As a result of the pandemic, I have worked from home since March. During that time, I have felt the Lord wanting me to do “something”! I have sought after what this is, sometimes diligently and (honestly) sometimes not so much! Ultimately, I feel he wants me to visit, get to know and pray for my neighbors! We are new hear and won’t be here long, so I have somewhat avoided any in-depth relationship building here. A pastor (Andy) who pastored a little country church where our daughter attended college, sent out an email yesterday encouraging people to reach out to those we know who “live in the dark”. His email resonated and even convicted me because for about 4 months now I have neglected to follow God’s leading. Pastor Andy suggested sending reaching out to those you know who are without God with the following letter/email/phone call. Besides this, I pray for God’s boldness to reach those neighbors we encounter on our walks, runs and other outings. What better way to bring unity than to reach someone for Christ? Here is Pastor Andy’s letter:
Dear friend; With all that is going on these days in the world, I’m sure there must be a part of you that has this fear. This fear is the uncertainty of what the future will look like, if not for you, then your children, or their children. I will let you know, part of that fear strikes everyone, including those who put their faith and trust in Jesus. But this is where the truth of Jesus makes a difference. We believe that He is the Messiah, and as God’s Son, He came to this earth to seek and to save that which was lost. The bible tells us: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.” John 3:16-18 I was once there also, not believing or caring, but I came to the place where I had nowhere else to go. I was faced with my own unbelief in One who I had rejected so long, and realized that He was who He said He is. When that happened, I was radically changed, not from my own will, but from Someone who opened up the eyes to my heart and revealed His truth to me. I have never been the same since. Millions of people have experienced His grace and His presence all over the world. I see a nation torn apart by hatred, and for most part, a hatred that doesn’t even have merit or makes sense. But then if it is by some spiritual force, then you can understand that force of evil also exists in the world, and is trying desperately to dismiss or injure the blessed name of Jesus, so that you will not accept Him. So the adversary tries hard to keep you in fear. But I want you to know that perfect love casts out fear, and Jesus is perfect love. In a society where that doesn’t mean much any longer, it means a lot to me. I write this because I do love you with the love of the Lord. And I want you to know that your life has meaning. You are loved by God, even though it may not seem like it sometimes to you. But that’s because the adversary keeps you in fear, and tries to keep you away from the truth. But take a chance. What do you have to lose? With Christ, you can gain everything, in eternity. Without Christ, you have nothing except torment. He didn’t promise us extra life here on this earth, but He did promise to be with us during the struggles that we will have to endure. We are told that if we want to be like Him, we must take up our cross and follow Him, which means that you still might have trouble in this world, but that trouble has no hold on you any longer. You will find peace and contentment and joy and love when surrounded by those who love the Lord with all their hearts, even in the midst of storms which assail us. If you are reading this today, it’s probably because someone who loves you dearly and sent it to you. Please don’t discount Christ. Please see Him for who He is, trust Him. Let go of the pride that keeps you from believing, and let Him change your heart, for He is desirous to do so. I would even love to talk to you one on one, so e-mail me back. There is so much to share about the goodness of God found in Christ. Let HIm into your heart today. You won’t be disappointed.
Barnabas Man 