What is God’s Purpose for you?
This is a great question to ponder. Have you ever really taking a moment to sit still, be quiet, and reflect of this most important question? Legendary bible teacher and Pastor John Stott, at 88 years old, I believe, nailed the answer in this excerpt from his last sermon ever preached.
“ I remember very vividly, some years ago, that the question which perplexed me as a younger Christian (and some of my friends as well) was this: what is God’s purpose for His people? Granted that we have been converted, granted that we have been saved and received new life in Jesus Christ, what comes next? Of course, we knew the famous statement of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever: we knew that, and we believed it. We also toyed with some briefer statements, like one of only five words – love God, love your neighbor. But somehow neither of these, nor some others that we could mention, seemed wholly satisfactory. So I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth and it is – God wants His people to become like Christ. Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.”
With this at the backdrop I reflect on what truly may be one of the wildest weeks of our life in ministry. We did an outreach at the San Diego Rescue Mission Thursday evening, Warfare was very intense, results, so fruitful and humbling. One standout moment was the young man who held the gun to my head, he was tattooed up even across his forehead. He looked like he was no stranger to holding someone up. Great news he was one of about 45 men who responded to Christ that night! Tough crowd turned tender by the presence of the Lord’s Spirit.
One of about 45 men who responded to Christ
The next night Eileen and I were invited to a San Diego Charger/ San Francisco 49er game. We were very blessed to be sitting in the QB Philip Rivers personal box seat for the game! We were in tall cotton that night, I tell you. Thanks to the Voltek family.
Saturday morning we were off to a Women’s Prison. Eileen was scared!! They brought us in and made Eileen wear white plastic pants over her jeans as they were concerned she might get mistaken for an inmate if something bad went down. Ha ha ha . I know its wrong to laugh but it was funny! Eileen was waiting to share as a speaker, and she was really scared. She simply ask the Lord to show her how he views these women, and sitting in the back, Eileen just saw how everyone of these gals was at one time, little girls with dreams, pigtails and dolls, full of hope, until the sin of other and their own choices put them behind bars. One lady shared how she was raped at age 8, then her mom pimped her out starting at age 10.. People, we don’t make this stuff up, it is a reality that most folks never know about. The Lord moved on these women, 5 came forward to surrender to Christ and another 30 plus, came forward to return to Jesus, a very moving time! The chaplain stated, “That these women were severely affected!” Only God can move a heart towards Him!
I was caught a little off guard when a lady came up to me after I spoke and thanked me for sharing. She wanted one of my books for herself and one for a friend. This gal told me how important it is for me to share my story with humor to help others out. She has been locked up for 40 years, serving a life sentence. This women has been all over the media, her name, Leslie Van Houten. She was known for the murders related to Charles Manson back in 1969. The chaplain told me that she had never come to one of her special outreach events, this was her first time. So, please pray for Leslie, that she will come to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
Serving Life Sentence For Charles Manson Family Murders
Ebo Elder, one of ATP speakers. He is in Georgia, did an outreach at a youth facility September 9th. He is a very effective communicator of the Gospel, a desire that leads him to share everywhere he can. He was on the TV show “The Contender,” a former pro boxer. The youth, love his story! He reported back to us that approx 40 of the 70 youth incarcerated trusted Christ and responded to the message!
Ending our week out, were the police surrounding our neighbors house two doors down. This started about 9pm ending about 2am. Swat team was deployed during the standoff. We put our little ones down, but my 18 year old boy and I sat outside on our lawn chair watching the event including loud speakers, K-9 barking, swat team setting up a mobile command all trying to get the felon out. He did not live there, but was visiting his cousin.
I eventually told my son “I saw plenty of this craziness growing up, so,I am going to bed.” I knew I would be awakening by the Flash grenades they would use seconds before they went forced entry. About 1:30 am, that happened. I went to my window and watched the arrest take place. (flawlessly might I add) The warrant was for raping a young girl.
The next day it was clear to see all that happened, the front lawn destroyed from the swat assault vehicle, the front window blown out. I drove by the house and the owner, a young man named Alex, was outside trying to clean up the glass with headphones on. I felt as though the Lord showed me now is the time to reach this fellow and be a witness. I walked up introduced myself. He felt shamed and embarrassed that he let his cousin stay at his house.
I gave him a copy of my book and let him know that I was raised in craziness like this and the truth is, that this is a result of sin. Small sin, small consequence, big sin, big consequences, I offered him money as a neighbor to help replace the window he did not take it. I guess you can’t do much with $4.37 cents and a ball of lint. He did use my big dustpan for the glass. He thanked me for coming over and making him laugh, in light of all this tragic event.
Pray for him ( Alex) that he surrenders to Jesus and leaves the craziness of sin behind.
Well, back to Being Christlike ., I am so glad it is not about perfection, but rather direction. It’s a good thing to desire to be like Him through His power and grace and He gets all the glory!
Lord Bless you for your support of the Ministry and those who we reach,
Victor and Eileen Marx
Precious!!!! My spirit is stirred within me to be a bolder more transparent witness for the the Love of My Life.
