saw her bend over as if in pain. We didn’t feel that we could pull over and talk with her without putting her in danger so we kept going. Please join us in praying for this young lady that she would come back to the street corner and know that Jesus didn’t come to condemn her but to save her. We know that when she is thinking clearly she can sense the love of Jesus coming through the ministers. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We are praying that Jesus would speak to you in the still, small voice and that you would in turn shout His praises from the rooftops!
For those of you that know Scott Baker, please keep him in your prayers. He is in the hospital with a serious infection. Thank you.
Love,
Steve and Donna
7/25/20
Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!” The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Lamentations 3:17-20
There are so many people suffering right now. Some are mourning the loss of loved ones. Some are homeless and some have had their work places shut down by the state or burnt down by mobs. Many people are living in the midst of chaos and fear.
These same problems have gone on for hundreds of years. It could be that the United States is going through these difficult times because a large part of our country doesn’t honor God. But just as God allows a person to go through horrible trials that they would recognize their need for Jesus, maybe Americans will realize their need for the Holy God of the universe to intervene in their life.
Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore I will hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who search for Him. Lamentations 3:21-25
As we pulled up to the corner and started to set up for worship one lady that was there for the first time last week was waiting for us. She was so excited to be there and started sharing all that God had been doing in her life and sharing the Scriptures she had been reading. This was such a change from the week before when she showed up completely demoralized. Thank you Jesus for working in her life! One man when asked to help put the cross on the front of the bus said he was honored to be able to move the cross. After the worship and sermon the lady who was so excited to be there had many great questions. One man after receiving some food stated that he didn’t need prayer and he had his reasons. This man stomped angrily off up the street and the ministers prayed for him. We are praying that he will come back to the corner under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and be transformed. Another man asked as he walked by the corner if anyone had a cup of cold water. But he left being filled with living water! Thank you Jesus! Another busy, amazing day fishing for men. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7/18/20
Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waiver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. 1 Kings 18:21
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14
There are many ways we gather information. Most information comes from secular sources. For Christians, every piece of information we gather needs to be tested with the Bible. The more we seek out Christ through His word, prayer, church and fellowship, the less we will be influenced by lies.
Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if your remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Believers aren’t chained to sin. We have the ability to do what is good and right because of Jesus. But we have to actively seek Him which is what believers want to do because we love Him.
Today after a fiery sermon many of the prayer times were spent helping people who have trusted in Jesus to seek Him out and follow Him. One lady who we met for the first time today said that she had lived with some people for six years and two days after her birthday they kicked her out. She said that they were always trying to beat her down and call her names. After praying with her the minister spent time encouraging her to stay close to Jesus and His followers and away from unbelievers. One younger man that put his trust in Christ a few years ago but suffers with confusion shared how people were acting mean. The minister prayed with him and encouraged him to read his Bible and stay away from people that don’t live for Jesus. The minister also prayed for clarity for this young man’s mind. Another young man wanted to know if we were living in the end times that the Bible speaks of. This young man is a believer and said he has been thinking about all the crazy, terrible things that are going on. The minister shared that even the disciples two thousand years ago believed that Jesus could have returned in their day and when we see these things going on it gives us an opportunity to pray and wait in hopeful expectation. As the minister talked to this young man about five police cars went speeding by so they stopped talking and prayed for the police and the situation to which they were going. Many other prayer times and conversations were had encouraging the street community to actively follow Jesus. What a blessed day! Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the love of Christ lead you to encourage someone struggling this week!
Love,
Steve and Donna
7/11/20
“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O, LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:16
“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king, if I must die, I must die. Esther 4:16
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witness, telling people about Me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Scripture is full of spiritual warfare but we don’t need to fear the battle, Jesus has already won and we belong to Him. Just one of the reasons we need to remember we are in a battle is to be a witness for Jesus Christ. If we live defeated and unfruitful we cannot witness for Christ.
We spend many hours in prayer for the believers in the street community and many hours battling in prayer for those that haven’t put their trust in Jesus. With the virus and the violence that has been ravaging the cities many times the homeless become victims. That won’t change until Jesus transforms the hearts of people doing evil. But as the church prays the eternal destination of many people change!
What a wonderful day of serving Jesus on the street corner. We had three friends show up unexpected, one with his two young sons, and we were very grateful as we ministered to a large group. God knew. As we started singing praises one person came walking up the street and was invited to sit down. After the worship and sermon he shared that he was so thankful that God had led him to that street! Even at the end of the day when we were packing up, he didn’t seem to want to leave. When asked about Jesus and what he believed about heaven one person stated that he believed that everyone who worked hard would go to heaven. When the minister explained the Gospel to him, he still didn’t want Jesus to save him. We will be praying that the Holy Spirit would cause him to come to that point of conviction and he would surrender to the mercy of Christ. One person who believes in Jesus came needing just a pair of sweats. This person has been sick for some time with cancer and is very thin. We were able to give him sweatpants and we will continue to pray that God would bring healing. One younger lady came needing a bra but she left transformed by Jesus! Thank you Jesus! Thank you to all the spiritual warriors and to those that donate. Jesus is still transforming lives!
Love,
Steve and Donna
6/27/20
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance – an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protection you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 1 Peter 1:3-10
Today almost everyone that showed up at the street corner came with hearts prepared to receive God’s truth. During the sermon one man started crying. During the prayer time this man started crying again. He shared that he trusts in Jesus and is trying to follow Him but felt convicted. The minister told him that if he wasn’t living in the truth of God’s word that he needed to repent. The man said he had done this but still felt conviction. The minister explained that he needed to trust that God’s word is true and if he had repented, not just said he was sorry but actively turned away from sin with God’s help, God had forgiven him. After the sermon one younger man ran over and picked up some bottles that were lying on the road. He then ran them up the street to put them in a garbage can. When he got back a minister asked what he was doing and the young man said that it was just wrong for people to throw their garbage all over. This seemed to be a different person than the young man that we had gotten to know for a couple of years that even though he asked Jesus to save him only wanted to get what he needed and didn’t care about anyone or anything else. We are praying that this is the Holy Spirit working in him. One person that showed up couldn’t believe that we were there. He said he hadn’t come to the corner in the last three months because he thought for sure we wouldn’t be there. He was so grateful we were there and stayed after everyone left for the day to help put things back on the bus. One person that showed up last wanted to get in front of everyone else to get something off the bus. He was told there were people in front of him and he started to fly into a rage but one minister was able to help him calm down. One older lady stated during a prayer time that her problem is drinking and her daughter uses drugs. She said that addiction was evil. The minister agreed with her. The minister explained the Gospel to this lady and she asked Jesus to save her! Thank you Jesus! The minister went on to share that Jesus would help her to follow Him and to leave behind the drinking, not that it would be easy. The minister also explained to the lady that she was putting a stake in the ground and telling Satan that he no longer controlled her life and that she could now start praying for Jesus to take control of her daughter’s life also. After receiving a Bible she went and sat down with her brother and they started reading it! Praise God, what an amazing day! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus show open your eyes to see just how awesome He really is!
Love,
Steve and Donna
6/20/20
Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!” the thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: the faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him! The LORD is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of His discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the LORD’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion because of the greatness of His unfailing love. For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow. If people crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land, if they deprive others of their rights in defiance of the Most High, if they twist justice in the courts- doesn’t the Lord see all these things? Who can command things to happen without the Lords permission? Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD. Lamentations 3:17-40
The only thing that will help this country is to turn back to Jesus! As we headed to the street there were a lot more people in town than there has been for some time. Many of the businesses were still boarded up. After spending time offering God a sacrifice of praise for allowing us to gather together again on the street corner the pastor gave a message about unity in Christ and taking a stand to make a difference by lighting a path to Jesus for others and that Satan only came to kill, steal and destroy. All the ministers were wearing masks and helping the street community to keep several feet apart from each other. Between the virus and the riots, the street community has had a difficult time as have many people. During a prayer time one person said they were offered something to eat and then people wanted to pull him into disparaging the police. He happens to have a relative that is a police officer and he felt terrible being around a group that was doing that so he left. One person that showed up today asked if we had been the people that were on the other side of the street about three years ago. The minister said that we had been there for about fifteen years and many of those years were spent on the other side of the street. He was praising God that we were still there. One lady came who needed some shoes. When asked about Jesus, she said something about needing to suffer and then something about happiness. After listening for a couple of minutes the minister explained the Gospel to her and she asked Jesus to save her! Thank you Jesus! It was a blessed day sharing Christ and helping people who have put their trust in Jesus to walk with Him. We are so thankful for everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission that we can go! May God encourage and strengthen you and open the floodgate of heaven and pour out blessing on you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/13/20
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17
How do Christians live wisely in these evil days?
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:2-5
Jesus is the One who changes everything. People need to be born again to have a transformed heart. Jesus is the only One who can bring healing, restoration and truth. Let us boldly tell the world why we have hope!
So let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9
As we pulled up to the street corner today there was an odd kind of hush over the city. Many of the businesses were boarded up. One person we met had come from Seattle. He stated he had to leave because of everything that was going on. When asked about Jesus he said that he grew up going to church. The minister told him that the church can’t save him. He then shared that he also went to Bible study. The minister said that going to church and Bible study were great but it is only being clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ that can save him. This man needed to be reminded that he had been born again and that his life was no longer his to live anyway he wanted but was to be lived for Christ. We will continue to pray that God will give him the strength he needs to walk in faith. One younger person that showed up today wanted prayer for all the people that getting beat up in Tacoma. He said there were some really bad things going on and people were getting hurt. We prayed with him for the safety of the people in Tacoma and for him. Safety was on the mind of many of the people we prayed with this Saturday. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would descend on each person in the homeless community and Jesus would be glorified by broken and contrite hearts turning to Him. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God greatly encourage you to light a path to Jesus for others living in the dark!
Love,
Steve and Donna
5/23/20
He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. Daniel 11:32
But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from Me. I, the LORD, have spoken! Isaiah 54:17
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6
Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. Luke 10:19
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4
Every Christian will face temptation from the enemy. But Christians who learn to fight using the power of praying God’s word along with the Holy Spirit that lives inside of them will have victory over Satan’s attacks.
Today was about teaching the street community how to fight the attacks of the enemy. One older man asked for prayer for him and the people that he lives with. He stated that he has placed his trust in Jesus but he and the people he lives with are addicts. Before praying for this man the minister helped him to see through Scripture that he had been given authority over all the power of the enemy. One younger man asked for prayer as he was struggling with all the evil things that he had seen on the streets. This younger man had placed his trust in Jesus a couple of years ago and is slowing learning that he needs to replace the thoughts of evil with Scripture. One younger lady that we met about ten years ago when she was very young, wanted prayer for happiness. This younger lady has placed her trust in Jesus but isn’t around other believers except for the few times she shows up on Saturdays and so hasn’t learn that with Jesus living in her she has all the power to defeat Satan and to have the joy that only Christ can provide. Please join us in praying that God would lead her to the street corner every Saturday that she might grow in her walk with God. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We write these things that you may share fully in our joy of what God does on the streets!
Love,
Steve and Donna
5/16/20
You rulers make decisions based on bribes; you priests teach God’s law’s only for a price; you prophets won’t prophesy unless you are paid. Yet all of you claim to depend on the LORD. “No harm can come to us,” you say, “for the LORD is among us!” Micah 3:11
Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and demand payoffs, but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans or fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:23
Oh, what a sinful nation they are-loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people, corrupt children who have rejected the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him. Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick. You are battered from head to foot-covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds-without any soothing ointments or bandages. Your country lies in ruins, and your towns are burned. Foreigners plunder your fields before your eyes and destroy everything they see. Isaiah 1:4-7
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whispering and mutterings, they will tell us what to do. But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Isaiah 8;19
Look to God’s instruction and teachings! People who contradict His word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into darkness. Isaiah 8:19-22
When during a crisis a nation finds it more important to keep liquor stores, marijuana shops and abortion clinics open and yet closes the churches, it is a nation headed for destruction. When a nation allows drugs to freely flow through their border and yet spends millions on the security of other nations, it is a nation headed for destruction. When a nation can spend millions building a gas station in another country and does not take care of the widows, orphans and homeless people in its own streets, it is a nation headed for destruction. When a nation allows criminals to go free and puts innocent people in prison, it is a nation headed for destruction. When people are encouraged to find guidance in things like psychics or praised when they acquire wealth even when it means firing the people who do the actual work, a nation is headed for destruction.
With so much sin, fear and hopelessness in our nation the people of God are rising up and answering the call to pray! People that would not have walked into a church building are finding Jesus through online sermons by the thousands and revival is coming to this nation. This is a time to see God stretch out His hand in healing power and in miraculous signs and wonders! Stand back and watch the glory of the Lord!
As soon as they were freed, Peter and Jon returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-You spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, Your servant saying, “Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the LORD and against His Messiah.” In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, Your holy servant, whom You anointed. But everything they did was determined before-hand according to Your will. And now, O Lord hear their threats, and give us, Your servants great boldness in preaching Your word. Stretch out Your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:23-31
Today was a busy day spiritually. Most of the people that came to the bus were hungry for a touch from God. Not all were. One lady we had never met before told us she was perfect and never did anything wrong in her life. It would have been easy to point out God’s perfect law to her but she wasn’t willing to hear it so instead we prayed that she would allow God to teach her about His Son; the sinless Lamb of God. One younger man asked for prayer for his young son. This man had placed his faith in Jesus but said that his temper has kept him away from his son’s mother. The minister explained that his son needed him and he needed to repent and allow God to bring healing to him so that anger wouldn’t destroy his relationships. The young father was receptive to hearing this and was thankful for someone telling him. We will continue to pray that he would learn to follow Christ’s lead and restoration would come. A young lady wanted prayer for her sister. She didn’t clarify what was going on but it seemed to be about their relationship. The minister prayed that God would bring healing to their relationship. One man that we hadn’t seen in a couple of years shared that he had recently gotten out of the hospital. At first we didn’t recognize him because he had lost so much weight and looked like he had aged about twenty years. After all this man had gone through he made the best choice of his life, he repented of his sins and put his trust in Jesus Christ! One older man that we hadn’t met before came up. He acted like he couldn’t hear what the minister said when asked about God. We believed this to be demonic and we will be praying that he will come back and be set free in Jesus Christ. One young lady came to the bus needing some gloves and a hat. She left the bus knowing that her sins are forgiven and that Jesus has saved her! As we let the street corner for the day the food was all gone and the coffee pot empty but we were filled with praises for our Savior! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God shine through each of our prayers as we humbly seek His face!
Love,
Steve and Donna
4/25/20
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that our Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen. I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly a part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. 1 Peter 5:6-12
During these difficult times where many people all over the country are suffering it can be easy to become tunnel focused on certain things like a virus. But in all honesty, there are people in this country that suffer every day without the virus; people who lose jobs; marriages that break apart; loved ones that die, and many other tragic things. It is during the difficult times that the enemy likes to devour Christians. Once the virus is gone, let’s remember to encourage believers that are struggling that after suffering a little while, Jesus will restore, support and strength you and He will place you on a firm foundation. The darkness whether from a virus or whatever form of suffering will not last forever because the light of Christ will shine through!
Today as we pulled up to the street corner it was raining. As wet as it was the people that showed up didn’t want to leave. One man that is a believer in Jesus Christ was sharing how difficult it was for him with many of the places shutting down that he uses to receive help. After being reminded of whom he is in Christ this man shared that he moved up here a few years ago after living in Washington DC. He was reminded that God had kept him safe as he left DC and led him to Tacoma. After spending time in prayer with him he was encouraged that God had not forgotten him and that God would give him the strength to resist the devil’s temptations. Another man needed to be reminded that he belonged to Jesus. This man had given his life to Christ and been baptized but the enemy had been lying to him. He was so thankful that God had sent us there to remind him that Jesus had not forgotten him and that he could trample the enemy under foot. At the end of the day we again saw the man in a wheelchair that was missing the lower part of one of his legs. The end of his leg where part of it was missing wasn’t bleeding today but it wasn’t wrapped up and the end is really reddish purple and swollen. The minister was able to speak with him and he wasn’t in as much pain as last week which was an answered prayer! The minister gave him some food and a small blanket and then explained the way of salvation. This man still being in pain but finding out that there is hope and encouragement in Jesus Christ alone, asked Jesus to save him! After praying with this man we drove off with the sun shining through the stormy clouds. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We are praying that you will be encouraged in these difficult times that God is still on His throne and still moving in minds and hearts to transform people into new creations and will restore, support, strengthen and place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen.
Love,
Steve and Donna
4/18/20
“Tell the people of Israel,” ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey’s colt.’” Matthew 21:5
But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against Him, Jesus remained silent. “Don’t You hear all these charges they are bringing against You?” Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise. Matthew 27:12-14
Then they knelt before Him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and grabbed the stick and struck Him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him again. Then they led Him away to be crucified. Matthew 27:30-31
The leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but He can’t save Himself! So He is the King of Israel, is He? Let Him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in Him! Matthew 27:41-42
The entire universe was created through Jesus and yet He remained humble while He walked with mere mortals.
Many people today mock Jesus by mocking His followers. But when Jesus returns He will not becoming on a colt, He will be coming in power carrying a sword!
Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for He judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on His head were many crowns. A name was written on Him that no one understood except Himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and His title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. Revelation 19:11-15
As much as it hurts to see people reject, mock and persecute Jesus through persecuting His people, we are called to pray for them. We are to pray for our enemies. Let all of us who trust in Jesus, trust Him enough to pray for those that lash out at a people of faith, let us pray until our knees become numb and our hearts become broken over the lost. Jesus told us to follow His example and His example was to forgive. There will be a time for judgement and it may come sooner than later, but that isn’t what we need to spend our energy and time focusing on. Followers of Jesus need to link arm and arm together and stand firm in God’s Word to demonstrate faith to a world of people on the verge of stepping into hell. God have mercy on them!
Today it seemed that the street of Tacoma were empty of almost everyone but the truly broken souls. One person was so very thankful to be reminded that Jesus hadn’t forgotten him. Yesterday someone was blaming God for the virus and this man tried to tell them that God wasn’t to blame. He was mocked for saying this. Later the other person came back and apologized, but he felt alone as a believer of Christ until today, through coffee and prayer Jesus reminded this man that he was His child. One man was in a wheelchair and was missing the lower part of one leg. The minister tried to speak with him but the man seemed to be in pain and not wanting any help. The minister was finally able to give him a cup of coffee along with food and hygiene. Please join us in praying for this man that God’s mercy would speak to his heart and mind. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that you remember that God is not finished doing a work in this country or in the world. We all have a part in that. Let’s pray for the brethren and for those that hate us and see what Jesus will do!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/11/20
They even sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire.
They consulted fortunetellers and practiced sorcery and sold themselves to evil, arousing the LORD’s anger. 2 Kings 17:17
And though they worshipped the LORD, they continued to follow their own gods according to the religious customs of the nations from which they came. 2 Kings 17:33
When the king heard the words of the book of the Law, he tore his robes. 2 Kings 22:11
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans 3:20
During Josiah’s time people were committing many evil sins; consulting fortune tellers, killing babies and making up their own ‘gods’. Do these sins seem familiar? But when Josiah heard the law, he repented. This should bring us hope for our nation and the world. God’s truth causes conviction and with conviction a person can repent and turn to Jesus! During these dark times while pastors are arrested and congregations fined for showing up to church, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, pick up our cross and with earnest prayer God may send another great revival.
Today as we provided hygiene and food for the street community from the bus window one person didn’t understand what Easter was about. This younger man has asked Jesus to save him about a year ago but since we don’t see him every weekend he hasn’t grown in his walk with God. So we were able to take our time and explain 2 Corinthians 5:21 to him while others that were waiting seemed to stay about six feet apart. We are praying that he holds on to what he learned. One person that showed up wanted prayer for health. Since we had not met this person before we started with if he was a believer in Jesus Christ and he was. We then spent time praying for him and his girlfriend and will continue to pray for them. Another person was thankful that we had showed up and shared that we can’t be saved by our works, thank you Jesus that over the years he has been able to remember this. One person shared that more of the places that had provided meals for the homeless had shut down and they were grateful that Jesus has brought us to the corner with some food. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We are praying that all of you who are suffering from loss of work, illness or other things that come from a fallen world would be strengthened and comforted and be able to stand firm. Please pray for the churches that choose to gather.
Love,
Steve and Donna
3/28/20
So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan they began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, his axe head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!” “Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at the spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. “Grab it.” Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it. 2 Kings 6:4-7
When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.” But immediately Elisha the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.” 2 Kings 6:8-9
God cares about the small things that go on in our life and about the big things.
What is the price of five sparrows- two copper coins? Yet God does no forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
With many people all over the world are getting sick and many others dying from the virus, people need to know that Jesus cares about them. In these difficult times there are so many stories of Jesus working through His people to bring hope, healing and physical care too many others. His light is shining brightly in the small and big things that are taking place in these dark times.
As we drove up to the street corner today we had our face masks and gloves on. There were a couple people waiting for us even though we arrived early. But once we were parked more people showed up. We handed out coffee, hygiene, and food through the window again. One man who stays in Seattle had his face mask and gloves on. He said he was doing what he could to stay healthy but because he stays in the mission, he doesn’t have the ability to stay six feet away from others. He is trusting God to help him through this. We prayed that God would keep him safe. One lady we hadn’t seen in a long time knew that she needed to forgive a person that murdered her boyfriend. She stated that she couldn’t do it. We explained to her that she needed to ask God to help her forgive. She said she just wasn’t ready to do that. We will be praying that God would bring conviction and she would have the desire to be set free of the anger. As difficult as it was to minister through the bus window we are thankful that we are able to go. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God give you a glimpse of the light you shine into the lives of those around you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
3/21/20
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37
You must not test the LORD your God as you did when you complained at Massah. Deuteronomy 6:16
Then the devil took Him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If You are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order His angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’” Matthew 4:5-7
Trusting God with all of our heart will sometimes lead us to do things for others that would seem unwise to a secular culture. But trusting God doesn’t mean that we abandon all reason and test God. We should always question our motives for doing something and prayerfully check what we are doing with the truth of Scripture.
With the virus causing harm to so many people we decide that only two ministers should go to the street for the next few weeks. But we also prayerfully believed that it was important at this time to get out as many hygiene packs as possible. The last couple of weeks we hadn’t seen many people so we thought we would either be really slow or really busy. So we put the hygiene packs, food packs, gloves and hand warmers all together in a bag ready to hand out. And we loaded up the coffee and put on masks and gloves. When we first pulled up we saw only two people but more and more showed up. We handed out the bags through one window and the coffee through another. Everyone that showed up today was praising God. It was amazing to see! One person who had gotten into drug treatment said that the treatment centers had put everyone out because of the virus. Please join us in praying God would give him the strength to stay away from alcohol even without going through the entire program. One person that showed up was sick; please join us in praying that no one else from the street community becomes ill from him. In all the years of caring for the street community two days are never the same but today was really different and somewhat difficult. The street community wanted to gather around the side of the bus, but not wanting them to share germs with each other we tried to help them stay separated which was no easy task since we stayed on the bus. Please join us in praying that God would put a hedge of protection around the homeless. Sorry we completely forgot to take any pictures. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the King of kings and Lord of lords keep each of you healthy during this time of testing!
Love,
Steve and Donna
3/14/20
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that files in the day. Do no dread the disease that stalks in the darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation. Psalm 91
With the coronavirus going around, many Christians will be reading this Psalm and resting in God’s loving care, following God’s lead not wavering in the face of secular fears, to reach the lost. But there are those believers who read this and think that means that they will never suffer. God is telling us through this Psalm that He has rescued us from the penalty of our sin; eternal judgement-hell.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego relied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. Daniel 3:16-18
The three Hebrew boys in the Scripture above were not certain that God would rescue them from the fire, even though they knew He could. But they were certain in their belief in God.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen for He who calls you is faithful. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
God promises to make us holy and His promises are eternal! Let us faithfully trust in a right understanding of God’s promises.
As we headed out today it was snowing but when we neared Tacoma the snow had disappeared and the wind had picked up. Setting up on the corner it was really cold but it wasn’t just the cold it was the wind that was whipping through the alleys that would cut through all our layers of clothing biting into our skin. Knowing that many people remain sleeping on the street even in these cold temperatures our heart hurt as bad as our skin. One person that comes from Seattle was praising God because some people had come into a homeless shelter and paid for motel rooms for two weeks for some of the homeless. He was one of the recipients of their generosity. One younger man from Tacoma that has been working hard to stay close to God and work part time found out that he was one of fifteen people chosen to be placed in a boarding room. He was thanking God for providing for him and asking for prayer that he would be able to start working full time. We were rejoicing with both of them at what Jesus was doing in and for them! As we left the street corner for the day and headed back downtown to drop off one of the ministers a man was laying on the sidewalk sleeping, passed out or not breathing, we didn’t know which. He only had a light jacket on and no hat or gloves. We pulled over and asked if he was ok and if he would like a cup of coffee. After receiving a cup of coffee he asked Jesus to save his soul! Thank you Jesus! As we pulled away he was thanking God for showing up and caring about him. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God’s perfect love cast out any fear that comes your way!
Love,
Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
2/29/20
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer You our praises. Assyria cannot save us, nor can our warhorses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ No, in You alone do the orphans find mercy.” The LORD says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; My love will know no bounds, for My anger will be gone forever.” Hosea 14:1-4
Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:9
God is waiting with open arms to forgive sinners who repent and put their trust only in Jesus.
Today we had extra ministers join us. One lady whose birthday is tomorrow had only one thing she wanted for her birthday and that was for her children to join her and her husband on the street corner ministering to the homeless. It was an honor to have her and her family join us out on the street. When we arrived at the corner and were setting up for the worship one person showed up and just wanted to say thank you. He said he met us at the corner six months ago and we loved him and cared for him right where he was. He said he has been clean and sober the last six months. Thank you Jesus! He was heading to Seattle to make amends with a former boss. The opposite of this was a man who with every word he spoke or mumbled, was swearing. The ministers prayed with him and tried to encourage him to repent of his sins and put his trust fully in Jesus. We will continue to pray that God would bring him back and he would find the only One who can bring peace. It is sad watching someone in a world of hurt and torment when healing is within their reach. One lady who is living in her car has had a very difficult time. The loss of a loved one has completely wrecked her. She wants to forgive but isn’t ready to ask Jesus to help her do that. She knows that she has to make that choice if she is ever to have healing but she says she is too angry to forgive. She continues to talk about the pain in a series of loops, she talks about what happened and then continues on about the pain and then back to what happened. We are praying that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction and she would be able to forgive and start healing. One older man who showed up said that he had lost his house and felt God wanted him to just walk around Tacoma and tell people about the love of Christ. Amen! One man who needed a coat wanted to speak words of encouragement and blessing over the ministry. There was such a contrast today of people that were clinging to Jesus and those that hadn’t yet trusted Jesus with all their struggles. A wonderful day serving Christ with like-minded believers! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God give you a glimpse of the light that you shine into the lives of others!
Love,
Steve and Donna
2/22/20
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12
The moment a person puts their trust in Jesus they enter into an unseen battle field. Just because a person isn’t involved in a ministry or an outreach doesn’t exclude them from this battle. On the street the spiritual battle can often be seen through the behaviors of the people out on the street and not just the homeless.
Today the battle was visible from the beginning of the day. During the worship one person pulled their car in about fifteen feet in front of the bus and went over to talk to another person on the other side of the road and didn’t bother to look before he crossed. He was almost run over by a car that came around the corner. As we set up to serve coffee, cookies and pray for people, one person started yelling and swearing not at anyone in particular. Sadly this man didn’t want to receive freedom from his captivity and firmly stated as he walked off that he was already an eternal being. He is right about that but it will be a horrific eternity without Jesus. One lady who we hadn’t seen for about six months was yelling at her stomach. The last time we saw her she had been coming to street church on a regular basis and seemed to want to draw closer to Jesus, but today before any of the ministers could speak with her she walked off still yelling and didn’t come back. During all of the yelling one person made the decision to commit his life to Jesus! This man had pulled up in a little van and parked right in front of the bus and as he walked off after asking Jesus to save him, he went to get back in the van the van started rolling down the hill. He jumped in the van and got it to stop but not before bumping the car parked in front of the van. Then he couldn’t get the van to go into reverse and so he went down the street and had someone help push the van backwards. After pushing it backwards he left a note for the car that he had bumped. We thank Jesus that it didn’t look to have done any damage to the car that his van bumped and that he did what would please God in leaving a note. Please join us in praying that God would surround this new believer in a hedge of protection. While all that was going on with the van another person gave his life to Jesus! It was no wonder that the enemy was working overtime to try and keep God from filling two sinners with the Hope of heaven. By the end of the day we were all exhausted from the spiritual battle that raged but God be praised, He is the One in control! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commnission. We pray that God would give you peace and joy.
Love,
Steve and Donna
2/15/20
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God. Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:35-38
Many Christians take the verse ‘for nothing is impossible with God’ out of context, even when they have the good intentions of encouraging another Christian. Later in Luke 2:35 Simeon tells Mary that a sword would pierce her heart.
When encouraging another Christian who is going through a storm we need to remind them that God is good and that He loves us and that He will bring good out of every circumstance and use the troubled waters to make us more like His Son. Those are promises that we can cling to. If we don’t keep to the promise of Scripture in context it would be easy to tell someone who is struggling, that God will work everything out the way they want it to be. Sadly we have seen many in the street community fall away from faith in Christ because they thought or were told that things would work out the way they hoped.
The high and loft One who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. Isaiah 57:15
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 35:18
The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17
Some more promises of God is He is with the broken, humble, crushed spirit that repents.
Today as we were setting up on the street corner a man came up looking for his son. The look of anguish and panic on his face was heartbreaking to see. After telling him where the mission and nativity center were, the minister asked if he knew Jesus as his Savior believing that he shouldn’t leave without the hope we have in Jesus even when things don’t work out the way we had wanted. At this a flash of anger crossed his face as he stated he was saved a long time ago. Maybe he mistook what the minister said as to mean that he didn’t have enough faith to make the situation right. We have heard many misguided Christians parrot this phrase. This man left before the minister could encourage him that Jesus could bring good out of his circumstance and that God loved him and was with the brokenhearted. We will continue to pray that he finds his son and that all he hoped for will come to pass, but with the knowledge that even if it doesn’t; God will bring good out of his circumstance. During the prayer times one person who loves God but is struggling with addiction had been hoping to get into a treatment program last week. He was committed to getting clean and being closer to God. He wasn’t able to get in, and yesterday started drinking again. His face was contorted with grief and repentance as he told what happened through the sobbing. Please join us in praying that the Holy Spirit would give him the strength to fight the addiction and the ‘friends’ that pull him away from God. One lady who believes in Jesus as her Savior but suffers from depression, very seldom smiles. Today she asked a minister to pray that she would have joy. After the minister prayed this lady smiled and had a skip in her step. Thank you Lord! A lady that we had never met before after hearing part of the sermon left to get her husband. She came back without him, but she sat back down to hear what was said. During the prayer time she shared that they had lost their home when her husband lost his job and they had medical expenses. She shared that they are believers but are discouraged because of all the things that have gone on. The minister prayed that their faith would grow stronger through this storm and encouraged her that Jesus was still with her and her husband. That the things they were going through wasn’t because Jesus stopped loving them. Her husband finally came over to get some coffee and after talking with a couple of the ministers shared that he usually isn’t comfortable around other people that he doesn’t know but for some reason he felt comfortable there. The minister explained to him that was because we were from the same family the family of God. By the time they left the street corner God had given them encouragement through the worship, sermon and prayers that would help them to keep the faith! At the end of the day a man walked by and he had a look of pain and anger on his face. A minister offered him some food expecting that he would probably give some sarcastic answer. But he stopped, looked back and said no but thank you. After he went by a lady came up and as she asked for prayer she started to cry. One minister prayed with her and as they prayed the man that had said thank you walked back up. They weren’t ready to commit their lives to Jesus but we are praying that God would lead them closer to Him with cords of loving kindness. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God encourage us all that He is still on the throne and the storms of life do not mean that He has abandoned us!
Love,
Steve and Donna
2/8/20
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All daylong I put my hope in You. Psalm 25:5
But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and lead to peace. Zechariah 8:16
Today as we showed up at the street corner one man was really angry about the police removing everything he had from his camp. One minister told this man the truth, that he was probably trespassing and that the police were doing their job of stopping people who were breaking the law. The minister understood that this man would get even more upset when he was told the truth even when it was said in love. The man was so angry he started to shake so the minister prayed for peace in his heart and mind. He settled down and by the end of the day this man knew that even when his ‘home’ is taken from him, he needs to repent of his anger and put his troubles in God’s hands. We see the Holy Spirit continue to do a work in this man and are always encouraged when he remembers from where true peace comes from. During the prayer times one man told the minister that he didn’t believe in hell. He said God wouldn’t send anyone to hell. The minister asked him how he could believe what Jesus said about heaven if he didn’t believe what Jesus said about hell. He didn’t want any part of it but finally allowed the minister to pray that God would give him revelation and insight into His word. Please join us in praying that the Holy Spirit would convict him of the truth.
There are days when speaking the truth isn’t going to be easy or accepted, but we can trust that God’s truth won’t go void so we will continue to speak truth! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus empower us all to speak truth in love (1 Corinthians 13:3).
Love,
Steve and Donna
1/25/20
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet Him ahead of those who have died. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15
Today was a wonderful day of sharing the love of Christ with the street community. One person who has been growing in his walk with Jesus and comes to the street corner all the way from Seattle each week shared how there is a restaurant in Seattle that he goes to have coffee and reflect on Scripture. One day last week he wasn’t able to make it to the restaurant but the next day found out that there had been a shooting at the restaurant. He also found out that the place where he usually sits the window had been completely shattered. He was thanking God for keeping him safe. During the prayer times one person was sharing how difficult it had been to try and get into a program for addiction. Without a phone the program counselor couldn’t contact him. He finally was able to get a phone and was thankful that God had provided and that he will hopefully be able to get into the program. We are praying that it happens soon. Another person was also waiting to get into an addiction program in Federal Way. He has been in others programs but ended up fighting with people and getting kicked out. He was thanking God for giving him another chance. There were many prayers of thankfulness from the street community today, but at the end of the day we heard the news that someone we had ministered too for the last fifteen years had died of an overdose. This person had always rejected Christ and would argue and fight with everyone. But about six months ago he showed up at the corner. He had been in rehab and was clean. But even better than being clean he had given his life to Christ. We hadn’t seen him since that day. We are so very thankful that he had put his trust in Jesus and that we will see him again someday. There are so many other homeless people that die every day without the hope of Jesus. Please join us in praying that we would reach more of the street community with the love of Christ. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God bless and encourage you.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1/18/20
The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and He saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry He had ever made them and put them on the earth, it broke His heart. Genesis 6:5-6
So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if You will only forgive their sin-but if not, erase my name from the record You have written!” Exodus 32:31-32
Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to Me and has refused to obey My command.”
Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the LORD all night. 1 Samuel 15:10-11
If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death. 1 John 5:16-17
We often spend many hours crying out to God with breaking hearts, to bring someone out of the sin of addiction. We watch and pray as a youth not old enough to drive a car starts the journey of destruction that comes from addiction and see through the years that youth become an adult with thousands of demons swirling in their mind. Yes, if the border is shut the drugs will stop pouring in and that would help, but the true problem is the lack of spiritual guidance that can only come from those who believe in Jesus. When we see someone sinning it should break our heart and cause us to bend our knee.
Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Today as we headed to the street corner as we thanked God for all the miracles that He has done in so many people that we minister to in the street community. But we were also reminded as we drove through town that there are many from the street community that are still being strangled by their sins. So with broken hearts we cried out to God to for deliverance. When we arrived at the street corner two of the people waiting there were people that are growing in God’s truth. They listen to Scripture being preached and walk it out in their life. By the time we set up for worship and the sermon the chairs were filled and we saw people we had spent years crying out in prayer for and some people that we hadn’t met before. During the prayer times one person that had seemed to turn a corner in his walk with Jesus, had stepped back into old habits. Please join us in praying for him to repent. He wasn’t ready to acknowledge his failure, let alone repent. One person who we hadn’t met before said he believed in Jesus as his Savior. He wanted to demonstrate his musical talent with the harmonica. He was very talented and one minister explained to him that talent came from God. He seemed to understand this. We will be praying he comes back and learns to use that talent by worshipping God. One younger lady who showed up was in pain. It seemed to be drug withdrawals. Before praying for healing the minister asked her if she had put her trust in Jesus. After the minister explained that faith is the only way to please God, this young lady wanted Jesus in her life! Please join us in praying that the Holy Spirit would lead this young lady to a church where she would learn to walk in a life of faith and that Jesus would strengthen her through the withdrawals. Thank you to everyone that prays and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the Holy Spirit lead us all to find more opportunities to bow our head and bend our knee for those lost in addiction.
Love,
Steve and Donna
1/11/20
The LORD made the earth by His power, and He preserves it by His wisdom. With His own understanding He stretched out the heavens. When He speaks in the thunder, the heavens are filled with water. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from His storehouses. Jeremiah 51:15-16
O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:27-31
But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the One who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1-2
“Bring all who claim Me as their God, for I have made them for My glory. It was I who created them.” Isaiah 43:7
“I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no other Savior.” Isaiah 43:11
“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of My hand. No one can undo what I have done.” Isaiah 43:13
God created us for His glory! It doesn’t matter what battle He has placed us in, it is for His glory.
Today some people from the Christian Motorcyclist Association joined us to reach out to the street community. It was a wonderful time of ministering with other believers who care for the homeless with the love of Christ. One person who showed up on the street corner today walked all the way from Puyallup. He had his foot all wrapped up. He wasn’t clear on what exactly happened to his foot, he might have blacked out, but the doctor said it wasn’t broken. This man is a believer but hasn’t been able to stop drinking. We are praying that he doesn’t get discouraged and that he will remember that God has a purpose for his life and that he was created for God’s glory. The easy path for him is to believe the lies of Satan that he will never be able to be free, but God is not distant from him and God won’t let anyone snatch this man from His hand! One man who was there today won’t stay at the freezing nights or in the mission. The ministers tried to help him understand that the forecast is for some very cold weather next week. We were able to give him blankets but we pray that he took to heart the minister’s warnings of cold weather. Today it wasn’t raining but with the wind blowing the temperature felt freezing cold. One lady had a light sweatshirt on. The minister was able to provide her with a fleece sweatshirt and a warm coat along with gloves and a sleeping bag. This younger lady showed up like an orphan left out in the freezing cold by herself but she left as a child of God, with a family in Christ! What a fun day with so many ministers with such caring hearts. Don’t let your circumstances defeat you, stand in awe of God, we are created for His glory!
Love,
Steve and Donna
12/28/19
Jesus told this story to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’ Luke 16:1-2
For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 2 Corinthians 5:10
And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time as “foreigners in the land. “ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was no mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 1 Peter 1:17-19
For believers, as long as we are on this earth we are called to work in the Kingdom and not waste the gifts that we have been entrusted with. There are times serving in the Kingdom that are fun and exciting and all the work is easy and light but there are times that the work is difficult and the cross we are called to carry is heavy. Whatever you are experiencing as a servant in the Kingdom is not empty and worthless; it has purpose and is full of meaning even when we (and maybe most of all) don’t see the fruit of that service!
Today as we pulled up to the street corner the sun was shining through the fog and the city seemed to come alive with the light shining in many dark corners. After a time of worship and the sermon we started serving coffee. As we prayed for people and handed out warm clothing someone came to the corner we hadn’t met before. He had some coffee and cookies and sat down for a while. Since all the ministers were busy with other people we weren’t able to talk with him. The man was well dress and wearing expensive shoes. He seemed confused by the fact that the street community and the ministers didn’t have fancy clothing but we were smiling, praising Jesus and full of joy. Maybe it seemed strange to someone that people from different places in life could come together as one in the name of Jesus. We will be praying that he comes back and comes to understand that true joy can only be found in the Savior. One lady that was there was fleeing from her ex-boyfriend. He had been beating her up and seemed to find her when she would leave him. One of the ministers shared with her that she needed to stop using social media like face book. The minister also shared that God has a plan and a purpose for her life. This lady had given her life to Jesus about six months ago and we believe that the Holy Spirit is helping her to understand that the relationship with an abusive boyfriend is not the path God would want her on. Please join us in praying for her safety. As we were packing up to leave for the day a man walking down the opposite side of the road called over, “Thanks for what you are doing.” One of the ministers invited him over for some coffee and they started talking. The man believed that he could get into heaven by doing ‘good works’. The minister showed him in the Bible that belief in Jesus as the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins is the only way into the Kingdom of God. This man decided to believe what the Bible says and asked Jesus to save him! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May your heavenly Father encourage you to keep fighting the good fight of faith!
Love,
Steve and Donna
12/21/19
In that day you will sing: “I will praise You, O LORD! You were angry with me, but not any more. Now You comfort me. See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The LORD God is my song; He has given me victory.” With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the LORD! Praise His name! Tell the nations what He has done. Let them know how mighty He is! Sing to the LORD, for He has done wonderful things. Make known His praise around the world.” Isaiah 12:1-5
The last couple of days we have had over two inches of rain. When we started setting up at the street corner we put up the awning and a large umbrella over the coffee table. So the people that came to the corner could get out of the rain for a while. After singing songs of Christmas praise to our Savior and the pastor was preaching a powerful sermon, one man walked up behind the pastor and was mumbling something. When one of the ministers offered him a chair out of the rain he walked off still mumbling. The minister recognized this man as the same person that came up in August when we were serving nachos and said his name was ‘rebuked.’ He seems to be still carrying that demonic spirit. Please join us in lifting him up in prayer that he would come back and be set free. After the sermon we shared a Christmas lunch with the street community. It is amazing to see how God keeps the soup so hot just in a crockpot so that the people who were wet and cold could get warm. Thank you Jesus! After everyone ate and had dry clothes and sleeping bags we loaded up and headed out. But as we were driving through town we saw someone that has given his life to Jesus but still struggles with addiction. He was soaking wet so we pulled over and handed him some hot coffee and some food but because we were blocking traffic we had to leave without praying with him. So we will continue to lift him up in prayer that Jesus would deliver him. But just a few blocks from that man we saw a young man and lady walking who had blankets wrapped around them that were dragging on the ground having been weighted down from the torrential downpour. We were able to pull off the road and asked them if they were hungry and they said they were. So we provided hot coffee, food, warm blankets and clothing. The young man said he couldn’t believe it. He knew of God because he asked God to help them but he didn’t know Jesus plan of salvation. They both asked Jesus to save them! After spending some time with them they started back up the hill but with a look of amazement and hope that God would send some crazy Christians to point them to Christ and provide some simple provisions. If we hadn’t of seen the man that we knew and stopped for him even with blocking traffic we would have missed the other couple as well. Jesus hears the cry of the broken hearted. Thank you Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God grant you the joy of sharing Jesus with someone this week!
Love,
Steve and Donna
12/14/19
As some of you who read the letter already know, the last Saturday in November we stopped to get some gas before heading to the street corner. After filling the tank we tried starting the bus but it wouldn’t start. Steve pulled the engine cover off and tried some different things to see if we could get it running but it just wouldn’t start. We ended up calling a tow truck that could tow a bus. Thankfully, after spending some time working on the bus, Steve was able to get it running again. Thank you to everyone that was praying for the bus. For those that know Skippy, he had a camera look at the arteries in his neck and the left artery is plugged. He is waiting to talk with the doctor to find out what is going to be done. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Thank you!
There is a time coming when all the pain and injustice of this world will come to an end and so we cry out, ‘Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus come!’
The five scouts entered the shrine and removed the carved image, the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the cast idol. Meanwhile, the priest was standing at the gate with the 600 armed warriors. When the priest saw the men carrying all the sacred objects out of Micah’s shrine, he said, “”What are you doing?” “Be quiet and come with us,” they said, “Be a father and priest to all of us. Isn’t it better to be a priest for an entire tribe and clan of Israel than for the household of just one man? The young priest was quite happy to go with them, so he took along the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the carved image. Judges 18:17-20
Reading through the book of Judges you can watch the step down into moral depravity, each person putting together their own religion. But when it looked like all hope was lost and it seemed like everyone had rebelled against God, God raised up Samuel as a judge to lead people back to the One True God, spiritual revival. As evil as things look here in the US and around the world with Christians being slaughtered daily, drugs destroying so many people and suicide rates higher than ever before and people believing they can just make up their own religion, Jesus can bring spiritual revival. Never lose hope, God hears our prayers! As we spend time giving thanks for God sending His Son that we might know God and be saved from our sins, may the Holy Spirit break our hearts for others that need to know Him.
Today as we pulled up to the street corner it was raining and cold. After time in worship and a quick sermon we handed out hot coffee and cookies. During a prayer time one person shared that he had a fever over 100 degrees but was starting to feel better. We were able to give him some warm blankets and will continue to pray that God heals him. One young man showed up with a light weight jacket soaked completely through. This young man didn’t want a jacket but just a sleeping bag for some warmth at night. When the minister asked this young man about Jesus, he replied that he knew all about ‘that stuff’ because he was raised well. The minister explained that a relationship with Jesus isn’t about how a person is raised even though that can help. The minister went on to share the Gospel with this young man. Sadly, this young man had made up in his mind that he could come to God through some other means than Jesus Christ and left the street corner without salvation. Please join us in praying that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction to this young man. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please pray minds and hearts in the street community to desire a relationship with the Messiah!
Love,
Steve and Donna
11/23/19
Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the LORD said to Satan, “I the LORD reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.” Zechariah 3:1-2
Jeshua was the high priest who helped re-establish the priesthood in Jerusalem after the exile.
And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What’s more, you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 1 Peter 2:5
Once we have been snatched from the fire we become God’s holy priests and we in turn are to rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement.
And you must show mercy to those who’s faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching then from the flames of judgement. Show mercy still to others but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. Jude 1:22-23
Today as we set up for the worship and sermon on the street corner, the cold felt like it was biting into our hands even with layers of warm clothing. One person that was waiting for us was cold and shaking so one of the ministers grabbed a blanket off of the bus and wrapped this person up with it. Today we took a hot Thanksgiving lunch out to the street. As we celebrated Thanksgiving with the street community everyone warmed up with hot turkey soup and rolls, sharing how thankful we were for God’s mercy on us. One person from the street community that has been taking ahold of what God has for him was invited to pray before the meal. This person wasn’t sure he could do it but we believe the Holy Spirit helped him to step up and pray for the meal! While this person was praying his face lit up and we could see Jesus working in this simple act of faith. As we served and ate someone showed up that we hadn’t met before. As he enjoyed a hot bowl of soup he started talking to someone standing next to him about reincarnation. A minister spoke up and started to share the truth of the Bible and Jesus. The minister shared about sin, death, judgement and forgiveness found only in Jesus. The man confessed his sins and put his trust in Jesus! The ministers could see the change come over him immediately. Amen! Thank you Jesus! One lady told a minister that demons were attacking her. This lady has put her trust in Jesus but has a mental disability and struggles to understand some basic truths about Christ. So the minister explained in the simplest way possible that she had the power to rebuke any demon and because of Jesus they have to leave. We will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would give her revelation of these truths. Another amazing day of snatching people from the fires of judgement! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God open the flood gates of heaven and fill you with His love!
Love,
Steve and Donna
11/16/19
Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 2 Corinthians 5:11
If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us, since we believe that we have died to our old life. He died for everyone so than those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:13-15
As we drove through downtown to pick up one of the ministers we noticed that the street corner where we park had cars parked all up and down the street and alley way. So we prayed that God would open up a spot. As we started the day in prayer before heading to the street corner, someone came to the bus for prayer. This person has died to their old life and is learning to walk in faith but was struggling. This person needed to be encouraged that Jesus was with her through the difficult times. When we showed up to the street corner all but two of the cars had been moved. There was a few people waiting for us as parked but by the time we set up the street corner was packed. The sermon was about living for Christ in whatever circumstances God places us in. During a prayer time one person was really angry and hurt. He had been robbed by people he believed were his friends. This person has placed his trust in Jesus but struggles with addiction. After one of the ministers spent some time talking to and praying with this man he made the choice to forgive because Jesus has forgiven him. Thank you Jesus! We believe that this will be a new beginning in his walk with Christ. During a prayer time one person said he was struggling with addiction and the damage that it has brought to his relationship with his sister. This man stated that he is tired of taking matters into his own hand and wants God to steer his life. Thank you Jesus! Another victory of surrender to God! One person after hearing the worship and sermon wanted to pray with one of the ministers that he use to know from the street. This man understood that the minister had become a new creation and was now living his life to please God. And so the minister led him through the sinner’s prayer and this man became a new creation! Thank you Jesus! Another blessed day serving Christ! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that God would bring a new song of praise to your heart this week!
Love,
Steve and Donna
11/9/19
We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that cloth us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God Himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee He has given us His Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:2-5
As believes of Jesus we look forward to eternity. But there are many people who have not placed their trust in Jesus and yet, they will live forever, somewhere.
Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? 2 Corinthians 2:15-17
The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has an eternal impact on those who believe in Him and those who reject Him. No, we can’t save anyone and we are in-adequate for this huge responsibility, but praise God we don’t save anyone!
You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:5-7
Today after an anointed message on being salt and light we started serving coffee and praying with people. One lady said that she asked Jesus to save her and it didn’t work. The minister asked her a few questions about what exactly she meant and found out that this lady thought that if Jesus saved her she would be in heaven. So the minister spent time sharing with her what it meant to be saved. We pray that this lady continues to show up on the street corner so she would come to have a better understanding of God. One man kept cursing and saying he knew God but he was going to kill some people. Four of the ministers tried to talk with him but he wouldn’t listen and finally left the corner yelling. Please join us in praying that he would come back and learn about forgiveness and healing in Jesus Christ through repentance. One younger lady asked for some shoes and the minister handed her some a pair of women’s shoes. She was surprised because she said most people think she is a guy. After providing for some of her physical needs, the minister shared that Jesus loved her. She seemed to really receive what the minister said but she wasn’t ready to ask Jesus to save her. We are praying that the Holy Spirit would draw her back and prepare her heart to receive God’s amazing gift of salvation. A younger man needed a warmer jacket but didn’t receive the truth that Jesus loved him and he didn’t want prayer. We are praying that Jesus would lead him back and he would come to trust that Jesus loved him enough to die for him. Even though a few hearts weren’t prepared to make a commitment we will walk by faith and trust that through our prayers these people will put their faith in Jesus Christ. One lady that was using a walker saw the cross from down the street. She started heading up the hill to the cross stopping along the way to rest. When she finally got to the cross that we place at the front of the bus she was so very thankful. She stated that she has a church but hasn’t been going. We believe that seeing the cross and with encouragement from the ministers she knew that God was speaking to her and will soon be back at church. Thank you to everyone that has been praying for Skippy who had the pre-stroke. He wanted to be out there with us Saturday serving God and the street community even though he was somewhat worn out from what he had been through. We thank God he was able to make it and he radiated with God’s presence. Please keep praying for him as he goes in around the end of the month to have stents put in the arteries in his neck. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We so appreciate the prayers and donations that allow us to shine the light of Christ into the lives of the homeless!
Love,
Steve and Donna
10/26/19
“Listen, O Israel! Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much more powerful than you. They live in cities with walls that reach to the sky! The people are strong and tall - descendants of the famous Anakite giants. You’ve heard the saying, ‘Who can stand up to the Anakites?’ But recognize today that the LORD your God is the One who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD has promised. Deuteronomy 9:1-3
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18
Drug addiction, the cause of most of the homelessness, can at times seem like a giant that is looming over our country. Many families in this nation have experienced the devastation caused by this evil giant. But believers serve an awesome and mighty God who goes before us into battle and He will subdue and drive out this giant as in times past. Our part is to keep fighting the good fight of faith by praying in the Spirit at all times!
The last couple of weekends we have headed out to the street corner without one of the ministers who has joined us for the last four years. This man use to come to the bus when he was homeless and using drugs. Jesus has transformed this man into a powerful testimony of what God can do. A couple weeks ago this minister had what the doctor called a pre-stroke. The doctor will have to do some more tests to find out why this took place, but please join us in praying for this person that God would be glorified in whatever happens.
Today after a wonderful sermon on Jesus being the bridge to God, we set up for coffee and prayer. The minister serving coffee kept asking people that walked by if they wanted some coffee. One person who came and had some coffee was then offered some warm clothing since it was very cold and he only had a t-shirt on. As he spoke with the minister he shared that he had gone to jail and when he went to a treatment program he had placed his trust in Jesus. He went on to share that he had walked away from Christ. The minister shared that just because he wasn’t faithful didn’t change the fact that Jesus was still faithful. We are praying that the Holy Spirit would bring this lost lamb back into the sheepfold. Every person that has been to the street corner before was asking about the minister that wasn’t there and wanted him to know that they were praying for him. This minister with his warm smile and caring prayers has had a huge impact on the street community. As one lady walked by the minister at the coffee table offered her some coffee. The lady said no and started to walk off but then saw some cookies. She asked the minister if she could have a couple of cookies. The lady received much more than some cookies, she placed her trust in Jesus Christ! Thank you Jesus! After loading everything up and heading back to the church building one of the ministers realized that he didn’t have his Bible. He started to look around and found his Bible sitting on the hood of the bus. It had been left there as we loaded up to leave and rode all the way back to the building on the hood! Thank you Jesus! Another awesome day in Christ! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Your prayers take down giants!
Love,
Steve and Donna
10/12/19
At the end of every seventh year you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money. This is how it must be done. Everyone must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the LORD’s time of release has arrived. Deuteronomy 15:1
If a fellow Hebrew sells himself or herself to be your servant and serves you for six years, in the seventh year you must set that servant free. Deuteronomy 15:12
The two Scriptures above teach a spiritual principle of forgiveness but it also demonstrates God’s heart of forgiveness. We were all spiritually bankrupt when we said yes to Jesus. God cancelled the debt we couldn’t ever pay by providing Jesus Christ.
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Another amazing day on the street corner. During the sermon one lady tried to disrupt the sermon by yelling and screaming but she eventually walked away. One person wanted prayer for him and his sister who were fighting again. He confessed that they both struggle with addiction and when they fight he turns to drinking. The minister shared he could leave the addiction behind because he could do all things through Christ who strengthens him. One man that showed up had just gotten out of the hospital. We are praying that God continues to bring healing to his body. With each prayer time there was a longing for God’s will to be done. Along with the prayers we were able to hand out a lot of warm jackets, hats and gloves. One man who showed up at the end of the day was mumbling and cursing loudly but by the time he left he had asked Jesus to save him and his mind was clear and he was opening up the Bible and reading! Praise God! Jesus has forgiven his debt! When we left for the day and were taking one of the ministers home we saw a police car in a parking lot and the police officer talking to the lady that had walked away yelling. Please pray for our police officers they often deal with people who are being led by demonic spirits (whether they understand it or not). We are praying that this lady comes back and hears the truth of God’s word. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God bless you mightily!
Love,
Steve and Donna
9/28/19
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that He was associating with such sinful people-even eating with them! So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep. In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:1-7
This Saturday we headed for the street corner with warm coats and sleeping bags. Most of the street community isn’t able to stay dry when it rains and need dry clothes. As we worshiped Jesus on the street corner one man came walking up and started to worship through dance. When the music stopped he left. We pray that he is attending church and hearing God’s word or that he would come back and stay. During the prayer times one man asked for a sleeping bag and began to cry when he was given one. This man put his trust in Jesus many years ago and loves God. We will continue to pray for deliverance from addiction for him. Another man who last week didn’t want to put his trust in Jesus was there again today for the worship and the sermon. He wasn’t ready to place his trust in Jesus but he said he felt that Jesus was drawing him close. The minister shared with this man that he can ask Jesus to save him at any time day or night and he doesn’t have to wait for us to be there if he believes he wants that relationship with Jesus. We will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would draw this man to Jesus. Today was a wonderful day of rejoicing in Jesus with the street community. We are so grateful that God allows us to spend our Saturdays there! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that your week is filled with rejoicing in what our Savior is doing!
Love,
Steve and Donna
9/21/19
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6
And now He has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:10
Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood. Romans 3:24-25
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with Him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and He will never die again. Death no longer has any power over Him. When He died, He died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:6-11
And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:2
And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us. Romans 8:23
As we pulled up to the street corner today there was a large group from the street community waiting for us. A couple people that were there were in pain and asking for prayer, so while the street community helped to set up chairs two of the minister spent time praying. The powerful sermon was on Jesus saving us not just from hell but also from the power of sin over us. One man was suffering from a hernia. This man has put his trust in Christ and desires to walk with Him but is in a battle with addiction. Please join us in praying for Jesus to give him strength. Another man who had been hit in the head with a chair a while ago has been having crushing headaches. Jesus has brought such an amazing change to this man over the last six months and we are trusting that the good work that Jesus began, He will finish and this pain won’t cause a setback. Many prayer times were spent praying that with the street community were that they would put on the full armor of Christ and be able to stand against the schemes of the enemy and walk out the victory that Jesus has given them. One person who heard the sermon and listened to many prayer times still didn’t want to put his trust in Jesus, so he let the minister pray that Jesus would draw him to the light of His truth. We are looking forward to seeing the change that God will bring! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Praying that Jesus would bring peace and joy to you and your families!
Love,
Steve and Donna
9/14/19
But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisors, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted, “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Daniel 3:24-25
When we are in the big storms of life we often rely on Jesus to be there with us in the refiner’s fire. Even when we don’t feel Him or see Him, we rely on Him many times because there are no other options. But what about the everyday storms, the storms of working at a job we dislike or of being patient when praying for someone. What about those times that is out of our control like a wreck that caused you to be late for work? A couple of months ago we were told of a break in at the mall. The thief went in through the roof and went out through Macy’s glass door by shooting it out. There were three women who should have been at work when all this took place but all three women were late that day. Before that day one of the women had never been late to work. We don’t know if these three women are believers but we do know a lady who prays for that particular store. What would you have been thinking about if you were late for work? That Jesus was keeping you safe or that it was going to be a headache? Many times the smaller storms of everyday life seem harder to rely on God for, than the big storms. But never forget Jesus is in the storm, big or small with you!
I know the LORD is always with me; I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. Psalm 16:8
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever. Psalm 16:11
There are many times when we are out on the street corner people seem distant and don’t desire to draw close to God or to be prayed for. But today was the opposite. With many of the people that showed up today it seemed that their storms large and small were drawing them closer to Jesus. One older lady who usually will only get some coffee and leave stayed for the worship and the sermon and she asked to have someone pray for her. One younger man was really grateful for the worship, sermon and prayer. One younger lady who sat up the sidewalk about twenty feet was welcomed by a minister to come and sit down in a chair but she didn’t seem comfortable moving any closer so a minister took her a song book. During the worship and sermon the younger lady seemed to pay close attention but after the sermon she left before any of the ministers could speak with her. Please join us in praying that she feels welcomed and comes back and comes to know the One who can save her! There were many wonderful prayer times and we are looking forward to seeing what God does for all those broken precious souls that are learning to trust that the Savior will be with them in the storms, big or small! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Praying that you find comfort in knowing that Jesus is right there with you in every storm.
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/31/19
When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:15-17
After a powerful sermon we had a prayer time for everyone in the street community that needed physical healing. One man had been sleeping at the mission in Seattle and was hit in the head with a chair and now has a concussion. An older lady is waiting to have back surgery and one man has had part of his colon removed. After the prayer time for physical healing, we shared in a meal of chili nachos. One minister continued to serve nachos and the other ministers spent time with each individual person in prayer. As one younger lady waited to get a coat she started making a low, loud sound like a deranged crow. As she did this one larger man came up to the table to have nachos. Since this man was a tall and large man the minister heaped up the nachos for him and then turned to pray with another person. The younger lady that made the bird noise and needed a coat seemed to settle down and received a jacket and asked Jesus to save her! The large man that had a large portion of nachos finished his nachos and after thanking another minister walked off. The minister that was serving the nachos and turned to pray with someone wanted to ask this man his name so went walking quickly up the hill to catch him before he was gone. The minister looked up and down the street and down the alley and he was nowhere to be found. We know that the Bible tells us not to forget to entertain strangers for we might entertain angels and that some angels have something to do with ministering the Gospel, and we believe that could have been what happened. It might be that this large man (angel) came to rebuke the demon that the younger lady was carrying so she could ask Jesus to save her! At the end of our time on the street corner one older man came up that we have tried to minister too for the last fourteen years. He has never wanted prayer or to hear about the grace, mercy and love of Jesus. But today Jesus took his heart of stone out and gave him a heart of flesh and he asked Jesus to save him! As we were packing up one man came up the hill and kept looking behind him and from side to side. He looked angry. While the minister handed him some nachos, she asked him his name. He didn’t say anything. So she asked again and he mumbled that his name was ‘rebuked.’ We believe that the demon that the younger lady had been carrying might have fled and ended up in this man. We will be praying that he comes back and that the love of God causes the demon to flee and the man to accept the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. Wow! What a day. Thank you Jesus! And thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God teach us to see more of the spiritual realm than the physical!
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/24/19
So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun. For He will come in like a narrow, rushing stream Which the breath of the LORD drives [overwhelming the enemy]. Isaiah 59:19
Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the LORD rises and appears over you. Isaiah 60:2
Today as one of the ministers stopped for coffee on her way to the street corner, she was just about ready to open the car door and step out when a car ran into the side of her car. Thankfully nobody was hurt and she still showed up and was eager to share with the street community the reason, even with this happening, she had peace. After spending time in prayer before heading to the street the bus wouldn’t start. No power at all. The bus has two batteries and so one minister hooked the jumper cables up to the second battery and still no power. As the ministers prayed one minister stepped off the bus and put his hand on the motor and prayed and the bus started right up! As we drove to the corner we were in the turn lane and the truck to the right of us was in the lane that only goes straight. As the light for the turn lane became green we started off and the truck beside us turned into our lane almost hitting the front bumper. Thankfully, we saw the truck turn and had time to slam on the brakes so as not to be hit. Please join us in praying for the minister that had her car side swiped that the insurance and the repair would be done quickly, thoroughly and wouldn’t be a headache. If the enemy wasn’t trying to keep us from going and sharing the great news of Jesus with the street community, we wouldn’t be doing any damage to his agenda. What a busy day on the street corner. During the sermon someone started walking up the road barefoot and yelling. As the ministers prayed the yelling stopped when the person was walking right by us but then he continued to yell when he was about twenty feet away. We are praying that Jesus would touch his heart. Another person walked by not too long after the first one and he was quiet but his eyes were throwing arrows of hatred. The ministers prayed again that Jesus would touch his heart with mercy and love. Many of the prayer times seemed to be filled with prayers and conversation of how to walk out our trust in Christ. One person shared that he had just received the news that he had AIDS. This person believes in and desires to follow Jesus but continues to struggle with addiction. We are praying that this terrible disease would give him the motivation to turn his complete trust over to Jesus and for a complete healing. One lady who showed up at the end of the day started to take her clothes off so one of the lady ministers went over. The lady minister spent some time with this younger lady and the younger lady confessed that she was on drugs. We will continue to pray for her. One younger man who showed up at the beginning of the day but hung back and just stayed by himself, but at the end of the day he came over to get some food, but he left with Jesus Christ! Thank you Jesus! As we started to load up to leave another large group came up and we were able to give all of them some food but what they really need is the Bread of Life. We will be praying that the Holy Spirit would draw them back next week for more than food that will perish. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. When it seems that the enemy is surrounding you, God will raise a banner over you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/17/19
Then on the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year, blow the ram’s horn loud and long throughout the land. Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. Leviticus 25:9-10
When He came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor, He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at Him intently. He began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” Luke 4:16-21
In Israel every fiftieth year was a jubilee year. It was a holy year of restoration and new beginnings. When Jesus started His ministry He proclaim that the Scripture in Isaiah had been fulfilled and that it is an era of the LORD’s favor, an era of restoration and new beginnings!
With all the terrible things that take place in our time; killing babies by the millions, genocide of Christian’s in different places of the world, teens committing suicide and so many drug addicted people killing themselves slowly with poison, and yet God has placed us here at this time in history to proclaim release for the captives, the oppressed will be set free, that the blind will see, that it is the time of the LORD’s favor!
Today was a busy day on the street corner. Many people we saw today we have had the honor of seeing them put their trust in Jesus and grow in faith over the years. Some grow slower than others and some we have seen take a giant leap backwards after taking a few steps closer to God. One person who was growing in faith the last few months took a step backward. The last couple of weeks this man has stayed down the street just looking up at us. He came up today but after getting some coffee told one minister that there was tobacco in the coffee. He showed the minister and the minister explained that it was just some coffee grounds. The man didn’t believe him and walked off saying that the coffee should be tested. This might seem funny to some but it is a sign of paranoia that very likely is caused by drugs. Please join us in praying that this man would repent and turn back to Jesus. One man shared that he had gotten kicked out of the Nativity house and since his clothing was there he couldn’t get to them. This man has been growing in his walk with Jesus and also has been working. We are praying that this doesn’t set him back but draws him closer to Jesus. One younger man with scars all over came up to get some coffee with his head hung down and not even looking up when the minister asked him his name. At first he didn’t answer and when asked again he said quietly, “Nobody” while his head still hung down. The ministers could tell that he felt that he was worthless. Another minister sat with him on the sidewalk and carefully tried to speak with him. The younger man just hung his head and didn’t say anything. Finally before leaving he did tell the minister his name. Please join us in praying for this younger man that he would come back and receive the truth that he has value because he was created in the image of God, so much value that Jesus died for him on the cross. One older man came to get some food and wanted to grab the food and take off but the minister kept asking him some very direct questions and the man made the best decision of his life, to place his trust in Jesus! Thank you Jesus! He was also very excited that the minister was able to provide him with a Bible in his native language. Thank you to everyone that prays and donates to The Street Corner Commission. What an honor God has placed on His children, that we are called to share this Good News!
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/10/19
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 1 Corinthians 1:18-20
Our society has lost hope. They have put their trust in all different kinds of things that leave people hopeless. Hopelessness leads to evil deeds. Many people claim to have answers but every one of them leaves someone worse off than they were before. Only Jesus can bring hope to the hopeless, peace to those who mourn and joy to those who are down trodden. Believers in Jesus are the only ones who can give this message of hope.
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15
Today every person that showed up to the corner had put their trust in Jesus. But they came carrying the burden of hopelessness. So we again shared the message of True Hope; the hope of a right relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. The message of True Hope; that Jesus paid for our sins not so we could go on living a life hopelessly sinful but that He set us free from our sins. During the prayer times one person wanted to stop using drugs. Please join us as we continue to pray that Jesus would give this person the strength to walk away from temptation. One man asked for prayer for a friend who was grieving the loss of her child. The minister prayed that Jesus would comfort her and draw her closer to Him. One person started walking up the hill towards us swearing about sin and God. The ten foot cross that we place in front of the bus brings joy to many but to others it is a sign of the judgement to come. The ministers started to pray that Jesus would meet the man walking towards us swearing, right where he was. Right before he arrived at where we were he turned and went across the street. We are praying that Jesus would lead him back and he would find True Hope. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Let us come humbly but boldly to the throne room for those who are hopeless!
Love,
Steve and Donna
7/27/19
But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12-13
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10
Today as we prepared to head out it seemed like we were moving in slow motion and time was moving quickly. So in a hurry we went to pull out onto the street and the bus wouldn’t move. So we prayed and put it in park and then put it in drive and still no movement. As we prayed we tried putting it in reverse and then in drive and that finally worked. We then picked up one of the ministers and drove through downtown and there were police cars on about four blocks and a swat vehicle. So we prayed for the protection of the police and the difficult jobs they do. We prayed for the city that people would find Jesus and turn away from evil. All these things that seemed to be working against us actually kept us even more focused on prayer throughout the day. As we pulled up to the corner there was a group already waiting for us. Everyone there was eager to help set up but it was obvious that everyone was tired from the heat the day before. During a powerful sermon people seemed to lean in and hang on every word that was spoken. The enemy tried to distract with someone down the road yelling up the street and several ministers started praying and the yelling soon stopped. During a prayer time one person was still looking for work. The minister shared with this person about a spiritual program that he might be able to enter. She shared how taking this first step would be difficult, but the benefit would outweigh the anxiety he was feeling. Please join us in praying that he takes that first step. One man shared during a prayer time that some people were tempting him with drugs but he walked quickly away and came to hear the sermon. He said last week he missed being at the corner because he had been tempted by these same people. We are praying that the Holy Spirit would continue to give him strength to resist temptation. One person that showed up today was having a battle within himself. One minute he would be in agreement with what one minister had said and then he would disagree. He said he has known Jesus all his life but he had opened a door for Satan to work and wasn’t willing to repent. We will continue to pray that he repents and turns back to God. Two people who listened carefully to the sermon wanted the peace that only Jesus can bring and asked Jesus to save them! Thank you Jesus! As we packed up the bus one person stopped for some water. The minister offered Living Water but the man replied that he couldn’t be forgiven for the things he had done. Two ministers shared with him that is exactly why Jesus died on the cross. The man seemed to appreciate what the ministers were telling him but he wasn’t ready to make the best choice of his life. Please join us in praying that the Holy Spirit would remind him hourly that Jesus can and will forgive him and bring him true peace. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and He has commissioned believers to do the same!
