Interview with J.J. Jasper

Best-selling author, speaker and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarland, best-selling author and apologist Dylan burrow together bringing you the truth for a new generation. This is TMG radio acts 18 says you will be my witnesses via Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth, elaborate on that person a moment, but I welcome you to this edition of TMG radio truth for a new generation Alex McFarland here and I am so excited about a friend I want you to meet in just a moment. This is really been a long time in the making.

The person that I want to introduce you to. I've had in my mind to bring on Joe for a long time and just now got around doing it.

Let me give you the full context of this verse and then I want to give you of our introduction to our guest.

Acts 18 is very interesting because it says you will receive power, after the Holy Spirit is come upon you and you will be my witnesses, Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. The uttermost parts of the earth that the word for power there, and she probably heard preachers talk about it is the word for ability power doing a mess. Obviously, from which we get the word dynamite you will receive dinner mess, power, and the word there is really ability power, but do you know more than 200 times the New Testament uses the word power and God says that he imparts to his church power. Now there is the ability power adeno there's another word very fascinating. Matthew 2818 through 20. Jesus has risen. He's about to send back to heaven and he says all power is given to me in heaven and earth, and he imparts that to the church now it's very fascinating listen to this the word and Matthew 28 for power is not ability power like acts 18, but authority, power, fascinating is the word from which we get the word jurisdiction to think about it, this world is God's turf jurisdiction and God says to the church more than 200 times, I'm giving you authority, power, I'm giving you ability, power to be his witnesses.

Now somebody that is a great witness for the gospel is an amazing representative of our Lord and it is just a great person. His name is JJ Jasper and I'm so thrilled for the first time ever, and it certainly will be the last. But for the first time ever we got JJ Jasper on TMG radio is a veteran morning on air radio personalities. Best-selling author is a dedicated Christian. He's built a great family and so JJ, it's good to have you on the program and it's good to just follow what God is doing in your life.

What a privilege I could say the very same things about you Alex.

As far as your how genuine and authentic you are, I hope everyone's doing well due to a mixup of pills on the kitchen counter this morning. It looks like I'm not in afterward.heart worms for the next 99.

But that's okay. I'm glad to be here and what a joy to be a guest on your show wow well I'm just caring to not just kidding and that you and your dear wife Melanie Melanie and we have seven children and now the Lord is been so good to his he's been better to us than we deserve is faithful and I you talk about that verse.

What a privilege to be able to share the gospel and tell people that Jesus is a life changer for laymen and the reason that I was bringing up acts 18 Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. The uttermost parts of the earth. The church is to have a ladle in many different pots you know where witnesses locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, but your man that wears different hats to you are a writer your broadcaster. Your your funny I'm your comedian, but your Eve also did a very serious message that will get to but him who is JJ Jasper.

This multilayered servant of the king. I grew up in Owensboro Kentucky a B student fair athlete paperboy great parents not a Christian family, per se.

My grandmother had the biggest influence in my life.

I sold out for the Lord Jesus Christ. She taught Sunday school for over 50 years. Long story short after high school moved in with my grandmother was just as far as the making all the wrong decisions with drugs, alcohol, dating just at the bottom of the barrel of an uncle who I looked up to was very, very religious. He was on all the committees he was very active in his church.

He was born again, he receive Christ into his life, which seemed strange because he was the most religious person I knew and now he's saying I've been transformed. I realize my need for God repented of my sins received Jesus Christ into my heart and life by faith he had the biggest smile, the most joy is life wasn't perfect, but from a distance I saw his marriage and prove us all the joy I saw him sharing the gospel with others because of the boldness of my uncle and because of my grandmothers prayers and I was lit living with her and at this point I was at the lowest point my life, but because of my uncle who would share. It's not religion it's a relationship it's about knowing Jesus and he would talk about Jesus, like he was his next-door neighbor. He would say you know I was talking to the Lord this morning and he laid this and the harder the Lord told me to go in and share the gospel with this person is life is bearing fruit.

He is his relationship to the Lord was dynamic so because of my uncle Paul Gatewood because of my grandmother Gatewood because of her prayers and watch her always serving someone taking meals to people who were sick going to the hospital teaching Sunday school the love she had for Lord when I was a young man 19 years old.

I got down on my knees and and did what my uncle talked about our realize my need for God humbled myself repented of my sins and receive Jesus Christ in the heart and life by faith. Now, when I was 12 years old I walked the aisle. A lot of you may understand what that means in, and that seems sincere, but at 19 I either became reality. That's right. I was either born again or at least rededicated my life to Lord but that's when my life changed and I can look back as a 19-year-old and see that old things are passed away behold all things became new. Having new friends, new attitudes, new wants and desires and you haven't gotten over it. Jesus is alive change the extension were to come back here on today's edition of transfer.

