Wednesday, November 3, 2010

My Tract: From Outlaws to God's Kids

I"ve always wanted to write a tract. I sent a few ideas to a tract publisher once, but they returned them (I prefer the word return to reject, don't you?).

One of my prayers is to be a soul-winner. I am so grateful for the goodness of the Lord, I want to introduce others to Him, and find them in Heaven. So, I decided to write my own tract. I'm asking the Lord that one million people find His love as a result of this writing. Here is the text::

From Outlaws to God’s Kids


My husband and I have a friend named Jesse James, with a twin brother named Frank. No joke. Apart from his name, Jesse doesn’t resemble the notorious train robber of the nineteenth century. But his four-year-old grandson, Lucas may be trying to get by with a little outlaw spirit in his own way.

In his preschool class this year, he’d heard the story of a boy who’d received nothing but coal in his stocking. Lucas knew Santa rewarded good boys and girls, but now he was worried. What if he hadn’t measured up to Santa’s standards? Would his stocking, as well as the huge, glistening gift under the tree be stuffed with black lumps?

His usually nimble fingers trembled as he opened each gift in his stocking. Candy. Hot Wheels. Erasable crayons. More candy. Whew. That wasn’t so bad.

Now, to see what the package under the tree contained. In spite of his self-doubt, Lucas ripped apart the sparkling red paper to reveal… a battery powered indoor four-wheeler, the #1 request on his list to Santa! A sigh of relief tumbled from his lips.

Collapsing on the floor, he hugged his belly and laughed, his gingerbread eyes dancing with the tree lights.

“What are you laughing about?” asked his mom.

“Because it’s so funny.”

“What is so funny, Lucas?”

Pointing at the four-wheeler, he roared, “I was bad this year, and I still got really good stuff!”

Although Lucas may’ve thought he put one over on Santa, we can take a lesson about God’s grace from him. None of us deserves the gifts He gives.

I bet you’ve heard this verse from Romans: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).” But have you read the verse that follow? “God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity, He put us in right standing with Himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And He did it by means of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24, the Message Bible).”

So, God has already taken care of the sin problem by accepting Jesus’ blood sacrifice in our place. Just as Lucas couldn’t measure up to the standard of perfection he thought Santa required, we can’t measure up to God’s standard of perfection. We simply open the package of His love by admitting we cannot save ourselves. Then, in spite of our self-doubt, we ask Him to step in and take over our lives.

That’s when He changes us from outlaws to loving citizens of His kingdom. It’s His best gift, wrapped in the sparkling package of a man named Jesus. He calls it “grace,” and it sure beats a sock full of hard black stuff.

Would you like to know that you are one of God’s kids? Please turn the page…


You can know that God has forgiven your sins, and removed them as far away as the east is from the west, simply by saying “Yes” to these questions:


1. Do you believe that Jesus is God’s Son?

2. Do you believe that He lived a sinless life, and died in your place, so you could be forgiven?

3. Do you believe He resurrected from the dead, proving His deity?

4. Do you acknowledge Him as Lord and God?

5. Do you desire to live for Him?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, the Bible says you are a Believer. Find a Bible teaching church to attend, be immersed into Jesus Christ, and you will go from an outlaw to one of God’s Kids!

© Jeanette Levellie, 2010

Will you please agree with me in prayer that God will use this tract to draw people to Him?

Thanks! Jen

17 comments:

  1. If anyone has the frame of spirit to do just this, Jen, it's you.

    Love this piece! You have my prayer and support.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Janna: You sure know how to get a lady choked up first thing in the morning--thanks, hon.

    Love
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  3. I still love that line as far as the east is from the west.

    What a God we have.

    I love that you have a heart to share Him!

    I support it all the way!
    ~ Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Jen -

    Wow! This was great! You could even make a children's version with that story.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. So did you print it up? :-)
    I used to love tracts. When I was a teen I kept a steady supply in my backpack. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a wonderful tract. I love that little boy who thought he got away with being bad. And then you come in with the wonderful fact of grace. Love it. May this bring many into the Kingdom.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is wonderful, Jen. I loveit. I think it's inspired. You have my vote all the way.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jen:
    I will add this note on my prayer list. This will be an excellent tool for winning souls to Christ.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jeanette, love this story. Keep on, keeping on!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't know if you meant to make us laugh when you said "I prefer the word return to reject, don't you?" but you got me going. I haven't smiled in hours, so thanks. Now I'm going to lean back and rest, grinning all the way.

    I never thought about writing a tract. You're so good at things like this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, dear friends. I have a friend in a nearby town who works in an outreach ministry, and I believe they are going to use these in their children's program. I did not write it for kids per se, but I'm tickled they want to use it in this way. Glory to God!

    ReplyDelete
  12. .....and He love us anyway! How cool is that??? I am most thankful each and everyday!

    God bless and have a totally awesome day sweetie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes, I will. Nicely done, Jeanette.

    Love your cowgirl look! It suits you:)

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  14. This was awesome. I loved the reference to Santa and how you told of the gift of God's love.

    ReplyDelete
  15. will pray that you can reach a lot of souls for Christ.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Do not be hurt or angry just check this out by going to http://thegoodtale.blogspot.com to prove by the word of God what I now tell you is true.
    You along with the rest of the world are believing in the wrong God. Satan truly has deceived the whole world.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have to admit I laughted at the "returned" choice. I, too, have a file of uh, rejected articles that we be renamed "returned."

    I taught a class today on Grace. I wish I would have had your story to share. I love how you are following your heart for your writing and soul winning.

    ReplyDelete

Oh, it's YOU! I'm so happy to see you here today, and look forward to reading your comments.