God's Love and Power in Our Lives

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Recently a member of St. John told me, “Expect a miracle.”  But, by definition a miracle is unexpected.  However, my heart is full of joy because I am seeing the unexpected blessings of God changing lives at St. John and in the local Christian community.  As a congregation we have recently had good news that was somewhat of a surprise in the areas of participation in ministry, church finances, answers to prayer, and worship attendance.  However, the area where I am seeing God’s hand most wonderfully and powerfully is in the lives of His children.  God is working though His people in unexpected ways to bring others to know His saving love in Jesus.  God is working through His people and many are coming believe that God loves and forgives and saves us through Jesus.  Praise the Lord!

 

One of the most frightening requests for many Christians is to be asked to share Jesus with someone who may not know Him.  The word “evangelism” feels uncomfortable to many.  In fact, the public sharing of faith is criticized in our world today, even if that sharing is done faithfully, gently, and respectfully.  But, God’s people at St. John, and God’s people in our local Christian community, are reaching others with God’s love in Jesus with a frequency I’ve personally never seen before. 

 

In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” I have seen this power of God and the witnessing from God’s children, even when they don’t know they are witnessing.  I have seen God’s people trust His love for their lives, and care about others, so that they reach out in faith and love to help friends in need.  And, I have seen God work through this witnessing to bring people to faith in Jesus as their Savior.  Many people who have doubted God or not believed in Him have recently come to faith.  Many people who have been separated from God’s church have recently come to worship. 

 

Recently I saw God at work as one of his children was dying.  Life had been difficult for this person and robbed them of the joy of faith in God’s love.  But the dying person was lovingly cared for by Christians in a time of terminal illness.  In addition, four different members of the St. John family reached out in love, not necessarily knowing that others were reaching out too.  There was no prepared presentation.  God’s children simply believed that He loves and saves us, and they shared God’s love with the person who was ill.  As they reached out, God touched the heart of the person who was dying to the point that they came to acknowledge the love of God for them.  The dying person even asked for and received God’s love and forgiveness in the Lord’s Supper.

 

Sometimes we miss seeing that power and love of God in our lives today.  Churches are often facing difficult issues in our modern culture.  Financial challenges, disagreements, and overwhelming needs can cause us to wonder if there is a future for God’s church.  But, such issues will always be there in our sinful world.  Nevertheless, these distractions cannot deny the fact that God is working, powerfully and lovingly in His children, so that they reach out with faith and love, and so that God may call others to faith and eternal life in heaven.  I have seen God work powerfully in the lives of the members and friends of St. John and in the local Christian community. I have seen God act in grace to bring people to faith and eternal life.

 

What great joy to see God working so powerfully and lovingly right in our midst today!

 

A Child of God, Joyfully Watching God at Work in the Lives of His People,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S. Here are recent pictures from 3 baptisms in the last week for Kalen Johnson and

For Dalton and Luke Peltier.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6105100932013912881?banner=pwa

 

P.P.S  Here are pictures from last Monday’s ice fishing outing.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6103718805054037489?banner=pwa

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . .

 

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