Love,
Steve and Donna
7/20/19
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25
You can know that smoking cigarettes is bad for your health but unless you apply that truth, which means never smoking or to quit smoking, the truth isn’t beneficial to you. The same is true with God’s word. Just knowing that it is true but not applying that truth to your world view and the way you live, the truth is of no benefit to you. We have met people in the street community that know the Bible but don’t apply its truth to their life. The Bible shows us that even Satan knows what the Bible says; when Satan was tempting Jesus in the wilderness he used Scripture but twisted it. Our desire with the street community is once a person asks Jesus to save him or her that they would learn to apply what the Bible teaches to their life.
Today started out with a wonderful testimony of what God was doing in one person’s life. This man had someone ask him a question about God trying to get this man to stop believing in Jesus. The man said that he prayed and listened to worship music and felt that God told him he didn’t need to worry about what an unbeliever was saying. Another person that has put their trust in Christ wanted to help in any way that he could. This person usually stands at a distance and lets others help. He seems to be growing in his relationship with Jesus. One younger man came just to receive prayer and left the corner knowing that we would continue to pray for him. A person that the ministers hadn’t seen in about six months showed up. He was so thankful to be there. When we don’t see a person for that amount of time we become concerned that something might have happened to them. This person shared that he had moved in with a lady in Seattle. Both of the ministers that spoke and prayed with him made sure that he understood that as a believer he wasn’t making the right choice. He seemed to appreciate hearing the truth, but please join us in praying that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction and he would apply God’s word to his life. Today many of the street community that showed up were growing in their walk with Christ but the enemy didn’t like that so there was some push back. Right before the worship started a loud banging noise started up and carried on into the first part of the sermon. One lady showed up and started distracting people during the worship and sermon but with prayer she moved across the street. One man drove up and kept talking really fast and seemed to want to try and deceive the ministers about who he was and what he was doing. We will continue to pray that the prayer he received would be a light to guide him out of the darkness he was walking in. A younger man that listened quietly during the worship and sermon asked for prayer for forgiveness. A broken and contrite heart is what God wants and this younger man asked Jesus to save him! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Jesus, help us to live out your truth every day!
Love,
Steve and Donna
7/13/19
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:36-37
There has been a recent concern about the homeless population. When there weren’t as many homeless, even though there were still many on the streets, most unbelievers seemed to ignore their suffering or blame the homelessness on their lack of character. Yes, there are many reasons that cause homelessness but the one overriding factor that the secular population doesn’t understand is without Jesus there is no hope in this life or the life to come. Homelessness is a spiritual issue that needs to be addressed by the followers of Christ. And the future generations need to know and follow Jesus or there will be more hopelessness, more homelessness, more suicides, more destroyed families and all of the other destructive behaviors that come from a people that don’t know and love God. We believers need to be a neighbor and show mercy because we have been given mercy, one person that was thirsty and found Living Water showing another thirsty person where to find this Living Water.
What a blessed day! We had six people come out to help that had never been out before. With such a warm day all ten of us crowded into the bus and headed out. After a Holy Spirit filled time of worship and a powerful sermon there were many anointed prayer times. One person that asked Jesus to save him about two months ago never smiled. But since giving his life to Jesus he smiles all the time. We see Jesus smiling through him! One man allowed some of the minister that had come for the first time to pray for him. This man was always resistant to all but a few people praying with him. He has grown so much in his walk with God the last month, thank you Jesus. It was a busy day and Jesus provided that each person would have the time they needed by the ministers! We are looking forward to hearing the testimonies from the street community of how those prayers have helped to bring them closer to God. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Every person that is suffering needs a neighbor that is willing to give a drink from the Living Water! Be that neighbor.
Love,
Steve and Donna
6/29/19
Long suffering, or as one teacher put it, suffering long.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient (suffering-long) with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives; love, joy, peace, patience (suffering-long), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22
We are to suffer-long with others as God suffers-long with us.
But You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry (suffering-long) and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15
When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11-13
The book of Job goes on to tell how his ‘friends’ decided to start hurling accusations against Job. For whatever reason, Job’s ‘friends’ weren’t willing to suffer-long with Job.
There are many people in the street community that deal with drug addiction along with many other issues. There can be months or years that go by after someone has asked Jesus to save them that they seem to have very little growth as a Christian. It would be easy for us to write those people off. But that isn’t God’s heart for them.
Today was another amazing day. We had many people that really listened and drank deeply from God’s word. It was such a blessing to see! One person that comes all the way from Kent has grown closer to Jesus in the last couple of months and wanted prayer that Jesus would give him guidance in his walk of faith. One man that struggles with addiction has been clean for the last two Saturdays and paying attention to God’s word and wanted prayer to find work. Please join us in praying that God would open a door for him to work and would keep him close to Jesus and that he wouldn’t be working on Saturdays. One group that was there today was a dad, mom, and daughter. Generational homelessness is one of the more difficult generational curses to break. We have been ministering to them for about six months and today was the first time that they took God’s truth to heart. One lady showed up later in the day and just wanted a pair of socks but she walked away with so much more, she asked Jesus to save her! Thank you Jesus that You give the strength and encouragement to never give up on those who feel hopeless! Thank You for pouring into us as we pour ourselves out for the Gospel! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May you come to know the overflowing of God’s Holy Spirt as you empty yourself for Jesus!
Love,
Steve and Donna
6/8/19
“I am leaving you a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved Me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. John 14:27-29
A few weeks ago we were waiting in a doctor’s office and a magazine sitting on the shelf had a title that said something to the affect that ‘You will only find peace within yourself.’ If you watch any television the commercials almost always have someone that is ‘healthy’ mentally and physically doing yoga, sending the message that they find peace in yoga. There are even some who preach a message of self-help instead of Biblical teaching which is again a message of just ‘do’ or ‘think’ this and you will find peace and happiness. This generation continues to seek peace in everything but the One true God who is the only One capable of giving peace when His Holy Spirit comes to live inside those who ask Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace to save them.
Today as we showed up at the corner one of the ladies that was waiting for us shared that a person that we had ministered too for many years had died. This person had given his heart to Jesus years ago. He never was able to completely walk away from addiction but we could see the change that Jesus was doing in him and he had found a peace that only Jesus can give. Many of the people that were at the corner today knew him and had heavy hearts. After the worship one of the ministers shared that as heartbreaking as it was to know that this person was gone and would be missed we could have joy knowing that he had asked Jesus to save him. The minister shared that this person was in heaven and no longer had to live with the burdens of this world. The minister also shared that this was a reminder that no one is promised tomorrow and that today is the day of salvation. The people that were there who had placed their trust in Jesus were comforted by this. Even knowing the truth of heaven and hell, one person who was there when the minister spoke about the person that died still did not want to surrender his life to Christ. We will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would do a work in his heart and mind. Another person who hadn’t placed their trust in Jesus and heard what happened and heard what the minister shared, told one minister that a friend of hers was going to save her. The minister shared with this lady that only Jesus who is God and came and lived a perfect life can save. This lady made the decision to trust that Jesus died for her sins and made a way for her to be right with God the Father! During the time we were out ministering a couple showed up and started handing out flyers. They stated that they provide resources for the less fortunate. One minister told them that resources are great but without Jesus resources aren’t what people need. Please join us in praying that the street community would come to fully understand that if they seek first the Kingdom of God they will find the hope and peace that the world is in search of!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May you meet one person this week that needs to know where true hope and peace come from!
Love,
Steve and Donna
So Jacob took the food to his father. “My father?” he said. “Yes, my son,” Isaac answered. “Who are you-Esau or Jacob?” Jacob replied, “it’s Esau, your firstborn son. I’ve done as you told me. Here is the wild game. Now sit up and eat it so you can give me your blessing.” Genesis 27:18-19
With the urging of his mother Jacob deceived his father to receive his blessing. Jacob and his mother both lacked trust and patience in God to fulfill His promises. Jacob learned to trust God and to wait for His timing during his many years serving his untrustworthy uncle. There are many other examples in the Bible of someone not trusting God and trying to make things happen instead of waiting for God’s timing. Without waiting on God they’re struggles were always much harder then they needed to be.
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:7-8
Patience is not a hopeless resignation of whatever will happen, will happen. No, it is a hopeful expectation and trust that God is good and has our future safely in His most capable hands. We are to pray constantly with all expectation of God moving the mountains in front of us and breaking the strong holds that strangle the life of others.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
As we started to unload the bus at the street corner a person who we have been ministering too for many years told us that he had failed. He stated that he had been sober for 2 months and he blew it the night before. His head was hung in shame. This man has walked with the haunting voice of the devil telling him that he is a failure and a disgrace and he will never be free. During the day, through the worship songs, sermon, prayers and ministering one on one to this man, one minister after another told him the same thing; ask for God’s forgiveness and ask God to help him resist the temptations of Satan. This is the same message he has been given for many years. If it were up to us, we might give up on this person but Christ shows us that we can trust Him and that no one is beyond His most powerful reach. We need to have patience and trust that God’s timing is perfect and He will finish the good work He began in this person! One person who was riding his bike by the corner asked a minister what was going on. The minister shared that they were going to have a church service. The man on the bike got a big smile on his face, hopped off his bike and sat down. None of the ministers had a chance to talk with him because after the worship and the sermon this man hopped back on his bike and left. There is a real hunger for God’s truth. We see the desire to know Jesus and live in obedience to Him growing in the street community! One person shared that after we prayed for his ankle the last time we were out it started getting better. He said he still doesn’t walk too far without resting the ankle, but he wanted to make it to hear the Word! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. As we wait patiently for the Lord’s return may we wait with hopeful expectation that He will finish the good work He began!
Love,
Donna and Steve
5/25/19
When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground. I will plant trees in the barren desert- cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine. I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means- that it is the LORD who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it. Isaiah 41:17-20
You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! John 4:35-36
He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with His winnowing fork. Then He will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into His barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire. Matthew 3:12
There is so much spiritual darkness in our time it can seem overwhelming. But we know the truth that God is not done with the harvest or we would all be standing before His throne. Look! The fields are ripe; Jesus is not yet at the threshing floor.
One person we prayed for before heading out was someone that says he wants to know God better. But this person usually shows up just as we are getting ready to leave. We prayed that this person would show up in time to hear the sermon. As we started to unload the bus we noticed something we hadn’t seen on this side of the street before; wheat was growing in such small cracks in the sidewalk it didn’t seem possible that it could grow there. We have always tried to keep the area clean of garbage so we often go around picking up trash on both sides of the street. When we were parked on the other side of the street we would see wheat growing but it had never grown on the side that we are now at. And now after a year of ministry it’s growing on the side that we are now at and the other side isn’t growing wheat. Amen! God is preparing us for the harvest. As we shared a wonderful time of worship with the street community the one person that usually comes late drove up. Amen! During a powerful sermon one girl started to cry and pulled out her Bible and held it to her chest. During the prayer times she said she knew that Jesus was with her and was going to help guide her. After spending time praying and encouraging her to draw closer to Jesus, the minister gave her some places that she might go to find help to get off the street. We are praying that she chooses to go to one. During the prayer times one man said he was talking to the girl that was crying for about an hour a couple of blocks away before we arrived. The minister told him that Jesus is the only One that would be able to really help her and he agreed and said that was why he brought her up to the corner. Amen! After hearing the sermon one person said during the prayer time that he wanted a fresh start. The minister said that Jesus could do that. This man asked Jesus to save him! Thank you Jesus! After the minister spent some time with him giving him a Bible, reading glasses and praying, this man went and told his friend what he had done. This man looked like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders and he had the biggest smile as he and his friend walked away. As we were loading the bus up a man and his sister walked up. The man was smiling from ear to ear. The ministers had prayed with him about a month ago asking God to restore his relationship with his sister. He was so excited to share what Jesus had done and to give Jesus praise for healing this relationship. He was so thankful for this miracle that God had done for him and his sister. He said that they still had a few problems but he knew that God was helping them to work on those problems as they drew closer to God. Amen! The desert of hopelessness and hurt are filling with water. What an amazing day! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Don’t lose hope for the lost, the harvest is just beginning!
Love,
Steve and Donna
5/18/19
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Titus 1:15-2:7
Today as the worship music ended someone in a van around the corner kept trying to start the engine without success. During the sermon the pastor taught about the responsibility that men need to take for a pregnancy. The pastor taught about how a baby is a gift from God and that abortion at any stage is wrong. After the sermon one man asked, “what if someone was raped,” and the minister explained to him that just because someone is hurt doesn’t give that person the right to murder a baby. At this a light went off and this man understood that a pregnancy is a baby. During the prayer times one younger lady showed up at the bus shaking. The minister thought maybe she had walked really fast or because it was a little warm and she needed some water. The younger lady said that she was seeing demons. The minister asked the younger lady if she had put her trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of her sins and the younger lady said she had. The minister went on to explain that when she trusted Jesus, His Holy Spirit was living inside her and He is much more powerful than any demon so she no longer needed to be afraid and she could rebuke any demon. She stopped shaking and had a big smile on her face. This younger lady is disabled and we will be praying that she remembers this truth. Not to long before we started to put things away a man and a lady came around the corner from the van. After receiving prayer and some food they went back around the corner and the van started right up and they left. We believe that God stopped them so they would hear the sermon and take to heart what was preached! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We always thank God for all of you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
5/11/19
But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12-13
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone the new life has begun. 2 Corinthians 5:17
But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
There is one older man that we have been ministering to for about seven years. When we first met him it was impossible to have a conversation with him or even hear a complete sentence come from him. One of the main reasons is that part way through every sentence he would start talking about what had happened in the past. The past seemed to be more real to him than the present. All of us have a past, a time before faith in Jesus, or maybe a time of not walking close to Him. And just like the older man, we can forget to keep our mind focused on the child of God we have become and instead walk in the hopelessness that was a life before Christ. A life spent depending on things that bring temporary fulfillment. But when we put our trust in Jesus we have an amazing future before us. We have been born anew, children of the King! Through the many years of teaching, praying and caring for this older man, he is now more focused on the present and less trapped in the prison of the past. We have been called to set captives free and as this older man spends more time focused on Jesus, his chains of the past have started to fall to the ground. This hasn’t been a sprint to the finish line but a marathon moving a little each week towards the goal and with God’s care and patience this man will become the child of God he was called to be. Never forget we are born to serve the King! If there is a struggle, mental, physical or spiritual going on in your life, keep your heart centered on an eternity spent with Jesus! God is the author and finisher of our faith!
What a fun day! The sun was shining and we had a couple of friends join us on the street today. On the way down one minister was sharing how he had a dream that we receiving a whole bunch of clothes, sleeping bags and other donations. As we got off the bus a truck pulled up in front of the bus and someone jumped out. Being on the street corner with a ten foot cross we thought he might be in need of prayer or maybe looking for someone. But he started telling the pastor that he was a manager at a storage place and wanted to know if we needed donations and asked what we could use. Thank you Jesus! We had a wonderful time of worship and the Scripture that was preached caused repentance with a motivation to stand boldly on God’s truth! During the prayer times one of the ladies that came out today told one younger man that he reminded her of her grandson. This younger man just put his trust in Jesus a few months ago and has struggled with the ministers caring for him through prayer. But what the lady said seemed to open a path to his heart and she was able to pray and minister boldly to him! One man that was there was telling a minister about the difficult day before. He said that his duffle bag was stolen and then he twisted his ankle. He wasn’t sad or upset because he said that yesterday after those things happened he just wanted a cold coke to drink but couldn’t put any weight on his ankle. But today he was able to make it to the corner and after the sermon there were hotdogs to eat and cold coke to drink. He was not just thankful that God had heard him ask for a cold coke but that God had touched his heart during the sermon and he left the corner filled physically but most importantly reminded of the God who loves him. At the end of the day one man showed up and complained that we didn’t have what he wanted. He was filled with bitterness and anger and the ministers prayerfully tried to reach him but there didn’t seem to be any breakthrough and he left the corner as hopeless as he came. But God has demonstrated to us through so many people that there isn’t anyone beyond the reach of Jesus and we will be praying that this man will come back and come to understand where true hope comes from! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Never lose hope in the God of true hope!
Love,
Steve and Donna
4/20/19
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves His children, too. We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey His commandments. Loving God mean’s keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
As children of God we have been given victory over the power of evil and as stated in 1 John 5, this victory is achieved by faith in Jesus Christ.
As we prayed with people today there seemed to be a theme, people that love God and want to have victory over the sin in their life. One person that showed up today wanted just to make it through the day without falling into old habits. The minister prayed that Jesus would strengthen this person and give him victory over the temptations of the devil. One man who just recently came to Christ, wanted his luck to change. The minister took time to explain that as a child of God he doesn’t need to believe in luck but can instead believe in the truth of Scripture and that if he seeks God out, God will show him which paths he should take. After hearing the minister say this he became very excited that Jesus was going to guide him. He left the corner praising Jesus! One younger man that we hadn’t seen for a couple of years showed up towards the end. He had always brought chaos and havoc with him when he would show up. At first, today wasn’t any different and he started arguing with another man who was sharing with a minister what God has been showing him in the Bible. The minister tried to help the younger man with some of the questions he had about God. Please join us in praying for this man. He said he has placed his trust in Jesus but that he isn’t sleeping at night because he is sober. We believe that arguing was his way to ask some important questions about God and what Scripture says. We are praying that the Holy Spirit would help this younger man sleep and that he would continue to show up on Saturdays so that the Holy Spirit would speak through the Scriptures that are taught and would help him to have a better understanding of the Bible and who he is in Christ. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we all reflect on the mercy of God this week.
Love,
Steve and Donna
4/13/19
But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood-idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 9:20-21
Everyone was burned by this blast of heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over all these plagues. They did not repent of their sins and turn to God and give Him glory. Revelation 16:9
Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. His subjects ground their teeth in anguish, and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. Revelation 16:10-11
Even at the end of the age God is calling people to repentance. What an encouragement to get out and share the Good News!
Wow, what a wet day. It hasn’t rained this much in a long time. One young lady that showed up at the corner was talking loudly and not making any sense in what she said. She talked during the worship but the ministers prayed and she stopped talking and started to pay close attention during the sermon. She even started asking some good questions about God’s word. One man started to complain about the rain and another man said that rain brings the produce and is a gift from God! Amen! Everyone else that was there today was wet and cold but they seemed to be attentive to God’s word. During the prayer times one person wanted prayer for housing but as he asked he stopped himself and said that he needed to get off the drugs first. The minister prayed with him and asked Jesus to intervene and give him strength to walk away from the drugs. One younger lady who asked Jesus to save her about a year ago wanted a Bible. She was really happy to have a Bible again and that we were still there. One man told a minister that he wasn’t good enough to go to heaven. The minister told him that is the Good News of the Gospel; that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The man decided that Jesus paying for his sin was Good News and asked Jesus to save him! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God give us all a boldness to share the hope we have even with our last breath!
Love Steve and Donna
3/23/19
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to His throne. I am the bright morning star.” The Spirit and bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. Revelation 22:16-17
Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. Isaiah 55:6-7
The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You. Psalm 51:12
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8
Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. Psalm 25:4-5
God never rejects those that come to Him with broken and repentant hearts.
As we started to set up at the street corner today one person that likes to hang back and get some food and take off, greeted the ministers with a face full of joy and a hug for each minister. He asked Jesus into his life a few years ago but has never walked with joy. But God has done an amazing transformation on the inside and that is now radiating out for others to witness! During the prayer times, one younger man started crying because he had a fight with his twin sister. After the minister prayed with this younger man, he knew that Jesus had not abandoned him and that Jesus would lead him in a path of repentance and restoration. One older man, who was at the corner a couple of months ago and stated that he didn’t believe what Christians do, showed up today. The minister asked this man if it would be ok to pray that the Christian God would make Himself known to this man. The man agreed and the minister prayed. When the prayer was done the man had a different look on his face and was thankful for the prayer. Please join us in praying that Jesus would show this man during the week that He is God. God’s arm is not too short to save, heal and restore! One person that just put his trust in Jesus a couple of weeks ago wanted prayer to be humble. It was wonderful to see that Jesus was transforming this man’s desires to conform to the will of God. God’s arm is not too short to save, heal and restore! There is a very real hunger for the truth of Jesus Christ in the street community and that hunger is spreading wide and far throughout the street community. We are seeing more and more people show up each week! We are so very humbled and thankful that God lets us be a part of sharing His truth. Another amazing day serving Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus encourage you to shine brightly for His glory!
Love,
Steve and Donna
3/17/19
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him as your ransom long before the world began, but He has now revealed Him to you in these last days. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:18-22
Last month when it snowed everything looked so beautiful because the illusion of purity the snow gives.
When a person places their trust in Jesus, that person is purified. But it isn’t an illusion seen on the outside. The heart is transformed on the inside. And as a new believer starts to submit to the Holy Spirit that transformation shows on the outside by their love of God and others.
Today as we pulled up to the street corner a small group of people were waiting. As we set up more people showed up and everyone pitched in to help set up. Everyone there had placed their trust in Jesus; some had made the choice to follow Jesus years ago and one just last week. When the man that had just asked Jesus to save him last week walked up, he looked like a different person. It isn’t usually apparent on the outside when someone puts their faith in Jesus but this person showed on the outside what had taken place on the inside. He walked up smiling and looked like he now had hope for a new beginning. During the sermon the street community listened intently to the truth of Scripture. The sermon was on the hate that some unbelievers live in and the contrast of what a follower of Christ should live like, loving God and loving others. During a prayer time one person asked to pray for world peace. The minister shared that the Bible states that there will be times of trouble until Jesus comes back. The minister and this person prayed that Jesus would come quickly. One younger man who had just placed his trust in Jesus about a couple of months ago, asked for prayer to be to work on time. After trusting Jesus it wasn’t long before he returned to work and wanted to make sure that he wasn’t late. Most everyone stayed until the end of the day and spent time with each other giving praise to God and all He has done. As we started to load up for the day the street community helped to load the bus. What a blessed day! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus Christ give you grace and peace this week!
Love,
Steve and Donna
3/9/19
So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20
An ambassador is someone sent to represent their country. As followers of Christ we represent the Kingdom of God in the kingdom of this world.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5
How do we do that? We follow Jesus example by loving and serving others.
This is My command: Love each other. John 15:17
Love is not just a feeling but also a commitment to do what is right and good, and to speak what is truth.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love compels a follower of Christ to speak the truth that there is only One way to God, and that is through Jesus.
Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
Jesus gave us the greatest example of service by laying down His life for us. There are many ways we can serve others and this is just one example in James.
Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well,’ but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? James 2:15-16
As we drove up to the street corner today there was a group of people waiting for us. As we set up more people showed up and everyone seemed calm. All that changed right after the sermon was finished. One man came up and was yelling at people and then started doing some unbalanced karate kicks. As he did this he would with one sentence praise God and then another sentence praise Satan. The ministers prayed. As this was going on, one person who has rejected the Gospel and hasn’t wanted anything to do with Jesus, when asked if he knew where he would be spending eternity, stated that he was trying to make himself better. The minister told him that was the Good News of Jesus Christ; that we can’t make ourselves good enough for God and that Jesus died to pay for our sins on the cross and rose on the third day to make intercession for those who place their trust in Jesus. The man made the choice to trust in Jesus! What an unexpected blessing from God! This man has always tried to cause distraction and chaos when he was near the street corner and today God made him a new creation. As soon as this man prayed the sinner’s prayer the other man that was yelling just disappeared. We looked up and down the street but couldn’t find him! During a prayer time one lady asked if the minister studied any other religions and the minster said, ‘a little.’ The lady asked if it was because the minister wanted to be tolerant of other religions and the minister said, ‘no that it was to better share the Gospel.’ The minister told the lady that the Bible says that Jesus is the Way, and the Truth and the Life and that no one, no one, comes to God but through Jesus. The lady told the minister that she believed that. One youth came up as we were loading up and said that he didn’t like asking for things but could he get something to drink. A minister handed him a bottle of water. The youth said that God was punishing him for making bad choices. The minister shared with him that God will discipline those that belong to him in the same way that a good father would discipline a small child that starts to run into the street. The minster told the youth that it might feel as though God is far from him but He never left him. The minister explained that when we sin we move away from God, God doesn’t move away from us and that he needed to repent of his sins and turn back to God and to continue to ask God to help him make good choices. We pray that this youth comes back and starts hearing and obeying God. As we drove home there was a ‘crazy’ Christian on the street corner with a megaphone telling people to obey God and believe Jesus! Imagine that. Amen! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Jesus, help us all to hear You clearly and obey You quickly!
Love,
Steve and Donna
2/23/19
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed up all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About this time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ Please take me on as a hired servant.’ So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” Luke 15:11-32
In this parable, Jesus exposes the sinful heart of the older brother. The son that obeyed his father was only doing so externally and this was made clear when the father celebrates the younger brother’s return. The older brother despised the fathers grace toward his younger brother. This was the same heart condition that Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for.
“What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from you herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” Luke 11:42
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
God’s truth will always expose our heart condition. Jesus wants His followers to love like He loves.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
Laying down our own life doesn’t necessarily mean martyrdom, but it does mean living a life of sacrifice to care for others, in whatever way it is that God leads you.
Today many of the people we spent time with on the street corner with had broken and contrite hearts. This is a heart condition that God can shine His grace into. One lady came up and her shoulders were slightly slumped and the look on her face was ‘these people are going to judge me for being homeless.’ This lady told a minister that she was a really good person even while living on the street. The minister told her that it was great that she was doing good things but God still wouldn’t accept her because of those things. The minister shared the Gospel with this lady and she asked Jesus to save her. When she left the street corner with a new Bible and warm clothing she had a spring in her step and the weight of the world lifted from her shoulders! Thank you Jesus! A group of older women came up (trying) to ask for directions as they didn’t speak English, but had a newspaper article with a picture of a building next to the Tacoma Dome. The minister pointed to the top of the dome and tried to explain that was where they needed to go. Before this group of older women walked off the minister asked if they knew Jesus. This seemed to make them hurry off even quicker. We pray that the hounds of heaven were released through our prayers for them and they come to know Jesus where ever they are. One younger man who is working on his walk with Jesus told a minister that he enjoyed fishing. The minister shared that he also enjoyed fishing, but not for fish, for people. The minister encouraged this younger man to seek out a church where he could take part in the great commission. As the ministers were talking with and praying for the street community one car that drove by turned around and someone jumped out and ran over. He stepped in front of everyone that was waiting for warm clothing and wanted something. The minister explained that there were people in front of him and it wouldn’t be long. This wasn’t what he wanted to hear so he left somewhat angry. We are praying that he comes back and stays next time and comes to faith in Jesus Christ. Another younger man that came up tired and cold and just wanted a pair of gloves but he left with a heart excited and warmed by asking Jesus to save him! Please keep the street community and their health in your prayers as many are really sick with the flu. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the love of Christ rule in your thoughts!
Love,
Steve and Donna
2/16/19
The day of the LORD is near, the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. How terrible that day will be! Joel 1:15
Fear grips all the people; every face grows pale with terror. The attackers march like warriors and scale city walls like soldiers. Straight forward they march, never breaking rank. Joel 1:6-7
The earth quakes as they advance, and the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine. The LORD is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is His mighty army, and they follow His orders. The day of the LORD is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive? Joel 1:10-11
That is why the LORD says, “Turn to Me now, while there is time. Give Me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping and mourning. Don’t tear your clothes in grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:12-13
When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change His mind and hold back His fierce anger from destroying us.” When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, He changed His mind and did not carry out the destruction He had threatened. Jonah 3:6-10
God is merciful. God desires that all should come to know Him. But there will be a day of judgement. And so we go, with the simple Gospel. Jesus being fully God came to earth by way of a virgin and lived a perfect life. Jesus died on a cross to pay the price for our sin that we couldn’t pay and was raised to life on the third day and for those who place their trust in Jesus, death is trampled underfoot. We have hope for our future and we have a message to give to the lost; there is hope in Jesus Christ but there is also a day of judgement for those who don’t follow Jesus.
Today as we pulled up to the street corner there wasn’t anyone around. Last Saturday we couldn’t make it down the hill into the city because of snow so we thought the street community might not know that we were going to be there today. After spending time worshipping God people started to show up. A few people at first but by the time the word was preached there was a large group of people. This year the street community that shows up has been eager to listen and learn about Jesus. In the years past there were always some people that would want to know more about Jesus but this year, so far, the street community is spiritually hungry. Like in Jonah, many come, wearing spiritual burlap and ashes wanting to turn from their violent ways. One person, who showed up today, placed his trust in Jesus a couple of years ago. He seemed for a while to grow close to God but then last year he went back to his old life. Today he wanted to repent and come back to God. He said he had been in a spiritual clean and sober house but had been kicked out. When asked if he was reading his Bible he said he had lost his. So the minister provided him with a Bible but the print was too small. The minister had a giant print Bible to give him and even though it’s heavy to carry he was excited to have it to read. We will keep praying that the Holy Spirit draws this man closer. Many of the prayer requests today were to know God better and to follow Him closer. At the end of the day as we were packing up a younger boy came up and asked for a jacket. The minister was able to provide him with a jacket and asked if he wanted a pair of long underwear to stay warm. This younger boy wasn’t sure what long underwear was so he didn’t want them. When the minister asked him if he knew anything about Jesus he replied that he had been thinking a lot about God and heaven. After the minister shared the Gospel with him and asked him if he wanted to place his trust in Jesus, he said he had been thinking about God a lot lately, but he didn’t want to make that choice right then. The minister told him that he could make that choice at any time anywhere; he just needed to ask Jesus to save him. Please join us in praying that this younger boy makes that choice and that God would lead him to a safe haven, away from the destruction that is so much a part of the street community. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. You have the hope that the world is in need of, never give up!
Love,
Steve and Donna
1/26/19
And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. Galatians 4:28-29
If we rely on our own efforts to save us we become slaves to the law.
Trust only in Jesus and His sacrifice for salvation and fulfillment of all God’s promises.
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1
For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. Galatians 5:4
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6
There are people in the street community that have a good understanding of God’s word. But there are many more that are confused or have made their own religion by believing pieces of Scripture and combing that with other beliefs that they have made up. And another group from the street community has given themselves over completely to demonic forces. We reach out to each group with the truth of Jesus Christ.
Today was one of those days that we saw God’s Holy Spirit working in people and we also saw Satan working through people. It was such a stark contrast between them. During the sermon a few people were nodding their heads in agreement. After the sermon was over one person asked the pastor to come to the mission and preach there. He didn’t want anything off the bus or even a cup of coffee and said he had a meeting to go to but he heard the sermon and had to stop and listen and was so thankful that he had been walking by at that time and was blessed to hear God’s truth. In contrast another man that heard the sermon said he didn’t believe in heaven and hell and wanted to live forever on the earth and restore it to paradise. The minister tried to reason with this person from Scripture but he wouldn’t listen. Sadly, the minister understood who was in control of this person and causing him to be so misled. We pray that he comes back and that the Holy Spirit would speak to his heart and mind. One younger man shared that he was very encouraged by God’s word on the street corner. He had been in a spiritual growth program at a church in Seattle that the pastor spoke about in the sermon. This younger man said he had a passion for missions and wanted to connect with a church in Tacoma doing missions. After praying the minister gave the younger man the name of a church that is involved in missions. We are praying that God leads this younger man to work in His mission field again. After praying for a group of people another younger man came up. When he was offered some coffee he said that he didn’t need anything because he was an angel. He then started yelling some evil things and scared a younger lady that was there. The ministers were able to calm him down enough to provide him with a warm coat and some food but as he left and the ministers prayed he started swearing again. This young man was tormented and didn’t know about the freedom and peace that only Jesus can offer. Please join us in praying for him that the Holy Spirit would lead him to freedom in Christ. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God’s Word fill you with wisdom, revelation and shine through you to a hurting world.
Love,
Steve and Donna
1/19/19
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strong holds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:13
Every Christian is a soldier in the war whether they realize this or not. On the streets this is more clearly seen then others places. When someone puts their trust in Jesus we don’t always have the opportunity to help them learn how to have victory over the enemy by prayer and repentance. That is one reason we spend so much time praying for the street community.
Today as we showed up at the street corner there was a large crowd waiting for us. As we entered into a time of worship many of the people were lifting up voices of praise to the King. During the sermon the pastor spoke of who we are when we put our trust in Jesus and the responsibility we have to be our brother’s keeper. As the pastor was preaching we could hear people speaking in agreement with what was said. After the sermon one person told the minister how he was spiritually encouraged by the sermon. Praise Jesus that the Holy Spirit was working through God’s Word! During the prayer time one man told the minister that he needed prayer for his spine that needs surgery and he added that he was so thankful that we were there to share God’s Word and to pray. One younger man asked for prayer to find a girlfriend so the minister prayed that he would know the true fulfillment that only Jesus can give. Three people from the street community were really sick with the flu; we will continue to pray for healing for them. One person asked for prayer to stay strong in following Jesus; he has been clean for a week and didn’t want to stray from Christ. Please join us in warring on our knees for this person. It was very encouraging to for us to know that many from the street community were drawing closer to Jesus and learning to war against Satan. During the prayer times there was one person standing behind the coffee table who was chanting under his breath. We pray that the Holy Spirit would minister to his heart and he would be set free from any of the demons that are terrorizing him. One older man that who was really sick said that he wouldn’t be accepted by Jesus because he was evil. The minister shared that the Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus died for us while we were sinners and because of His sacrifice, Holy and perfect, we could have peace with God. The man was shocked to hear the Good News and asked Jesus to save him! Thank you Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please pray for workers in the harvest. There are many people that haven’t heard the Good News or those that have don’t know that power that they have in Jesus Christ.
Love,
Steve and Donna
1/12/19
I have discovered this principle of life – that even when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Romans 7:21-24
Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now, there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 7:25-82
The law of Moses is unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do, He sent His own Son in body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4
But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. Romans 7:6
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:5-6
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:12-14
Followers of Jesus are to have spiritual vitality. The way to do this is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our life. A life of faith is what pleases God.
