Greetings!
May this Tuesday find us with the realization that God is ever present listening to our thoughts and prayers. He is ready to help us whenever we call.
Last Sunday one of our visitors filled out a visitor's card and checked the "Looking for a church home" box. I'm not sure why, but I was given the card with some announcements (I was on for the announcements). I looked at the address of our visitor and he only lived a couple of blocks from my house, so last night I visited him. He told me his life's story which was full of rebellion toward God and his parents, but which ended with him turning his life over the Jesus. Unfortunately, what might have been the beginning of a wonderful experience as a new Christian, at a church of Christ that he began attending, the leaders and
members doubted his conversion. They put a great deal of pressure on him to be baptized again. I'm sure they had his welfare in mind but it was a bad experience. How would you feel if you went to move your membership and your conversion was in question? So his uncle suggested that he give our congregation a try. May the Lord give this young man healing from this unfortunate experience.
And may the Lord help us not to put emphasis on our personal opinions and drive people from the church, but only require what the Lord requires. When some of the Christians in the churches of Galatia were requiring circumcision in order to be saved, Paul told them they had left the faith. Let us not fall into that trap!
I'm out of time.
love in Him,
Dean
|
