Missions

Never too Soon to follow Jesus

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Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”  Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:20-21

Lot’s of us see this passage only as a sad reminder of the power of riches over faith in the life of this rich man. But the word also tells us that when Jesus looked at this man – He loved him. Jesus saw a young man who had chosen not to follow his friends in lying or cheating or to follow the example of adults who worshiped other gods.Jesus saw in this young man a faith that caused Him to pause. This first half of the story carries with it an important message – It is never too soon to follow Jesus. We do not need to wait till we grow up, hold an advanced degree in Yada-yada-yada or impress the civic leaders of our community. There is no moment more crucial to our journey of faith than youth. Just as Jesus was angry with His disciples when they tried to hinder children from coming to him so He loved the heart of this young man who firmly stood up for the things that He believed in.

Sadly, many of us give lip service to our youth when we say – “These are the church of tomorrow” But in the eyes of Jesus our youth are the church right now. Right now they have the greatest and most crucial decisions to make. Right now their testimony can make the most powerful impact on the world around them. Right now if we will look at them with the eyes of Jesus Christ and

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love them, we must give them the same opportunity that Jesus gave to this man. Right now it’s time to trust God to call our youth to take up the cross…and our job to equip, pray for and support them as they  sell out for Jesus Christ! Maybe this young man in the gospel of Mark was a future Paul. It could be that hard circumstances later on caused Him to return to the faith and calling of his youth. We will never know that till we get to heaven. But the call to the youth of our generation is not annulled by the failure of one young man who chose to turn away. Remember that for every one who sadly walks away from God there are eleven more willing to say “Yes!” to His call. It is never too soon to leave everything for Jesus and yet it is also never too late to take up our cross and follow Him!

A Life Well Loved

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These recent posts share little snap shots of what God is doing in our local nursing home community. Please be praying for God to extend that grace in a special way this week. I will be attending the ribbon cutting at a new hospice opening in our city. As that God would open a door there, inspire new volunteers to enter into training and carry the hope and comfort of the gospel into this facility. Thanks to all our readers who share a concern and burden for those in long term care. Have a blessed week!

pastorpete51's avatarWalking With Lambs

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:7 ESV

Joan* (not her real name) sirs in the corner of the room in her wheel chair with a smile. She cannot make cookies any longer for the grandchildren. Joan will not go to choir practice or sing in the Easter pageant this year. In the harsh viewpoint of the world, Joan’s is a useless life. But when God looks down He sees a happy child who gave joy to her parents. He remembers a loving wife, a wise mother and a caring neighbor. Most of all God has engraved on His heart the very moment Joan gave her life to Him and today after more than 80 years it is still His. So when Jesus walks by her in the wheel chair He stops and delightedly gives…

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In the Beloved

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To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved             Ephesians 1:6

Suk* sat quietly in the front of the small church with just a worn carpet separating her from the dirt floor. The volunteer dental hygienist was explaining by use of a giant set of dentures how to brush her teeth. All the children laughed as he passed over the funny teeth with the large toothbrush. As he finished speaking their pastor helped to hand out a toothbrush and two pencils to each of the children. She tightly held her new prize possession for a moment then hid it beneath a corner of the rug to be sure no one would snatch it away as the program continued with a song that required her to clap her hands together.

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To us it was just a one dollar toothbrush, but to Suk the toothbrush meant that she was important. No westerner had ever come to her village. In fact almost no one from the outside world showed up for any reason except to carry away the bags and bags of tea leaves. The smallest of gifts meant to her that someone remembered, someone accepted and someone cared about her.

We have received a far more valuable and eternal gift in the love and forgiveness to be found in Jesus Christ. He came to our village from heaven and gave not just a toothbrush, but His own life for us. He knows all that we need and more importantly He has come so that no matter the value the outside world places on our life, we are loved remembered and accepted in the beloved – Jesus Christ.