As we pulled up to the street corner today the temperature was in the thirties. On cold days like today we try and spend a little less time in worship and the sermon. During the worship one man showed up and started trying to interrupt the worship. When he failed to stop everyone for his benefit he became angry and tried to argue with all the ministers. When that didn’t work and he started to walk away and he left the corner cursing all the way down the street. We pray that this man comes back and hears the worship, sermon and prayers and receives the transformation that only Jesus can bring. A life lived by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. That is that man’s greatest need even though he doesn’t see it. During the sermon the pastor talked about all the blessings that we miss when we allow anger to rule our life. The pastor mentioned that he had been studying for this sermon for a couple of weeks. What a divine appointment that someone would demonstrate the anger that he had been studying all week. The contrast of a life in Christ by faith or a life lived controlled by the sinful nature. It spoke volumes to one person from the street community that was paying close attention to all that was taking place. This man had put his trust in Christ a long time ago but wants to rely more on the Holy Spirit in him and less on his circumstances. In repentance and faith we believe he will be able to do this. One younger man during the prayer time didn’t want to accept the gift of life that Jesus paid for. We will continue to pray for him that he would see that the prison cell he thinks is keeping him safe will become real and he would want to break free by trusting Jesus and the price He paid. One younger lady was really struggling today. She kept whipping her head back and forth and didn’t seem to be able to have a conversation. We will continue to pray that Jesus would bring healing to her. Many of the people that showed up today were thankful for the worship, sermon, hot coffee and warm sleeping bags and clothes. They went away praising God for all He has done! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God bless you and your family in this New Year as we all learn to walk more and more in faith!
Love,
Steve and Donna
12/22/18
Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:43
As believers we go out to the highways and byways to call the dead to life in Jesus. As believers we are also called to help those who have been born again to new life in Jesus Christ to remove the graveclothes that belong to the dead.
Today as we pulled up to the corner there weren’t many people there. But we don’t go to the street for the excitement of a big production, no, we leave the ninety-nine and go for the one. And we were so thankful that we did. The people that were there were extremely cold and wet. After singing songs of praise to our King and hearing a sermon on the first and second coming of Jesus we joined the street community in a Christmas lunch. We served a smoked turkey soup that one person said warmed him up all the way to his toes. During the prayer time one person who was really cold and very thankful for the hot soup started to cry. He was overwhelmed by the love that Jesus was showing him through the kindness of the ministers. We pray that he would grow in God’s love and mercy. One lady who thought it was luck that provided something warm that she needed was gently told that it wasn’t luck that it was Jesus that provided for her. She believes in Jesus but is learning how to walk free of the graveclothes. One minister prayed for an older man that had an ear ache and it stopped hurting. One younger lady that needed some dry pants was thanking God that the minister had a pair that would fit her in black because she said she camps in the dirt. We are continuing to pray that she would allow the Holy Spirit to empower her to throw off her graveclothes and leave the addiction and to break free of generational homelessness. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. As we rejoice during this time of the year when we celebrate the Saviors birth, may we remember those around us who are still struggling to remove the graveclothes.
Love,
Steve and Donna
12/15/18
But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgement will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But He will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. Romans 2:5-8
And this is the message I proclaim-that a day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. Romans 2:16
For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:28-29
Paul makes it clear that what pleases God is a change of heart produced by His Spirit.
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous – not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one. Romans 3:10-12
All of us, like sheep have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on Him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:6
Obviously, the law applies to those it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. Romans 3:19-20
But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgement! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. Matthew 5:22
It is only a changed heart produced by God’s Spirit that pleases God and produces fruit in our life and the lives around us.
Today started off with someone about a half a mile away yelling really loudly. This kept up during the worship and sermon. We prayed that God would bring this person up the road and Jesus would create in him a new heart; maybe next week. We pray that God would transform him and bring this tortured soul peace. One person that was there had filthy torn clothes that couldn’t have kept him warm. Not only were his clothes dirty but his face, hair and hands were dirty. He wasn’t able to speak coherently either. We pray that Jesus would intervene in his life. We were able to give him warm, clean clothes, shoes without gaping holes, a warm sleeping bag, hygiene items and some food. It can be heart breaking to see so many people each week that Satan has such complete control over but we don’t lose hope because we know that Jesus is still on the throne and can break down the gates of hell and set captives free! At the end the end of the day right before we packed up two men came up. They didn’t speak very much English but we were able to communicate enough to know that they believed in Jesus and were so grateful for some warm clothing. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus Christ fill your heart with joy at the remembrance of His first coming and with a watchful eye for His second coming!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12/8/18
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. Isaiah 9:2
I the LORD, have called you to demonstrate My righteousness. I will take You by the hand and guard You, and I will give You to My people, Israel, as a symbol of My covenant with them. And You will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. Isaiah 42:6-7
I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of Your people Israel! Luke 2:32
Jesus was the light spoke about by the prophets, by the Apostles and He is the light that shines into the dark corners of every repentant heart today.
The last week had been pretty cold and today as we headed out we were loaded up with warm coats, thick gloves and winter hats. After singing some Christmas songs about the wonders of our Savior and listening to a sermon about the angel appearing to the shepherds in the fields, we thought most of the street community would want to get some provisions and leave because of the biting cold, but everyone wanted to stay. One person shared that he had died for seven minutes but had been sent back. He said he believed that God had a purpose for his life. The minister agreed and after spending time in prayer with him told him that he since he wasn’t part of a church family he needed to attend one and there would be many opportunities for him to serve and find out how God was calling him to serve. One older man when asked by a minister if he was staying warm replied that this wasn’t cold and that where he was from it use to get down to minus 0 degrees. Everyone one there left with warm coats, gloves and coffee or hot chocolate to warm their stomach but the most important thing they left with was the light of Jesus shining in the dark corners of their life. And two people who came blind, left with the light of Jesus Christ shining in their hearts! Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May this blessed Christmas season draw you closer to the Savior!
Love,
Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
11/24/18
But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, ‘Since you a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law. Galatians 2:11-16
The Good News of Jesus Christ is not just for unbelievers, but for Christians as well. The gospel teaches that nothing, nothing you do can earn God’s grace. In fact all of our works are as dirty rags before God’s Holiness. Does this make any difference? The fight against sin is not waged in our willpower, effort, or our theological prowess. It is a life empowered by God as we put our faith in Christ’s efforts, His teaching, His atonement and His constant intercession for us. Our part is to repent and believe, trusting that Jesus will be faithful to complete the work He began in us!
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
But because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood lasts forever. Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:24-25
Many Christians live as if they must fulfill the Old Testament law in order to be right with God. But the law does not make us perfect. It condemns us by pointing out our sinfulness. Christ alone can release us from our slavery to sin and grant us new life. Do you trust in your performance to get you to heaven? Repent, trust in the work of Christ alone to save you and draw near to God through His work, not yours.
Today on the street corner was filled with Thanksgiving. First and most importantly for what Jesus did for us and secondly for the blessing from God to share a Thanksgiving meal with the street community. After a blessed time of worship and an insightful sermon on every breath we take comes from God, we shared a hot meal together. As we were setting up a couple of ladies stopped and provided turkey sandwiches for everyone there. At the same time one minister tripped on his shoe lace and fell hard on the sidewalk just missing hitting his head on the wall. Thanking God that his head didn’t hit the wall he got back up and started serving coffee. Everyone from the street community came over to see if he was ok. One person shared during the prayer time that she was staying in her car. She said it was usually warmer outside then in her care. She was given a blanket and some warm clothing and was thanking Jesus for providing. One younger man didn’t have a coat on. After getting a warm coat, sleeping bag, and gloves he prayed that Jesus would give him the strength to go to a Christian clean and sober program. Please join us in praying with him that God gives him the strength to go through the program. One lady after hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ made the choice to put her trust in Jesus alone! Thank you Jesus! It was a busy day but we all felt the warmth of the Glory of God filling everyone’s heart with thanksgiving and praise! Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. In this season of thankfulness to Christ for all He has done we thank God for you also!
Love,
Steve and Donna
11/17/18
Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus, He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder He can cast out demons. He gets His power from Satan, the prince of demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger-someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.” Matthew 12:22-30
When Jesus announced ‘the Kingdom of God has arrived among you,’ He was declaring war on the kingdom of Satan. By casting out demon’s Jesus and His disciples were ‘plundering’ Satan’s goods that had caused so much harm to the Israelites. Satan still holds people captive today, but praise Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God working through believers is still setting those bound and chained captives free!
As we set up for worship today on the street more and more people kept showing up. At first we had some technical difficulties with the amp, but once the batteries were changed it worked great. Very rarely does every person from the street community pay so close attention to what is being preached but today everyone listened carefully. The pastor shared that only in Jesus Christ is there forgiveness of sin and went on to share about the devastation caused by the fires in California. He shared that the fires were moving so fast that people wouldn’t have time to move out of the way and if they hadn’t put their trust in Jesus Christ alone they would end up in eternal fire. As the prayer times started one man shared how grateful he was that he got to hear the sermon and be reminded of how much Jesus has done for him by forgiving and loving him. As coffee, coats and warm sleeping bags were handed out to many the thankfulness for what God had done was on the lips of many. One younger lady that uses a walker came up today. Her walker was falling apart so we told her we would try and find her some parts to fix it. But instead someone donated a pretty new one that we gave her. Another younger lady after hearing the sermon made the most important decision of her life to place her trust in Jesus Christ! Soon after she asked Jesus to save her a fight broke out. Thankfully, through prayer, the ministers were able to separate the two fighting. The ministers knew what was really going on; it was the enemy wanting to stop Jesus from plundering what Satan thinks is his. Not only was Satan not able to stop Jesus, His Holy Spirit transformed the heart of one younger man and he asked Jesus to save him! Praise God! And as the street community left the corner today they were rejoicing in Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God’s grace pour over your time with family and friends and lead to overwhelming thankfulness!
Love,
Steve and Donna
11/10/18
“Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give Myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by Your truth. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one-as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me. John 17:17-23
One of the greatest gifts that Jesus gave His followers is unity with other believers. This however is not just for us to enjoy but to be a witness to unbelievers that God the Father sent Jesus Christ and that God loves His children!
Today one of the ministers that we haven’t seen in a long time showed up with his two year old son. What a blessing it was for all the ministers to serve alongside him and his young son! The Holy Spirit was doing more than blessing us, the Holy Spirit was demonstrating the unity that Jesus spoke of in the Scripture above to those that were on the street today. Even with the cold weather people stayed and fellowshipped around hot coffee and muffins feeling the love that only Jesus can give through unity. One person asked for prayer for his feet. This older man has been having problems with his feet for a few years and it seems to have gotten worse. This man stays outside of Tacoma so he will stay away from alcohol and even though his feet are hurting he walked a long distance to hear the preacher speak truth from the Bible. Please join us in praying that God would bring healing to his feet. One lady was happy to receive a blanket to keep warm at night. Another man was thankful to receive a military jacket to stay warm. Thank you Jesus for the unity only You can provide! And thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May you experience the perfect unity that the world will know that God sent Jesus and His love.
Love,
Steve and Donna
6/18/16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
There are many myths and fictional stories written about people seeking eternal life; from the Epic of Gilgamesh to the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León to the vampires of today’s movies. People seem to understand that they are eternal beings and there is more to life then what our eyes see. Too often, people will exchange a much lesser thing for the truth. Why do they exchange the truth for dark?
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
Until a person that is living in darkness becomes broken before God there is very little hope of that person will put their faith in Jesus.
For this is what the high and lofty One says-he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me- the breath of man that I have created. I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says, the Lord. “And I will heal them.” Isaiah 57:15-19
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
Until a person becomes broken before God, they won’t come to the light of Jesus Christ and understand that eternal life is found in Him alone.
As we headed to the street corner today, the weather prediction was for rain showers. It didn’t rain the entire time we were on the corner until we were heading back. The rain drops seemed especially large and it almost seemed like tear drops from heaven over the lost. We saw an especially large number of people today, most of whom we have witnessed to for a good length of years. But it seems that so many of them have placed their faith in other, much lesser things. One person received a pair of pants that were sewn to fit him specifically (he is very tall and very thin). He was happy about the pants but as he saw other people receiving things he started to fly into a rage. We will continue to pray that he will put his trust completely in Jesus and find peace. Two people that have placed their faith in Jesus showed up. They both recognize that they are called to evangelize, but they seem to struggle with the truth that God would use them. One of the ministers told one of these men that when Jesus delivered the man with a legion of demons, the man that was delivered just wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus sent him back to his town to tell everyone how much God had done for him. The minister explained that Jesus doesn’t need you to know the Bible perfectly but to trust that as you read the Bible the Holy Spirit will show you what you need to know. Please pray with us that these two men would start walking out what they believe! We seemed to be seeing in the physical what we have been sensing in the spiritual for some time. One lady was asking about the Bible and if there weren’t a lot of contradictions in it. The minister realizing that this wasn’t her reading the Bible and having questions but an excuse from the people around her for not believing in Jesus, responded by saying that when we take Scripture out of context it can seem to have contradictions. Please pray with us that she would have a broken and contrite heart and fully place her trust in Christ alone. As we left the street corner we prayed that the street community would come undone before the Savior. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God open our eyes to see all the people that are missing out on the greatest Gift there ever was, is and is to come!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/11/16
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Sing for joy O heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel. Isaiah 44:22-23
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:1-2
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7
As fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
For as in the day of Median’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Isaiah 9:4
The territories of Zebulun and Naphtali suffered greatly during the Assyrian invasion. God promised a time of salvation and blessing which would be the Messiah.
The street community suffers greatly by the rod of their oppressor. That rod comes through the schemes of the prince of the air. The prince of the air promises great things through the drugs or other lies that only bring destruction to a person. Jesus has come as a light that those living in darkness no longer have to stay there.
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46
Living on the streets is a very dark lifestyle. If they find a place to put a tent or sleeping bag, others that want to steal or just destroy things come into their camps. Sometimes they are trespassing and are given warning which when they are able to think clearly, they pick up their things and move. And if they aren’t thinking clearly, then the city comes in and throws the very little belongings they have away. The city has decided that they want the city to ‘look’ like there isn’t any homeless people living there. It’s especially challenging for those that have chosen to follow Jesus. When they commit their life to Christ, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will have a place to stay off the streets. So not only do they have to try and stay away from the people that they use to spend time with, they now become a target for the enemy. That is why we spend so much time in prayer, especially for those that have chosen to follow Jesus.
Today we didn’t see many people on the street corner, but the ones we did see we were able to spend time with them. One person came up apologizing for talking to himself. His clothing was dirty and so was his face, hair and hands. He seemed to have all the right answers about Christ, but for reasons we don’t know, he wasn’t following Jesus. We pray that he first comes back to the street corner and then starts learning to walk in the authority that God has given him. One person was there just to let us know that he was doing well. Praise God, he has been in a battle the last couple of months trying to stay away from the drugs and stay close to Jesus! One young man seemed to know some scripture but like many people we come to know, he had twisted the scripture to say something that it doesn’t. Even after two of the ministers try to help him understand a verse, he rejected the truth. The devil is persistent in what he does. It’s what he did in the garden and he is still doing it. We are praying for this young man that the true light of Jesus Christ would come into his view! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We know that through you we don’t stand alone on the front lines!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/28/16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth come through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. John 1:16-18
I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
The Lord has taken away your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:15-17
The search for God in His truth-Jesus Christ- can lead us to a place of joy! God has clothed us in salvation and draped us in a robe of righteousness.
For God made him who had no sin be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus poured out His joy today on the streets of Tacoma. It might be difficult for someone that has the comforts of this world to understand that someone without any worldly possession but the coat on their back can be in a better place of joy.
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:22-24
After the worship and sermon we took time and everyone there had a chance to pray. One person came up and wanted the minister to know how much he appreciated the ministers being there and that he didn’t know what he would do if we weren’t there. The minister explained to him that whether we are there or not, that he needed to depend on Jesus not us. As the minister explained this the man got a huge smile on his face and was so thankful that he had Jesus! Amen! We are careful to help the street community understand that we are not Jesus. We don’t save, deliver, or heal anyone. It’s Jesus! One person that has been struggling with addiction said he is trying to stay away from others that are addicted so that he might not think about his addiction. The minister shared that if he filled his mind with the Bible and Jesus, he wouldn’t have time to think about the addiction. Please pray with us that he chooses to fill his life with Christ! One person came running up and told one of the ministers that someone had told him to hurry and get to the church on the street corner, so he came running over. After prayer and coffee he left with the peace and joy of knowing a little better the love God has for him! As we left the street corner the bus decided that it didn’t want to keep running. After trying several times to make a U-turn to head back and the bus wanting to die, we just headed up to the top of the hill and it kept running. When we got to the top of the hill we found out why God had redirected us; there was a young man that was sitting down rubbing his swollen feet. One of the ministers jumped off the bus and gave this young man a pair of socks. But what this young man really needed was prayer. His wife is four months pregnant and at the hospital trying to overcome an addiction. This young man said that they were hoping to get into a methadone program. After the minister prayed with the young man, he jumped back on the bus and the bus ran fine! Please pray with us for this young man and his family, the enemy has destroyed too many people and it’s time for us to fight (in prayer and holiness) for those unable to fight for themselves! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We know that you are fighting with us! And thank you to all the military people and their families that have given us the freedom to preach Jesus Christ on the streets of this country! Please join us in praying for Pastor Steve Wolffe of Anderson Island Christian Fellowship, he is battling cancer and in need of healing.
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/21/16
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus: he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
Luke 19:1-10
We never know who will immediately accept the Gospel. We don’t always know if maybe there was someone praying for a person for years or if they are the first in a family to come to Christ. What we do know is that God responds to prayer and in faith we pray before we go. And when we leave, we also pray in faith that the people we met that reject Christ, will come to know Him! Prayer is the tool that God gives us to reach the lost. Yes, we still need to go and to speak, but prayer is like giving fuel to an engine. We also know that even with God drawing someone close, He gives us free will. We have to make that choice, because Jesus doesn’t force anyone to follow Him. With all of this we need to have a love of people, a love that comes from us drawing near to Jesus. We also need to recognize that we are all eternal beings and we will all live somewhere for eternity. Without Jesus people will live eternally in hell. Hell, unlike some people believe, is not a place where the wicked hang out and get to enjoy their wicked deeds. No, it is a place of eternal condemnation where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. So, with that in mind may God grant us the ability to reach everybody that He has put in our path with His truth!
It was a wet day on the streets but wasn’t pouring down like some days. So during worship and the sermon we handed out umbrella’s to try and keep everyone dry. One lady showed up that was there last week. Last week she was yelling most of the time she was there. We didn’t expect that she would remember anything from last week. But she said that she had promised that she would come back and amazingly, she listened to the worship and the sermon without breaking out screaming. Praise God! We pray that she continues to come back and comes to know the love of Christ, the love that Jesus has for that one lost sheep He would leave the ninety-nine. One lady came and asked for a long sleeve shirt to hide ‘track’ marks. As she said this she started crying. She said she was tired of the life she was living, but she wasn’t yet ready to put her life in God’s hands. So we wait and pray and hope that she doesn’t have to fall any further before turning to Jesus. Being tired of our circumstances is a great starting point for Christ to come in and transform us! One young man seemed very confused about Jesus. The minister tried to help him understand a little better about Christ and what He has done. We pray that the Holy Spirit will be ministering understanding to help this young believer’s walk. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus give us a heart to reach the lost!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/14/16
God many times will use common people for His Glory. Many times it will take a person’s greatest failures to bring them to the end of themselves where they are useful to God and His purposes; Jacob sent from his family and home and his brother wanting to kill him (Genesis 28:2); Joseph was hated by his brothers and they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28); Moses fled for his life after killing an Egyptian and hid in the desert for forty years. (Exodus 2:11-15); Rahab the prostitute who hid Israel spies (Joshua 2:1); Paul who was throwing Christians into jail and approved of the stoning of Steven (Acts 7:59-8:1-3).
It is at this very junction in life that we meet many people on the street corner. Every worldly thing they have tried isn’t working and they are ready to turn their life over to Jesus. Some would think this a bad place to be, but from Scripture this is the very place that God can build someone into the person that He created them to be!
Today was full of surprises. As the worship music went out we could hear some yelling in the distance. As the sermon started a man walked up to the corner behind the pastor and started yelling. He kept this up for about ten minutes and then came down. He stayed for about two minutes and then left. But then we heard more demonic screaming. A lady down the street continued to scream for about ten minutes and then came up pointing and yelling at the cross and the ministers. It seemed she was going to try and take the amplifier but as one of the minister kept a hand on it, she couldn’t. Then she walked around talking to the demons inside her. The Pastor went over and told her that if she wanted true peace, the peace that only Jesus can give, she would have to fight for it. This lady’s soul was tortured. It was clear that she was struggling to stay and yet the demonic forces working in her didn’t want her to find peace. When she was offered a coat, she said that she wanted to die and that if she got sick even if she went to the hospital they wouldn’t help her because someone there told her that she brings the demons with her. (We don’t necessarily believe that the people at the hospital would say that, but that seemed to be her belief of what happened). Please pray for this lady with us that she would first turn her life over to Jesus and then learn that her life has value in God’s Kingdom. She is not beyond the reach of our Savior! One person who came today shared that he had to be there because he needed to hear the sermons. The minister shared with him that God has a calling on his life to be an evangelist and to take the Gospel to his tribe. Please pray with us that he will pick up his sword and fight the enemy of his soul, he no longer needs to believe the lie that he is worthless! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Jesus is raising up His warriors that will not be discouraged when the enemy comes in like a wave, but will pick up their sword (the word of God) and fight and not only fight but take back ground and have victory over the enemy!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/30/16
But sir, “Gideon replied, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the wonders that are fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.” Judges 6:13
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Isaiah 40:27-28
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” Ruth 1:20-21
These are just a few of the Scriptures that show suffering in the Bible. Too often we want to avoid suffering but doctrine that saves someone from the suffering of the cross is a false doctrine.
“He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:22-23
Unlike Gideon, we should entrust everything to God, even our suffering knowing that God is changing us into the image of Christ.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, through there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:1
The material things of this world will perish. Teach us O Lord to keep our eyes on you and on the eternal things that are of so much more value.
As we pulled up to the corner the sun was shining down. That is such a blessing for us but mainly for the street community. When we got off the bus and started to set up for worship two people that we had never met before jumped right in and helped set up. After the worship and the sermon these same two people went to help put things away. It’s always wonderful to have extra help and it was almost like God sending a couple of angels out to the streets of Tacoma! One person that came for prayer shared that he was struggling with addiction. He had placed his trust in Jesus not very long ago but didn’t seem able to walk away from the drugs. This person was broken in spirit and rightly so, Jesus has a plan for his life and it could be that he is to take the Gospel to his tribe. Satan hates that he gave his life to Jesus and Satan will try to keep him from walking with Jesus by any means. Please join us in praying for this man that he would be delivered from the addiction. Another man came and shared that he had lost everything. He admitted that he has a drinking problem. We are praying for his deliverance also. This man has been kicked out of all the shelters in town because of his drinking. Both of these men have broken and contrite hearts and that is what God requires. And not only will Jesus deliver someone from sin but He will use that brokenness to help others. It can be difficult to see people suffer, but we trust that God uses our suffering to minister in ways we might never have the privilege of seeing but also to conform His children into His image. One person came and got some coffee but what he really wanted to do was to argue. When he couldn’t get anyone into an argument he tried shouting over the ministers. When that didn’t stop ministry he walked away. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission.
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/23/16
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake. 2 Corinthians 4:3-5
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:18-21
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads then the weeds also appeared. Matthew 13:21-25
We know that wherever God’s word is preached and applied, that God has sown good seed. We also know that wherever there is good seed the enemy will try to sow weeds.
The day started out with one lady talking all through the time of worship. Not believing that this lady was trying to disrupt the time of worship but had some severe mental health issues, the ministers didn’t try to quiet her down. She eventually walked away. We prayed that God would bring her back and she would be able to hear the message. As soon as she left, four other people started talking and talked all the way through the sermon. Even though they were a few yards off they were talking over the message. As one of the ministers talked with one of the ladies that were talking through the sermon, the lady said that she was having relationship issues. The minister asked her if she was living in obedience to Christ. She said, “yes.” The minister asked her a very pointed question and the lady confessed that she wasn’t living in obedience to Christ. The minister shared with this lady that to love Jesus means living in obedience to Him. Please join us in praying for this lady that she will understand that she can’t continue to do as she wants without regard to what Christ has revealed. Some days we know that we are there to till the soil. And with many today we did just that, we shared Jesus and prayed that the good seed (God’s Word) will grow. One man walked up and told one of the ministers that he has brain cancer. The minister didn’t say anything about the cancer but instead pointed this man to the Kingdom of God and the gift of repentance. Prayer of healing is great, but even better is faith placed in Jesus Christ. The man with cancer made the most important choice of his life and chose Jesus! One younger man came and needed some sunscreen. He was amazed that God was able to provide. One of the ministers spent some time sharing Jesus with him, and he decided to believe in Jesus Christ! We thank God that He continues to redeem the lost and He allows us to be used for His Glory! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God keep us all strong to the end so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/16/16
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars! Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this! Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.” Judges 2:1-3
The Samaritans were Israelites who had intermarried with the people groups that they didn’t drive out. The Samaritans followed some of the commands of the Law of Moses but they mixed in superstition.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:7-10
Jesus declared, “Believe me woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. John 4:21-22
Jesus wants us to know Him. The first step to knowing Jesus is putting our trust fully in Him and believing that He died for our sins. At this point the Holy Spirit comes into us and teaches us how to mature in our Christian life.
All too often we meet people everywhere but also on the streets, that claim the name of Jesus but have never put their trust in Him and don’t want anything to do with following Jesus. They prefer to make up their own 'god' and call it Jesus. They take bits of different religions and pick out what they feel that they like. They want nothing to do with repentance, forgiveness or love. They like the Samaritans don’t know God.
Some of the people we meet on the streets like the lady at the well, their lives have been destroyed by false beliefs. And they like her seem to be the most unlikely people for Jesus to save. But in the very same way when most of the people from the street community find saving faith in Jesus, they not only have a passion to know and follow Him, but also to tell others of His amazing grace!
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” John 4:39
Our hearts cry as we prayed before heading out today was that the Holy Spirit would teach us how to reach people that believe that it is ok to make up their own ‘god’. We had a powerful time of worship and preaching and then went right into the sermon. One younger man shared that he thought the state should do more to take care of people. He said that they should pay the homeless $100.00 a day to pick up trash. We weren’t sure where he thought the state would get that kind of money or why he had this idea that he shouldn’t have to work like everyone else. Another young adult was listening and watching him with hatred in his eyes. This young adult told the person standing next to him (one of the ministers) that these people that come out and help are the problem. That they are just being used and people will say anything to get some free stuff. He didn’t realize that he was talking to one of the ministers. He went on to say that these people (he didn’t include himself even though he wanted some things also) shouldn’t get anything because the money could go to help someone like sick children. It can seem startling when you see someone with so much pride that he believed himself to be better than others even as he stared with hatred at this other young man. We know that it is but the grace of God ‘that there go I’, but some in the street community believe themselves much better than everyone else. This young adult went on to say he knew that he was sinning and he didn’t want any help from God. Jesus loves both of these young men, but He died to set them free from their sins, not to set them loose in their sin. Both of these young men seemed to believe that they ‘knew’ Jesus. They had put together a ‘god’ of their own making that suited their life style and knew nothing of Christ. Wrong belief destroys life. It doesn’t seem to matter where we are, the grocery store, the drs office we find many people with the same belief. One lady came up and needed some food and hygiene items. She didn’t want prayer but the minister told her that Jesus loved her and had more for her life. At this she started to cry. The minister told her that Jesus is there for her when she is ready. We pray that she makes the choice to surrender all to Jesus before it’s too late for her. We thank God that he has sent us to reach the ones that others have given up on. Please pray for us that the Holy Spirit would guide us in wisdom and love and open a door that no man can shut to reach the unreachable with His victory on the Cross! Please also pray for a dear friend of ours that has prostrate cancer. He was just diagnosed with e-coli and the cancer has spread. This man is full of the power of God to preach the Gospel and has a family that is built up in the faith. We are believing Jesus for a miracle for him! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God send you to the people where He has placed you, wherever that is!
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/9/16
The Christian warfare is not just against the natural temptations of the flesh.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13
As Christians, we have a vicious enemy. Satan and his demons will do anything to keep us from following Jesus and try to turn us back to sin. When we choose to follow Christ, we choose to be in this battle. But we still have to choose to fight. We can by our own choice live as defeated Christians. Claiming the name of Christ but living without any power.
But if we put on the full armor of God, Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, and the Word, and pray in the Spirit on all occasions completely depending on Jesus, even when the enemy has shot thousands of arrows, we will live in victory!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11
Today we left early to head to the street corner. We knew that the daffodil parade was taking place and many of the streets would be blocked off. When we arrived someone was waiting for us. He didn’t make it to church the last Saturday we were out. So we were able to spend some time with him before the other ministers arrived. He told us some of the things that had taken place since we had seen him last. As he was sharing some of the things that were injustices done to him, he mentioned that he needed to forgive the people that had done these things. He said that one minister knew all about his past and that this minister had helped him understand that he needed to forgive! Amen! When the other ministers arrived we set up for worship and the sermon. After the first worship song one of the ministers did an opening prayer. One of the things that he prayed was that people would be as excited about Jesus as they were about the parade. It can be terribly sad to see people walk by unconcerned about their soul. Not just because we know where they are going but also because we know the price that Jesus paid for us all. One person that came up was quoting scripture. It just seemed to roll off his tongue. The minister spoke with him for some time encouraging him to repent and ask Jesus to help him walk away from the addiction that he knew was keeping him from God, but he would just start talking really fast quoting scripture. Please pray with us that he wouldn’t just think about what the minister said to him but would repent with a broken and contrite heart and turn back to God. Someone we hadn’t seen for a very long time showed up. It was wonderful to see her and she is doing great, but please join us in praying for her son. He has headed down a path that is wide and leads to destruction. The enemy has destroyed too many of our youth with addiction and we need to rise up and fight back. Satan can’t win when we stand in faith and in agreement that he can’t have our youth! Do we really not have enough time to spend in prayer for our city, our state, our country and our world? Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we spend this week encouraging each other in the battle!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3/26/16
Therefore, my bothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the Law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: “’Look you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” Acts 13:38-41
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “’I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” When the Gentiles heard this they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Acts 13:47-48
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. Romans 5:17-18
For us who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of our souls, we live with the abundant provision of grace that leads to life eternal. That abundant provision is not for us to hide under a bed but to be a light for others. But for those who don’t know or reject the provision of Christ, their life leads to eternal damnation. So how can we who have this blessed gift not tell others about Jesus? We should never be offended when someone scoffs or rejects what we say; they aren’t rejecting us but Jesus Christ. And in the same way if they accept the message and are glad and honor the word of the Lord, it isn’t because of us, it is Jesus Christ that they are accepting. Either way we are blessed to do what Jesus has commanded us to do!
Today as we headed out our prayer was that during this holy weekend, Jesus would be honored by what we do and say especially when sharing His words of truth. One man that we hadn’t seen for a very long time came and asked for prayer for his girlfriend. We were blessed that when he was feeling alone and hopeless that he remember that Jesus would not only welcome him, but care for him in his time of need through us. A younger man that usually comes and leaves quickly after getting some coffee stayed on the corner almost until we left. This younger man received some clothes and then sat down with a bowl of chili on the stoop. One of the ministers walked over with some homemade cornbread. The minister spent some time talking with this young man and by the time he left he seemed to be at peace. We pray that he comes back and understands that yes, we really believe what we say and we really care for him. We pray also that he comes back and accepts the gift that Jesus has for him. Towards the end of our time out on the street a van pulled up and some people we hadn’t seen for a long time got out. They received some things off the bus and were happy to have them, but sadly they have so far rejected the words of life that Christ has for them. But we who hope in Jesus never despair because what is impossible for man is possible with God! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May our Lord Jesus Christ keep us strong to the end. Maranatha!
Prayer request, we received an e-mail saying that the homeless youth are being targeted and recruited by ISIS. Please keep the all of our youth in your prayers.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3/19/16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness that is by faith from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be know about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:16-20
Tomorrow is the first day of spring. As we watch the trees start to spread their leaves and the flowering trees bloom we are reminded of the harvest. God desires that all should come to a saving knowledge of Him. God has revealed Himself to all men by way of His creation. Sadly too many people claim to be without need of God in their life.
Today as we left we prayed that conviction would fall on the street community, conviction that people who don’t know Jesus as their Savior would repent and turn to Christ. As the sermon was given, one couple walked away. Conviction that leads to repentance is a gift from God. But could it be for this couple that the enemy lied to them and they thought they didn’t need to hear anything that might remind them they are sinful as we all are. If they could have stilled the voice of the enemy long enough to hear that God paid the price for our sins they might have found peace with God. But we have seen this many times, someone walks away, sometimes very angry at the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and yet they come back weeks later and receive the gift that only Jesus can give. We are praying this for that couple. One person came up to a minister after the sermon and confessed what he was doing and wanted to be set free. He believes in Jesus for his salvation but he hasn’t been delivered from addiction. The minister led him through a prayer of repentance and receiving God’s forgiveness and shared with him that now he needs to fill that void with God’s word and God’s people. The minister also shared that God can do what is impossible for man to do and he pointed to one of the ministers who has been delivered of drug addiction and is now serving God. Towards the end of the day three young adults came up and asked what we were doing. We shared that we held a church service and then help with some basic needs with whatever we have available. They each had some coffee and cookies and received some things off the bus but when asked about their spiritual condition they seemed to mock God. In a few years their time out on the street will wear on them. God will use the desolation of street life to destroy what self-sufficient pride they have. We pray that they don’t take that path and humble themselves before Jesus without the years of suffering.
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:25
Next week we will be taking out a resurrection lunch to the street. Please join us in praying that hearts and minds will receive the Good News of Jesus Christ. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the coming week be a reflection of all that Jesus has done for us.
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3/12/16
Right belief is important for salvation.
If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Believing is more than acknowledging.
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Issac on the alter? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:21
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews 11:4
Cain lacked a sense of sin, need of atonement and he had wrong beliefs about God.
The Bible is perfect
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30
The Bible is true
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4
These are very simple but basic truths that every Christian needs to know.
Our prayer as we headed out to the street corner today was that we would keep the message simple and clear. Please don’t misunderstand us, the street community is some of the smartest and most talented people there are. But for each Christian it is easy to wander far from the truth if we don’t take spending time in God’s word seriously. And if it is difficult to spend time in God’s word when we are warm, dry and well fed, just imagine what it is like if you are wet, tired and hungry. As we ended our worship time with How Great Thou art some people showed up and wanted to hand out sandwiches and water. They seemed interested in helping the homeless and we pray that God will lead them in opportunities to humbly share Christ. One person that showed up today looked like he had been beat up. During the sermon the pastor shared that the enemy is a deceiver and that we don’t have to believe his lies. We pray that this person will take to heart what he heard and know that God is for him, not against him. One very young lady showed up and needed a warm coat. We have only seen her a few times but we could see the physical toll that the street life was having on her young life. After receiving a warm coat she made the decision to follow Jesus! Please keep her in your prayers, the enemy tries hard to keep people in captivity. One person that we have been ministering to for a long time asked the minister for forgiveness again. This man has been tormented by the past. Each week we try and help him to know that God has forgiven him and that he needs to forgive himself. As many times as we have walked him through this we will continue to do so until the day that God through the Holy Spirit gives him peace. One young man came up the street and stood about three feet away. When invited over for a cup of coffee he came over. We were able to provide him with a few things that would keep him warm and dry. But during the prayer time, he received the most important gift there is, the salvation of Jesus Christ! Thank you Jesus that you allow us to share you! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:9-10).
