Dear Pastor and Praying friends, April 18, 2012


He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

We are so thankful that Spring has sprung. It is such a joy to go outside and feel a cool breeze blowing, hear the birds chirping, see so many beautiful flowers in bloom and smell the fragrance of food cooking on the grill. Our family sure did our part in contributing to that aroma on Ressurection Sunday. What a blessed Sunday it was for us. All of our members were in attendance and several children came as well. I preached a message that was inspiring to me, if no one else, about the power of Christ and His resurrection. After the service we had several activities for the children and their families including a scavenger hunt, Peter and Paul relay race, and family photos. When that was finished we gave all who attended “Ressurection bags” filled with treats and trinkets. What a blessing to know we serve a risen Savior!

I am also happy to report that we have detected some spiritual growth amongst our members and to share the story about the salvation of a precious seventy-eight year old woman by the name of Bobbie Jean. As we began visitation we asked the Lord to send us to someone who was hungry for the Gospel. My wife visited her home and she almost begged her to stay and talk for a while. My wife asked her the question that we so often ask those we visit, “If you died today are you sure you would wake up in Heaven?”. Her husband died just last October and Mrs. Bobbie began to cry and comment that she prayed everyday that God would show her how she could know that she would be in Heaven with her husband when she died. By the answers she gave to our questions we detected a Church of Christ background. Sure enough she said she had attended a Church of Christ just down the road before her husband died. To make a long story short, she confessed that she was lost and on her way to Hell; but wanted to ask Jesus to save her soul and take her to Heaven. She prayed to receive Christ and was saved that very night! What a blessing!!! I am not sure if her husband is in Heaven or not; but I am so glad that Mrs. Bobbie now knows that she will wake up in Heaven when that time comes.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:5-7

We truly have sensed the Lord’s presence with us this year and praise Him for His provision and blessings. We hope you are having a blessed year as well and want to thank you for your prayers and financial support.

In His service,

Pastor Raymond Beckles

(For photos go to our church blog...here