New generation radio with our very special guest JJ Jasper don't go away from. I am a watchman ministries. Here's today's I am a watchman minute. The Bible says two are better than one hears a truism, the greater the work, the greater the need to be in partnership with others.

Watchman are on the front lines of God's work and benefit from being in partnership with other watchman watchman will go where she will go do what most will not do you say what is difficult to say and do it all with humility and laugh. It's hard work. We want to help visit.

I'm a watchman.com to access free e-books, teaching videos, podcast interviews and more.

Yes two are better than one and were here for you. I'm a watchman is a growing ministry of believers who see the importance of serving God boldly at this important time in history were not a ministry where of movement and we invite you to join us.

People be faithful, be a watchman, I am a watchman.com first Peter 315 tells us to be ready always to give an answer for the hope we have were instructed to be prepared to defend our faith. This is Alex McFarlane for the life answers teams students we train at North Greenville University, a leading Christian college in South Carolina. The life answers.

Teams are made up of students who will inspire and equip your congregation. These apologetics teams train speaking churches to youth groups and train Christians of all ages to address key issues of our times. From a biblical perspective like is there a God is the Bible true. What about gender and moral issues.

Call me at 864977 2008 and we will arrange for the life answers team to come to your church and give a presentation that will benefit your people for years to come. 864-977-2000 eight and always be ready. Christians don't necessarily agree with one another when it comes to questions of religious pluralism, homosexuality, the role of government apportioned in the war. Too often, we manage these disagreements by ignoring them, yet were called to engage the world for the sake of Christ. How can we be effective if we avoid society's most pressing questions in 10 issues that divide Christians Alex McFarlane challenges us to drill down to the biblical core of 10 current issues such as social justice evil and suffering, not Murphy and environmentalism as he echoes the biblical invitation come let us reason together only by engaging the Scriptures deeply thinking clearly and speaking truthfully can we, in God's family address our differences and discover the peace that comes with unity of purpose. 10 issues that divide Christians find this book and many others@alexmcfarlane.com welcome back injury radio your conversation with JJ Jasper on voodoo that I do want to refer you to the recently redesigned were so excited about it.

The TNG website truth for a new generation.com truth for truth for a new generation.com there's a lot there.

There's over 80 questions and answers from listeners and the way we do love to hear from you and if you have a Bible question apologetics worldly question, how do you defend the faith you can send all that to info INF photo info@truthforanewgeneration.com and the other tab I want to refer you to is the events tab now just days from now, on May 3, four, five were going to be in Fayetteville, North Carolina Fayetteville right there at Fort Bragg. Great church rockfish church listen folks, I know it's only days away, but you've got time to come and Josh McDowell is can be there when the great defenders of the faith, Mark Middleburgh, probably America's number one evangelism trainer Mark Middleburgh.

I'll be there. Our staff is there and here's the deal made 345 come to treat for new generation for the first time ever, there is no registration fee but here is what we would ask you to do. Bring 3 to 5 cans of food were working with local food banks among the people that will be the recipients of your food that you give and this is your ticket in the door. Bring some food were giving it to the military were giving it to our soldiers, some of whom are financially struggling. Would you believe almost 20% of our soldiers are on food stamps now why that is is a long story but come to TNG and bring some food can distribute this to some of the people that we really need to show some appreciation for which is our military and were very honored to be there in Fayetteville, Cumberland County rockfish church working with not only people on the base, but people around the city and you can hear Josh McDowell, one of the great Christian leaders of our day, Mark Middleburgh. He wrote one of the biggest selling books, becoming a contagious Christian and working to train you how to know that the gospel how to share your faith, defend the faith. Build a thriving family and in part a biblical worldview dear kids, we got a lot going on. We also have a youth camp coming up our annual truth for energy and apologetics camp is July 29 through August 2. Last year we had students from nine states and there is time for you to come and look middle school through high school at moms and dads yes you can come to were going to be at beautiful camp kale camp kale on the PERC women's River. There's kayaking, Frisbee, ropes course zip lines all the fun camp stuff, but the best part were going to have 15 sessions on how to know the faith defend the faith and mom and dad for your youth investor week that will count for eternity come to the truthfully generation Among the speakers we got Daniel Ritchie many of you know who Daniel Ritchie is he's amazing. I'll be there, but also Mickey Addison Ellison, you need the Mickey Addison experience because she is one of the most powerful speakers shall ever hear.

Will Addison will be there to.

It's all@truthforanewgeneration.com without further ado I'll not resume our conversation with JJ Jasper on his website is JJ Jasper.com and I've got ASCII rather the initials JJ does it stand for joyful in Jesus. What is JJ stouthearted jump in Jehoshaphat now very simple James Jasper. Early on, anytime you have a J first name and a J last name. If you have a a Jenny Johnson and Jim Jackson.