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2/27/16
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:7-8
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27
When we are anxious or angry we demonstrate a lack of trust in God. Not that God will always do what we believe to be best. His knowledge is far beyond ours. But there will be a day of judgement for the wicked. God is just.
See that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15
I am making this covenant with you so that no one among you-no man, women, clan, or tribe-will turn away from the Lord our God to worship these gods of other nations, and so that no root among you bears bitter and poisonous fruit. Deuteronomy 29:18
When we allow bitterness in our lives we produce poisonous fruit. Anxiety, anger and bitterness all produce poisonous fruit.
How do we overcome the sin of anger and anxiety? The devil will tell us, it’s perfectly natural, go ahead and be angry, go ahead and worry, everyone does it. Too many people in this nation and others have bought into the lie of anger and anxiety.
But we always defeat Satan first with repentance and then we follow the example of Jesus in Matthew 4 (we use the truth of God’s word). This is the way we crush Satan’s lies. Our trust in Jesus should always be bigger than our fears.
As we pulled up to the corner today we noticed that there was trash everywhere. We recognize this as a sign that Satan has been there working through whom ever will allow him, to cause chaos. As we started to worship God, someone came up yelling profanities and saying she needed shoes. One minister asked her to be quiet until we were done with worship, and this person started yelling all the louder as she walked away. Once the sermon started a couple sitting very close to the preacher started talking and kept talking all the way through the sermon. When we started praying for people another person came up and started talking very loudly to one of the ministers. What she was saying didn’t make any sense, but the minister tried to bring the conversation back to Jesus. She wasn’t happy about that and as she walked away she picked up someone else’s backpack and umbrella. Three of the ministers went after her to retrieve the stolen items. And she continued to yell at them as all of the ministers prayed. She finally dropped the items and went up the street yelling. Between all these disruptions, the ministers were still able to pray with people. One person was so very excited to make it to church. He was there for the worship and the sermon and prayer. He said he was trying to follow Jesus. He said that people say that he is just a drunk and will always be a drunk. The minister told him that isn’t the way God sees him and that he doesn’t need to listen to those lies! He left very encouraged that God would help him in his fight against alcohol. Towards the end of the day, the first lady that showed up and wanted shoes came back. She apologized for yelling, but continued to be abusive to all the ministers. She asked for a pair of shoes and we were able to provide her with the right size, but she didn’t like the color. The enemy and the world have proclaimed her to be a victim and this is where she wanted to remain, not realizing that Jesus blood had been poured out to set her free. And she wasn’t willing to listen to this truth no matter how hard each minister tried to tell her. At the very end of the day, down the alley, one person started hitting another person because she thought he had taken some of her things. The man wasn’t hitting back, but she was striking him. One of the ministers went to intervene. The minister told her she needed to forgive as she led her away from the other person. This didn’t seem to help except to separate the two. We are praying that she knows that she needs to forgive because Jesus is willing to forgive her. We know that we don’t war against flesh and blood, but somedays we see the spiritual war being manifested in the physical. Two people today claimed to be Jesus, how very sad this is. But this is the people group that God has called us to. We could stay away but we are called to reach the ones that everyone else has given up on, so we go! Thank you to the amazing group of ministers that have decided that they will reach into the pit of hell to drag the captives out! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please pray with us that Jesus would touch the hearts and minds of those that don’t even know that they are in a battle and would give them the courage to reach out to Christ!
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2/20/16
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
O Lord open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise. Psalm 51:15
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104:33-34
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12
When our joy starts to fade we could be forgetting how valuable we are to God, that He paid such an incredible price for us. In repentance and trust we pray that God would give us a willing spirit to obey Him in every situation.
We knew that three ministers wouldn’t be able to make it out today. God knew that also and He also knew that we would be busier than we have been in sometime, so He sent someone that we hadn’t seen in a while to help! Praying before we went out, we prayed that God would send us the ones that other people have given up hope for. These are the very ones that Jesus has sent us to reach. As we pulled up to the corner there was already a small crowd. Through the sermon people were reminded to put on the full armor of God. During worship and the sermon, one young lady was making screeching noises. She has done this before and we have prayed for her. As we set up for coffee and prayer, this same young lady said she didn’t want to hear demons speaking to her anymore. This is a huge victory for her. During the sermon she found out that she didn’t have to continue to be defeated by Satan! Please pray with us that she would hear only the Holy Spirit speak and she would remember to rebuke the demonic voices. One younger man that was there saw one of the ministers praying for people. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He yelled at him, “What do you think you are doing?” This younger man yelled this about three times in a row. The minister shared that he put his faith in Jesus Christ and was now praying for people. The younger man said, “You’re not praying for me. We used to do bad things together.” The minister continued to pray for people and when this younger man received some things off the bus the minister prayed with him. What a witness this minister has been to the street community! His life of following Christ has encouraged so many! The younger man seemed to leave not quite understanding how this minister had been changed, even though he was told it was Jesus Christ. We pray that he comes to know Jesus in the same way that this minister has! After what seemed like a joyous day of encouraging people to follow Jesus the enemy tried to come against the day. One man pulled up on a bike and started yelling at two ministers about how he had rode around the world on his bike and someone gave him a billion dollars. As he was yelling the ministers were praying. In his rage he started getting louder so the pastor walked over and put his hand on his shoulder to ask him respectively to quiet down. At this the man started screaming and pushed the pastor back. The pastor went back over and put his hand on his shoulder again and asked him to quiet down or to leave. The man screamed that the pastor had to back away first, so the pastor backed away and the man went up the street screaming hateful threating words. After this person went further up the street the ministers gathered up in prayer to pray that this man’s heart would be softened and he would come back and meet with Jesus. Jesus Christ is the only hope for this man as Jesus is the only and best hope for us all! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the joy of God’s salvation carry you through the week!
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2/13/16
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7
Brothers think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Nobody including believers enjoy looking foolish. Due to this some believers are trying to make the Christian faith conform to worldly wisdom. As a believer we should always present the Gospel with humility and respect, but we should still present it even when it seems foolish to those that are hearing it. The more we stand firm in our faith, the more our faith grows. If we don’t stand firm in our faith, we won’t stand at all (Isaiah 7:9).
Some people think we are foolish for standing on a street corner to preach the Gospel. Many people show up wanting to feed the homeless. But not too many want to tell them about Jesus Christ. Maybe, some don’t know about Jesus. But maybe others want to follow Jesus but just not where He leads them. It’s ok if Jesus leads them to the homeless to give them food and water, but it’s not ok to preach the Good News of the Gospel. But when we have come to the decision that Jesus is real, the Holy Spirit leads us to tell others about the hope we have found. In fact, it is impossible not to preach Jesus Christ crucified and risen when we truly believe!
Today was a slow day, but we believe Jesus when he tells us about leaving the ninety-nine to go after the one lost sheep. As the Gospel was being preached a group of people pulled up in a motorhome. They asked if we knew where there would be a large group of homeless people. They were invited to join the service but declined. We believe that they missed out on what God had for them. If they don’t know Jesus as their Savior then they are the very people that are homeless, without an eternal home. Please pray with us that they come to know the Savior. One person that came today shared that his grandmother had just passed away. We prayed with him that God would comfort him and his family. An older gentleman shared that he believes that we are his family, and in Christ we are. One person that was saved a few years ago on the street and has been serving at the street corner ever since, prayed with a boldness and precision we haven’t seen before! What a blessing to see him grow in Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to this foolish (in the world’s eyes) group of believers that won’t stop telling others about Jesus until the whole world hears! May the peace of God that transcends all understanding guard your heart and minds against the wisdom of this age that tells us to be quiet!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1/30/16
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning-though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years-or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90
Our desire is to become more Christ like every day and in every way. As the Holy Spirit teaches us to number our days aright, our desires are transformed and we are consumed with the desire of God. God desires that not one person would perish but come to His saving grace. If we choose what is best, the desires from above, God will establish the work of our hands. The work of our hands is to be so Christ like that in every situation people will see Christ in us and be drawn to Him (not to us).
Today the sun was shining brightly as we headed out to the street corner. Because the sun was shining the temperature had dropped down into the thirties and the wind was blowing causing the temperature to feel like it was down even lower. Through the worship, sermon, prayer times and cups of coffee the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified was preached. We had a larger crowd than usual and most of them seem to desire to draw close to God. One person asked for a worship song called, “You are my Healer.” Amazingly, the worship leader was able to go right to the song and provide this gift of worship. But there were those that had no concern for their soul. There is nothing that can be sung or preached that will reach this group. The only way they are going to be reached is through prayer. This is one reason we spend much time on our knees. One young lady believed that her personality would get her to heaven. When the minister explained the Gospel to her she seemed to think her way was better. Please pray with us that she submits herself to Jesus Christ. One person came up and was in a t-shirt. He didn’t seem able to stand still for long and he was talking really fast. We are praying for his deliverance. One man came up and was so very happy that he made it in time for worship and the sermon. A couple came and said that they needed to be there. One younger man shared that he was struggling with alcohol. The minister encouraged him to keep praying and asking Jesus for deliverance, and we would be praying with him for his deliverance. There were about four people that came without any warm clothing. They were thanking Jesus as they left wrapped in warm coats, gloves and blankets. One person that came without a coat, left with not only a coat, but even more important, he left a child of Jesus Christ! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We, along with you, have received grace to call people from all nations to the obedience that comes from faith. May God establish the work of our hands and the prayers of our heart.
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1/23/16
The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifice being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. Hebrews 9:8-9
By Jesus blood alone we have our consciences cleansed. If a person does not forgive themselves, that person is saying that the sacrifice of Jesus was not enough.
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:11-14
Guilt condemns while conviction transforms. Guilt keeps us from coming to God with confidence.
We serve an amazing God! Today we were blessed before we went to the streets to see someone we hadn’t seen for some time. When we arrived at the street corner the rain was pouring down. We set up the cross and the speaker on the table with an umbrella covering it. And with most everyone there holding umbrellas we had church. The pastor spoke on Romans 3:23. The sermon seemed to help some in the street community understand God’s character and the human condition a little more as they try to navigate their salvation in Christ and their lives on the street. As long as the enemy or their own mind keeps them in condemnation there will be very little transformation in their lives. But if they and we allow God’s word to convict us, it brings us to repentance and change. One person came to day because he had inherited some land and he wanted to be able to share this with us. We haven’t seen this person and his daughter for about three years, but we were glad that he still felt that we would want to know and rejoice with him and his daughter. We are very happy for him and pray that he is still walking with God and pointed him to a church in the area where he and his daughter are now living. One person told the minister that he had been in Vietnam. As he spoke he started to cry, not believing that God could forgive him and not forgiving himself. The minister shared that he could repent of his sins and ask Jesus to be his Savior and that God would not only forgive his sins but remember them no more (Hebrews 8:12). This man walked away released from the past condemnation and into life as a new creation in Jesus Christ! Please pray with us that he will remember that it is the blood of Jesus Christ that has paid the price for his sins and that Satan will no longer have a foothold in his mind. Please pray for Ken’s son Dominic. The Doctors have told Ken that Dominic probably won’t grow anymore. Dominic is only in third grade. We are praying that they are wrong and Dominic grows as tall as his dad! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Our Redeemer lives!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1/16/16
“Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:7-15
God is addressing His people about sacrifices. The people seemed to perform their sacrifices with a false idea of who God is and what He requires.
As a believer in Christ we understand that our sacrifices and obedience are not good enough for God and that only through faith in Jesus Christ can we be saved from our sins.
But to the wicked, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You have my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue. Psalm 50:16-22
These were God’s people that were reciting His laws. They claimed God’s promises yet refused to obey Him. The people also offered sacrifices and yet seemed to forget the significance of why they were offering them.
We do the same when we do religious activities out of habit rather than the love of God, especially in evangelism. If we aren’t sharing the Gospel because of the love that God has given us, what kind of faith do we lead others to?
Faith in Jesus isn’t just an intellectual understanding of who He is. No, to believe in Jesus is to follow Him in love and obedience. If we claim Jesus as our Savior and yet live without any regard to His teaching, our faith is meaningless. To claim Him as Lord and Master of every aspect of our lives is faith in Christ. This is what needs to be taught when we evangelize.
As we headed out to the street corner today, we thanked God that He has provided us with a core group of people that are bold in preaching the Gospel of Christ. Two of the ministers showed up while still trying to recover from severe colds. One minister showed up whose hip has been in pain and he has to walk some distance to get to the corner. The enemy is trying hard to come against this ministry as well as others to cause discouragement. But we know who our God is and that He will be coming back as a King and Judge and we have a burning desire to make sure that we share the Gospel with the lost.
Today one person showed up that was struggling. He confessed getting drunk and getting kicked out of the mission. One minister led him through a prayer of confession and repentance. The minister shared that we need to surrender to God’s will and ask Him to make that change in us. This person then started talking to another minister and the other minister told him the same thing without knowing what the first minister had said. This happens quite a lot on the street corner. The Holy Spirit works through each person and directs their prayers and conversations to reinforce what is being said. One young man showed up on the corner and asked what we were doing. After getting a cup of coffee he said that he had just walked up the wrong street. After prayer with one of the ministers this young man put his faith in Jesus Christ! He might have thought that he was on the wrong street, but God had him right where He wanted him. We are praying that this young man doesn’t just know about Jesus but follows Him! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we all share the Gospel with the authority that Jesus Christ bought for us at Calvary, not worrying about the foolishness that the world believes the Cross to be!
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1/9/16
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know that the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah – how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your alters; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:1-6
What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.” And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! Romans 11:1-12
Paul states that Israel was not set aside forever.
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Romans 11:17-21
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliver will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27
So they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. Romans 11:31
Some in Israel thought that because their table was full or because they had been blessed physically, that everything was o.k. But as we have experienced in this country, physical abundance does not mean spiritual abundance. It’s much easier to depend on God when we have to depend of Him for everything. Spiritual laziness can come from physical abundance. In the same way we equate business with being spiritual. If I am running here and there and if some of them are ‘good’ reasons, but I’m not spending time in God’s word, prayer and in fellowship with the saints, then I’m going to be drifting away from Jesus.
Today as we pulled up on the street corner, one thing that stood out was all the garbage that was there and down the alley way. So before we did anything else we picked up the trash. As we worshipped the sun started to shine through the clouds. During the sermon everyone started to warm up some. One lady that showed up was very thankful for the warm items that she received, but she seemed to think ‘people’ weren’t helping her enough. One young man that was there wanted four packs to take back to the doorway. He was given two. He thought that somehow he was being shorted. The minister explained that there were other people waiting in line so he couldn’t take that many. He left unsatisfied and without prayer. We pray that God moves on his heart and mind and helps him to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. The poor in our country for the most part have it very good. Most have food to eat, can find dry clothing and have shelters that open up for nights that are freezing. Many have cell phones and lap top computers. But what they lack is faith in the Living God. They want their situation to change, but just providing for their physically needs will never change their situation. Its only when they commit to following Jesus does their lives change. This doesn’t mean that they will have housing or any more physically, but what it does mean is that they now have peace with God and purpose in God’s family. One person came up and said that he had fallen (started drinking). He was crying as he apologized and said that he was embarrassed to even be there. After one of the ministers spoke with him about confession, repentance and forgiveness, he asked another minister to speak to him. The other minister had a similar lifestyle and was able to speak into the guilt and shame this person was carrying. The other ministers were very blessed to watch this (young in the faith) person minister in such a mighty way, knowing that he had been in the same place not too long ago! One young man came up and explained all the reasons he wasn’t really following Jesus. By the time the young man left he had decided to put his faith in Jesus! For the last ten years we have been praying that the doors of the churches would open up and people would reach out to the lost wherever they might be. Today two times people showed up wanting to help the homeless. We believe our prayers are being answered. That just reaching out to someone in need can be the first step in presenting the Gospel. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God increase our faith!
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12/20/20
Don’t be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:7-8
Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Hebrews 6:7-8
We are not saved by the things we do, but our works and the way we live our lives are evidence of our faith. We need to encourage each other to work in the harvest and not to lose the zeal we have to see Jesus move on the hearts of unbelievers. Because at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing, if we don’t give up.
Ministry to the disenfranchised, in some ways can be difficult. We see some that never seem to be changed by the love of Christ. But in others ways, we feel we are blessed among ministries, because we see Jesus transform a people group that many have given up hope for and even they themselves have many times given up hope. And that is the God we serve! And when Jesus transforms someone, it is a complete and secure transformation. There is no going back to who they use to be. And just at the right moment, when we least except it, Jesus touches another heart and that person has become new, and we receive the blessing of watching the Holy Spirit work in that person and they become a new creation!
This Saturday was we didn’t see as many people as we usually do. At the start of the sermon a car stopped and wanted to hand out packs they had put together. It was a nice thing for them to want to do but it seems sometimes the enemy wants so much to disrupt God’s truth from being spoken that he’ll bring ‘nice’ things to interrupt the service. They were asked to wait until after the service but they decided to leave. During the sermon one car stopped in the middle of the road to listen. Upon hearing Jesus is the Messiah, they left. After the sermon we served Christmas lunch and homemade cookies. Another group showed up and handed out bags with hygiene items in them. It is great to see so many people with hearts wanting to help. Our prayer is that these hearts are turned to the most urgent need that is out there; Jesus. So often the secular society will give material things to the homeless. But the real need, not just for the homeless, but for our nation is spiritual, the need to be transformed by the only true, living God, Jesus Christ. Without transformation people end up in the same situation again and again. One person who has a mistrust of people in general decided that he could place his trust in Jesus Christ as Savior! And then three people who were at church on Saturday showed up for church on Sunday! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we not forget all the Lords benefits-who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases, who redeems our life from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion (Psalm 103:3-4).
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12/12/15
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:7-14
It wasn’t that these believers were unintelligent, but it seems they would rather listen to and talk about faith in Christ.
When we place our faith in Christ, when we trust what the Bible says, that faith becomes who we are. We will live what we believe, whether that belief is in Christ or not.
When our faith in Jesus is put into action in our daily lives, we continue to grow. The more we grow in Christ the more we desire to live a life devoted to Christ.
In the same way, the less we put our faith into action, the less we desire to live devoted to Christ. The less we live devoted to Christ the more the world creeps into our lives. The more the world creeps into our lives the less time we spend in our Bibles and in prayer. Even the time we spend in fellowship will become more about worldly things. As the world creeps into our lives we will also lose any witness we might have had.
The more we obey Christ, the more rest we have even while serving. The more we, by faith serve, the more we mature.
“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” Mark 4:24-25
Don’t just listen to good teaching about Jesus, put it into practice. As we put into practice what we have learned our capacity to understand grows.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25
As we headed out today, we were a little more than tired from spending Thursday at the Hospital having tests done. But knowing that it would rain we brought the canopy. We knew that a couple of the ministers wouldn’t make it out but we thought with three we could probably set it up. But after arriving at the street corner we realized that the third minister wouldn’t be there either. As we started to unload the bus, the people from the street community stepped up and started helping. One person picked up the garbage all around the corner while another person pulled out the wheel stop. Another person took the cross and set it up. It was such a blessing to see each person putting into action what they have learned about Jesus the last few months! They know that faith isn’t something we just talk about, it is the way we live. After a short sermon on the birth, death and resurrection, we handed out coffee and warm clothing. Usually some of the street community will stay the entire time we are out, but today they all stayed. When it was time to pack everything up they stepped up again and loaded the bus back up. What a blessed day to see the street community not just listening to the word, but doing what it says! Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God grow us all in our faith!
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11/28/15
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue for evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:13-17
When sharing Jesus, there are times that it could be easy to argue with someone about Jesus. We, who have put our trust/faith in Christ, have the witness of the Holy Spirit and a changed life to confirm that the Bible is truth. Some religions have tried to lower Jesus to just a prophet. Some try to raise other humans to the level of God. With both groups we do our very best to be a witness for Jesus but it comes down to the fact that God is the one that moves on the heart of a person to come to Him in faith. Resting in this, we can evangelize without arguing. The Bible is clear that God wants everyone to come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. So whatever faith or non-belief that someone says they are following, we point them to Jesus. We know that only God can change a heart and we have seen Jesus do that so very often. We also know that pointing people to Christ, for the most part, is done on our knees.
What a cold day. As we headed out today it was nineteen degrees out. The street life is a very difficult life. Not just because of the cold weather. But as difficult as it is, God doesn’t want to improve their lives he wants to transform them! One person that showed up today wanted to say that the Old Testament was the same as in his ‘faith’. This is a distortion of the Old Testament. He seemed to want to lower Jesus from Deity to a prophet. Please pray for this person, that God would open his heart to the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). One lady told the minister that it was ok for her to be like she was because she had a difficult life. The minister shared that Jesus is our example and He had a difficult life but didn’t sin. This lady believed that because she grew up going to church she knew all she needed to know. But the things that she said were a distortion of what the Bible says. We pray that God will turn her heart of stone to a heart open to the will of God. One young man that has been attending street church regularly needed clothes for work. This young man has been working for about three years. Please join us in praying that he would earn enough to stay off the streets. Even though he works and doesn’t earn enough to be off the streets he gives praise to Jesus. We are honored to provide him with work clothes! That is the peace that our God, Jesus Christ gives! It isn’t something we can conjure up, it’s what Jesus does for us at our new birth and we can’t help but give Him praise when the world would tell us to be discouraged or to lose hope because of what our eyes see. This young man has set apart Christ as Lord and understands the peace of God. And as one minister shared the Gospel with one younger man, Jesus reached out and pulled this younger man from the fames of hell! This younger man put his trust in Jesus Christ alone for his salvation! Amen! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that we would all be workmen approved who correctly handle the Word of Truth to the glory and praise of Jesus Christ our Savior!
Love,
Steve and Donna
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10/31/15
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:26
From a recent poll 71% of Americans claim to Christian. Yet we see things going on that if the Christians would vote or rally together these things wouldn’t be taking place. We know that babies are being slaughtered for money. We know that the IRS has targeted people with conservative (Christian values) opinions. We know that a vet who faithfully defended our country so that we could openly worship Jesus, but he is not allowed to demonstrate that faith and pray at football games. We know that a clerk went to jail for not violating her faith. And the list seems to grow. This country was founded on Christian values. Some in our society want to eliminate those values and keep our brothers and sisters from professing their faith in public places. Where will we end up? That depends on us. Will we stand with our Christian brothers and sisters overseas who are being beheaded? Will we stand for our brothers and sisters in this country who are being persecuted? Or will we sit down and shut up so that we don’t cause ourselves any problems? That was the question of the churches in the thirties when Hitler rose to power. We have a choice to make; to serve our King openly and faithfully or to hide our heads in the sand. Jesus told us that a light is not to be put under a bowl and that as His followers we are that light. We are to share Jesus with everyone, not just people inside the building that already know him. If we make good choices today, America will remain the land of the free, home of the brave and where Jesus is openly worshipped!
Today we stood on the street corner and worshiped our Savior with the rain pouring down. We didn’t see too many people from the street community. But with the rain and the wind we know that some of them were just trying to pick up the wet muddy messes that they call their belongings. All night we prayed that God would watch over them and keep them warm and dry. One person that showed up was shaking badly from being cold and wet. We did our best to get some dry clothing on him, but we don’t have a changing room and so he put the dry clothing on top of his wet clothing. He seemed to warm up some. We are praying for his deliverance from addiction but most of all that he comes to know Jesus as his Savior. Everyone left today with dry clothing and prayer encouraging them to walk close with God. Even if there was only one person on the streets we would go. We thank God that we go with a group of fellow servants that are also dedicated to seeing the lost found and the physically poor, not spiritually poor, brother or sister encouraged in their faith in Jesus Christ! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us all for the times we live in, not for our benefit but for our children, grandchildren and for the Glory of God!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10/17/15
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:8-9
One of the most important things that separate followers of Jesus from others is love. Not love as in an emotion, but love as a choice that puts the needs of others ahead of our own.
If you love your enemies and treat them well you truly show that Jesus is Lord of your life.
You have heard it said ‘Love your neighbor and hate our enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Matthew 5:43-46
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
Loving our enemies doesn’t mean that we don’t have a legitimate reason for hating them, but because God loves us and God created mankind in His image we are called to love them.
“You are more righteous than I,” “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.” 1 Samuel 24:17
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Proverbs 25:21
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
It seemed as we headed to the street corner today each minister had been working through either physical illnesses or spiritual battles all week. Some days the victory is seen in just showing up. But Jesus is so much bigger than are problems, great or small. And when we go in weakness, He is made strong. And today was no different. When we go empty and yet give all we have to offer, we leave filled. God’s economy! Jesus showed up through the worship, the sermon and the prayer times. We have said it many times that the street community survives by reading others. Today what they read in our actions was we not only love them, we love each other. Some of the people that show up for church each week have placed their faith in Jesus. This group of people comes each week to learn more about who Jesus is and also how to follow him. Teaching comes in many forms through the worship, the sermon, prayers times and through fellowship. But one of the best ways to teach is to demonstrate through the way we care for each other. One lady showed up today that we haven’t seen for about six months. She left before we had a chance to even say hello. We will be praying that she knows that she is welcome there and that God’s love is for her right where she is. There is no need to try and clean herself off and pick herself up. We pray that the lovingkindness of God brings her to the truth of Jesus Christ. Another lady showed up today that seems to think that everyone has much worse issues than herself. But by the overflow of her heart the mouth speaks and it shows us that she hasn’t experienced the mercy seat of Christ. It seems to be one thing to know that Jesus is who he says he is and another to surrender to the Holy Spirit. One young lady, when confronted with the truth of God’s love for her, broke down and started crying. The truth of how much Jesus loves us can pierce through the hard core of street life. We are praying that Jesus will save her. One man laughed when asked if he knew Jesus and replied, ‘not personally.’ He left transformed and not only knows Jesus personally but also knows how much God loves him that He sent His One and Only Son to die for him! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please keep Debbie in your prayers as she lost her very sweet husband recently. As much as we rejoice that he has gone to paradise, we are called to mourn with those that mourn, and that religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. (James 1:17).
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2
Now while he was in Jerusalem at Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. John 2:23
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking eternal like that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of His approval. They replied, “We want to perform God’s works too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent.” They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? After all our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say; Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.” Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven, My Father did. And now He offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But you haven’t in me even though you have seen me. However those the Father has given me will come to me and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those He has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is My Father’s will that all who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because He had said, “I am the bread of life who came down from heaven.” They said, “Isn’t this Jesus the son of Joseph, We know His father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” But Jesus replied, ‘Stop complaining about what I said. For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father, only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.) “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked. So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, Does this offend you? John 6:26-61
One of the many things that the Scripture above describes is the superficial faith of those who saw the signs and were convinced that Jesus was the expected Prophet, but when they listened to Him preach they turned away and deserted Him.
In John 15:1-2 Jesus said that that the Father cuts off every branch in Him that bears no fruit. How can the branches be cut off if they are in Him? Could it be that they believed in Jesus but failed to put their wholehearted trust in Him?
When we place our trust in Jesus and start following him we discover that many of the things that the Bible teaches are difficult to hear. Even more difficult than hearing them are putting them into practice. God teaches us that we can’t do what he calls us to do without Him.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Corinthians 2:14
Today as we drove up to the street corner there was a small crowd. It seemed that the street community was hungry to hear from God and during the worship they were intent on giving praise and honor to Jesus. The worship carried on through the sermon and prayer. One lady shared that she was tired of the street life. She had been arguing with another lady. The minister shared that the only way to have peace is to first forgive others because we have been forgiven and then to pray for God to give us the strength to honor Him instead of using words to fight back when others attack us. When the minister was speaking to the other lady that the first lady had been fighting with, the minister told her the same thing. We are praying that they believe God and what he tells us is truth and that they will start living what they believe. One minister shared the Gospel with a man in his thirties and he asked Jesus to save him. Then another minister spent most of the day with the man in his thirties helping him to draw close to God. We thank God that he allows us to spend time with each person desiring to walk with God. Making disciples isn’t just about a confession of faith it’s about helping others learn who Jesus is and how God desires us to live out our faith. One younger man who has a twin sister that is dying of cancer asked Jesus to save him. We pray continually for people to come to Christ and we pray continually for those who have confessed Jesus as Savior to learn who God is and to live for Christ. We also pray for their family members and we will be praying that God would bring healing to this young man’s sister. One lady who has lived on the streets off and on for about ten years was recently evicted from her mother’s house by her brother. Please pray with us that the conflict resolves and she is able to return to her mother’s house. One very young lady was asked why she was on the streets. She very honestly answered because of drugs. Her face revealed that she was numb to what was going on around her and had lost all hope. The minister shared Jesus Christ with her and she asked Jesus to save her. Thank you Jesus! We are praying that the Holy Spirit would work quickly in her life and that she would have reconciliation with family and return home. But even if she doesn’t return to her home we know that Jesus can work in her life right where she is. She left born again and we pray that the street life won’t steal, kill and destroy the blessed hope that she now carries with her. Not that Jesus will ever leave or forsake those that belong to Him, but we have seen the destruction that Satan tries to do to destroy faith to those on the street. One young man shared with a minister that he just wanted to get off the street. After the man said he believes in Jesus the minister asked what he was doing to move forward with getting off the street. The young man stared at him with a blank expression. Then he said that he was hoping to get social security. The minister shared with him that to have housing he should be looking at finding a job. Some people may think that this young man is unusual, but like so many young people that are thrust into adulthood with no guidance whether by their own issues or family that wasn’t capable of caring for them, they don’t even know how to live. Please pray with us that God would help to guide us to teach them to put into practice life changing decisions that would bring glory to God. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please join us in praying that the Holy Spirit would work in power to reveal Jesus Christ to the Street Community for the Glory, Honor and Praise of God!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10/10/15
In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go. Deuteronomy 1:32-33
They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down. Deuteronomy 13:5
The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the Lord their God. 2 Kings 17:13-14
But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve of their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. Psalms 49:12-14
But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘you are our gods;’ will be turned back in utter shame. Isaiah 42:17
People are looking for security. Some in this country put their trust in stocks and bonds, bank accounts, possessions, jobs etc. But with the tragedies that are going on in the world they have a sense that these things aren’t secure. So, many will turn to a Christ follower and want the security that they see in them. The security that we offer is our trust in Jesus Christ. There is no safe place apart from Him. There is no unsafe place in Him. Jesus doesn’t promise that this world will be a safe place for us as believers in Him. No, He promises that this world will be unsafe especially for His followers. And this is proven true every day, not just in the Middle East anymore but right here in our own country. The trust that we have in Him is that He will be with us in whatever we go through – even death can’t separate us from the love of Christ!
Judgement begins at the house of God.
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:16-17
Does this mean that the Christians that are being persecuted or even executed are worse than the ones sitting in comfort? Absolutely not! But in this nation, as abroad, some are being asked to step up to live and die for the glory of God. God could be calling some home so that they won’t have to endure the things that are taking place such as the evil in this country. Others are suffering for their faith and we don’t always get to know the reasons why but we do know that we are to trust God and accept suffering as a refining for His purpose. Could it be that God is testing us, waiting to see if we will sit in judgement of those that are suffering or jumping at a chance to help and care for those that suffer for His Name?
Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him. Psalms 49:5-7
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalms 13:5
The day on the streets seemed to reflect the weather. Like the sunshine that broke through the rain, most of the people that came today brought with them the hope that they were holding onto, the hope that goes beyond physical things and can be found in Jesus Christ alone. And like the rain that poured down, there were those that found any reason to be miserable. One person blamed the different places that serve food for making him sick. Not thinking that it might be the poison that he was putting in his body that made him ill. This person has been through rehab several times and several times it has failed. If only he could get ahold of Jesus Christ! We have been and will continue to pray that this man gives his life to Christ, not so he can be clean and sober, so he can be transformed by the redeeming work of Jesus! One person came up and was excited to share that he was now working on getting his G.E.D. We thank God for the work He is doing in this man’s life. One person explained to one of the ministers that anger was overtaking him. After listening for a while, the minister shared that this person needed to forgive the person that had hurt him. This young man didn’t believe the minister. This young man seems to have some understanding of God’s truth but lacked this very important teaching. So the first minister called over another minister to explain the same thing. The ministers shared with him that he being a believer of Jesus Christ had the power to send Satan packing if he would repent of the sin of anger, receive God’s forgiveness, forgive the person that hurt him and then replace the sin with the love that Jesus has shown him. This seemed to be an amazing revelation to this young man and he left today excited that he wouldn’t have to live with the anger and hatred that had been building in him! As we left the street corner the rain started falling so heavy the windshield wipers couldn’t keep up. Please join us in praying for warm coats for the coming days of rain and cold. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the grace of God keep you in His perfect peace!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/26/15
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” “No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:17-22
God’s love is something that the world doesn’t understand. Believers should love as Jesus does, not like the world. Jesus loved the rich young ruler; he loved him enough to tell him the truth to sell all he had and to follow Jesus. This young ruler’s first problem was that he didn’t recognize Jesus as God. The second was his love of money and all that comes with having it. Jesus knew that if this young man didn’t sell everything and follow Him, he would be serving two masters. In Luke 16:13 the Scripture clearly tells us that we can’t serve two masters. Jesus never made someone comfortable on their way to hell. If we really love like Jesus, we will be willing to be disliked by people. In love, we should be willing to tell people that they need Jesus for eternal life and they can’t believe whatever they want and go to heaven. In love, telling people the truth can be confrontational, not that we should argue but we are called to defend the truth of God’s Word (Philippians 1:16). Loving like Jesus we shouldn’t look to be rewarded but to please the One who first loved us (1 John 4:19). The world believes in love at first sight. Jesus teaches us that love doesn’t have to do with what is on the outside but what is on the inside. Jesus taught us that love is sacrificial. The world has for the most part a false image of what love is and it is no wonder when Satan comes as an angel of light. The world believes that love is something that should benefit ‘me’. If a ministry does ‘good’ things like the world does ‘good’ things it ends up with groups of people that have contempt for Jesus. The people doing ‘good’ things can become a little ‘g’ god to a person if they supply whatever it is that person wants physically. If we love like Jesus we will care for a person’s spiritual well-being along with their physical well-being. And their spiritual well-being can only be cared for if they find the One who created them.
