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“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards, according to what their
actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT)
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Bro. Ted,
It's good hearing from you--how is the mission work going?
We'll have steak again the next time you're in the country.
Thanks for asking about the e-mail you received. I have a testimony for you...
About 7 months ago, I received a similar e-mail. The subject line was,
"PLEASE READ DONATION TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF GOD".
Coincidentally, I was praying at that time for a financial miracle for our
new little church. We've been struggling, and I thought this was the
answer.
Intrigued, I opened the message. It was written in broken English from a
foreign country, and promised millions of dollars if I responded. All I
had to do was deposit this money into a bank of my choice. It gave the
contact information.
It seemed innocent enough.
So, I responded. To make a long story short, we e-mailed each other back
and forth and made arrangements to meet.
Before I left, I went and met with my old Pastor.
"I'm telling you Bro. Steve, this doesn't pass the 'smell test'. As my
father used to tell me, 'If it's too good to be true, it probably is.'"
"What do you mean?"
"I have a bad feeling about this. Don't go."
I listened, but I didn't heed the warning. I went anyway.
I hopped on a plane and met the 'representative' at the LaGuardia airport
in New York. He wore a an old tweed plaid suit, which I thought was an odd
thing to wear in the summer, but went along with him. We took a cab out to
a restaurant, and got out.
Then things got ugly.
He pulled a gun and shoved it in my back, and led me to a plain black SUV
with darkened windows. One of the back doors flew open and he pushed my
head down and shoved me in. Someone blindfolded me and tied my hands as
the truck sped away.
I literally thought I was going to die.
Desperate, I whispered prayers to God. "Jesus, help me, please, Jesus."
Then I whispered in tongues.
"Shut up!" A man screamed and slapped my head.
The truck took a few turns too fast and screeched to a stop. It took off
again, and stopped. They forced me out. I could hear the beep-beep-beep
sounds of trucks backing up.
Apparently we were in a construction zone, possibly a warehouse.
I heard a large metal door creak as it was forced open, and they kicked me
inside. They shoved me into a chair and secured me to it with a roll of
duct tape.
One of them took my wallet.
I was out of my mind afraid, and called out to Jesus again, praying in
tongues.
One of them spoke in a foreign language to the other. The other one
shreiked something back. Then, they spoke in English.
"How is it, dear Pastor, that you know our language? Huh? Speak to me!"
he grabbed my hair, and I felt a sharp blade on my throat.
I couldn't answer, but continued to speak in tongues, even louder.
"Make him shut up!"
Then something GOD-awesome happened.
"I cannot do this, I cannot do this. This man--this man here--he is truly
a man from God."
"Shut up!" There was a slap, then a scuffle. Apparently the men were
fighting. I heard one of them smash into something. Then, an alarm went
off.
The loud ringing bell of a fire alarm.
The men escaped as I heard sirens. Police and fire first responders
arrived. Carefully they set me free.
"Is this yours?" The officer asked me, showing me a wallet.
"Yes sir." I looked up into heaven and thankfully whispered, "Thank You
Jesus."
"A miracle happened here today." One of the firemen said, smiling.
The bottom line, Bro. Ted, is:
Don't do it.
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From: Bro. Ted
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 10:07 p.m.
To: Pastor Steve
Subject: DONATION TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF GOD
Dear Pastor Steve,
I got this e-mail (attached). Should I go for it?
Our missionary work could really use the money...
Thanks,
Bro. Ted
+++
Prayer: Father, please help me heed the wise counsel of the pastor You placed in my life.
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