Archive for the ‘From The Pastor’s Pen’ Category

August is quite a month for me. As I write this, it is my birthday (Aug. 18). Five other relations celebrate their birthdays this month. Not only that, but August 8 marked my wife’s and my 29th wedding anniversary! As marvelous as these landmarks are significant, there is another great day no one should overlook: their spiritual “rebirthday”! Jesus spoke of that to Nicodemus when he discussed “being born of water and of the spirit” (John 3). No one can have life without birth, and so no one can have eternal life without the new birth! Such tremendous truths should make us consider such life changing decisions!

America for years has sent missionaries to foreign fields in order to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a world largely unacquainted with the Bible and the God of the Bible. Interestingly enough, however, America itself has become a mission field. Many come to America from foreign lands to establish for themselves the “American Dream.” They have never heard the name of Jesus Christ, much less visited a church. I ran into this situation this very day. A young man from India visited our Vacation Bible School because he had a desire to learn about Christianity. He is a student at a major university here in Virginia, but is curious to know what the Christian religion is about. I attempted to answer some of his questions as I also asked questions about his faith. I asked him to attend my College and Career Sunday School class so we could discuss these matters. He said that he would. Please pray for this young man who has a curious and open heart to learn!

With a nation so greatly blessed as America, it becomes all to easy to criticize and critique more than express genuine gratitude for all the material blessings we all experience. Wouldn’t a third-world country resident express shock by walking into a buffet restaurant and see the amazing abundance of food present? The blessings of the Lord are overwhelming and awesome if we simply observe them! If the truth be known, God has been better to us than we ever deserve! The old church hymnal rightly proclaims: “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!” As the Psalmist said, “Selah”–think about it!