What an awesome God we serve! We are always so very humbled that He allows us to tell others about Him. Today started off a little rough. One person started calling another person names and saying that he was kicked out of the mission because of this other person. The minister intervened and the man settled down and was able to listen to the sermon. After the sermon the man that was yelling went over and with tears in his eyes told the pastor that he felt God speaking to him. He shared a passage of Scripture with the pastor as he repented of yelling at the other person and confessed that he had gotten himself kicked out of the mission. Amen! One young man wanted prayer to end his addiction. He said he has a job and makes good money but his life isn’t going right because of his addiction. The minister prayed with him that God would give him the strength to walk away from the temptations and not just have his life back, but so he could follow hard after Jesus. One person that was at the street church last week, was there again today. Last week he seemed to want to cause chaos and had stumbled over the Rock. This week, he asked Jesus to be his Savior and the Rock became his firm foundation! As we said last week what is impossible with man is possible with God! One younger man shared that after listening to the sermon he felt that he needed to make some changes in his life but wasn’t sure what to do. The minister shared the Gospel with him and he made the most important decision of his life, to become a child of God! Satan hates that Jesus is at work on that street corner and once again an argument broke out. As one person shouted at another person, the pastor stood between them and finally one person left without it coming to blows. As that was happening one of the ministers was praying with another person that had just asked Jesus to be their Savior! Thank you Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please join us in praying for one of the minister’s son. Dominic is having vision problems and this is affecting his reading skills. We are praying that God brings a miraculous healing to the eye muscles.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/19/15
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed. Luke 20:18
And he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Isaiah 8:14-15
While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on the feet of iron and clay and smashed them. The iron and clay, bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2:34-35
In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. Daniel 2:44
Jesus continues to be that stone that causes people to stumble. Many people claim that they are enlightened. They say that one person is as good as another, so why wouldn’t they be welcomed into heaven? These same people pull God down to their own level of thinking but they also lift themselves up in their own minds to the level of God by claiming to know truth. The Bible is clear that the only way to Heaven, the only way to God Almighty is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). For those that humble themselves they will find Jesus.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could do perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” John 3:1-4
Nicodemus probably thought as many Jews did, that God was going to set up a political kingdom. Jesus was telling Nicodemus of spiritual things. But because Nicodemus already had his own ideas of what the Messiah was ‘suppose’ to do or be, he had a difficult time understanding what Jesus was about. Nicodemus stumbled on the Rock because of his own ideas about God. In the same way people today stumble on the Rock because of their own ideas of whom or what God is. In John 19:39 we find Nicodemus along with Joseph of Arimathea are willing to be associated with Jesus, willing to be associated with Jesus in is time of humiliation as the world thought of it, Jesus’ death on the cross. Risking his own life Nicodemus helped to bury Jesus. The stone that caused Nicodemus to stumble became a Rock on which to stand.
Wow, what a day. We had a lot of people show up today. Some we hadn’t seen for a couple of years and others that we only see off and on throughout the year. Today seemed to be a day that the street community came to rest. Even the ones that haven’t come to know Jesus as Savior, know that they find peace when they come to church on the street corner. One young man came and asked for prayer. He said that earlier that morning he had asked Jesus to be his Savior. The more the minister shared with him about who Jesus is and about the authority that he now has because of Jesus Christ, the more the young man wanted to know. Please pray with us that this young man separates himself from the people and things that are causing him to sin. One lady said that she was kicked out of the women’s shelter yesterday, so she had to spend the night in a doorway. It seemed that everyone was looking for warm coats, with the nights getting colder. Praise Jesus that everyone that asked, went away with a warm coat! One older lady showed up as we were getting ready to leave and asked for some water. The minister handed her some water and asked if she had living water. She said yes that Jesus is her Savior. One man seemed to want to disrupt the worship, sermon and prayers. As groups of bike riders came past he kept shouting at them. This man has stumbled on the Rock. He said that he believes some things about Jesus and some things about other religions. The minister tried to bring the conversation back around to Christ, but this person’s mind seems to have been overthrown by drugs. We know what is impossible with man is possible with God and we will be praying that God breaks through a heart of rebellion and reaches this man with His grace. One man, when asked if he knew he was going to heaven, as tears welled up in his eyes, said no that he was a sinner. The minister shared the Gospel with him and that God had a plan and a purpose for his life and that the angels were rejoicing in heaven over his decision (Luke 15:7). As he left, he walked away knowing that the Creator of the universe loved him and that he could now take a stand on the Rock! There are always so many amazing things that God does when we go in His Name, but there just isn’t room to tell everything. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we all understand in these difficult days, that we stand firm on the Rock of our salvation!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/12/15
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages; even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. John 4:34-36
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again. And his disciples heard him say it. Mark 11:12-14
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:12
The follower of Christ should bear fruit in every season. There are times that it may seem inconvenient to tell someone about Jesus and His mercy, grace and love, but we are to freely give what we have freely received.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
We are thankful that God has provided a way for us to know His will through Jesus Christ and the Bible. God doesn’t save us so that we can go into seclusion and just be with Him. When churches aren’t careful, they can become a place that is more of a country club. Jesus Christ himself, when risen from the dead commanded that we go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). And from the Scriptures above Jesus makes it very clear that sharing the Gospel is very important to Him. We are not the ones that can transform anyone, that is God alone, but it is very humbling to know that through prayer and supplication the Creator of the universe works through us to bring about fruit.
The sun was shining brightly as we headed to the street corner today. We know soon the weather will change and the needs of the street community will change as well. But even though the seasons change, the preaching of the Gospel doesn’t fade in and out as the tide washing up on the shore. After the sermon, one young man who we hadn’t seen in about three weeks shared with one of the ministers how much the preaching of the Word encouraged him. He said when he isn’t at church on the street corner the rest of the week seems especially difficult for him. Please pray with us that he will soon be off the streets. God has been working in this young man’s heart and now we pray that Jesus will also find him a safe place to live. One older lady shared that she didn’t want prayer. She said that every time she prays things seem harder. The minister shared that sometimes God allows things to get difficult so that we will hand them over to Him. The minister shared that God wants us to rest in Him alone, not in the things of the world. One lady showed up today that seems to have demonic influences. The last time she showed up the minister was able to pray with her. Today she was shouting and making strange noises so the ministers lifted their hands and rebuked Satan. At this the lady seemed angry but wasn’t able to continue shouting. One minister prayed for her as she handed her a care package. The lady stormed off. One person from the street community yelled after her that she shouldn’t behave that way as others from the street community made similar comments. But the ministers shared with them that they love this lost person. The love, grace and mercy that came from Jesus and found them right where they were, is the same love, grace and mercy that they have to share with that lady and with others like her. We pray that she comes back and comes to know Jesus Christ and the salvation that only comes through Him! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus help us all to be fruitful in every place He puts us!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/29/15
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” Mark 11:15-17
These merchants were set up in the temple’s court of the gentiles. People that traveled from far off would have to exchange their money to the temple currency to pay the temple tax. The rates were often over inflated and the price paid for sacrificial animals was inflated also. But could it be that the worse crime was that all of this was done in the gentile courts and would have kept the gentiles from worshipping God?
One of the most difficult problems in having a church service on the street corner is the distractions. Today was no exception. The wind was blowing so hard that the little pieces of gravel would blow against our skin like being pelleted by a shot gun. There were police car sirens, firetruck sirens and of course there is usually one person that is being tormented by the demonic that tries to distract everyone during the time out there. But God is so very good and faithful and even during all this His Word does not go void. It is only by God’s power that we are able to share Jesus Christ with the street community!
Today was an amazing day! One of the ministers had three generations of family members joining him to go out to reach the lost! What an awesome God we serve! The youngest member of the family came out on his birthday and yet his concern was with praying for others and that God would fill his heart with more compassion for the homeless. Amen!
One lady from the street community that we have been praying for was struggling to be at church. She wasn’t wearing any shoes and her pants were about three sizes too big. She talked to herself through some of the worship. And then she sat for a time and listened to the sermon but then she bolted across the street yelling among other things, that nobody knows about God. When we were getting ready to leave, she came back and the minister was able to give her a pair of pants that fit, shoes for her feet and the most important thing she received was prayer. As the minister prayed for her, she gave her a hug. This lady seemed to hang on to the minister with every ounce of strength she had. This may have been the only peace this lady has had in a very long time. The minute the prayer time was over, the demonic was already trying to steal the small time of rest this lady had; as she walked away she was saying that she wasn’t any good at hugging. Please join us in praying for this lady that she comes to know the full peace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. One person shared with one of the ministers how he has been struggling with alcoholism. He said after the last three weekends of hearing the preacher teach the Word of God, he was able to resist the alcohol because he wanted to be closer to God! He also shared that through the sermon he learned that God has more for him in life than just to survive, so he has started to reach out to others to bring them to church on the street corner. Amen! All glory to God! One of the ministers shared with someone how all of us saw the peace that had come over this person since he had given his life to Jesus. The minister encouraged this man that the Holy Spirit was doing a work in his life and to keep walking with Christ. This is a very difficult thing to do when someone is homeless, but as Jesus has shown us so often, it can be done! This Saturday was full of the wonderful truths in the Bible. The truth of what Jesus Christ can do for individuals and families in the midst of the troubles of this life by looking forward to our eternal home instead of focusing on the deceptions this life throws our way. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus open our eyes to see the truth of His love.
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/22/15
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17
At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread – which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. Matthew 12:1-8
The reality of the Sabbath day rest is found in Christ as a type of present rest into which a person enters when he also rests from his own work and trusts in Christ alone.
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, “They shall never enter my rest.” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work. And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:1-11
God wants us to enter that rest and peace now, but it doesn’t end at our physical death, it becomes an eternal rest in the place that Christ is preparing for us!
As we headed out to the streets today someone that we don’t get to see very often joined us. We were telling the lady that joined us about some of the people that Jesus has transformed. We shared that one person has come back to serve others at the street corner and God has given him a heart of service to others. So it was no surprise when we were setting up that this person offered his chair to this lady and went and sat on the sidewalk. One young man confessed that he had lost his temper with someone yesterday. He said he knew he needed to ask God to forgive him. So the minister asked him if he wanted to pray right then. This young man prayed and asked God to forgive him and the rest of the day he seemed to have a peace which he hasn’t had the last few weekends. Today there was a pretty large group of people and almost all of them were there to hear from God. One man started crying when asked if he had a relationship with Christ. This man thought that he could follow Jesus without being in fellowship with other believers. When the minister explained that the church was the bride of Christ and that he needed to be there to be encouraged but also to encourage others he started to cry again. We saw Jesus doing heart surgery on this man and we believe by faith that he will be in church Sunday. Before he left he said he already felt a peace come over him. We believe this peace was the rest and peace that God had given him in response to a humble heart wanting to be obedient to Jesus. The street community lives in a state of hopelessness. When we share Jesus with them they come to understand that there is hope and rest for everyone that puts their trust in Jesus alone. One person who heard the message preached combined it with faith and he placed his trust in Jesus for the salvation of his soul and the rest that comes with that decision! Amen! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God give you the zeal to share not only His Son but also the rest and peace that come from trusting in Him alone!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/15/15
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
Many people around the world lack physical food. Many people in this country have an abundance of food without nutritional value. These people can look physically healthy but on the inside they end up very sick from food that isn’t healthy. In the same way if we don’t spend time in God’s word every day, we will fill our thoughts with many things, but they will be things that don’t have nourishment. If we do this enough we will not just stop growing in our faith we can become spiritually ill. We need to daily combine our faith with God’s truth to mature.
Too often on the streets we meet people that say they believe in Jesus for their salvation but they don’t read the Bible. For some that is understandable because they can’t read. We know that through the Holy Spirit and the help of others the people that can’t read will be taught God’s word if they are seeking Him. But for the ones that can read and choose not to, we watch as they become malnourished. The first sign of someone choosing to ignore God’s word seems to be hopelessness. Nobody can read the truth in the Bible and not have hope in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us all.
Today as we drove up to the street corner we noticed some people that we knew and some that we hadn’t met before. One person that had been there last week came up and apologized for his behavior last week. We were blessed to know that even when he was sent away for being disruptive he knew he would be welcomed back. It can be heart breaking for us to send someone away that has nothing, but unless they are taught, they won’t know. To many times people will put up with bad behavior because they don’t want to be the ‘bad guy’ or because they think they might hurt someone’s ‘feelings’. Most of the people we meet need to have structure, even when they aren’t sure what that means. When you help them learn good behavior they can listen to what God has to say to them and the people around them can hear also. This doesn’t mean that we are trying to change the outside and in so doing change the inside, we are just helping them to focus for a short time that they can listen to the Word of God. God has to change the heart for a person to be transformed, born again. After the heart is changed, then the Holy Spirit works on the inside to help that new creation live for Jesus. Today unlike last week every person seemed to want to hear God’s word. People seemed to be desperate to have living water. And so the Word was preached! One very young man said he had only been on the streets for six weeks. Please pray with us that God will guide him to a safe place. One person showed up with his cute dog. This man said that he had a relationship with Christ, but he also said that his dog was his best friend. The minister prayed that he would come to know that Jesus is not only our Savior but He is our friend also and that this man would know that Jesus is a firm foundation in times of trouble. When asked if this man was reading his Bible, he came up with excuses of why he wasn’t. He had legitimate reasons, but if he was reading his Bible he would come to understand that is where our hope comes from, living water. One person said he didn’t have a Bible but wanted a King James Version, and he left with a look of surprise when he was handed a King James Bible. May the Holy Spirit guide his reading into a deeper revelation of Jesus Christ! One man that has a very gentle way about him is going to try and get into the New Life Program at the Rescue Mission. Please join us in praying that he gets in and gets ahold of what it means to follow Christ. It was a busy day but at the end of the day we were blessed by a testimony of someone that was saved about a year ago. He said he was helping a blind man and the blind man had trouble in the bathroom (he missed the urinal). So the man that has been learning to walk with Jesus said he didn’t mind cleaning up after the blind man because Jesus washed the disciple’s feet! Amen! He is also taking this blind man to church Sunday! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God’s Word fill you to overflowing so that the overflow pours into a life that is without hope, a life without Jesus.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/8/15
The days are coming, “declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land-not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it. Amos 8:11-12
How, then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Romans 10:14-15
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:16
But Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. Romans 9:31-32
Today many still stumble over that stone. They do good works for whatever reason, but sadly it isn’t always because of Christ, even for some Christians. And as many believers will tell you there is a famine in the land.
It’s always an interesting day on the streets and today was no exception. When we showed up only one person came walking up, but by the time we had set up for worship, there was a small crowd. Our main concern as most of the people that read this know, is sharing God’s Word. We do this through worship a sermon and prayer times. Yes, we take things to help the people physically, but the most important thing anyone can share is God’s truth. Each person has a choice to make; will they live for Jesus or Satan, heaven or hell. In fact, we believe that the Word of God is so important that we would go if we had nothing to hand out. Today after an anointed time of worship as the sermon began, a group pulled up in a truck with a trailer. These same people showed up a while back and parked across the street with the music so loud the worship, sermon and prayer times were interrupted. We have talked to this group before and they seem to be Christian? Today they pulled up across the street and started up a barbeque. They didn’t bother to come and see what we were doing. We were in the middle of a sermon, so we didn’t want to walk away and disrupt the preaching of the Word. But when one person saw them pull up they took off to go get some food. We understand that food can be a blessing to the street community, but we believe that the Word of God is more important. We believe that we need to give nourishment that will last into eternity. And we have worked hard to model the way to sit and listen to God’s truth. This has been a difficult task for the last ten years. Some people have never been in a church. Some won’t go into a church. Some have been in churches only to feel that they weren’t welcome. One of our greatest desires is not to build a ministry, but to build the kingdom. If we preach the Word along with modeling behavior, we believe that most of these people will feel the desire, led by the Holy Spirit, to join a church family in a building. But the street community can be easily distracted. So one person left and then another and another in the middle of the preaching of God’s Word. Our God is not a God of chaos. We don’t believe that he would send people to interrupt His truth. Not once but twice. We are praying that if they are Christians that the Holy Spirit will speak to them and help them understand not only is what they are doing is wrong but that God will lead them into His truth of preaching the truth of Jesus. Maybe this sounds a little harsh, but if you were sitting in the church building and someone came in and started handing out hot dogs and chips during the sermon, you might have a different take on this, especially if you were the one trying to reach people with the Gospel.
After the sermon, one of the people that didn’t take off, had a question about abortion. He asked, ‘what if the person was raped’. The minister told him that even when a person is raped, that conception is a baby. And killing a baby isn’t ok under any circumstances. The person asking the question then said that he listened to other preachers and thought that it was a matter of opinion. The minister then said, “what if a group of people decided that another group of people were subhuman?” “Would it be ok to hack them into pieces and sell their body parts?” The minister then asked the man if he believe that God loved a baby born out of wedlock any less than a baby born to a married couple? The minister then went on to tell this man that God loves all the people He created. The man said to the minister, “You really believe that the Bible is true.” The minister said, “Yes! Every single word”. The man, with a look of change in his eyes said, I believe it too!” This man asked Jesus to be his Savior! We never know how God will work to bring about His plan; we just want to be obedient to what He has called us. One of the ministers had us gather around someone that we have been ministering to for a long time and lay hands on him and pray. The minister led us in a powerful time of pray, through tears, for this man. We believe that God will pull this man out of hopelessness into His Kingdom to serve Him alone. Please pray with us for this person, God knows his name. What an amazing God we serve! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7/25/15
Jesus answered, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. John 14:6-10
So many people want to believe in heaven but don’t want to believe there is only one way. It is interesting that someone will take some of the Scripture as truth, but the rest they ‘feel’ they can just toss out. Jesus made it very clear that he is the only way to God and to heaven. It seems the people that are most eager to toss out some of the Scripture while believing some of it are people that have never read the Bible. Maybe they have skimmed some of the pages, but they haven’t set out to gain understanding of truth. The problem with this is that if one part of Scripture can be wrong, then how could we trust any of it to be true? If we believe one word of Scripture we have to believe the entire Bible. Too many people have come to believe that what they want to be true is truth.
There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12
Serving Jesus through serving others is an amazing gift that God has given each believer. As we worshipped Jesus on the street today, a crowd gathered down the sidewalk at the main road. God has a way of carrying His word throughout the city. During the sermon the mic went out. It can be difficult to hear with the traffic on the street corner so the sermon ended somewhat quickly. During the prayer times one person shared that she was so very grateful for getting her paper work for housing. She gave praise to the ministers but the minister shared with her that it wasn’t the ministers that did this, all the praise goes to Jesus. The minister also shared that this person could pray herself and God would listen to her since she had committed her life to Jesus about a month ago. One person showed up in a car with other people. The minister spent almost the entire time we were out with this one person. The man recommitted his life to Jesus! One thing the minister shared with this person was he needed to separate himself from the people around him that were encouraging him to sin. When this person did leave, he left alone! Thank you Jesus that you know the words that speak to the heart! Another lady came to say thank you for answered prayer. She like the lady before her had been coming each Saturday asking for prayer for housing. The minister once again pointed her to Christ. We are praying that both of these ladies start seeking out that deeper walk with Jesus in their new homes. One of the minister left early today because of stomach problems, please join us in prayer for him that God would bring healing quickly. One person that was there today said he felt Jesus had helped him in times of trouble, but he didn’t believe that there was only one way to heaven. The ministers spent time with him sharing God’s truths about His Son. We believe that the only way for this person to accept the truth of who Jesus is and that He is the only way is by prayer. God needs to speak to this person very soul and until that happens he will be eternally lost. We pray that he comes back so we can watch what God can do! One lady came today hoping to get some clean clothing and she left with the very best gift there is; the gift of God’s one and only Son! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God bless you in the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7/18/15
Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” Genesis 18:20
God revealed to Abraham that he planned to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness. God told Abraham that if a mere ten innocent people were found in Sodom He would spare the city. But there weren’t even ten innocent people there.
Since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. Romans 2:15
God has written his moral law into the hearts and consciences of the human race. Example: Any place you go in the world all cultures prohibit murder.
Since we know God’s moral law, we are all guilty of breaking His law.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
The more a person or culture break God’s moral law, the more that person or culture becomes depraved. Calling a depraved action ‘evolved’ does not excuse the breaking of God’s moral law.
The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. My lords, “he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” Genesis 19:1-2
Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom-both young and old-surrounded the house. They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them. Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof. “Get out of our way,” they replied. And they said, “This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door. Genesis 19:4-9
Lot was sitting in the gateway which would have been a place of authority and status. Lot seemed comfortable living among a very sinful people. Not only did Lot become comfortable with the culture of sin, his warped sense of morality was to send his daughters out to the mob that was trying to abuse the angels. But the mob had become so depraved they refused Lot’s offer.
God in His great mercy almost forced Lot to leave with his family, but sadly the corrupt culture had a horrible effect on his two daughters.
Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to lie with us, as is the custom all over the earth. Let’s get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father. Genesis 19:30-32
Anyone who tells someone that homosexuality is a victimless sin is wrong. When we sin it affects our soul and it also affects the people around us. When we go as far as to ‘legalize’ a sin, it has a terrible effect on our nation. Lots two daughters should be a tragic reminder to believers, we cannot bury are heads in the sand and hope things will work out. We are called to be salt. We need to speak out the truth in the Bible to help other believers walk in truth.
Lots daughters became two nations. Ammonite: son of my parent, Moabite: from father.
Just in case someone hasn’t read the Bible, it doesn’t work out well for these two nations founded on incest.
Even though we live in a country that has accepted a culture of sin, we should never become comfortable with sin. So in the days to come as our hearts break not for a country fallen, but for the people in it that will be led astray, especially the children, and things look with our natural eyes to be falling apart around our very feet, we need to live by faith not by sight and look for what God is doing. In times of great darkness, God shines through even brighter!
Wow. The temperature was hot today. Praise God that we had water to give out! But Thank you Jesus even more important we handed out living water. Eternal life giving water is what people need, even when they don’t know they need it. There was a lot of noise today that seemed to try and keep God’s truth from going out. But the ministers are getting pretty good at working around the noise. One minister told someone that was talking during a time of teaching to sit down that God had a word for him. He sat down and listened to most of the teaching. We are praying that God did speak to him during that time. One person when asked if he knew Jesus, said he was a Baptist. The minister said that wasn’t what I asked. This person had some knowledge of the Bible, but it was sad to see someone with some knowledge not walking with Jesus. We aren’t there to be impressed by people or to impress anyone ourselves. We just want them to know and trust the Savior. He walked away as lost as he came. We are praying that he comes back and drops the pride and wants to know Jesus. One person came today to get some sunglasses but he left knowing the love and mercy of Jesus Christ! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We are praying that the love of Christ shines even brighter in you as the days grow darker.
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7/11/15
When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were very afraid. Luke 8:27-35
This part of Scripture gives us an opportunity for hope. The demon possessed man never asked Jesus to help him. It seems that would have been impossible for him to do with the demons having so much control. What we don’t read in the Scripture is the man crying out for Jesus to save him, or any kind of heart cry for help. But Jesus threw out his tormenters! No one is beyond the compassion and deliverance of the Savior. And once delivered, the man begged to go with Jesus.
We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:7 to live by faith, not by sight. So often on the streets we see people that seem so beyond the reach of God. But the Scripture is very clear that we can’t even call out to God (any of us) unless He gives us the prompting to do so.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44
So in our spirit we cry out for deliverance and salvation for those that don’t even know that they need a Savior. Today on the street we prayed for people that had needs that seemed so much bigger than what we could provide. One person that we have known for some time lost his housing and almost ended up going to prison. This person is very young for his age. We are praying that God will help him back into housing and keep him from doing things that he knows are wrong. One minister prayed with someone for reconciliation of his family. We are praying that Holy Spirit would strengthen him to keep him away from the things that cause destruction to him and his family. As the Gospel message was being preached, a man pulled up across the street and got out of his truck. He stood next to his truck the entire time and watched. We are praying that God opens his heart to the message of salvation. One person that has been such an encouragement to us shared that he presented the message of the cross to a family member. Since getting serious with Jesus, this man has had Holy fire zeal to be close to Jesus and to reach others! This person doesn’t have much, but he shared today that he gives everything he has because he loves Jesus but that he seems to always get more than he gives. We will be standing in agreement with him that his family member will respond to the Gospel! The gift of sharing the Gospel is the best that we can give! One lady showed up just as we were getting ready to leave. She seems to have more than several people living inside her mind. As the minister prayed that she would be delivered, it seemed as though the lady had several demons start speaking over the prayer all at the same time. After the prayer she said that she couldn’t hear anything that was prayed because of all the noise. The minister replied that her spirit heard the prayer none the less. We know that God’s word won’t go void and we will keep praying that this person is delivered from the demonic. And more importantly, she receives eternal life giving water! One of the ministers shared Jesus with a young man today and he asked Jesus to save him! Amen! Please pray for us that we proclaim the message of the cross boldly. May the Holy Spirit work in power through God’s people that we would all stand firmly in truth! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/27/15
“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts, I will be there God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, “ declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:33-34
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was given for a specific purpose. All the prophets looked forward to the coming of Christ and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. And now we get to live in that blessed time!
It was really warm today. For the ministers, it is a little uncomfortable but we know that we are only there for a short while. Some people we saw today were burnt and others were trying to stay in the shade. Even in the shade the weather was pretty miserable for those that have no place to call home. We took cold water and otter pops to help people cool down a little. Some days it can be difficult to drive off when someone is standing in the sun with no place to go. But even if we were able to house each person, unless they are born again, unless they are transformed by the Holy Spirit, they will continue on in trying to fulfill a need that only God can fill. One person went through detox and drug treatment. He is happy not to be dope sick, happy that he doesn’t have to get robbed and mistreated trying to acquire his drug, but he still seems empty. The Spirit of the Living God doesn’t dwell in him and we know it’s the only thing that can bring peace. Please pray with us for this person to get ahold of God. One person is such an encouragement to us. He has only been saved a short time and yet we watch as the Holy Spirit works in and through him to share his faith with others and we stand amazed! With the hot sun beating down we were reminded of how close we come to the very gates of hell to reach people. And thank you Jesus, one more person was pulled out of death and into life! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the Holy Spirit work through you in power to reach a lost world!
Love,
Steve and Donna
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/20/15
The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved. Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?
Jeremiah was pouring out the anguish of his soul over his people rejecting God. Do our hearts ache over the lost souls all around us? How often do we fall on our knees crying out for God to save those who reject the Gospel?
What a day! From the very start the enemy tried to cause disruption and chaos. Through the worship, sermon and prayers, God’s truth was sent forth. At the very beginning of the sermon the preacher stated that the reason we are there is to share God’s Word and that man doesn’t live on bread alone, but every word that comes from the mouth of God. One lady told a minister that she wasn’t a sinner. He asked if she agreed that she fell short of God’s design for her life. After a pause, she agreed. After this she asked Jesus to be her Savior! One person showed the ministers the bottle he had brought. He had hand-written Scripture on a paper and taped it to a bottle so he could hand it out and witness to people! Amen! We are praying that God gives him opportunities to share Christ. One lady was having several conversations with herself. She would also just start talking loudly over the ministers. As she was waiting for some coffee her clothing fell off. As disturbing as this was for everyone we prayed that she would be set free from her captivity. She is the one being hurt most of all by way she acts. One person was loudly complaining about people taking too long to receive things off the bus. The minister told him that he would get the same attention as everyone else but he had to wait his turn. We don’t just throw things at people or give them whatever is on the bus. This is not because we are stingy, it’s because when we take the time to care for their needs in very specific ways we build trust. They realize that we really care. After this man received the same warm care everyone else had, he received the most important thing we have, Jesus! One young man was searching. He wasn’t sure what he was searching for, but seemed to think it wasn’t Jesus. The minister shared with him that it wasn’t his idea to be born and what made him think that he would get to choose what happened after he died. The minister then shared that the only way we choose what happens after we die is to choose Jesus while we are still alive. The minister asked him if he had a Bible would he read it. The young man took some time thinking about it and then said, “Yes, he would read it.” Thank you Holy Spirit for encouraging the minister to be persistent with this young man. We are praying that God will speak to him through His Word. One person was upset over the church shooting victims. The minister prayed with him but also shared that those people were now in paradise and that is where we who believe in Christ will all be. But we have to put our trust in Jesus alone for our salvation. This person went away with a lot to think about; he, like many we minister to think they can believe different parts of any religion and be ok. We know God’s Word won’t go void and we pray that the words the minister spoke and prayed bring him to Jesus! One person came up as we were loading up to leave and wanted some things. We won’t let anyone go hungry if we have anything to give, but food wasn’t enough. She wanted clothes and was angry when we wouldn’t provide them. We explained we were loading up and let her know that we would be there next weekend and at what time. She went away swearing. We pray she comes back and finds rest for her soul. The last four months we have seen some of the people that seem to be the hardest to reach. For this we are thankful! That is who Jesus has sent us too! Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission! May God give you the desires of His heart as you mourn in anguish for the lost!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/13/15
So now write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. These are a rebellious people, deceitful children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction. They say to the seer’s, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right!” Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”
Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern. This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift! A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill. Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Isaiah 30:8-18
There are many times on the streets that someone will tell us to go away. They don’t want to hear about Jesus. There are other times, that someone won’t tell us to go away but they won’t listen to the Gospel. But there are those that do listen and want to know Jesus or want to draw closer to Him. So we go. Today we had both people. Those who just wanted something off the bus and those who just wanted to draw closer to Jesus. One person during the prayer started to cry. The minister was praying for this young lady’s protection. We will continue to pray that God keeps her safe. For one man, last night was the first night he had to sleep outside. He said he was stiff. We are praying that he is able to get back into housing soon. The minister shared with him that God hasn’t forgotten about him. Too often the street community has burnt so many bridges with family and friends that they think that Our heavenly Father is the same. Not that the family and friends shouldn’t have made the very difficult choice to not enable someone. But God always welcomes us back when we sincerely repent and turn back to him. Not only does he welcome us back but He restores family and friends many times also. One person flew into a rage when he didn’t get exactly what he wanted off the bus. We pray that we honored Jesus with the way we handled him. This person seems to believe that if someone is providing what he wants they care but if they don’t it’s because they are hateful. We pray that he comes back and turns his life over to Jesus; Jesus is the only answer to every problem this person encounters. God longs to be gracious to him. As it is for every person we meet! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God’s presence be with you in power!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/30/15
But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time. Nehemiah 9:26-28
For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. Nehemiah 9:30-31
In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong. Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the warnings you gave them. Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways. But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and other good things it produces. Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress. Nehemiah 9:36-37
God has been so very good and merciful to America. There have been great times of revival. But there has been a continuing turning away from God. God is patient. He is patient so that people will turn back to Him in repentance. But each year it seems that our country runs in the opposite direction of Jesus and so many have become slaves. Some would say that there isn’t slavery anymore, but on the streets we see people slaves to drugs, alcohol and sex to name a few. And of course there are the people that are actual slaves used in the sex industry. Why would God allow this to happen? Could it be that Jesus is no longer the highest priority of each American? We are told through some educators and media that we don’t need God. We are told to be independent as long as it conforms to the liberal mind set which means that truth is whatever I believe it to be, not something that God has set in place with moral commandments. Some churches turn away from preaching the full Gospel message and instead preach inspiration so that the sinner can feel good on his way to hell. We are told that preaching the Bible is hate speech. And then we wonder why God would allow these things to take place.
I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. Isaiah 1:25
There is still hope! We can pray for the justices to make choices based on God’s laws. We can pray for the person in our own state that is being persecuted because she believes that marriage is between one man and one woman. We can pray for the unborn. We can vote in God fearing leaders. Not ones that only say they believe in Jesus, but ones that live according to His Word. We can preach the whole Word of God, which to those that are being saved is Good News!
Or do we think that none of these things have affected us or the people we care about directly? Can we sit back and do nothing? Do we think that God will allow us who are called by His Name to be left out of the persecution and suffering when we don’t speak up for others? No. The Bible demonstrates that when God brings judgement on a nation, everyone is affected. Some like Daniel will shine bright in those times! If we would only remember that we are here for a short time and that time should demonstrate through each situation the Glory of the Savior!
It was a strange day on the streets. On the way down we stopped to help a couple we have known for a few years. The lady was so drunk that she wasn’t making any sense. We prayed for deliverance. It’s so difficult to watch someone fall deeper and deeper into a pit. We serve a God of miracles and we are praying that He delivers these two. Once we arrived at the street corner there were distractions coming from all around us. But even with all the distractions, one lady came from not a short distance away after hearing the worship. She said she believed that through the worship and the sermon God had answered her prayer. One person that had been having a very difficult time with the past seemed to be able to stay in the present and hold a conversation. We pray that he continues to stay in the present and that Jesus transforms his heart. One gentleman is such an encouragement to us. He is continuing to grow in his faith and share with others who Jesus is! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we live each minute motivated by the love of Jesus!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/23/15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness. 2 Timothy 2:15-19
It seems that the leading thought of this age is, ‘I can think whatever I want and it is equal with whatever you think.’ There are some people that believe in heaven, but don’t believe in hell. There are others that confess the name of Jesus but don’t believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And there are others that say religion is the cause of all problems. When missionaries go to some other countries they have to teach that turning to Christ means forsaking all the others ‘gods’/idols. From time to time we find that we need to teach that also.
