Rejoicing in heaven.
Ike and I have begun to try to schedule a weekly walk along Corsa Avenue on Mondays during the mid-morning, looking for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ. After “Dan” came to church on Sunday, we decided to stop in to visit him. He was very happy to see us and sat outside on the patio on a chair while Ike told of what God has done in his life. I shared some of what God has been doing in my life. We then both told Dan that we believe God preserved his life on Friday for something bigger. Dan told us that he can think back to a time before dawn on Friday when he went to get some beers and, as he was coming back, he had a choice between two paths to the place he was heading. He actually started down the one path, but it was like he was moved to change his course and go down the other path. That “other path” is where he met the four guys who started trying to beat him up, and the one began using a knife. The time that he changed his course and went down the “other path” sounds very close to the time that Ike, Stan, and I were praying at the church building for those who would receive the gospel tracts and hear the gospel message at the train station. Would God have listened to our prayers and moved a man in downtown Manhattan to change his course so he could get stabbed and so that people would ignore him on the train so that he could come off the train just as I was preaching? We do not know the mind of God, now do we? Now is the day of salvation, we told Dan. We asked Dan what keeps him from giving his life to the Lord Jesus. Dan said that there is no reason for him to wait, and he would like to do that right now. So I prayed for him, he prayed and asked Jesus to forgive him for his sins, and to be Lord of His life, tears streaming down his face. And then Ike prayed. So we gave Dan a Bible, gave him some reading assignments, and Stan had a follow-up visit with him Wednesday. I’m hoping to meet with Dan again tomorrow. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. ” (Matthew 13:45-46). Go all in. The Kingdom of Heaven is worth dying for. Rich
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Speaking of rejoicing in heaven, Sandy and Sharon have been hosting a ladies’ Bible/book study on Thursday evenings in our house. Stan and I, and either Whitney or Brianna, babysit a round of little ones either at the church building or the Miller residence, while between 5-9 women sit around our kitchen table and read the Word, talk, laugh, eat, and pray together.
Four weeks ago a young, single mom of four children prayed and asked Jesus to be Lord of her life. She had been brought to the Bible study by another Christian woman we know. I’ll call this woman Mary. If you get a chance to meet her, ask her to tell you what God has been doing in her life. It is incredible, really, hearing of all she has been through, and witnessing these transformative days where, day by day, God keeps moving in her life. She brought her four little children to our church on Sunday for the first time. She gave a quotable at the end, while we were eating and fellowshiping. “You know what, going to church and reading the Word of God is better than Facebook and smoking weed!” The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, and he concealed it. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44). God allows each of us to walk through seasons of life when tough times seem to outweigh the good times. Sure, we’ve had tough times, too. But these are great times of encouragement, witnessing up close and personal how God’s great love for people, through the good news of Jesus Christ, transforms the repentant sinner from glory to glory. I like seeing this in the mirror, when God changes me. But it’s also very encouraging to witness new birth in other people. We are praying that the soil will remain tilled up and malleable, so that the seed that has been planted will grow into strong plants that produce the Fruit of the Spirit, to the glory of God. Rich |
Rich SchwartzSon of the Father, husband to Sandy, father of six amazing gifts, Bronx brother, active participant in Believers in Jesus Church, insurance adjuster, occasional runner Archives
February 2022
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