(… there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10)
Last Sunday was such a happy day in my life, bringing tears of joy to my eyes. That was because I learned a couple in my extended family in California was being baptized after accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives.
New Christians are always an occasion for great joy, but it was especially meaningful for me because the Lord had put them on my heart nearly a year and a half ago. This couple, now in their early 40’s, have had some significant life challenges to deal with, such as health and financial issues and even a family member who died of Covid during the pandemic.
To my knowledge neither of them had any church affiliation. So early in 2025 when I was convicted of how they needed Jesus in their lives, I decided to write a letter online. It started with words about how much God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. Then I shared the "Father’s Love Letter,” 54 declarations from Bible verses about how much God values us and how His love for us is limitless.
A sample of those statements are: You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). It is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1), for you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). I am your father and I love you even as I love my Son Jesus (John 17:23). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). If you receive the gift of my Son Jesus, you receive Me (1 John 2:23) and nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39).
Then in my letter I continued: “To become a child of God, you must realize that we were born cutoff from God because of our sin (Isaiah 59:2), but the Father made a way for us to come home to Him through His Son. Jesus took the punishment our sin deserves through His death on the cross so that we could become part of God’s forever family (Romans 5:10). In John 14:6 Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Next, I asked: “Will you receive His gift? Tell God that you trust in His Son. All you must do is pray words such as: Father, I know I cannot save myself, and I know You have promised to save those who repent and put their faith in Jesus. I trust You to forgive my sins so that I may receive eternal life. Thank you for sending your Son to die in my place.”
There was no response from my text, but I was not expecting one. The Lord just wants us to plant seeds. Only He can do the convicting in a person’s heart of their need to have a Savior.
As soon as I received word last Sunday, I reached out to these relatives. Here are some of the things the husband shared with me: “This has been such an incredible journey. We started attending church in March, and from the very beginning it just felt like home. The pastor has a way of speaking that really reaches my heart, and we have found an amazing community there. Every week I leave feeling encouraged and wanting to learn more. My wife and I recently went out and bought each other Bibles. It is actually my first Bible, and I have started reading a little every day. I am beginning with the gospels, and even though I have never read the Bible before, I am really enjoying it and learning so much already.
“One thing that has become really special to me is that after reading to our little girl every night, we pray together before she goes to sleep. It has become one of my favorite parts of the day, and I am thankful that we are building our family on a foundation of faith. We are excited for what God has in store for us, and we are thankful to have family like you praying for us and cheering us on. “I do not know what drew my relatives to begin attending church in March and becoming Christians, but I am experiencing great joy in knowing that sharing God’s Word is never in vain. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)
July 5, 2026
… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
If desired, ask for a copy at The Fellowship’s information desk.