They almost always get called JJ and that was the case for me so no big mystery James Jasper well and you know before the break we were talking about how at age 19. God really got a hold of your life and if there's one thing that I could say characterizes you, it's joy.

Had Addison not invented the light bulb. Not to worry, JJ, Jasper has a joyful countenance that could've lit up a city. I really believe that.

Have you always been that upbeat, sunshiny person that you are right now is the class clown and I laughter is good medicine.

That's a gift the Lord gave me early on that you know or talk about testimony on so thankful that I met Jesus that I had an encounter with the living Lord, and he's given me a joy this so much different than all the counterfeit that the enemy has, but he also asked disorder started in ministry early this almost immediately after becoming a Christian and worked with young people a lot.

Fast forward to getting Christian radio and of been doing mornings since I started way back in 1985, one Christian station was there for five years W. CFB started with American family radio and summer of 1991 and have been doing mornings since then.

I was going ask you how long have you been with the American family says yeah neat little trivia on the very first day when they flipped the switch. I was the guy that said good morning Rico and I guess that makes me old even though I don't feel that all you don't look old but since 1991.

I've had the privilege just to be a cheerleader for Jesus. We have almost 200 stations in 36 states and along the way as you mention, I do stand up comedy speak at banquets and crisscross the country couple weeks ago I was in Illinois the week before that Ohio the week before that Georgia and just enjoy it so rewarding to to make people laugh, to be at a men's ministry events while Dave suffers pregnancy resource Center sure annual fundraisers. I do a lot of those throughout the year and you know that verse in Ephesians 4, says the Lord can do exceeding abundantly more than we can ask or think more than we can ask and imagine that Scott testimony Alex it God is been so good to me and my family more than we could ever ask or imagine, you know, when you belay for the people listening God number one God wants them to have a personal relationship with Christ and that's that's step one is to open your heart and be born again but God wants to do more NOS and through us than we could ever dream folks were working out to pull away for a brief break and then you're going to hear a story I guarantee the single most compelling story you're going to hear all month you're about to hear, but Daniel 1132 says the people who know their God will be strong and do exploits. JJ Jasper is a man who knows his God and he's been used mightily of the Lord because, listen when you've got Jesus in the spirit of God indwells you God will do exploits through your life. We need we need to get rowdy for Jesus.

If I can say that. And so Daniel 1132. Meditate on that verse, state, and when we come back. The story of JJ's book that the nation's hearing about and it will be the single most compelling story you here in a long long time to don't go away. Kenji radio continues with JJ Jasper. After this, you know. Romans 116 says for. I'm not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. That's what your kids need before they go to college. That's the theme for the 2019 TNG Christian apologetics youth camp July 29 through August 2 at camp, kale, North Carolina speakers include of course, Alex McFarland, along with Daniel Ritchie, Andy Lawrenson and Mickey Addison exciting worship every night, and rocksolid teaching every day. And yes, it's a summer camp with all the summer camp activities and kids would expect the TNG Christian apologetics youth camp July 29 through August 2 at camp kale to learn more and to register, call 800. Yes, God, one 800 yes God in the number one or email info and truth for a new generation.com you. No need to have a Bible degree from Liberty University command center, pray, worship of mankind making make life more vibrantly when you're ready for a religious studies degree find more than 60 ministry degree option bachelors to the doctor of ministry one LeBlanc rate for divinity courses Liberty University where we train champions for Christ that eliminate\explore, learn more at liberty\explore, to learn more truthfully new generation is coming to greater Fayetteville, North Carolina. Join Alex McFarland, along with Josh McDowell and Mark Middleburgh for a three day seminar filled with truth speaking to the needs of the local and military Christian communities. When is it May 3-5 rockfish church. What's the cost for spring five nonperishable food items for local food banks. That's it. Learn more and register@trueoranewgeneration.com welcome back to P&G radio. God bless you think you for listening. We're continuing our conversation with JJ Jasper, a friend and colleague. He is the owner morning host of the American family radio network year a friend and again.

His website is JJ Jasper.com JJ is a very funny person, just a great robust communicator, but being a Christian doesn't mean the absence of all pain and problems does it JJ, you're exactly right. Love to laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine as it says in Scripture, but we were we were rocking along our life was marked by travel in ministry, a wonderful church home.

