Conversation With The Pastor: Salvation and Sharing the Gospel with the Joy of Knowing Jesus

Finally, after all the sequestering from the pandemic, we are blessed to return to some of our normal activities. My wife and I thought it was time that we go to our old spot with our, “two for one deal”, in hand and enjoy sitting down outside of the house indoors. It seemed like a holiday to finally be able to sit with others indoors. God has shown his mercy and we are thankful to him and all the people who worked hard during this world emergency to save lives and protect our health. We pray that Our Heavenly Father continues to bless them. We also pray that their work continues throughout the world. We also pray that God's message continues to grow throughout the world and that is what this message is about:

In our favorite popular chain restaurant, we were greeted by our favorite waitress, Britney, who we had not seen since before the pandemic. At first, we were not sure that it was her because it has been a while and she had an extra inner peace or confidence and she seemed noticeably extra cheerful. Surprisingly, she remembered our names and she even remembered our last order. We were so happy to see her and to be out at all, for it seemed like a family reunion. We inquired on how she had managed through the crisis of restaurants and store closures during Covid. She remained at our table a long while chatting and updating us on how she had faired through the closures.

Britney, who normally just exchanged pleasantries and takes our order, opened up revealing more about herself. She had testimony. Britney explained that during Covid she had found the Lord. She busted out with enthusiasm not one ounce of holding back declaring that “I have found the Lord!” She did not know our religious views and she did not care about her job because she could not contain her feelings.” It was amazing. The joy on her face as she talked about finding God was undeniably bright. Her happiness was uncontainable as she spoke about finding God and seeing her life’s dreams manifest.

As she continued with her message, she turned serious for a moment, to say that she had lost her mother and father early in life and had felt orphaned and hopeless in this world. Now she could face life’s challenges knowing that she is not alone. This was remarkable to hear since she had appeared to be a positive person before. Britney continued, that since she found God, her life was in order, that she had gotten her GED and entered college to become a Holistic Nutritionist. She was hopeful that her new faith and career would be impactful in improving the lives of others through her fellowship and medical knowledge. Her faith had given her the confidence, the clarity, and the direction that she needed to face her challenges. It is wonderful to see God’s impact on this young woman’s life. She will surely be an example to many others and bring them to know Jesus.

We thanked her for her beautiful testimony and congratulated her. Earlier that day we began our day in prayer as we always do and with a prayer that we can assist God in advancing his kingdom. As we shared our faith and encouragement with Britney, we felt blessed in reinforcing God’s message to Britney, but moreover she answered our prayers by sharing her story with us. She uplifted us, she showed us an example of how God is at work in our daily lives and the power that the Lord has to transform lives. Sometimes it is refreshing and necessary to recognize God’s miracles, even for believers and for the clergy. It a blessing to see God at work where you don’t normally see inside of people’s lives outside of the church and our own community. We all need inspiration. We all have heard about people rising to the occasion during adversity, like the people who have formed companies to assist others during the pandemic. It is a choice to reach out and help your fellow man, for he is your brother. When you help someone in any way you hope that it is impactful but sometimes it is only all you can do in that moment. Giving the gift of the Gospel is the ultimate of giving. We encourage you to share the “Good News” and let God do more than any one of us can ever do.

Acts 16:30-33

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

1 Peter 1:8-9

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

John 3:3

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God

John 12:35-36 ESV

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.

Psalm 21:5 ESV

His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”