Levon Jones - six years ago next week several young men visiting from Georgia Southern University passed our team on Bourbon Street on their way into a local night club. The last young man in the pack [Levon] came past me and I said, “Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” Turning away from me he said, “Dude I aint got time for that.” He was right: 15 minutes later he lay dead on the street in front of the bar that he passed me by to go into. A fight had broken out inside and one of the bouncers took Levon to the ground where he asphixiated and died.
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What if he had “redeemed the time?” He was 26 years old
What if he had “redeemed the time?” He was 26 years old
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What would you say to someone if you knew that your words might be the very last thing that they hear before standing before God in judgment?.
Would you try to “make friends” with them or offer them a bottle of water or perhaps invite them to a special event at your church? Probably not. But how do you know if the person you talk with next will have their soul required of them after your conversation? You don’t.
Would you try to “make friends” with them or offer them a bottle of water or perhaps invite them to a special event at your church? Probably not. But how do you know if the person you talk with next will have their soul required of them after your conversation? You don’t.
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Ephesians 5:16 really hits home with me on this topic:
Ephesians 5:16 really hits home with me on this topic:
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“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
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Walking down Bourbon Street in New Orleans a number of years ago the Spirit of God spoke to my heart clearly and said, “What would you do if you saw a young lady run out of one of these bars on fire?” I answered in my mind, “I would do whatever it took to put her out.” The Spirit quickly responded, “They are ALL on fire!”
Walking down Bourbon Street in New Orleans a number of years ago the Spirit of God spoke to my heart clearly and said, “What would you do if you saw a young lady run out of one of these bars on fire?” I answered in my mind, “I would do whatever it took to put her out.” The Spirit quickly responded, “They are ALL on fire!”
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That exchange chilled me to the bone and woke me up to the realization that:
That exchange chilled me to the bone and woke me up to the realization that:
a) The Days are Evil
b) It is time for us to redeem the time that we have left
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As you could ascertain from the brief glance of what the Lord had us doing in 2010 - we are never off. Since we have been “bought with a price” and “[our] lives are not our own” all of our decisions have been made for us by our Lord and Savior.
As you could ascertain from the brief glance of what the Lord had us doing in 2010 - we are never off. Since we have been “bought with a price” and “[our] lives are not our own” all of our decisions have been made for us by our Lord and Savior.
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We are in situations every single day that necessitate us seeking His face, His empowerment, His wisdom, His provision, and His direction. This has really been impressed upon me recently due to instances that came back to me and several that have unfolded of late.
We are in situations every single day that necessitate us seeking His face, His empowerment, His wisdom, His provision, and His direction. This has really been impressed upon me recently due to instances that came back to me and several that have unfolded of late.
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Earl Wheeler - Each night as we make our way onto Bourbon Street we pass the popular Pat
O’Briens. There are typically several employees on the sidewalk taking a break as we pass. Most times they will look away as the 12 ft tall bright red cross passes in front of them—and occasionally they will quickly glance and then look away—but never will they engage in conversation.
Earl Wheeler - Each night as we make our way onto Bourbon Street we pass the popular Pat
O’Briens. There are typically several employees on the sidewalk taking a break as we pass. Most times they will look away as the 12 ft tall bright red cross passes in front of them—and occasionally they will quickly glance and then look away—but never will they engage in conversation. .
The day after Thanksgiving this year, after we had packed up Raven Street Church for the night—Earl was driving home a few blocks from work when he was shot and killed by six assailants. What if he had “redeemed the time?” He was 21 yrs old.
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Sgt. Ryan Lekoski - Halloween in New Orleans brings many things to the French Quarter: Voodoo Fest, costumed partiers, and this year The Marine Corps Ball. As we preaching boldly on Sunday night [October 31] dozens of corpsmen passed by us dressed in their dress blues.
The day after Thanksgiving this year, after we had packed up Raven Street Church for the night—Earl was driving home a few blocks from work when he was shot and killed by six assailants. What if he had “redeemed the time?” He was 21 yrs old.
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Sgt. Ryan Lekoski - Halloween in New Orleans brings many things to the French Quarter: Voodoo Fest, costumed partiers, and this year The Marine Corps Ball. As we preaching boldly on Sunday night [October 31] dozens of corpsmen passed by us dressed in their dress blues.
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Some were accompanied by their dates to the ball [as in the case with Sgt. Lekoski] others were “stag” and looking for a companion for the night. One thing they all seemed to have in common though—they didn't have time to stop and talk about the condition 
of their souls.
of their souls. .
Some would say, “I’m fighting for this country. I deserve to have a good time.” Two hours after our departure that night - Sgt. Lekoski was murdered a block away after getting into a confrontation with a man that insulted his wife, Kristen. What if he had “redeemed the time?” He was 23 yrs old.
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James 4:14 says, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Some would say, “I’m fighting for this country. I deserve to have a good time.” Two hours after our departure that night - Sgt. Lekoski was murdered a block away after getting into a confrontation with a man that insulted his wife, Kristen. What if he had “redeemed the time?” He was 23 yrs old.
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James 4:14 says, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
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Please keep us in heavy duty prayer and consider investing in this work with both your finances and your involvement. When we talk about lives [and souls] being at stake—it is not just rhetoric it is reality.
Please keep us in heavy duty prayer and consider investing in this work with both your finances and your involvement. When we talk about lives [and souls] being at stake—it is not just rhetoric it is reality.
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Let us “redeem the time, because the days are evil”
Let us “redeem the time, because the days are evil”
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