Dear friends:
I greet you in the name of Lord Jesus Christ. I begin this letter with two questions. What, and why?
What and Why?
What is your greatest desire for the year 2015? And the second question is why? Why do you want what you want?
I love my family and I love my friends, but my greatest desire is to be more like Christ. The One who called me and sent me. The one I pledged to serve and follow the rest of my life. I want to have the compassion He had and still has for mankind. He crossed the body of water from Galilee to Gadara for one man who desperately needed Him. After healing the demoniac, the people of Gadara asked Him to leave, and the Bible says He went back to the boat and left. John 4:4 tells us he had to pass through Samaria. King James reads, “He must needs to go through Samaria”. There at Jacob’s well, he met a woman who had lived a messed up life and desperately needed restoration. After her encounter with Jesus, she returned to the city and told everyone what had happened. This time the people were asking Jesus to stay with them. He remained with them two days and many believed. He had compassion for Jerusalem, a city who had stoned those sent to them and killed the prophets. Luke 19 says He wept for the people of Jerusalem. He had compassion for hurting people, sick people. As Matthew would say,
“Compassion for the distressed and dispirited”. (Matthew 9:36)
Can I Do More?
What more can I do than I have already done? The answer is MUCH MORE. I can build them more churches and better churches. I can provide them more doctors and certainly purchase more medicine to treat the sick. Will I do this? I have already begun and I pray that the compassion of Christ will push me like a mighty wind until I have done every He asks of me, even to the last day of my life.
I often hear these words, “You are not getting any younger. You must slow down. You must take care of yourself.” I hear this from family, friends and doctors, but I have much more to give. I will give myself to prayer and encouragement, to many who are fighting for their very lives. To the very end.
Paul never thought of himself but others, always beginning his letters “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. To the very end, Jesus prayed for mankind, even on the cross. He prayed “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Yes, there is much more that I can do. I hope you get what you really want and when you get it, I hope that it is what you really need.
What can you do to help me?
Pray for me that when my silver and gold are gone, I, like Peter, will be able to say, “Look on me; silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And He took him by the right hand and immediately he was healed.” (Acts 3)
February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October and December are already booked. Yes, I still have something to offer.
Praying and thanking God for you.