Feel free to use these if you like Ink to Fish

We as Christians find it hard at times to be a good witness.
With all of the temptations of the world hitting us from all sides is a bit overwelming sometimes....and at times the weakness of the flesh over powers us...and we chose to do what is not right.
This glass I'm holding represents the world....( there are so many things that God has given us to enjoy and do for His glory here on Earth, but also, many temptations and distractions of the world, flesh, and the devil also dwell among us and are apart of our everyday living........), and this dark looking, nasty liquid represents the temptations of the world which are ever present. { be it.....taking a few bucks from mom and dad when they're not looking.....lying to your employer to get a day off when you just don't feel like going in......getting illegal cable, because you think they charge too much - who's going to know?}. Anyway...fill in the blank, we all do it...we're all sinners.
When we do give into temptation, we become "stained" ( white card turns black). Once we have done what we know was wrong...there is remorse, and hiding in shame... Adam and Eve, after they sinned in the garden, ran and tried to hide from God, to cover themself in shame, and blamed others instead of confessing the sin.....so we to tend to hide, beat ourself down, cover up our shame, and yes.....sometime even blame others for our actions.
But Jesus forgives sin confessed as sin, and is the living water that fills the spirit to over flowing, erasing it forever to make you clean again, refreshed again, alive again, living water....revive these dry bones! ( reveal water and goldfish ).

Joseph E. Nestoryak 3/13/04 created. Sands of Time

Three colored sands...red...yellow...green.
Three Sand Containers and gimics
Water Bowl...Gold...
Water
Clear Pitcher or bowl
GoldFish (loaded in bowl/little water)
Towel (to dry hands)

Gospel Story Line Ideas

People want to come to the Lord but feel unworthy ...not good enough. So they think that if "They" clean themselves up first....then come to God..then and only then will He accept them. What a misconception by the enemy!
To think that people have to clean themselves up first...(and how many of us use to believe that lie) is what is keeping many away...fear of rejection is a powerful fear.
But our God is a loving God, a caring father that simply wants us to ask Him for His help. Many do not yet understand what happens when you ask Jesus into your heart...or even what that means.....So let's see by some illustrations what happens when you accept Jesus as you Lord and Savior.

Let these vessels represent the Trinity. The God head....3 in 1...1 in 3....the one in the middle died for me. (Red Sand).

The Yellow Sand...represents The Father who is in heaven and is the light in all things.
The Red Sand...represents the Son..Jesus, by whose shead blood we are saved.
The Green Sand...represents the Holy Spirit who is sent to us on earth and is our comforter and teacher.

The Golden bowl is you... when Jesus enters your heart; turns the old to new. The water is the living water that fills and refreshes your soul (Pour water into Gold bowl).
When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. The Father lives IN you....(Sand into water), Son lives IN you...(Sand into water), and the Spirit, your teacher/counselor lives IN you.
(Mix up water)....3 in 1....1 in 3.....now live within me!

Now once Christ comes to live IN you, NOTHING can take that away! You are now a child of God....heir to the kingdom of heaven...and all of your sins are forgiven!! ALL OF THEM.
So when we speak to people about the Lord, we may find that this is the way many may be thinking...a little confused like we all were at one time. So let's plant the seeds of a loving God, forgiving God, a compassionate God...water it with prayer....
Just think of how great their joy when they recieve....The Father (Take handfull of sand out of the water and pour it back DRY into vessal).... The Son (Same thing with this sand.... The Holy Spirit (Same thing with this sand). And become alive with living water (Pour water from bowl into a clear pitcher with GoldFish).

Joseph E. Nestoryak 3/26/04 9PM