Today was one of those days. Our day began with someone that pulled out a Bible and was asking a question. This person was very confused about who Jesus is. But it turned out that it wasn’t a Bible that he had it was a new world order book (Jehovah witness book). It’s no wonder this young man was confused. He didn’t want anything to do with the truth of the Holy Scriptures. We will be praying for him that he comes to understand that the Bible isn’t made for picking out what you want to believe and throwing out the rest. The Bible either is all true or none of it is true. But it seems that too many people are willing to state that what anyone believes is as valuable as what another person believes. Both cannot be true. One person that we have been ministering too for about six years sat and read a book during the sermon. When it came time for prayer, he wanted God to help his children. He wants God to be a pop machine; he puts in his request and out it comes. God desires to be in relationship with him. Jesus died that he could be in right relationship with God. The minister prayed that he would have the clarity to take that relationship with Jesus seriously. One person was asked if he had backslidden. When someone recognizes they have backslidden, then they are ready to repent. He said he hadn’t backslidden. So the next question was, “are you going to church.” That was when he confessed that he was having a difficult time and has started to lose hope. He said he didn’t feel he was welcome in any church. The minister pointed him in the direction of a church and told him he would be welcome. The minister also told him that if he wasn’t in church he was in disobedience to Christ and that when we are in disobedience it is easy to become hopeless. The minister also shared that going to church wasn’t just for him; Christ needed him there to encourage and care for others. We will be praying that he makes it and takes others with him. One minister spent time talking with a young man. The minister tried to get to the root of disbelief. But the closer he got the more the young man pushed away. He didn’t seem ready to put away the idols in his life and turn his life over to Jesus. Today it was difficult to see so many reject Christ. If they only knew what peace, joy and love was waiting for them in Jesus alone. Wouldn’t they run to him? Thankfully it is Jesus who draws men unto himself. With prayer and supplication we cry out to God to save the lost, but it is in His faithful, grace and mercy filled hands. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that we all are useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/16/15
They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger. So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence. 2 Kings 17:16-20
The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them until the Lord removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. 2 Kings 17:22-23
Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the several towns where they settled, and set them up in the shrines the people of Samaria had made at the high places. 2 Kings 17:29
They worshiped the Lord, but they also appointed all sorts of their own people to officiate for them as priests in the shrines at the high places. They worshipped the Lord, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought. 2 Kings 17:32-33
When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. You must always be careful to keep the decrees and ordinances, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship others gods. Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies. 2 Kings 17:35-39
The above verses in Scripture gives us a glimpse into the reasons for our country’s problems as we remember that we might not have the same names for the worship of these idols, but it’s the same demonic spirit. Yet even then, (1 Kings 19:18) as now, God has reserved a remnant that have not compromised the Word of Truth. And that is very encouraging!
Some Christians believe that to reach the lost we just need to be nice to people (friendship evangelism), others believe that if we give them free stuff they will come, and yet others believe that if we tell people that God will provide whatever it is they want (health, wealth ect.) they will be drawn to Jesus. Jesus was very clear about evangelism; God’s truth is the only way to bring people to Christ. This is done through prayer, supplication and the teaching of truth. God desires that we live in obedience to Him, not that we become perfect at salvation but that we grow in our walk with Jesus. Does the truth drive some people away? Yes, but it also helps those who desire to come, draw closer to Jesus. Making people ‘happy’ will never help their spiritual condition. We are called to worship God in spirit and truth.
We want anyone who is disenfranchised from Jesus to come into a right relationship with him. If we believe the Bible is truth, how can we let someone that is going to spend eternity in hell just walk by? Today was a blessed day! We prayed for God to send the workers into the fields and as we drove by the Jack-in-the-box, there were some teens ministering to someone, and then some of the ministers that we don’t get a chance to see very often were at the street corner when we pulled up. One of the ministers tried to reach a person that seemed to be lost in the past. This person allowed his anger and hurt to pull him away from the present. We will continue to pray that God brings clarity to him. One older gentleman seemed to stay at a distance wanting to find out what was going on. The Spirit draws people and we pray that the Holy Spirit will draw him closer next week that he might find the salvation of his soul! One young lady came and received a cup of coffee. She hasn’t been on the streets very long. We pray that she will come into a relationship with Jesus and that she won’t be on the streets for long. Another young lady came to get some clothing, wanting anything warm. Thank you Jesus for providing a sleeping bag and warm clothing for her. We will continue to pray that God will help her to walk in obedience. Not that God is standing over us waging His finger, but He knows that living in obedience to Him, benefits us and those around us. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the peace of God that transcends all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/9/15
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Some people think by looking ‘right’ they will feel ‘right’. If only I had the right clothes, the best car or the most money, I would feel ‘ok’. Man tries to work from the outside in. We sadly see this too often in movie stars. They have every material thing including health and outward beauty, but because they live to serve themselves and not God, they have no peace.
God works from the inside out. Jesus changes the heart and when the heart has been changed, the outside follows.
Today on the streets we saw people that others would reject. Sometimes because of the way they look: The clothing not clean, the hair a little messy, maybe slightly smelly from digging through the garbage to find something to eat.
To us we see a work of God in progress, a masterpiece! One person, with the help of Jesus, working at forgiveness, the more he remembers to forgive others the way God has forgiven him the more clarity he has and less and less the enemy distorts his thinking. One is lady struggling to stay close to God, overcome an addiction and to raise a child into a young man of God. One older man is gaining a heart of service. He has come to know that as he serves others, he is serving his King whom he loves. One young man badly sun burnt, seeking out a specific scripture. He was thanking Jesus for providing a clean shirt.
Some people might not take a second glance at this small group of people. God has shown us what a treasure this small group of believers is. They have so many trials and temptations to overcome each day and yet they hold onto Jesus with every breath they take.
We left today realizing what a gift God has given us, to let us share in the love He has for His children. Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God uphold the prayers of his people according to each day’s needs, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. (1 Kings 8:59-60)
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/25/15
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
It can be difficult for even a Christian to forgive someone like they have been forgiven by God. But we are told in Scripture that if we don’t forgive our heavenly Father won’t forgive us. (Matthew 6:15). So even in the most horrible circumstances we forgive because we have been forgiven.
In the same way we love because we are loved by Jesus.
Today on the streets started out with worship songs that speak Scripture. And the sermon spoke out the Scripture while weaving in how that pertained to those listening. Even as one large man came up cursing and threatening to kill the Pastor, the sermon continued into a message of how much God loved that man also. This only seemed to enrage the demon he was carrying and his body language and speech became more abusive. We prayed that the demonic spirit would leave him and that he would come to know the mercy and grace of God. He walked away screaming. We will continue to pray that he comes to know Jesus. We know because we have seen Jesus work in others that were like this that they can be born again and be transformed by the Name and power of Jesus. During days like this we try and remember how far from God we were before we believed Jesus for the salvation of our souls. One lady we met today was unable to hold a conversation. She seemed to go from one word to another without any relation to the first word. The minister tried to show her the love of Christ without words. There were some people there that seemed to have a spirit of entitlement. They wanted what they wanted but didn’t have time for Jesus. When you see someone that is starving and you try to give them food and yet they turn away, it can cause a heavy heart. Thank you Jesus that we don’t go in our strength but yours and you have shown us that no matter what the situation looks like to the physical realm, you are willing for that person that is lost to be found! One older gentleman told one of the ministers that he felt close to God but not to Jesus. The minister first asked if he was reading his Bible, he said he was. So the minister explained that Jesus is God so if he believed that he was close to God, he was close to Jesus. The older gentleman said he just felt something was missing. The minister then asked if he was going to church. The man said he wasn’t. The minister explained that the Church is the Bride of Christ and that it is very important to Jesus. He said that he knew he needed to be in church for fellowship. The minister told him that it was not just for fellowship but for accountability and to be in service to others. Jesus said if we love Him we will obey him. We are praying that this man finds a church home. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please pray for us to boldly preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we pray for you to be the salt of the world!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/18/15
The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” Genesis 7:1
When we picture Noah and his family going into the ark it is a picture of someone who puts his faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith in Christ saves us from the judgement of God. We are found righteous in Christ.
God made him who had no sin become sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Then God said to Noah; Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your son’s and their wives. Genesis 8:15-16
Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” Genesis 9:1
Once clothed with the righteousness of Christ we are to go and be fruitful.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16
What a beautiful day on the streets. The sun was shining and it was warm. We were blessed to see one minister that hasn’t been out in a couple of months and he brought his son! Even with the weather bringing comfort to some the day had the potential to be difficult. One person that showed up was saying that he wasn’t going to be there next weekend because he was going to go to jail. He continued to say something about doing something that he shouldn’t. He didn’t go into detail. After hearing the sermon and by the time he left he had calmed down and seemed to have forgiven whatever wrong that he thought had been done. God’s word has power and promise. One person that was there was so thankful to be able to make it to church. He told the minister that God works in mysterious ways. The message seemed to speak to his heart to encourage him in the struggles he was going through and remind him that there is hope in only Jesus Christ. One person had bad stomach cramps so the minister prayed for him. Later the minister asked how he was feeling and he said better. God is still on His throne and as the darkness grows His light shines all the brighter! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May this week be filled with fruitful exploits for the Lord!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/11/15
We often have past regrets, especially believers that have come to Christ later in life. ‘If only I had done this and not done that.’
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
This doesn’t mean that everything that happens is good, but that God is able to turn every circumstance (even the past regrets) for good for those that belong to Him.
If we trust God, even what happened in the past He will use to conform us to the likeness of His Son. But we can refuse God, He won’t interfere with our will.
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God. Luke 9:62
God wants all of us. When we continue to look back with regret, we are saying that we can’t trust God with everything.
But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26
Lot’s wife more than likely looked back because she didn’t want to leave a life that she had become accustom to. But in the same way when we look back wanting to change the unchangeable we become stuck or frozen. The more we look to God and keep our minds fixed on eternity the less the enemy will be able to tell us our past is ruling our lives.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6
We have a choice to make when we have past regrets; allow God to use them for His glory and to benefit those around us, or continue to sin against God and stay stuck in the unbelief that our past is bigger than God.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Today on the street one man gave his testimony of Jesus saving him to one of the ministers. This man understands that his past can spur him on to become more Christ like, or it can cause him to stumble back into sin. But he faces each day with the joy of knowing that God is helping him to become more like Christ and that God won’t abandon him. We were so blessed by his testimony of faith! We met one person today that we hadn’t met before. He seemed to be cautious and didn’t want anything but a cup of coffee. The streets can be a very difficult place and we’ve been told by many that some that seem to care just want something. So when someone is new we aren’t surprised that they might be a little suspicious. We pray that this person will come back and we will be able to share the most important thing we have to offer, Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God draw your eyes to the eternal treasure that is in knowing Jesus Christ.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3/28/15
Too often we hear it said that God won’t give us more than we can handle. Yet we watch the suffering of Christians all over the world, even to the point of death. Is that more than you can handle? It’s more than I can handle. God never intended for us to be able to handle these sufferings.
We do not want you to be uniformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
My soul is overwhelmed to the point of death. Matthew 26:38
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7
Stop trusting in man who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? Isaiah 2:22
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:5
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Not a superhuman ability to accomplish anything we want, but the ability to face the challenges that come from obeying His will.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
God often does give us more than we can handle so that we can understand that He is the one that gives us breathe and strength. On the streets we see people that are living in circumstances beyond what most would consider being what they could endure. We never know until we go through the valley what we can endure with Christ. And when we are willing to be ambassadors for Jesus we are telling God that we are willing to be put into any circumstance that will bring Him glory.
As we headed out today we knew that we would be a little short of ministers, but God has always provided. Please pray for Scott, who after a really bad cut, lost a lot of blood and then got an infection. So when we were on the way down we saw one of the ministers on the way and when we parked the bus someone we haven’t seen for some time showed up to help! Thank you Jesus! At the street corner we talked to one person that believed that someone other than Christ saved him. We tried to share with him that only Jesus Christ is the one that saves. We pray that he will return and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we will lead him to Jesus the true and only Savior! One person explained that last night in Seattle a lady told him about Jesus and gave him the Scripture John 3:16. He said he asked Jesus to be his Savior. He then explained that he had rode the bus to Tacoma and walked down the wrong street and found us. He received a sleeping bag, hygiene items, food, clothing and most important a Bible. He seemed to be in shock that God would provide for his needs so quickly. The minister shared with him that when we seek Jesus, God will provide for all of our needs (Philippians 4:19). Another person shared that he was tired of all the confusion in his life. He told the ministers that he just wanted to have things be different. One of the ministers told him the only way to really have things different was to surrender completely to Jesus. He made the best choice of his life and asked Jesus to save him! Amen! We know that the Holy Spirit will start working on that change. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God be your only confidence in every circumstance!
Love,
Steve and Donna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3/21/15
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right the other on his left. Luke 23:33
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him, “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
The two criminal were equally deserving of death, one was no better than the other. It is only the grace of God in the cross of Christ that can instantly transform a sinner into an attitude of saving faith. The repentant thief began to see the justice of his punishment, the sinless character of Christ, the Deity of Christ and Christ living beyond the grave.
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean. “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man, “I am willing,” he said, “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Mark 1:40-42
A person’s value is on the inside. No one is too disabled, diseased or lost in their sin, as the criminal on the cross, for God to touch.
Before we left today to head to the streets we checked the weather. It was predicting thundershowers and lighting. And when we left it was raining hard. But by the time we set up on the street corner the sun had come out. Thank you Jesus! Not that we mind getting wet, but the people on the street don’t have a way of getting dry. Most of the people that showed up today were cold, wet and tired. It can be difficult to share with someone that their need is more spiritual than physical when they’ve been staying out in the weather. But we know that we are leaving them worse than when we came if we don’t feed them spiritually. Some of these people believe that they are beyond the reach of God. They believe that if God was going to reach out and touch their very soul that He would have done it by now. But we’ve seen it many times, when God is ready He will speak to someone’s heart and there will be change. So we spent the day tilling the soil and as any gardener knows it takes tilling, pulling weeds (if you live in our part of the county, removing rocks and big boulders) and planting good seed for the garden to bear fruit. And as the gardener waits for physical fruit, we wait for the spiritual seeds to grow and blossom. As we watched one person who we ministered too for a long time, minister to others, we praised God for the way He works! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God lead you to people that believe they are beyond the reach of Jesus! Please pray for the Pastor of Anderson Island Christian Fellowship. He is in pain and the Doctors aren’t sure what is wrong. Please pray for his family also.
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2/14/15
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to hand you over to those you hate; to those you turned away from in disgust. They will deal with you in hatred and take away everything you have worked for. They will leave you naked and bare, and the shame of your prostitution will be exposed. Your lewdness and promiscuity have brought this upon you, because you lusted after the nations and defiled yourself with their idols. Ezekiel 23:28-30
In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. The Lord alone led him; no foreign god was with him. He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him with the fruit of the fields. He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag, with cruds and milk from herd and flock and with fattened lambs and goats, with choice rams of Bashan and the finest kernels of wheat. You drank the foaming blood of the grape. Jeshurun (upright one) grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he became heavy and sleek. He abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior. They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons, which are not God-gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear. You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth. Deuteronomy 32:10-18
Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14
Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagan’s are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 1 Corinthians 10:19-21
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did-and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did-and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did-and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
The idol that has slipped unnoticed into many Churches is the desire to have a ‘normal’ life. Of course this idea of a normal life is an illusion. This type of idol worship is revealed many times by parents that want their children to have this ‘normal’ life. The prayer of a child sacrificing their life in service for Christ is never mentioned. Instead we hear of parents thanking God their children are ‘doing well’ in the world. Really? Is that all that matters? As parents are we more concerned with validating our ‘good’ parenting skills than we are crying out day and night for our children to be servants of the Most High God? Do we even really believe the Bible? Do we believe that there is a heaven and hell if all we care about is that ‘normal’ life? It’s time for the true Christ followers to speak the truth and cast the idols out of the Church, the very Bride of Christ. In the same way, many people believe that with the street community, if they could just have a place to live and some food on the table that would fix everything. They could have that ‘normal’ life. Silver and gold we offer not, but what we give is Jesus Christ crucified and what we offer to the street community is that they die to themselves and live for Christ.
As we drove in today it started to rain. But by the time we arrived downtown the sun was shining. As we pulled up, there were only a few people there. And as always we set up to worship. We are there because Jesus has called us to be there whether there is one person or a hundred. About half-way into the sermon about twenty people had come up. One person that we have been ministering to for about five years said that he had gotten housing and was off the street for which he was thankful, but he said what was really important to him was to know God. Amen! Another person said that he really wanted to be serving God in a similar way that we do, but that he had no money. The minister shared what Peter told the crippled man, “Silver and gold I have not, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” We are praying that this man understands that Jesus Christ is all he needs to help others. Two other people rededicated their lives to Christ. One person made the most important decision of her life, to give her life to Jesus! It is always a blessing to introduce a person to Jesus, but it is also a blessing to see your spiritual children walking with Jesus! Thank you Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ and God the Father blossom into lasting fruit.
Love,
Steve and Donna
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10/11/14
O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and was afraid. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make yourself known! In wrath [earnestly] remember love, pity and mercy. Habakkuk 3:2
And His brightness was like the sunlight; rays streamed from His hand; and there [in the sun-like splendor] was the hiding place of His power. Before Him went the pestilence [as in Egypt], and burning plague followed His feet [as in Sennacherib’s army]. Habakkuk 3:4-5
I heard and my [whole inner self] trembled, my lips quivered at the sound. Rottenness inters into my bones and under me- down to my feet – I tremble. I will wait quietly for the day of trouble and distress, when there shall come up against [my] people him who is about to invade and oppress them. Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines; and the fields yield no food; though the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds feet, and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering or responsibility]! Habakkuk 3:16-19
Despite Habakkuk knowing God was going to send invaders, his emotions went from anxiety to peaceful expectation as he considered God’s sovereign oversight of all things. When we learn to trust that God is in control in all things we can live by faith and rejoice in His salvation always. Someone said the darker it gets the more the light shines bright. With the light of Christ shining through His followers, people will either be drawn closer or be driven away. The people that are drawn close will want to know why we aren’t shaken and we will have more opportunities to share Jesus!
What a day. We went out in expectation of God moving in power and we believe by faith that He did. Sadly it seemed that today that most of the people that were there didn’t want God to come and interrupt their lives. Two people were playing with a phone during the worship and message. One person stayed on the other side of the street until we opened the bus up. When we go every week with a burning passion to share Jesus and the transformation that only He can bring, it’s very difficult to see people uninterested in Christ. But knowing that it is God alone by His Holy Spirit that brings people into the Kingdom we don’t get discouraged. We know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). One person said things weren’t going well for him and when asked if he was ready to become a follower of Christ he said he had to get to an appointment but wanted prayer for his mom. Another person when told the way of salvation said he just didn’t want to give up his (wonderful?) life style. One person who accepted Jesus about six months ago asked for prayer for her eyes, she said she is losing her eye sight. We will continue to pray that God would heal her eyes so she can continue to read her Bible and learn more about Jesus. One person who believes in Jesus said he hasn’t found a church. We told him about several that are in town. The minister shared that he needed to be in the church surrounded with other believers that are truly walking with God. Prayerfully, next week the minister will be able to share that the church is the bride of Christ. Someone who says they are a believer but doesn’t want to be a part of the body of Christ is in rebellion. When we have fellowship with Christ we have fellowship with believers. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/27/14
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20
Go to the street corner and invite to the banquet anyone you find. Matthew 22:9
Jesus commanded us to share our faith and to make disciples. Our culture says; it’s ok to be a Christian but don’t be one outside of the church building. Some Christians have caved to this pressure. Some live like the ‘world’ when outside the church building. Others give free stuff away without speaking the gospel. It’s true, people should be able to recognize a Christian by the life they live but that was never meant to be the only way to share the Gospel.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14
Could it be that many claim the name of Jesus without having true conversion? In Luke 6:45 we read that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. When some Christians speak does it leaving you wondering what Bible they are reading?
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:3
When we choose to listen to God he will provide for us. The Bible does not promise that because we live in obedience that things will always turn out the way we think they should. God gave the Apostles the strength to be martyrs and God will provide the strength for us to stand for righteousness. May we continue to pray for the strength of those that all over the world are standing in faith for the name of Jesus right now. Faith is one of the things that the angels marvel over.
Jesus continues to show up in power on the streets. Today we had two sermons preached and we went over the time we usually spend preaching. But every person there seemed to be not just hearing the words but receiving what was taught. Both sermons were about choices. God waits patiently for all to come but we have to choose to believe in Him, to follow Him and to obey Him. Two people repented of not seeking out God’s truth in His Word. One person said that there were demons chasing him. The minister first asked if he had ever confessed Christ as his Savior. The young man said he had. The minister then went on to share that because he belonged to Jesus, he had the power over demons. He shared that he first had to make sure he didn’t have any sins that God had revealed that needed to be repented of to close any open doors. He told him that he could then walk in freedom from the things that the enemy was sending his way. Praise God this young man walked away in victory! One man said he didn’t notice any difference in his life after asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior. The minister asked if he was reading his Bible and seeking God out. The man said no. The minister shared that God doesn’t usually just download the knowledge of Him. Most people don’t suddenly hear angels singing or trumpets blowing. God wants to have relationship. Relationship is a two way street. He left saying he would start reading his Bible. Thank you Jesus! Someone confessing Christ is one of the most amazing things that God shows us. But when we see people start to put away misconceptions of God and see that light come on is one the next best things. And two more people were welcomed into the Kingdom of God today! Amen! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God strengthen us to be a testimony to His love.
Love,
Steve and Donna
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/20/14
God wants His children to seek Him, this is the first and greatest command (Matthew 22:37-38). Our culture tells us to seek fame, fortune and recognition.
You said, Woe is me now! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain: I am weary with my groaning and sighing and I find no rest. Say this to him, The Lord speaks thus: Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and that which I have planted I am plucking up, and this means the whole land. And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not; for behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, says the Lord; but your fife I will give to you as a [snatched up] prize of war wherever you go.
Jeremiah 45:3-5
When Jesus comes back it will be a time of judgment for those who don’t follow him. But God is merciful not wanting any to perish. During this time of mercy what are we spending our energy doing? Do feel overwhelmed with all the evil or do we fall on our knees and pray about everything? Do we go on with each day expecting it to be the same as yesterday seeking our own fame, fortune and recognition? Each man’s eternal rewards are proportioned according to faithfulness, not by earthly recognition.
We spent time in prayer before we went out repenting of any sins that the Holy Spirit was revealing. By the time we headed to the street we felt God’s presence in a powerful way. The last song we sang unto God was I will follow Jesus. This was the theme throughout the day. The street community showed up looking for hope. It seemed everyone there worshipped and paid close attention to the message. They were searching for Jesus, but didn’t realize it. One man said he was down the street and around the block and came because he heard the music. Praise God! Prayerfully the people at the dope shop with hear the music and become radically transformed! The man that came from down the street and around the block was amazed that church was being held outside. We are thankful that we know others that hold church outside also. One of the ministers was led to stay in prayer when he wasn’t ministering. Someone asked if he was sleeping and when he was told he was praying this man seemed to take what the other minister was telling him more seriously. We never know how God is going to use our obedience to Him. One person that we’ve known for some time came up and said he was ready for a complete change in his life. He said maybe he would move. The ministers shared that he could run but not from himself or God. The ministers also shared that God was the only One that could completely transform him and he needed to follow Jesus. We are praying that he really takes hold of who God is and allows Him to work in his life. Another person that we have known for about nine years and has been confused about who Jesus is, made the choice to follow Jesus alone. Amen! The minister was able to help this person set aside all the others beliefs that he had bunched up into his own ideas. One of the ministers brought his young son out with him to minister. This young believer wanted to pick flowers to give to the street community. This child also prayed with along with the ministers. This young man is going to be a powerful man of God as he grows! One person wanted God to work in his life so he would stop gambling. One young lady showed up looking for her sister. She heard that her sister had been in the area. We are praying that she finds her sister. So many on the streets have no family or have driven their families away. Our hearts break for the family members that continue to search for their wayward relations. One lady hung her head down when asked if she knew if she would go to heaven. The minister shared the good news of the Gospel and the lady repented of her sins and asked Jesus to be her Savior! She walked away with her head up knowing that Jesus had paid for her sins and forgave her when she repented. She walked away a new creation in Christ. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God Richly Bless you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/13/14
Your prophets have predicted to you falsehood and delusion and foolish things. And they have not exposed you iniquity and guilt, to advert your captivity [by causing you to repent]; but they have divined and declared you false and deceptive prophecies, worthless and misleading. Lamentations 2:14
Yet if you warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself. Ezekiel 3:19
Now is the end upon you, and I will send My anger upon you, and will judge you according to your ways, and will bring upon you retribution for all your abominations. And My eye will not spare you, neither will I have pity; but I will bring recompense for your evil ways upon you, while your abominations are in the midst of you [calling down punishment from a righteous God]; and you shall know – recognize, understand and realize- that I am the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Behold, an evil is come, [an evil so destructive and injurious, so sudden and violent that it stands alone, not as a succession but as] only one evil. An end is come! The end is come! The end [after sleeping so long] awakes against you. See it comes! Ezekiel 7:3-6
There are times that it seems that God has ignored all the evil, but there is a day of judgment coming for all who do not repent.
Are mission on the streets is to share God’s Word. We care for the needs of the homeless, but the same thing that the homeless need is the same thing that the rest of the world needs – Jesus! Today as we arrived at the street corner we found out that one person we have ministered too for nine years had died. We first met her if you could call it a meeting, when we first started going to the homeless camps. She didn’t like us being there and would throw things like encyclopedias at us or anything thing that seemed to be lying around. It was just the last year that she seemed to be willing to receive prayer and able to hear that God loved her without her flying into a rage. We praised God for healing her enough to get to that place. But that wasn’t enough. It is never good enough to see someone’s life improve if they haven’t had a conversion. A transformation of the heart that only asking Christ to be Savior and Lord will do. She heard this message from us every time we saw her. We pray with her last breath that she asked Jesus to save her, but we won’t know until we stand face to face with Jesus. There are times some think we are too hard on the street community. But we fully understand that their lives are much more fragile than most. But nobody is guaranteed tomorrow. We need to live our lives with this in the forefront of our thoughts always. One person we talked to today said that they had held a memorial for the person that had died. Someone told this man that they were worried for the soul of the person that had died. This man told this person not to worry, that she was in heaven. This is a sad sad state of mind that so many people are in. They think that everyone will go to heaven and it is clearly not so. We need to communicate that we will die in our sins if we do not repent. Thank you Jesus that one person did repent of her sins and asked Jesus to be Lord of her life! Please pray for us continue to be bold in sharing Christ with the street community as we pray for all of you to be bold in sharing Christ with the people God has placed around you. May God encourage us all to shine all the brighter in these dark days!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/30/14
Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne, or by earth, for it is God’s footstool: or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let you ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’ be ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:33-37
God doesn’t’ want us making careless promises, promises that we won’t keep. God wants His children to be truthful.
The men who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces. Jeremiah 34:18
Cutting a calf in two symbolized the judgment awaiting anyone who broke a covenant.
Above all, my brothers, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, or you will be condemned. James 5:12
Not only should believers keep promises, we should avoid half-truths, omissions of the truth and exaggerations of the truth.
In our culture it has become popular to break covenants like the marriage vow, to embellish stories like the news media, and then to justify the behavior with a feeling like ‘it felt right’ or with an excuse, ‘everyone is doing it.’
Believers should be trustworthy.
Whether it be good or evil, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to Whom we send you [to inquire], that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God. And after ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captians of the forces who were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, And said to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to Whom you sent me to present your supplication before Him: If you remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pull you up; for I will relent and comfort and ease Myself concerning the evil [in chastisement] I have done to you [and will substitute mercy and loving-kindness for judgment]. Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are fearful - with the profound and reverent dread inspired by deity; be not afraid of him says the Lord, for [he is a mere man, while the all-wise, all-powerful, and ever-present God] I, [the Lord] am with you to save you and to deliver you from his hand. And I will grant mercy to you, that he may have mercy on you and permit you to remain in your own land. But if you say, we will not dwell in this land, so that you disobey the voice of the Lord your God, Saying, No, but we will go to the land of Egypt, where we shall not see war, or heart the sound of the trumpet, or be hungry for bread, and we will dwell there, Then hear the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: If you are fully determined to go to Egypt and go to dwell there temporarily, Then the sword which you fear shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine of which you are afraid will follow close after you to Egypt and in it, and there you shall die. So shall it be with all the men who set their faces to go to Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; none of them shall remain or survive the evil that I will bring upon them. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: As My anger and My wrath have been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so shall My wrath be poured forth upon you when you enter Egypt. You shall be a detested thing, an astonishment and horror, a curse, a thing lightly esteemed and a taunt and a reproach. You shall see this place no more. The Lord has said to you, O remnant of Judah, Do not go to Egypt. Know for a certainty that I [Jeremiah] have warned and testified to you this day that you have dealt deceitfully against your own lives. For you sent me [Jeremiah] to the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us to the Lord our God, and whatever the Lord our God says, declare it to us and we will do it. And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God in anything that He sent me to tell you. Now therefore know for a certainty that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in [Egypt] the place where you desire to go to sojourn. Jeremiah 42:1-22
They professed one thing and intended another; they promised to obey God only if it was what they wanted to do anyway. They mistakenly thought that they could deceive God and still please Him. God knows our hearts and minds. If God has us do something that we want to do, Amen. If God has us do something that is not what we want, we had better listen and woe to us if we don’t.
The day started off a little difficult. The bus didn’t start. After working on it and praying, it started. Thank you Jesus! We knew that today a few of the ministers wouldn’t be out, but by the time we went out there were five of us. One of the ministers prayed that the rain would stop while we were out, not wanting the street community to get soaking wet. When we arrived at the street corner nobody was there waiting and we thought that it was going to be a slow day. By the time we unloaded the cross and picked up garbage there was a crowd. And the crowd was noisy and someone down the street was screaming and headed our way. One man took off his shirt and started pounding his chest. After the third worship song the pastor asked if the minister could play the last song again and told the crowd to be quiet and listen to the words. As the minister finished the song he went right into a sermon on God’s love. And the rain stopped. Almost everyone remained quiet. And even as the pastor shared God’s love almost everyone remained amazingly quiet. Even the man pounding his chest stopped. God turned the day around and it became peaceful and joyful. One person that had been talking loudly came and apologized to some of the ministers. But the cherry on top was a person from the street community who was recently baptized, helped with serving coffee! What an awesome blessing to see someone who God has transformed serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. At the end of our day out, two people repented of their sins and asked Jesus to be Lord and Savior of their life! Thank you Jesus! As we drove away the rain started up again. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God remind us to not only pray for the harvest but to be the ones that share in a hopeless society why we have hope! Maranatha!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/23/14
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:4-11
Everything we do on the streets is to lift Christ up. Jesus said that if he be lifted up he would draw all men unto him. Our prayer is that Jesus uses our hands and feet to his glory – not ours. There are times when someone will remember that we handed them a pair of socks while telling them about Jesus. That is ok. But when they remember the name of Jesus, even if they don’t remember us, that is a blessing! We pray and hope that everyone we meet comes to know Christ.
Today as we unloaded the cross a friend of one of the ministers came over and cried out that she didn’t want to go to hell. This minister has been praying for the friend for a long time and praise Jesus today his prayer was answered! Last night she had a bad experience with a drug and feels like she had a small glimpse of what hell was like. We believe that God in his mercy was helping her to make an eternal choice. Today she became that new creation in Christ! Thank God for all the people that don’t desire to get recognition in their service for Jesus. There are so many saints like the one mentioned above that have spent years humbly kneeled down in prayer for different people and issues. Precious saints, that until they stand face to face with their Savior will never know how their time spent crying out to God was making the difference in someone’s life. Thank God that we are honored to know and serve alongside so many of them. The rest of the day on the street was encouraging people to walk in obedience to Jesus. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that each day you grow more in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
Love,
Steve and Donna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/16/14
This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:17-18
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear dull with deafness that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, so that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:13-16
When we go through a difficult time, often we believe that God has forgotten about us. More often it is us that have forgotten to keep our minds set on God. When we keep our minds set on Christ, we will have spiritual peace.
Today on the streets, we were reminding people to keep their thoughts on Jesus Christ. One person stated that he was struggling with drug addiction and that he wanted to be free. He knew that he had to flee from some of his ‘friends’ if he was going to be successful. The minister also prayed that he would remember not to just flee, but to flee into the arms of Jesus. Another man was struggling with his thoughts. The minister shared that in Philippians 4:7 the scripture talks about the peace of God that transcends all understanding, but it’s in Philippians 4:8 that it shows how to achieve that; by keeping our minds on whatever is noble, right, pure lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (everything that is Jesus). One person was telling one of the ministers about his things being stolen again and how he tries to do good things for others. The minister asked him how he could expect anything different down here. The minister shared that he believed this man to be one of the toughest men he knows and that God has delivered him out of harm’s way so many times because he has something for his life and it’s not just to have him suffer. The minister told him that Jesus wants to be in relationship with him and yes, good things will take place when that happens but the best thing is being in Christ’s presence. Prayerfully, this will minister to this man and he will want Jesus to fully and completely take over his life. One man came up just wanting prayer. He recommitted his life to Christ and wants to be obedient to Him. Amen! And another man decided that today was going to be the day that he made the most important choice in his life, to repent of his sins and ask Jesus to be Lord and Savior. Praise God! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We are so very thankful for all the wonderful saints that God has placed in our lives.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8/9/14
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever. He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing this many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. John 6:53-66
It is interesting when the scripture says that the disciples were grumbling. The very people that were following Christ were the ones grumbling. We see this today in people who say they are Christian and yet aren’t fully committed to Jesus. They love going to Church when the worship band is ‘good’. They desire ‘fellowship’ with other believers as long as they can do or talk about worldly things. They only want enough of Jesus that they can have the blessings. Not the true spiritual blessing of being in God’s presence, just the fun stuff like seeing miracles. Don’t talk to them of the sacrifice and suffering of believers like the aid worker and Doctor who have a deadly disease because they had the heart of God working in them to help others. Don’t talk to them of the Christians in the Middle East that are being slaughtered because of their faith in Christ. God is calling us to come out and separate ourselves from these people. It is time for us to band together and fight the enemy. Not by strength or by power but by my Spirit says the Lord. Jesus also said that if we are lukewarm he will spit us out. To live a spirit filled life, we have to eat and drink of Jesus. We need to read our Bibles, pray for those that are suffering and persecuted, go to Church and be in fellowship with others that are sold out for Christ and seeking out the lost to share the love of Christ with. When that happens, we will see the mighty arm of God move and revival come. True repentance and transformation into the likeness of Jesus.
Today was a warm day on the streets but we had a wonderful breeze blowing down the alley. The breeze does create a little bit of a challenge as far as worship. The wind wants to turn the page at inopportune times. But the presence of God was felt as we worshiped and the small interruptions didn’t seem to matter. The sermon was on choosing which dog you would feed, or what things in your life are you going to give more time to? If you devote yourself to worldly things, you will have your mind on worldly things. If you devote yourself to the things of God, you will have your mind set on the things of God. Through the worship and the message several people wanted prayer that God would help them keep their priorities set on Jesus. We saw more people than usual today and many of them came just wanting prayer. One person wanted God to change his life, the minister shared that God gives us choices and if he wanted change he would have to be obedient to God. He knew this to be true. We are praying that God will help him with his desire to follow Jesus. One person down wanting someone to pray and thank Jesus with. This person thanked God for being with her during a very dark time in her life. Thank you Jesus! Another person didn’t want to make the decision for Christ. He seemed to think it such a small matter that he would think about some other time. Since according to the Bible, none of us are promised tomorrow, we pray that God would give him another chance to make that choice and that God would impress on him that it is the most important choice he will ever make. And praise Jesus! One person did make that choice today! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God use us all in faithful service to see His will done!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7/26/14
Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4
If we wait for the perfect conditions to come to Christ it will never happen. If we wait for the perfect conditions to share Christ it will never happen.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.” Ecclesiastes 12:1
A life centered around God is fulfilling and when troubles come you will have Jesus to help you through them, whatever happens. But coming into a relationship with Christ doesn’t mean that all of a sudden all of your problems will go away. God doesn’t rush in and save you from every problem. God is not a fictional movie super hero. God rushes in and brings a peace that transcends all understanding in the midst of troubles. And it is usually in trouble that we learn the most from Jesus because we stay closest to Him during those times.
