So if you are a believer in and follower of Yeshua (Jesus) there is a very high probability that you do not share the Gospel with others. I say this harsh reality because the statistics show, depending on which study you accept, that between 2 and 3% of people who call themselves Christian actually share the Gospel. Think of that a moment! The horrifying fact staring us in the face is that 97% of believers fail to do their part in Messiah’s Great Commission. Continue reading “Sharing the Gospel is too Hard…Right?”
Category: Gospel
Review: “The Excuse Assassin” by Judith Vander Wege
Review of The Excuse Assassin by Jeff Grillo
Having gone through several monumental problems before the age of 30, Jeff Grillo has gleaned some wisdom to share. In The Excuse Assassin, in a pleasing conversational style, he encourages people (including me) by saying, “…you are somebody incredibly special, well-equipped and capable of not only facing challenges, but literally hunting them down, and eliminating them one by one until you stand alone atop a heap of dead lies you now call obstacles!” (Intro. p. 5) In other words, we need to “assassinate” the obstacles we have used as excuses, which have kept us from reaching our goals in life.
Grillo’s first book, Power in Perseverance, describes his struggle against his first enemy (or obstacle) —blindness. After an experience of discrimination because of his white cane, he says, “I made a decision to not allow the weaknesses of others determine my self-worth,” (14) Then he goes on to show how he “found a way to fulfill my divine purpose on this earth” (45). He spends his time offering “encouragement, motivation, and inspiration to hurting frustrated people like I used to be.”
He points out that the Chinese word for crisis means both danger and opportunity, and gives good advice about using a crisis to become a blessing and to help others. “the greater the struggle, the greater the reward.”
The purpose of this book (The Excuse Assassin) is to help people believe they can live through and overcome formidable enemies. But first we need to identify them, “get to the source of your challenge.” Realize that “challenges are not curses, but blessings in disguise” (29).
Then we need to “plot our course forward.” We need to “have a plan or you are destined to mediocrity at best.” After a fascinating description of luxurious yachts, he says, “Decide what is your ultimate, reasonable, attainable goal. Then break it down into bite-sized goals” (40).
“The starting point is understanding and accepting the fact” of your limitations. (44) We need to adopt tenacity. Then we need to set clear objectives, get wise council, and set up accountability. “Be willing to adjust your sails when adversity comes” (51).
We must discern which voices to listen to, and tune out damaging voices. Feed the positive.
“Do not allow your mental enemies to get reinforcements” (57).
“The hero in all of us typically does not shine until we are tested” (59). Challenges can be opportunities to be heroes.
“Tenacity pays off” (78).
“We need a vision…a goal.” (79)
Grillo likens a person to a “soldier on a mission…fulfilling your purpose and overcoming…enemies, which we call challenges.” (79)
“Get a vision of goal for yourself…see yourself winning.”
Then he speaks of failure as a teacher, a stepping stone, puzzle piece, connection to another human. It can help us so our “gifts can finally shine” (90).
It is like when we are in a fruit orchard. We reach for the fruit, but there are obstacles. Whether or not we overcome the obstacles depends on how hungry we are (91-98).
Grillo is a Christian. His “Ultimate Secret Weapon” is his relationship with Jesus Christ, without whom there’d be no hope for him; (99) I can certainly relate to that.
“The blessing in disguise which was hidden in the loss of sight resulted in me seeking His face all the more as I could no longer see my own.” He leaves us with the encouragement to “Set your goals on things eternal” (105).
Jeff Grillo has a refreshing attitude, as we see in these quotes. May we all learn from him.
-Judith Vander Wege
Book Now Available
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/jeffgrillo
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-excuse-assassin-jeff-grillo/1123596706?ean=2940157718855
Recent Study Shows We are in BIG Trouble!
I believe it was late last year that Zondervan publishing put out a study that was pretty telling when it comes to the health of the “church.” Shockingly, only 3% of believers in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) ever share the Gospel. This is a tragic state that we are in! We knew there would be a great falling away, but who knew it would be this bad! The Great Commission is not a suggestion but a command. This is why so many believers will find themselves being cast away (see Matthew 7).
This was a great and partial reason for my latest book, “The Excuse Assassin.” I wrote the book for two reasons, first to share my testimony of facing and overcoming great challenges such as; the loss of my eyesight, having fought two forms of malignant cancer, heart problems, chronic pain, financial ruin and so much more. Secondly, and most importantly to share the Gospel. This book is written and packaged as a “self help” genre book. From the cover, there is no indication it is a “Christian” book. But that is the beauty of it. All people, regardless of whether or not they are believers will benefit from my life lessons on making triumph out of tragedy. But the twist comes in the end where I reveal my “Ultimate Secret Weapon” which turns out to be the Gospel as I walk the reader through the Romans Road!! It was so effective that the first person to read it, my editor, got saved!
I was recently interviewed on WGGS TV 16 in Greenville South Carolina, a Dove Broadcasting station. Click here on this link to watch the interview from my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptmccdarX-c I will be appearing on CTN Christian Television Network on August 23rd on the Herman & Sharon program. I will be stressing above all else that the Gospel needs to be shared! This is a wonderful way to do so. I highly encourage you to visit the fan page on facebook http://www.facebook.com/theexcuseassassin and be certain to give it a “Like” so you will help me create quite a stir and generate more interest in this book. You will also get updates as they come along.
The book is currently available as an ebook from amazon as well as Barnes & noble. Even if you do not have a Kindle or Nook device I know you can download the kindle app for free from the iTunes app store. There is also a paperback version currently available only on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Grillo/e/B00ZFQI43Y
Remember, I am asking you outright to help support me as I share the Gospel. Obviously one way is to buy the book, which by the way recently went through a price reduction. You can also help me by sharing my blog, liking my facebook and subscribing and sharing content from my YouTube channel.
