On March 10th, 2020 I got a scam phone call from the DEA-“Drug Enforcement Agency.” They tried calling me a few times, and finally I called them back. Initially, I played their game and pretended to be concerned. I told the so-called “DEA Agent” that I was worried because of what he was telling me and that I didn’t want to get in trouble. When I was going to be transferred to a “supervisor”, who was ready to help me out on this situation. I asked the gentlemen on the phone, “Can I ask you a question?” He said, “Yes.” I proceeded to ask him “If he knew who Jesus was?” He paused, and said “Yes.” I then said “Do you know how much Jesus loves you? He loves you so much that he died for all of your sins. He died on the cross for all of your sins and He loves you so much! Here are some scriptures that reference this: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 and “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor 5:21
I kept repeating that Jesus loves him so much! I told him again that Jesus died for every one of his sins. That there is not one sin that Jesus didn’t die for. And then I told him, Jesus loves you so much that He had you called me today, a Certified Pastor, saying that I was getting in trouble with the Authorities because “they intercepted a package of Cocaine being delivered to my house.” The conversation lasted a few minutes, I do not remember everything I said, but I continued to mention that Jesus loves him so much and that He died for all of our sins. I reminded him we are all sinners and through our own strength we fall short. Here is a scripture referencing this: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Rom 3:23
After I got done telling him about Jesus, He said, “Thank you, I needed this.” At that moment, I felt and knew that the Living God had touched him, I just knew it in my heart. After I finished talking, he eventually apologized for the phone call, and hung up. I immediately dialed back the number to try to get a hold of him, and they said “the agent that called me wasn’t available”. I then called back using another phone number; they recognized my voice and answered saying “Hello this is Dave & Busters.”
A week later, I get a text message through WhatsApp, and it was a gentleman named Miguel, from the Dominican Republic. We spoke on the phone and he said he called me last week pretending to be a DEA agent. Miguel told me that God prompted him to call me back and thank me for reminding him about Jesus. He told me he was a back-sliding Christian and he fell into some rough times. He knew he should not have been doing what he was doing, but he let doubt and fear take over. My phone call reminded him that he was a son of the Most High, Jesus Christ! He mentioned that the moment he got off the phone with me, he told his coworkers he had to leave because God was after him. And then, when I called back, he knew God was relentlessly after him, chasing him out of that place. He said he ran so fast and told them that God is after him and he ran and left that day and he never went back. Over the next week or so, we talked a few times over the phone and text messages. He definitely knows the Word of God; he was quoting scripture with me. It is always humbling when God can use you to help others. My friend Dan earlier that week reminded me of my boldness when he mentioned in front of a group of men how I once told him about a “miss call” I received and how I asked the person if I could pray for them. Dan was used by God as the reminder to me to stay bold, that God can use me in any situation, even during a scam phone call.
So, I challenge you, the next time you get a phone call from a scammer, tele-marketer, or even a wrong number, take the opportunity to ask them “Can I ask you a question?” Ask them, “Do you know who Jesus is?” Then tell them that Jesus loves them so much and that He died for all of their sins. Just saying “Jesus” can be enough, but when you tell them that “Jesus loves them”, it is so powerful. And if you feel led, you can ask them, “Do you know if you will get to Heaven when you die?” If they are not 100% certain on where they will spend eternity; you can then ask them; “Do you want to know how to get to heaven?” Wait for the answer. The Bible says “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom 10:9) You can have them repeat after you, “Dear Jesus, I am a sinner and I need you, I believe you died for my sins, all of my sins, and that you were raised from the dead and that you are seated at the right-hand of God. I invite you into my heart to be my Lord and Savior, I repent from my sins and evil ways, I need you Jesus and I love you Jesus, Amen. You can then let them know that angels are cheering in heaven and that his/her future is now secured for eternity and they can now know with 100% accuracy that they will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ!
You do not need to know the entire Bible to share the love of Jesus with someone. If you are a child of God, and you accepted Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior; then you have the Holy Spirit living inside you. 1 Corinthians 3:16 states “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” and 2 Timothy 1:14 says “Guard the treasure that was committed to you through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” We all have the ability to take part in the “Great Commission of Jesus Christ.” What is the “Great Commission” you may ask? It came from Jesus, who after dying on the cross and being raised from the dead had appeared to his disciples in the mountains in Galilee. From the scriptures in Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” The Great Commission was the last instruction that Jesus gave to His disciples before ascending into Heaven to be at the right hand of God. Remember, Jesus loves you and He loves it when you tell people about Him! Your mission field is not always across the world, but right in your home, your neighborhood, your work place and your family and friends. Again, JESUS LOVES YOU!
The Author Michael W. Mandarino, is a follower of Jesus Christ and is a 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy and an Army Veteran. He has been working as a Financial Advisor since 2002. In 2016 he received a Pastoral Certificate from the Bible Center Training for Pastors. Michael and his wife Patty live in Apollo Beach, FL and attend the Crossing Church, in Ruskin, FL. He can be reached at 813-431-2640.
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