Continuing in prayer for ATP and the Marx family.
My heart was pounding as I read about your wild week. The Lord bless and keep you as he uses you in such profound ways. I am praying for you and your family.
I love what was written about God’s purpose for our life? Is it to serve here or there…many times I have often wondered. But, I believe it to be true that if we strive to be Christ-like, then all else falls into place, and we are in God’s perfect will. Keep up the good work, keep running the race and fighting the good fight! I love your ministry…God’s ministry, and I will continue to pray for God’s will to be done.
God bless you, your wife Eileen, and your children.
Victor, you have a fantastic sense of humor and it’s great to see how the Lord can use that to soften people. You make me laugh. And I see that there are others (as in the synopsis of your week) who open up to your gentle, humorous, and honest approach in demonstrating the love of Christ.
There is never a dull moment in the Marx household! And what I love about this message Victor is that you took your ministry to help another ministry, San Diego Rescue Mission. I know I’ve told you before, but I am continually amazed at how impactful your story is…beyond the reaches of the incarcerated. Hopelessness is everywhere and you are a beacon of hope and truth! Thanks for sharing.
Wow,what a week you & your family had.It’s good to know that the Lord is by your side.We will kept those you spoke to in Prayer.What a blessing to hear how the Lord words brings all who truly hear to there knees.Praise God
Have a blessed weekend
Wow, Victor! All in a day’s work, huh? What a tremendous testimony this week. Thank you especially for the pictures. They make it real for me and burn in my mind to pray for you MORE OFTEN!!! Thank you and Eileen for serving and blessing those that we often overlook. Thanks also for the reminder to reach out to neighbors, even if it’s not because of SWAT damage! =))
What a dull life you live! I feel Eileen’s pain. Way back when, I got to go a transport while working in the jail on a short assignment. From Kingman to Tucson, back through Phoenix and back to Kingman – what a road trip. I drove down to Tucson and we dropped off a prisoner at the Prison south of Tucson. I drove into the compound – locked our weapons up, secured the inmate in the outer holding area and then drove up to the admin office and went inside for the “paperwork.” I was wearing a nice pair of blue jeans and a western shirt…….I learned a valuable lesson that day, that wearing blue jeans to prison in not a wise choice…Especially if your much senior partner doesn’t stick up for you when the prison staff try to lock you up! Cops have a different kind of humor.
God Bless you Victor, and your family. Prior to ending this email, I will have once again prayed for you, your family and the ministry along with those you have shared about today.
PS – All I could have offered your neighbor was a small ball of lint!
Don
Such a blessing to see how the Lord is using you guys!
You lead a very interesting life. God must surely be a very intersting being.
When I start to feel anger toward this guy wanted for rape, I am reminded that Jesus Christ died for him. I struggle with that concept for a moment, then am reminded that he who is forgiven much, loves much. I pray that this man opens the door and allows Christ into his life.
As a San Diego Native (and Maranatha Chapel Sunday School Coordinator), I’m a proud Chargers fan and thrilled you were in Rivers’ box! Leslie Van Houton blew me away! You so blessed our church body with your message (we are still talking about it), and many others in San Diego with your outreaches. May God continue to bless you and your family. Thank you for making a difference for Christ.
What? Who! I’m a little confused. I’m an old toot now and my thinking is a bit slow. I don’t have Alzheimers, Thank God, however sometimes I do feel like I have OLD timers dis-ease.HA! This was a report on the actions my son Victor did in San Diego. Lynne I’m with you on the Charger fan thing.What is Rivers`box and I’m 73 years old so excuse me but who is Leslie Van Houton? By the by, (England expression) Mate, old chap and all that rot, please tell Pastor Mike hello for me. and thank him for the Calvary Chapel in Indianapolis Indiana. Gospel Martial Art Union
were the Christian Martial Art’s is doing a great job. Without Pastor Mike Macintosh and the Holy Spirit many souls would have been lost. OH! Yea, the reason I’m writing on leave a reply it should be Victor Marx my son not my name. I’m nobody, my son is the hero for God. He is the one making a difference for Christ. Bless his heart.I sent a lot of people to HELL! God forgive me, my son is saving a lot of others to Heaven. Thank you for your response to Victors ministry. May God Bless You also.
Victor’s Dad.
Hay! While I’m here, please allow me to suggest you folks to read Victors great BOOK about his testimony as a Child and young adult. ” With God, All Things Are Possible” The Victor Marx Story. By the way I have my own life story in my Book “If I Can Do It Anyone Can” It was written to give hope to those out there who might feel hopeless. My other Book is “Anxiety”
the enemy within. For those who suffer from ANXIETY. Look up anything by Karl William Marx Sr.In Verizon or Barns & Noble.From Mobster to Minister. If God can turn a scum bag like me there is a chance for anyone. Pastor Karl
again victor im always greatful
for what God is doing through you all ATP
be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!!!!!!!!!