Even more important than all of this….get out and SHARE the Gospel yourself! This is by far the best way you can partner with me and build the Kingdom. Until we meet on the other side in Glory…Shalom!
How to Know if You’re on the Narrow Road
A highly disturbing statistic was released last year from a study done by Zondervan publishing. The study showed that 97% of believers in Yeshua (Jesus) do not share the Gospel! Can you imagine that? I do not know what the statistics were when I became a believer in 1987, but I assure you I would not have believed you if you told me that within my lifetime that barely 3% of believers would be doing this most basic part of the Great Commission.
Ask yourself why this is. Ask yourself if you are in the majority or the minority on this matter. This is one time time you absolutely want to be in the minority on an issue.
This is my first post on this brand new blog and I wanted to have this be the first topic as it is so critical at this time and is the underlying, driving force behind why I am doing this blog. You see, I am already serving in full time ministry. I serve as a Messianic Rabbi (Associate) of a Congregation that is about two years old now. I have a Bachelors degree in Pastoral Ministries and have a total of about 9 years in ministry altogether. Outside of formal ministry I have a website which is dedicated to encourage, motivate and inspire people facing challenges of all sorts. You see, I happen to be legally blind, a survivor of two forms of malignant cancer, I’ve overcome crushing financial debt due to no health insurance at the time of the cancer and so much more. Some of the other maladies I’ve struggled with include heart problems, chronic pain and yes, other issues. I determined a long time ago that I was not enduring such hardships for nothing that they would serve to bless others and ultimately be for the good of the Kingdom of G-d. On my main website ( www.jeffgrillo.com ) you will find more of my personal story, my two books, a blog and more. I encourage you to check it out and subscribe to that free blog as well as to this one. So you can guess that I have enough on my plate and don’t need added responsibility of maintaining another blog. On the surface that is probably true, however, the importance of what I believe I have to share must be shared for such a time as this.
By the way, before we go any further I should point out something from the start that may seem peculiar. You will notice a hyphen replacing vowels in words like G-d, and L-RD and so on. These are not typos, but rather are done quite on purpose. The reason is tied to the mitzvot (command) to not take the name of the L-RD in vain. Additionally it is out of respect for any Jewish readers I may have the blessing of stopping by and reading my entries. Can you imagine if someone were to print out a post with the name of G-d written and then it getting crumpled up and tossed in the trash? A more literal interpretation of the mitzvot is you shall not DESECRATE the name of the L-RD. This is a basic explanation for the hyphens.
Back to the topic at hand. Believers seem to love books and message about keys to kingdom living. So here is a major and primary key for you. You must participate in the sharing of the Gospel. Don’t believe me? That’s good! I encourage you to always check anything I tell you and be certain it lines up with Scripture. Because this is not an official pulpit, I will indeed offer up opinion and conjecture from time to time. I will always try to point that out though. When it comes to Scripture, only Scripture can interpret Scripture. So let’s look at Matthew chapter 7:22-23,“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘L-rd, L-rd, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”(NKJV)
Does that verse scare you? Quite frankly it should! Pay attention to the words, because they do indeed matter. These are not unbelievers being sent off to eternal damnation in hell! First clue is that they call Yeshua, “L-RD” and the world does not do that. They also claim to do three major categories of works for the Kingdom. Again, non-believers do not do that. So why in the world do they get the sentence that they do? Two clues will be offered up to you here. First, look at the text, “workers of lawlessness.” These are believers that likely attended a feel good congregation, and were not adhering to, paying attention to, or much interested in the law. Torah of course, is the first five books of the Old Covenant, or the five books of Moshe (Moses). We commonly misinterpret the word “Torah” as law when it really is better explained as instructions. Instructions? Yes, they are the instructions on how to live in order to please G-d. So if this is the case, why would G-d ever do away with them? Answer, He would not and did not. Yeshua said I did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it. Words have meaning, so always pay close attention to what the Word says.
Now, for the interpretation of this scary verse. Take a look at Luke chapter 9:1-6 “He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
He sent them forth to preach the Kingdom of G-d, and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey — neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats apiece.
Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there.
As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”
They departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News, and healing everywhere.” (HNV) See anything? Yeshua command four things his followers do, and the “believers” in Matthew 7 claimed only 3 things. The three things they did were all for show, the things that could be seen by man. Sounds like the Pharisees on the street corners raising up their lofty prayers with many words does it not? The missing piece between Luke 9 and Matthew 7 is the fact that He told us to share the Gospel and this was clearly missing and not even claimed by the believers that were sent away.
This is the ultimate purpose for this blog. First to share truth with you my reader. As we go on I hope to encourage you to be the active Kingdom participant you were created to be. I want you to be effective, fulfilled and to hear the glorious words one day, “well done my good and faithful servant.” Amen! Secondly I will share and teach valuable lessons from the perspective of Messianic Judaism. What is that you may ask? It is what we would have called it if we lived in the first century after the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua. They were all called Messianic believers. Don’t let the Judaism word scare you either. Remember Yeshua (Jesus) was a Jew, most of the disciples were Jews, in fact Yeshua is the King of the Jews! If you call yourself a Christian, that is ok, just remember you were adopted into the family which makes you spiritually a redeemed Jew!
Please subscribe to this blog and share it with everyone you can. Time is short and I will post at least once per week. Likely more than that! I also encourage you to visit my website and subscribe to my other blog to receive the latest motivation and encouragement. Again that site is www.jeffgrillo.com – There is also a YouTube channel where I offer up encouragement. Here is the link to my welcome video where I invite you to subscribe. Click Here for that link. Finally you can follow me on Twitter @JeffGrilloMedia
B’rachot! (Blessings!)
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