Satan comes as an angel of light and so he deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real thing.
Jesus Christ is the only one that gives eternal life.
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!”
Without God’s purpose for our life, we will wander from one experience to another looking for meaning and fulfillment that won’t take place until we fully surrender to God’s perfect will.
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:23-25
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ. In him we were also chosen having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:9-12
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe,. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:17-23
As we headed to the city, the weather was perfect, sunny skies, not too warm or windy. The minute we stepped off the bus one of the ministers started to pray for someone who was angry because once again his things had been taken. As worship started another man was asking for prayer. During worship there was a crowd of people just off the corner of the street. They wanted to be there and have some coffee, food and maybe some clean clothes off the bus, but they wanted nothing at all to do with Jesus. The battle had begun. For us, it is a battle fought in the spirit by prayer. We could see the glimmer of sharpened swords flying into the fray. We could hear the sound of arrows swishing through the air. The enemy didn’t want us there to share that salvation is found in no one but Jesus Christ. He also didn’t want us encouraging some that he was very close to destroying. We had made it through the worship and part way into the sermon, hoping that God would sweep in and bring transformation, when we heard a blood chilling scream. The person seemed to scream in a tortured voice for about two minutes. And we continued to pray. We prayed that God would rush in and stop the enemy from continuing to hurt this person. We prayed that God would bring this person to us that we might share that he/she didn’t have to live a life full of pain and suffering any longer, that Jesus Christ would set him/her free. The person never came around the corner and with such a large group today we weren’t able to take time to find him/her. One person when asked if they had any concern for their soul at all, said no. What a tragedy. Another person that came to the street corner said he was done. He didn’t have the energy to keep living. The minister prayed with him and asked Jesus to carry his burdens for him. The minister also encouraged him to make sure he was reading his Bible and spending time with the Father. God wants all of us who put our faith in Him to rest in Him and find our rest in His word, in prayer and in holy fellowship. The rest and energy we get from Jesus also causes a passion to live with His purposes in our lives. Another man that is bent over as if he were much older and smelled of urine said the same thing. It had become too difficult for him and he wanted to give up. The minister was able to encourage him and also provide him with some clean clothes and food. This man gave his life to Christ about a year ago. He had gotten off the drugs and off the streets but then we saw him about six months ago back in the same situation. The difference is he now belongs to Jesus and God wants him to be fully committed to Him and Him alone. When that happens oh what a day! The glazed look of suffering will turn to a look of love, joy and hope! There were a few younger women there that some of the men were treating with no respect of themselves or the women or God. The pastor walked over to ask them to show the young women some respect. They said, ‘It’s just men being men.’ The enemy has lied to them that this type of behavior is ok. Please join us in praying for the street community. Jesus wants to deliver and transform lives, people that would live for Him and only Him. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the God of peace strengthen you as you rest in Him!
Love,
Steve and Donna
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/19/14
The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers. “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the Lord their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do,” and they did the things the Lord had forbidden them to do. They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger. 2 Kings 17:13-17
Molten images – two calves; [bull market]?
Worshipped the starry host; [worshipping the creation, not the Creator]?
Sons and daughters passed through the fire; [abortion]?
Divination and enchantments; [occult practices]?
The Lord rejected all the descendants of Israel, and afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 2 Kings 17:20
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men. Psalms 12:8
Will God or has he already completely rejected us as a nation? Or will we fall prostrate before the Holy One of Israel and repent?
If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God - good! 1 Samuel 12:14
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12
As we started unloading the bus today a strong wind picked up. During a powerful time of worship, the wind almost blew over the music stand. There was a joy and peace on the streets today even with the normal distractions of people talking and the added distraction of the wind causing the mic to squeak. Two of the ministers prayed with someone and as this person walked away he looked lost. This person has been as if in a prison cell all of his own making and when he felt the love of God by way of the prayers invade that cell and set him free, he wasn’t sure what to do now that he was free. We are praying that he continues to live in the love that God has for him! One person shared how God had provided for her. She had torn a big hole in her suit case that held everything she owned and she convinced someone to lock it up for her in their storage place. This person told her that by the first of August she had to come and get it or it would be discarded. Later that day, someone came up and gave her the money to purchase another suitcase. The lady that gave her the money told her that God had inspired her to do this. The lady from the street community was thanking God for taking care of her needs and also for learning to trust Him! Sadly, two people walked away from having a relationship with Jesus. We are praying that God would move on their hearts and create an urgency to come into right relationship with Christ. God desires that none should perish! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Thank you Jesus for providing a way for us all!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7/12/14
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothing and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
Then the King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40
The street community seemed to be somewhat quiet, as if in thought today. We brought out the cooler with cold water and it was much appreciated. But the most important thing we bring with us is God’s truth. Today along with the sermon, the street community were taught about praying. They seemed to listen and only one person walked away. One person shared that it was too hot to sleep last night under the over pass. One older gentleman wanted prayer for housing. One person desired to have more understanding when reading the Bible. This man has been coming to the corner for a couple of years and told the pastor at the beginning of this summer that he wanted this year to be different. Last Sunday he was baptized! We are praying that he takes hold of what God has willed for his life. One young lady didn’t want to take a new pair of sandals with white straps. Her feet were not only dirty but also cracked and bleeding from walking on the hot pavement with bare feet. After some persuasion she decided she would take the sandals and try and clean her feet. We are praying that her feet heal and that God brings spiritual and emotional healing to her life. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we each have at least one person this week that we can offer a glass of cold water to in the name of Christ!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/28/14
Saul waited seven days, according to the set time Samuel had appointed. But Samuel had not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from Saul. So Saul said, bring me a burnt offering and peace offering (which he was forbidden to do). And just as he finished sacrificing the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came! Saul went out to meet and greet him. Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines were assembled at Michmash.” 1 Samuel 13:8-11
Fear caused Saul to sin. Saul was fearful because he didn’t trust God. Whenever we put our trust in anything but God, every choice we make will be adversely affected.
Trust in Jesus is a choice. We have to make up our mind to trust God and believe His truth. This is a daily choice.
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14
Jesus didn’t mean that we should be childish or immature, but we should trust God with a child’s simplicity.
On the streets, one of the most difficult things to accomplish is to build trust. The street community learns to survive by not trusting anyone. Trust in the ministers is not the most important thing in sharing Christ. The abundance of our spiritual private life (time spent with Jesus) is important when sharing the Gospel; from that time spent with Jesus we will be able to teach the street community to put their trust in Christ.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will show you what path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in God is not a trust that He will answer every prayer the way we want. That is a false hope and is making God into a genie in a lamp. Trust in God is trusting that He is good and that the ultimate victory is His!
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1
Heading out to the streets today we were praying that God would clear the spiritual fog out of hearts and minds so the street community would be able to see, hear, and know the truth of Jesus Christ. When we started to head down the street, the road was blocked. We turned down several different roads and all were blocked. We prayed that God would make a way and open a road for us. As the prayer finished we drove down another alley and we were able to cross over into the place that we always park. Isn’t God amazing! The streets all around were closed and covered with colored powder. (Not sure what was taking place)Roads and buildings and police cars were covered with a colored powder and so were large groups of people. Not only was the place where we park clear the entire block was free of the colored powder. Again this week, sadly, another person was ready to end his life. He was tired and hopeless. This man has turned his life over to Jesus, but Jesus has better things for him then to continue living a fruitless life. We believe that God is allowing him to go through this very difficult part of his life so he will decide that Jesus has to be his very breath, his life and nothing else will fill that void. We will continue to pray that he will walk in what God has willed for him and turn away from anything that might pull him away from Jesus. One person that came today knows that God is calling him into ministry. But this man is choosing to run from that call. That didn’t work out so well for Jonah. Prayerfully, this man will soon be walking in his calling. One lady we met today was demonically possessed. She was shouting out vulgar commits about herself. The minister prayed with her and bound Satan from speaking to her. The minister told her that Jesus loved her and died for her and that Jesus doesn’t see her the way she sees herself. The minister led her through the sinner’s prayer of repentance and forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. Then minister explained that she was a new creation in Christ. At this point she said she didn’t want to be a new creation that she was perfect and then started yelling profanities again. May God have mercy on her. We will be praying that God speaks through the noise of the demonic and pulls her to himself with cords of human-kindness. As we continued to pray for people a beautiful downpour flooded the streets. We watched as the water turned from mud to a green color. It was raining so heavy there was a small river running down the side of the street. God seemed to be clearing the spiritual fog out of the city. As the rain stopped one man accepted the gift of God through repentance and faith! What an awesome God we serve! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we learn to trust God more with each day!
Love,
Steve and Donna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/21/14
And she made a vow, saying, O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head. 1 Samuel 1:11
So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” 1 Samuel 1:20
After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three year old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. 1 Samuel 1:24
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Hannah gave back to God what meant the most to her, her son. In giving her son to serve in the house of the Lord, she was dedicating her entire life (her wants and desires) to God.
What gifts do we give to God? Do we give our very best? When in worship are we worshipping God with surrender? When serving others to we give not just money but time and energy to see God’s will accomplished in the lives of others? When we have free time do we grab our Bibles with excitement, do we go to our prayer closets hoping for more time to be there?
Today the prayer before heading to the streets was about deliverance. Sadly we have seen the enemy take ground back in the lives of some of the people on the streets. As we worshipped, God’s spirit was ushered in by the praises of His people and the disrupting spirits fled. One person that came up the street today had gotten off at the wrong bus stop. The minister saw him walking up the hill and asked him to come over and sit for a while seeing that he was out of breath. The minister offered the man some water. The man shared that what he needed was to be delivered of unclean spirits. The ministers gathered around him and prayed for that deliverance and also that this man was anointed to go and preach the Gospel. The man said that God had given him this divine appointment and he went away praising Jesus and saying hallelujah! One lady came asking for directions and prayer. She and her boyfriend were driving and saw the bus and stopped to ask for directions but when she saw people getting prayed for she decided that was what she really needed. A man came down the street that we hadn’t seen for a few years. He wanted prayer that he would listen and obey God. Amen! That is a prayer that God desires to answer. Thank you Jesus, that you allow us to share your love and truth with so many precious people. One young man said that he believed that Jesus paid the price for his sins on the cross; sadly, he didn’t repent of his sins and didn’t seem to be completely sincere or sold out for Christ. We would like for this young man to become part of the family of Christ and we will keep praying that he does. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God’s passionate love guide you to the lost!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/14/14
Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:7-8
How should a Christian measure success? Should we keep count of how many people we’ve introduced to Christ? Should we count how big a congregation is?
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
The only way to be successful in our Christian walk is obedience. Not only will we be closer to God, our life will be filled with God’s purposes and desires. When we are filled with God’s desires everything we do becomes a passionate pursuit to see His will accomplished and every minute of our life will have meaning.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalms 1:1-3
Last spring when we were preparing to move we decided to plant a garden like we have done for the last twenty years. Some people thought that we were nuts for planting a garden that the fruit would be enjoyed by the family purchasing the home. But we have always enjoyed the planting, watering and weeding (not so much the weeding) a garden almost as much as the fruit. We enjoy watching a seed planted in stinky dirt (manure) die and grow into some amazing plant that then produces food. On the streets today was a day of planting seeds and weeding. Without this important work there would be no fruit. One young man was hurting and mad at God. The most he felt he could pray was that God would help him. A relationship with Christ starts with our recognition that we are in need of God. One man needed to be reminded that he was forgiven. He has asked God to forgive him of something that happened in his youth for the last three years. We pray that when the accuser attacks he will have the strength to pray and listen to God and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is the only way he will win the battle. And even if he doesn’t win the battles he has the ultimate victory in Jesus! One person came to let us know about someone that we have prayed with and cared about for a long time. This person was worried about this other person because he didn’t recognize him that last time he saw him. We will be praying that God delivers him and so many others on the street. The way we see each person out there is as if they were our son or daughter or brother or sister or mother or father. Please join us in praying that God’s truth would break through the lies and that they would see clearly to walk out of the prison cell of addiction. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May you be strong and courageous standing firmly in the power of Jesus Christ.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/31/14
In those days Israel had no King; everyone did as he saw fit. Judges 17:6
Wow! Things haven’t changed much in over two thousand years.
During the time of history written in the Scripture above Israel had walked away from God’s covenant with them. Each person was doing whatever felt ‘good’ for their immediate situation. They weren’t thinking about God’s way or about eternity. Each person chose to do what they wanted including their worship of God. God has a moral guide for us to follow in His Word. When we don’t follow what God has set in place, we are no longer worshipping God but an idol of our own making. Too often we allow our feelings of happiness or sadness to be our guide as to our closeness with God. But God’s Word tells us that the fruit of the Spirit produced in our lives is the indicator of how closely our walk with God is.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
True worship of God involves putting aside our own desires to follow Jesus daily, living to honor and obey Him.
What a strange day. We watched the truth of God’s word manifest itself in the street community today. The day started out with very few people and remained that way all day. The people we ministered to just want a god that would be ok with everything they wanted to do. We know that these people are unsatisfied with the way their lives have turned out. Most weeks, when they are being honest with themselves more than even us, they will confess that they desire to have change, just not always willing to accept God’s way. But there are days like today that they say that they are just fine with the way things are and that they do have that relationship with a god. Sadly, that is a little ‘g’ god not the Creator of heaven and earth the one true God. The battle started the minute we arrived on the corner and the angry disruptive spirit stayed. But knowing that God’s Word won’t go void we continued to sing, preach and pray the truth. The evil spirits may be able to lie to the mind, but it can’t hide the truth of our love for the street community. When we continue to care for their needs when they have no respect for themselves or anyone around them, the love we show because of Christ will trump any lies of the enemy. One lady who had seemed to be drawing close to Jesus last week, seemed to have lost the ground that been reclaimed in her life. Please keep her in prayer, God knows her name and He knows what will deliver her out of the bondage that she is in. There were a few people who seemed to receive the truth that Jesus has for their life. But the battle rages on and we will pound the dents out of our shields and continue to go as long as Christ tells us to go. Please pray for the lost on the streets of Tacoma with us. God has burdened us with a heart for the lost and we pray daily that Jesus would deliver them and they would no longer desire to worship an idol and Jesus would bring them into His sheep fold. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God give His people the strength to lock arm in arm with other believers that we would strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees and call on the name of the Lord and that the gates of hell won’t prevail! Maranatha!
Love,
Steve and Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/24/14
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:7-8
How should a Christian measure success? Should we keep count of how many people we’ve introduced to Christ? Should we count how big a congregation is? The only way to be successful in our Christian walk is obedience. Not only will we be closer to God, our life will be filled with God’s purposes and desires. The quicker we are to be obedient, the more everything we do becomes a passionate pursuit to see His will accomplished and every minute of our life will have meaning.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3
This Saturday almost every person in the street community desired to draw closer to God. Yes, one person had a mocking spirit and tried to interrupt the message but with prayer the Holy Spirit quieted her. This young lady had tattooed her face and had piercing all over her face. When one of the ministers tried to share with her about Jesus she started using very obscene language; she went on to receive prayer from another minister. We hope through the worship, sermon and both ministers speaking with her a few seeds were planted. God’s word won’t go void. It was plain to everyone that this young lady wanted to drive everyone away from her. It would be easy for some to be offended at her language, but what we saw was a lost soul crying out for a Savior. God willing she will be back next Saturday and a few more seeds will be planted. One minister spent some time with someone that just wanted clarity of mind. This is something that we have been praying for this person for a long time but the big difference is today she was asking for it! We see God’s hand helping this person come closer to Him. One gentleman said he had committed his life to Jesus when he was younger, but felt he had drifted away. The minister prayed with this man and he recommitted his life to Jesus! We will be praying that he walks in faithful obedience to Christ. And two people repented of their sins and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God’s grace strengthen us all as the end of the age draws near! Maranatha!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/17/14
Get out of our way, “they replied. And they said, “This man came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge.” We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.
Genesis 19:9
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. The next day he went and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew? “The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought “What I did must have become known.” Exodus 2:11-14
Both Lot and Moses lives had been corrupted by the culture so that when they went to intervene they failed. In the same way if our lives don’t line up with Christ’s teachings we won’t be effective in sharing the Gospel.
Today we had a large crowd. Some seemed to worship and listen to the sermon. But there was a mocking spirit moving through a part of the crowd. The reason this is so difficult to see is because this evil spirit makes it much more difficult for some to hear the good news. But when each person was spoken and prayed with the mocking spirit had to flee. It seemed some people desperately desired to be healed of drug addiction and alcoholism, but that was all they wanted. They wanted just enough of Jesus to receive a blessing, but not for Christ to become their only reason for living. God doesn’t play games and he is very clear about His plan of salvation – all or nothing. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May rivers of living water flow out into those around you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5/10/14
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up. James 4:8-10
True repentance is more than talk. It is sincere sorrow over our sins and it changes our behavior.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:4-5
Prove by the way you live that you have turned from your sins. Luke 3:8 NLT
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Some people believe that they repented of their sins when they became a Christian and they no longer need to repent. They believe that everything is about grace. All of the above Scriptures are spoken to people who have placed their trust in God. God will continue to bring us into a closer relationship with him if we will do our part of repentance and trust.
When we arrived at the street corner today, the sun was warming the morning sky. One person that was there when we arrived said that he was tired because with it raining last night he got wet and then he was cold. We are praying that he will be able to stay dry tonight. Through hard work, talent and skillful maneuvering of electronics the worship sounded like there was an orchestra playing on the street corner! We are so blessed that God has surrounded with so many gifted people. The theme of worship was carried over into the sermon. Everyone seemed to be involved in what was being sung and spoken. Satan didn’t like that so he sent people over to start yelling on their way down the street. For all of his effort we continued on with no interruptions. During the prayer one lady shared that she just wanted to let us know that she had picked up an application for housing. About a month ago she believed Jesus for her salvation and is now walking with the Holy Spirit living in her. We know that it is God guiding her life to make wise choices. We are praying that the application is filled out and that she will be off the streets soon. One person, that while dealing with cancer and homelessness, usually has had a smile on his face since coming to know Jesus, came up looking worn out. When asked how he was doing, he shared that his son had died. Please pray with us for this precious saint. Please pray that God would hold him so close that he would feel Christ’s physical arms wrapped around him. Two young men that we met today both have walked out of God’s plume line for their lives. We believe that God will direct them back into paths of righteousness for His names sake. (Psalm 23). We trust that all things work together for the good of those that love Christ. (Romans 8:28). Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God give each of you a passion and boldness to walk out the calling that God has on your life.
Love,
Steve and Donna
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/26/14
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather train yourselves to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7
A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40
God wants us to know Him, to know what we believe about Him and to live what we believe. To do this we need to study His Word – not just skip to the verses that we find comfort in. Then we must apply what we learn to our lives.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:14-15
Jesus set the example that we should be willing to perform the most menial of services for one another.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
Thank you Jesus for another day to share you! Today as we started to unload, one person wanted to talk with the pastor. A minister told him he would have to wait until the worship and sermon were finished. This person flew into a rage. By the third worship song, this person came over and apologized for getting angry. The Holy Spirit by way of the worship drew this man into repentance. Praise Jesus! We usually have a small crowd that sits on the stoop within hearing range but somewhat out of the weather. About midway through the sermon, most of the group drew close in to hear every detail of God’s Word. Amen! And the prayer times became times of discipleship. What a wonderful day. God didn’t stop there; one person repented of his sins and believed on Jesus Christ as his Savior! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God strike a burning passion in your heart to follow Jesus wherever He leads!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________
4/19/14
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
Our sinful nature wars against our spirit that desires to walk humbly before God. Not only does our sinful nature crave the praises of man over God, it put others on a pedestal of praise that belongs to Christ alone. The enemy encourages us to put people on a pedestal that can and will be knocked down. He then can say, “See, that person isn’t following Christ.” One truth we learn from the honesty of the Bible is that the ‘great’ men of God had great flaws, just like or even worse than some of us today. We need to be honest with ourselves in the sight of God and with others and about others.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 1:2
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:9
When walking humble with God we will see others as better than ourselves, not superior or more talented, but as worthy of preferential treatment.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 3:2
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the sprit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace: That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:4-6
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Trusting and unpretentious). Matthew 18:4
Fellowship is always such a blessing. Some days we feel like staying on the bus in fellowship, not talking about anything but Jesus Christ. Especially on days like today when it starts to pour as we head to the streets. But isn’t that the temptation that comes against all congregations: The temptation that the fellowship is so wonderful that we don’t need to do anything else. That is part of what God desires but He also desires that we proclaim the Gospel. The worship today was anointed with the power of God and we heard the angels singing along (even in the rain). The sermon was short, with the thought that we can go home and get warm and dry, but the street community doesn’t have that option. With the sermon being shortened, it was to the point. That Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day and is coming back. He came the first time in weakness but the second coming will be with a sword. One young man listening seemed to have a mocking spirit, but the pastor looked right at him and said, “Nothing on the bus is going to save you. Only Jesus Christ and trust in Him will save you.” This young man gave his life to Jesus! Amen! The Word of God will sometimes cut right to the heart so that the heart will be softened and the choice for Christ will be made. One older gentleman said his mom died a couple of weeks ago and he wasn’t sure if she had gone to heaven. The minister asked if he knew Jesus. He wasn’t sure. He repented of his sins and asked Jesus to be Lord and Savior! We are always amazed at what God does when we say yes to Him. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please pray for lightweight rain proof jackets. May God give you joy and peace during this most Holy of celebrations, the Resurrection of Christ Jesus!
Love,
Steve and Donna
________________________________________________________________________
4/12/14
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. Matthew 27:1-2
Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law. “But we have no right to execute anyone, the Jews objected. John 18:31
The Jews insisted, “We have a law and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God. When Pilate heard this he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “you would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” John 19:7-11
Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. John 19:16
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty. A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. John 19:38
At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:41-42
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Luke 23:55
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.
Luke 24:1-7
What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:31-34
God blessed us with sunshine, but the wind cut through the warmth of the sun. But even the wind couldn’t cut through God’s spirit moving with power on the streets of Tacoma. As happens so often, we go to share God’s truth with others and we come away being fed ourselves. Isn’t God amazing! Today through worship, God’s word and prayer the people on the street corner had a choice to make; to live by dying to self or to live for self and to die spiritually. One of the ministers was talking with someone who had just received Christ a month ago and she started crying. She was moved by how God had worked in this person’s life so quickly. Yes, this person still has growing to do, as we all do, but to see someone so changed when the circumstances surrounding their life is still the same is to be able to see the hand of God move both spiritually and physically. One person from the street community stated that she didn’t desire eternal life. She felt like this life was hell and she didn’t want to experience that for all eternity. The minister shared that eternal life with Jesus wouldn’t be like this life and that Jesus could give her a peace that transcends all understanding right here and now. She said she believed that Jesus died for her and that God raised him on the third day and asked him to be Lord of her life! Amen! Thank you Jesus! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God enrich you in every way – all you’re speaking and in all your knowledge in Christ Jesus. ! Maranatha!
Love,
Steve and Donna
_______________________________________________________________________
Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. John 1:45-46
They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself-no prophet ever comes from Galilee!” John 7:52
The religious leaders at the time of Jesus assumed certain things about people based on where they lived or who their families were. In this day and age we see the same assumptions made especially with people who have been in prison or have been homeless.
Christians have a different perspective of people. We know it is when someone is hopeless, broken and recognize their need of a Savior that Jesus comes into that life and transforms everything.
Today as we stepped off the bus at the street corner someone that we met years ago that was homeless, drove up. He stopped to share the news that he was engaged! It has been such an honor to see this man go from homelessness to Seminary and now become engaged. We can’t wait to see what else God is going to do in his life.
During the worship there seemed to be a lot of chaos going on with people talking and getting up and then sitting back down. But during the sermon everyone seemed to settle down and pay attention. One lady that recently married asked for prayer for restoration of her relationship with her daughter. Jesus has already restored her relationship with her son. As Jesus draws her and her husband to walk closer to Him we have watched healing in many of her relationships. A minister shared the Gospel with a lady and her boyfriend that we hadn’t met before. Sadly the lady kept rambling and couldn’t speak clearly about anything. The boyfriend paid attention but because of the lady distracting him they walked away without a clear understanding of what Jesus has done for them. We will be praying that they come back. Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we all fill this week with thankful hearts for what Jesus has done!
Love,
Steve and Donna
Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. John 1:45-46
They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself-no prophet ever comes from Galilee!” John 7:52
The religious leaders at the time of Jesus assumed certain things about people based on where they lived or who their families were. In this day and age we see the same assumptions made especially with people who have been in prison or have been homeless.
Christians have a different perspective of people. We know it is when someone is hopeless, broken and recognize their need of a Savior that Jesus comes into that life and transforms everything.
Today as we stepped off the bus at the street corner someone that we met years ago that was homeless, drove up. He stopped to share the news that he was engaged! It has been such an honor to see this man go from homelessness to Seminary and now become engaged. We can’t wait to see what else God is going to do in his life.
During the worship there seemed to be a lot of chaos going on with people talking and getting up and then sitting back down. But during the sermon everyone seemed to settle down and pay attention. One lady that recently married asked for prayer for restoration of her relationship with her daughter. Jesus has already restored her relationship with her son. As Jesus draws her and her husband to walk closer to Him we have watched healing in many of her relationships. A minister shared the Gospel with a lady and her boyfriend that we hadn’t met before. Sadly the lady kept rambling and couldn’t speak clearly about anything. The boyfriend paid attention but because of the lady distracting him they walked away without a clear understanding of what Jesus has done for them. We will be praying that they come back. Thank you to everyone who prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May we all fill this week with thankful hearts for what Jesus has done!
Love,
“Come to Me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” Isaiah 55:3
Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:6-9
“It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11
Today we celebrated a day of Thanksgiving for all Jesus has done. We shared hot turkey soup, rolls and mini pies with the street community. Today seemed to be a day that those who have put their trust in Jesus needed to be encouraged in their walk with Him. As the ministers spent time serving lunch, one older man was getting really upset because he wasn’t getting what he wanted off the bus right away. Usually this man would end up walking down the street and yelling at a light pole because the anger would consume him. But today as soon as a minister went to help him with some things off the bus he calmed down and said he needed to trust God. During the prayer times another man that deals with anger needed to be encouraged that putting Jesus first in his life would keep him from exploding. One lady, who has been learning to walk with Christ, shared a poem about trusting Jesus. It was beautiful! One man who is going through chemo was thankful to have some hot soup. We will continue to pray healing for him. One lady that we hadn’t met before kept doing a pole like dance and had to be told many times that wasn’t appropriate behavior. After being told this several times she started throwing her trash on the ground. We finally had to tell everyone that everything needed to come to a stop until the garbage was picked up. After this she stopped throwing garbage. Sadly, after a minister shared the Gospel with her, she chose to ignore God’s truth and stated that she was a guardian angel. One man that we hadn’t met before also chose to turn away from the free gift of salvation when presented with the Gospel. We know that God’s word won’t go void so we are praying that they come back and have repentant hearts. Really busy day but we were so thankful to be able to go out and share what Jesus has done for us all! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God open doors for you to witness to His glory!
Love,
Steve and Donna
Joy is not an emotion, it is a choice. We need to choose to place our eyes on Christ and His promises rather than our own tragedy’s and circumstances. To have joy in the midst of the tragic things that are taking place in our country, we have to trust that Jesus is good and desires not just ok for us but the best for us and for those around us.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before the LORD. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:9-10
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the LORD appeared among them, and the radiance of the LORD’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid! “He said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:6-11
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
Living a life filled with the Holy Spirit by keeping our eyes on Jesus is the only way to live filled with joy.
As we pulled up at the street corner today the temperature was still down in the thirties but the sun was shining. We set up the chairs in the sun so it would be slightly warmer for those that came to hear the worship and listen to the sermon. As the first song was playing the street corner became full of people wanting to draw closer to God. After a sermon on Satan’s defeat by Jesus at the cross, we started serving hot coffee and hot chocolate. One man showed up and his wife was with him for the first time. They hadn’t been together for a long time because of his anger but the more he walks in the Spirit and looks to Christ the more restoration God is doing in his life. This man couldn’t wait to introduce everyone to his wife. Even with living in a tent they had joy. They shared with the minister that they both want to put Jesus first! During the prayer times one man shared that he was having a difficult time from not being with his family during Christmas. After praying comfort for this man the minister shared that as a believer he is part of God’s family. We will continue to pray for him. Several people shared in different prayer times that there is chaos and confusion going on everywhere they go. With everything that is going on with lockdowns, people losing jobs, politics and violence, the street community feels it most of all. But if we keep looking to Jesus, God will show us the joy that only He can. As we were praying and serving the street community two cars pulled up and asked if they could hand out sandwiches. This has happened more often in the last year than any other time in the last fifteen years that we have been going. God’s people are waking up to what matters, doing God’s work with joy in whatever circumstances God has placed them! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the joy of the Lord fill your week with strength!
Love,
Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
All right then, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a Child! She will give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel (which means, ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14
Immanuel – God with us is the message of hope proclaimed at Christmas. God sent His Son to a life of humble service for the entire world by dying for our sin and rising on the third day that by His Holy Spirit He would live within us.
This is the reason we rejoice at Christmas. Too often people lose sight of the true purpose of rejoicing and when that happens they suffer because they have placed family, gifts or food above the blessed Hope that we have. Many think that this year people are suffering more than any other from not joining family or doing the things that they enjoy at Christmas, but every year people suffer from the loss of loved ones, jobs, homelessness, illness or many other circumstances that cause a difficult time around the ‘holidays’. May we as believers in the blessed hope of Jesus Christ help to remind those in Christ, and bring those that don’t know Jesus to the truth of why we rejoice at Christmas.
As we pulled up to the street corner we couldn’t find a place to park. So we drove around the block and finally parked up the street and around the corner. The street was much busier than the other street but it was wonderful to be on level ground instead of standing on the hill. We were concerned that some of the people that normally come wouldn’t be able to find us, but trusting God had His reasons we parked there. As we set up one lady came up and asked what we were doing and we shared that we were setting up for a church service. So she decided to stay. During the prayer times she shared that she was having a really difficult day and that hearing the sermon was just what she needed. As she shared this she started to cry with thankfulness to Jesus for having us be on the ‘wrong’ corner so she could join us. The entire day was truly a day of rejoicing in the Lord! A lady we hadn’t met before came up as we were getting ready to load up and leave for the day. She said she needed so many different physical things. But as the minister shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with her, she left with the One most important thing, faith in Jesus Christ! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that if you are having a difficult time this Christmas encourage yourself with the truth that Jesus came to a manager to go to a cross for you. And if you know someone that is struggling this Christmas please share the real reason to rejoice this Christmas.
For those of you that enjoy listening to some of the sermons online this Saturday we did a video of the sermon. You’ll find the video sermon under videos second one down. Enjoy!
Love,
Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again-my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:7
Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You. Psalm 51:12
Since we didn’t go to the street corner the day after Christmas and we don’t go out the first weekend of the month we were excited about being back out to encouraging those who know Jesus in their walk with Him and sharing Jesus with those who have never met Him. After spending a wonderful time in worship with the people that was there and a few minutes into the sermon one person came up and sat down. After sitting down he decided to eat a bag of chips about as loudly as he could. While this person was still eating his bag of chips another person walk up talking loudly and saying something about Satan. As some of the ministers prayed one minister asked the man to quiet down so that people that wanted to hear the sermon could. At this the man walked away and the man eating loudly walked off too. We know that these men were demonically influenced but we will be praying that God would bring them back and God would open their ears to hear the freedom they could have in Christ. During the prayer time one person was battling discouragement. He has been working on his relationship with Jesus and with his wife for a few months now. The day after Christmas someone torched his car (his and his wife’s home) and he lost everything that he had. After spending time with several of the ministers and spending time in prayer he left with more hope than he came with. We will keep praying for him with the knowledge that a broken and contrite heart Jesus doesn’t despise. Another man shared that he was taking a blood thinner because of a clot. We are praying healing for him. Many of people from the street community seemed to be discouraged and struggling with so many different things and so the prayer times were spent encouraging the street community to keep their eyes on Jesus and keep fighting the good fight of faith. We are so thankful that we get to go to the street and bind the broken hearted. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. God Bless you and keep you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
For see, the day of the LORD is coming-the terrible day of His fury and fierce anger. The land will be made desolate, and all the sinners destroyed with it. Isaiah 13:9
“I, the LORD, will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sin. I will crush the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the mighty.” Isaiah 13:11
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:5-10
The only way to live life in the light is by God’s Holy Spirit. This requires confession and repentance. This doesn’t mean that a believer living in the light will be free of sin. But we can’t, as believers in Jesus Christ, continue in unrepentance. In fact, if we look at everything thing that goes on in the world today we see many who call themselves followers of Christ living in unrepentant sin. Until Jesus comes in glory we are to repent and receive His wonderful cleansing.
The windstorm this week seemed to give us a visual into the life of many in the street community today. One older man shared with a minister that he wanted prayer for anxiety and anger. The minister shared with this man that he had seen him grow in his walk with Jesus and that even though he was having a difficult time God was helping him through this. Years before, instead of asking for prayer this man would have walked off swearing and yelling when he was feeling tormented. God has done such an amazing work in his life and we will continue to pray for peace, rest and repentance for him. One younger man who usually doesn’t like having prayer left after the prayer time with a changed attitude. He gave his life to Jesus a few years back and is slowly growing in faith. We believe that receiving the prayer with joy is another step of growth in his faith. One man, who comes to the street corner most every week, can barely walk. He has had problems with his feet and ankles and we will continue to pray God’s healing touch on him. One lady that we have ministered too for about five years was down the block on the corner of a busy street. Her face was covered in mud and she couldn’t stand up straight. Please join us in praying that God would use her brokenness to bring her to repentance that she could once again have fellowship in the light. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the awesome wonder of Jesus Christ prepare our hearts to surrender completely to His will.
Love,
Steve and Donna
Copyright 2009 The Street Corner Commission. All rights reserved.