Greetings to my beloved Friends and Family,
First of all, God is Good… All the Time. All the Time… God is Good! I believe that with all my heart. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. I am so thankful that he NEVER changes. The weather changes. Circumstances change. Loved ones change. We change. But, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit NEVER change.
Since my last writing, some of you have expressed that you miss my letters. So, making the decision enough time has passed, I sit down to write.
After printing some address labels, I realized how outdated they were. Three names had to be removed because they are no longer abiding in this realm.
The older I get, the more I look forward to hearing that Trumpet Call! What an exciting time that will be when our Lord Jesus returns for those who are waiting and hoping for his return.
I think that all Believers have that inner desire for the Lord to come back. However, we also know that we have a job to do until that time. The Great Commission to “Go into all the World and Preach the Gospel.” This becomes more intense with me the older I become. I want to see all my Family members saved and ready to go.
When a Christian is young, they can want the Lord to come back. However, they are excited about what lies ahead of them in this World. Maybe getting ready to add to their Family. Perhaps buying a new home or vehicle. Obtaining a promotion on their job or even a new career move. All these things are good as long as they are able to put them in their proper perspective. Fixing their eyes on Jesus. Committing all their plans to Him.
When a person gets older, some of these things begin to drop off. It can become easy to wonder what your purpose is and if you are still “necessary”. Absolutely! When your life begins to minimize, so to speak, you don’t have so many things vying for your attention. Doors can open to spread the hope you have. Even if health has you home bound, there is the use of social media. Letters, cards, simple phone calls are other avenues of blessing and encouragement. Oh, and of course, pray, pray, pray! While we are aware that this world is not our home, we do not want to disengage ourselves. Even just being who God has made us to be is a gift to others. We all have influence.
There is that desire in us to keep on living and being productive. That is why we endure the suffering of surgeries. Sometimes it is to get relief from living with pain. Finding ways to improve your quality of life is always good. Recently, I have discovered the use of continually wearing copper bracelets for the arthritis that attempts to hinder my guitar and piano playing and even typing this letter to you all.
Thank God that when life on this earth is no longer an option, we have a glorious hope through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” What?! Yes, because as Paul said, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. Even though the older I get and I say goodbye to more friends and family members, I need to be available as long as I can to bring joy and hope to the younger generation who are being targeted by an enemy who would destroy them if he were able. Evil on every side but Hope abounds! As an older Believer, it is my obligation to stay informed, not disconnect from what the enemy is doing. Darkness is infiltrating social media at an alarming rate. Young people are being persuaded by this darkness to question their God given gender and even being assisted to change their bodies. This is plunging these same young people into confusion and even suicide. This is only one avenue of attack. Many of you are experiencing these situations within your own families. We need to be Watchman and be in prayer and let them know we are paying attention.
We are all one Body from least to greatest, from oldest to the youngest. Jesus is building His Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. That is found in Matthew 16:18. We are living in a time like never before and facing challenges like never before. The whole creation is being impacted. Things will never be the same. So, how do we handle that? Colossians 3:16 has answers. Also: Know Jesus! Know the Word! Spread the Hope! Pray constantly! Love fervently! Live actively in the Now while waiting for the Future! Seek His Will! Never give up! Trust His Love!
I would enjoy hearing from you! I pray this letter finds you well and contending for the Faith. I pray that you have been encouraged in some way and that you pass that encouragement on.
I close in the same manner I opened. God is Good… All the Time. All the Time… God is Good! Love you all!
Walking in His Goodness,
BarbaraJean
