7/2/97 Urgent
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
My life has changed dramatically as a result of my father becoming ill. And it has changed my perspective on ministry and what it means to me. I realized that as our cat was lying in our bedroom it was only 5 short years ago that I didn't want cats on any level. ( There still may be some of those levels!) And yet I realized this morning I would miss her if she wasn't there. During the time I was gone she apparently had a real problem with it. But the real issue is I realized I would miss something.
Why does it take the nearness of death to enjoy what God has given us. I watch my brothers who have been at arm's length with my dad for many reasons, all very reasonable, and yet as his death had become a possibility, they began to adjust their lives to see him. I realize that you can not cram 40 years of life into a few little moments.
My life has become more focused on the Gospel of Jesus(that's good for a church leader!) and less focused on the extras of life. As we sat through a cell meeting last night, there had been two incidents of gossip that had affected other members and a pastor. I am more concerned about the other members and less concerned about the pastor(leaders are always taking hits). Gossip always has a two way swing, first destroying the swingee, and then the swinger. If people realized how precious life is the words would be to the edification and not to the destruction of others. Words are there forever. A friend of ours has a bumper sticker and it says "profanity goes in one's ear and out their mouth." Unfortunately gossip is the same way.
The urgency that I feel about people and their need for a Saviour has increased as well. It is no longer ok to sit and wait. I could have lost my dad and never had the opportunity that God allowed me. And now as he returns to his home there is an urgency for his family. Why? Anyone of them could pass away today.
The river of God's love and His power is getting deeper. I am on mailing lists around the world, and I see salvation coming to His people. In our small corner of the world, we are seeing salvations coming more frequently and easier. We are seeing deliverance and changed lives coming almost daily. God is on the move for His people, preparing His bride for His return. No matter what your millenial view is, we all understand Jesus is coming back.
As He prepares us, lives WILL be changed. And the greatest gift you will have is the knowledge of relationship. And if we understood that isolation is not of God, and began pulling into our relationship with God, our relationships would be strengthened. And these relationships on earth are important to the Kingdom. If you have been praying for someone to cross your sister's pass and that person is disobedient, your sister may never find the Kingdom. And the reality of it is too often we are looking for someone to do our job. We are the mouthpiece. But we figure God will find someone else.
Life is too important. God gave us life, and life abundant. Life, the force man can not, has not recreated. Man has yet to take sand, earth and cause it to breath, to love. There is someone in each one of our lives we have avoided. The time is now. The relationships we have broken need to be mended. Gossip, murmuring, anger all kill life.
We have not seen the fullness, the power of God because we have not adhered to His Word. Do not be the person who misses God's greatest gift, or the person who is missed. Break down the walls with the Word of God. Let Him create a clean heart within you. And as you do, you will see your life changed, and others will take notice.
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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154 Paddock Road
Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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