The above photograph shows one of our pastors (in a cap) baptizing a brand-new believer in Christ Jesus, being baptized in the Bay. In a cooperative ministry with another church in her town, Pastor Camille Bryant, started a new Sunday night ministry that is drawing the sort of crowd that does not come to a Sunday morning service. And if it did, it would not sit still for the type of worship found in most of our churches. The message is about Jesus and what Jesus offers and so far since its start, seven young people have made the life-saving decision to trust Jesus and enter into a relationship with God. Could it be that their once fearful souls now have courage? (See verse 4). Could it also be that now God has put right the things in their lives that were once not right? Have the wrongs either done to them or that they did, now been redressed? Could it truly be that God has saved these people? You better believe it!
The Gospel still continues to be the message that opens blind eyes. New vision and perspectives are given to those who ask. The eyes of love and compassion are given to the ones who before, because of hatred and fear saw only anger and prejudice. The Gospel still opens deaf ears and now the words of God flow smoothly into the ears and lives of those once closed to God and as a result, these people can now hear the "cry of the needy," as is prayed everytime we celebrate Holy Communion. Those once paralyzed by doubt now leap forward to go and do the things of God as a result of the saving power of Jesus' powerful message. Once timid and shy persons are now passionate and bold about their faith. Souls once parched and dry by a drought of spiritual presence are now "springs of water," and "streams" flowing freely in what was once a desert.
God still provides this to us all. All we have to do is ask and we will receive. And once we have received, we will move forward to sharing it with those who have yet to receive.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the faith and boldness of pastors like our sister Camille, who are open to Your leading and can do new things in old settings or who look for new settings in which to proclaim Your love and wholeness. I pray You bless this dear reader with whatever she or he lacks so that they too, and me, can be all about bringing new life to those almost dead. I pray this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
