Dear Family and Friends:

“What constitutes evidence that you have received a gift?” I asked Joe, who has been attending our weekly chat Bible study and was beginning to question whether he had truly received Christ. “If a gift were substantial enough, it might actually attract attention. If a public official’s lifestyle wasn’t in line with his visible means of support, that might provide evidence which would attract the attention of a district attorney, for instance.”

That’s an apt image of the Christian’s life. Jesus said, those who are born of the Spirit are like the wind; others perceive the effects, but can’t see the source. The Apostle Paul also talked about how our gospel is hidden to the lost: their minds have been blinded to the light of it…but they can see it when we are animated by a power they can’t understand even when we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted or downtrodden.

I shared seven things with Joe from the Apostle John’s first epistle, which he says is “written… so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

• A Christian continues to confess that he is a sinner. (1 John 1:8-10)
• A Christian keeps Jesus’ commandments. (1 John 2:3-5. See #1 if this sounds like it means, “perfectly obeys at all times!”)
• A Christian loves other Christians. (1 John 2:9-11; 4:20,21)
• A Christian has the Holy Spirit living in him. (1 John 3:24; 4:13) Evidence of this is “the spirit of adoption,” which makes us cry out to God as our Father. (Romans 8:14-16)
• A Christian has a consistent confession about Who Jesus is. (1 John 4:2, 3, 15)
• A Christian has believed on (entrusted himself to) Jesus, and continues to believe on Him. (1 John 5) This is the victory which overcomes the world (1 John 5:4-5)
• A Christian loves God (1 John 5:2)

As 2 Corinthians 13:5 warns, it’s possible to be self-deceived. There are all kinds of reasons people fall into this category: “adding” a prayer to receive Christ to a conviction that one’s good works will outweigh the bad; having a complete misunderstanding of Who Jesus is or why He came; or simply remaining completely unsubmitted to Him.
After I went over these things with him, Joe became convicted that his earlier experience wasn’t genuine and trusted Jesus alone as his Savior. On his own, he then began a daily devotional program and says God has shown him so much in such a short time.

God’s gift isn’t just something added to our life—it makes all the difference in our lives. The Bible says it is irrevocable! (Romans 11:29)

Joe had been coming to our online Bible study group for nearly 2 months when this came up! There are others out there like him, who need careful teaching to even know what it is they don’t know. Please pray for Michelle, Amy, Evangelica, Dan and myself as we lead these studies, that we will be consistently led by God in doing so. Please pray some others will join us who are willing and able to lead their own groups: my time slot works best for the U.S. and Asia; we need help during times convenient for Africa, Europe and the Middle East.


On a personal note, if you will, please continue to pray for Luke in his continuing struggle with severe eczema. We have seen Allergy specialists whose recommendations include diet and numerous other changes… Skin tests this week will pave the way for allergy shots, which we hope will really help him! We know the fervent prayer of the righteous is made effective and powerful. (James 5:16) Thank you so much for your prayers and support!


Sincerely in Christ,
P.S. Please see our latest photos!