Just incredible family and friends and we just we rarely had any trouble, and I like to speak of until 2008 and if I can share this part briefly in March 2008. My father-in-law who is just larger-than-life. My wife Melanie is a daddy's girl. He found out he had cancer and in just a few short weeks. He we were attending his funeral, so he died in March, one week later wife Melanie had a miscarriage and then later of the same year, on Labor Day I had a near fatal horseback riding accident. I was in the hospital for 59 days in town somewhere for seven days. When the doctor came in and told Melanie if your husband survives the next 48 hours and she was like white light. If he survives this is a horseback riding accident so from her perspective. Imagine this, her dad, my wife's dad died in March, one week later she had a miscarriage. Those of you listening you you like. As you know how horrible and and that the grief associated with that. So her dad dies she has a miscarriage and her husband almost as the same year. At the end of the year we held together as a family and we we just said you know this is been the toughest year of her life, but our consolation was nothing can ever match that that the trouble we've had and when we just that will in a year and then that's at the next year by 2009 you were about to go through a deep valley that most people would find unthinkable, and at the book losing Cooper finding hope to grieve well is the story I first saw that the television special of flame on the video but are your five euro sign name Cooper right. The joy of your life. We bought a farm horses cattle were riding in a dune buggy. The short version we run up and down this lane, we bought the dune buggy because it was low to the ground padded roll bars patted sidebars.

He was buckled in after riding up and down the road positive what we always called good doughnut we we were through riding a dad in his and his boy having fun a father and son making memories wind in our hair. I just returned from a trip from Denver. It was Friday, the weekend was here. The sun was shining.

After we road house is going to do a doughnut was. It was level, we are in the pasture turn will Florida spun around in the dune buggy flipped over and and that threw me out. I was not buckled in and Cooper was still buckled in the dune buggy was laying outside and I can remember Alex like it was yesterday when I hit the ground the very first thought. I thought if I put a scratch on my little buddy. He was my best friend are only son at the time I thought if I if I broke his little arm will never be able to forgive myself a race to the dune buggy was still laying outside and just a freak accident and that rollover and broke his little neck and on July 17, 2009.

My only son died in my arms. JJ what went through your mind when you knew that your five euro sign was gone and it was you are out just doing father-son daddy stuff what what were your thoughts shock, horror, all the things that people say it was surreal. Something this catastrophic that this can happen in the blink of an eye. These things happen to somebody else. This is every parent's worst nightmare in your man living for the Lord yet godly man and a tragedy, exactly the darkest day of our life and I don't have the words and in the next few minutes to tell how how he just feel like you have a band around your chest.

You can't breathe. It's all you can do to put 1 foot in front of the other the next days and weeks were just a blur. You're in a fog that I will say his grace is sufficient. God is faithful that Bible that we trust the Lord that we that we put our faith in those are just words on a page. It really is true and the lowest point of our life in our darkest day.

God is faithful and Jesus was right there to hold our hand. He's promised to never leave you never forsake you in and Jesus is the hero of our story were still standing. Our marriage is strong or not bitter or angry God were still going to church and is not our strength. When you lose a loved one.

They require supernatural help and guide Dave and God gave that to us. And so, so, to God be the glory.

What compelled you and Melanie to tell your story well AFA leadership approached as only months after the accident and they said we try to find some resources to help you.

There's not a lot out there for parents who lost a child. In fact, think about this. A woman whose husband – she's called a widow, a child loses his parents there called an orphan. Have you ever thought of it. There's not even a name for parents who lost a child because it's so horrific it so unnatural and so out of order you not supposed to outlive outlive your children and so on a Friday afternoon, we are having fun a daddy and his boy Saturday mid morning we were at the funeral home and the funeral director was saying which one of these caskets do you want for lowboy all those words about surreal and this is just gotta be a nightmare.

I know I'm gonna wake up at AFA approached as they said they wanted to give his resources there there there was anything to choose from. They said you haven't turned to drugs or alcohol. Marriage is still strong, you still love God. If and when you're able. We want to make A movie. Number one, we want to give it away and not sell it. Number two. We want people to know there's hope. On the other side of tragedy, so we did that is called flame on. You can go to JJ and Jasper.com it's right there at the bottom of the page. We give away hundreds of thousands of copies and I'm so sorry that were out of time, but I want to thank you and on behalf of the listeners throughout the USA want to say that we love you we appreciate you JJ and all that you do and you know because of all that we have in Christ. You'll see Cooper again yes yes will spend more time with him in heaven than we ever did here on earth.

Folks are you been listening to TMG radio Alex McFarlane with our very special guest today, JJ, Jasper and me just say this, Jesus is what your heart is hungry for.

And if you are going through a valley, you need to know that God does love you. He will never leave you or forsake you. If you will turn to Christ, he will receive you, he will restore you and so if you need spiritual help if we can encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

That's what we hear today say that out the website through all of our events and publishing true furniture to.com.

Thank you for listening. God bless you and we look for to being with you next time truth for a new in association with Alex McFarlane evangelistic ministries exists to equip Christians with the biblical worldview through conferences and camps for information about upcoming events visit for a new generation.com or give us a call at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God in the number one TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarlane evangelistic ministries PO Box 10231, Borough, NC 27404. That's PO Box 10231, North Carolina 27404.

Give online@alexmcfarlane.com or truth for a new generation.com. Thanks for listening and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation on TMG radio