Every week, Linda Bremner sends a thousand letters to children she doesn't even know. Some parents might not like their children getting letters from a stranger. But not these moms and dads. They write back to thank her-and so do the parents. Linda's letters give their kids hope, keep them alive a little longer, or just brighten their days when they see the postal carrier coming up the walk with the day's mail.
That's how it started-with the daily mail. In November 1980, Linda's eight-year-old son, Andy, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. After he returned home from his first hospital stay, he was welcomed with dozens of cards and letters from friends and relatives. "No matter how bad he felt before the mailman arrived," Linda remembered, "he always felt better afterward."
Inevitably, however, the flood of cards and letters tapered off. So did Andy's cheerful spirit. Concerned, Linda mailed him a note she wrote herself and signed it "Your secret pal." Andy perked up. After that, Linda never let a day go by without putting another cheerful message in the mail for her little boy.
After sending Andy letters for nearly a month, Linda found him one day drawing a picture of two unicorns. It was for his "secret pal," he said. After putting Andy to bed that night, Linda picked up the drawing. At the bottom, he had written "P.S. Mom, I love you."
He had known all along who was sending him the letters! But that didn't matter-what mattered was that they made him happy and lifted his spirits. Andy's precious life ended less than four years later; he died on
"Although I had two other wonderful children," Linda remembered, "the grief and pain of losing Andy was unbearable. I felt my life was over because his was over." Sorting through her son's belongings, she found a shoebox in his closet. Inside the box was his address book listing all the friends he'd made at a "cancer camp" not long before he died. The address book gave Linda the idea that Andy would have liked her to be a "secret pal" to his sick friends the way she'd been to him.
She decided to send one card to each child in Andy's book. Before she'd gotten through the list, one twelve-year-old boy wrote to thank her. In his letter he told her, "I didn't think any one knew I was alive." Those words made Linda realize someone else was hurting besides herself. She cried bitterly, not for herself or for Andy this time, but for the lonely, scared child who needed to know someone cared.
Just after responding to that boy's letter, she received a similar note from another child on Andy's list. That was it. She had found her calling, a purpose that gave passion and meaning to her life. She vowed then to write to any child who needed her until they stopped writing her back.
The Hebrews this letter was written to were believers, but they were either experiencing persecution or was certain to come their way. The author is writing to encourage them in their faith and give them a true hope to stand on in the difficult days that were definitely ahead. As we think about the coming of Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, he came in order to bring a better hope. The Israelites in the wilderness and in the Promised Land were required to bring a sacrifice to atone for their sins. These sacrifices were insufficient but their faith in God is what provided their forgiveness. Their faith was and our faith is crucial to our receiving forgiveness. In our passage this morning we see two sources of hope for our lives as believers.
The first source of hope is that we know that our works will endure. During the temple times they had to repeat year after year their sacrifice for their sins. This was done over and over again. They were to annually perform the sacrifice of Atonement. This was the significant sacrifice as a reminder of their need for salvation, and they had to perform it annually. Then there was the Passover and the sacrifice required for it. This was done annually. All of their sacrifices and rituals and ceremonies were to be followed in detail, and they were required. When you look at the New Testament there are numerous passages that refer to the Christian life and what our lives should look like. These passages are not a prescription to eternal life but are because of your eternal life this is what your lives should look like. As James says, “I will show you my faith by my works.” Works are not to be what saves us, but they are to be what demonstrates our salvation. In the end, our works will endure if they are done for the Lord. Verse 10 tells us “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward his name.” God’s justice remembers the works done in his name. When we seek to serve and strive to glorify the Lord our works are remembered. The last part of verse 10 says “in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” Our service to one another to encourage and uplift one another as we go along in our lives is service done to the Lord that will not be forgotten. Our works endure when done in faith. In fact as a believer, works are required. They are required for obedience to the Lord. He expects certain actions from us. They are required for rewards. We are promised eternal rewards that moth and dust will not destroy. They are required for our witness. The Bible tells us that others will know that we belong to him by our love for one another. Love is demonstrated not just felt.
Christianity has never had a very strong presence in
The evangelist responsible for leading this spiritual awakening might surprise you. He's none other than Johann Sebastian Bach. That's right. The German composer who died 250 years ago is bringing Christianity to
Christianity has never been widely embraced by Japanese culture. When European traders and missionaries came to the island nation in the 17th century, they met with mixed success: Commerce thrived, but the Gospel languished. But
Shinichi Suzuki even developed a method to learn to play classical instruments that became famous worldwide. But now, through a resurgence in Bach's popularity, that music is providing a foothold for evangelism that trade and traditional approaches never have. Bach's popularity is so great that the classes at the
Writing on this resurgence of Bach's music for Civilization, the magazine of the Library of Congress, Uwe Siemon-Netto reports that his Japanese interpreter asked to start the day with one of Bach's cantatas. She selected one whose lyrics declare that God's name is Love. "This has taught me what these two words mean to Christians ... and I like it very much," she said.
As Siemon-Netto points out, Bach's music was once celebrated as the "fifth gospel"-praise that has never been more aptly said of Bach's work than it is in
What began as an interest in the brilliance of the music has led to an understanding of the richness of God's grace. Masaaki Suzuki, founder of a school for Bach's music in
At the end of every one of his works, Bach inscribed the initials "SDG"-shorthand for Soli Deo Gloria, "to God alone be the glory." Little could he have imagined what purposes God would have for his work, even hundreds of years after his death. And Bach could hardly have imagined that his music would contribute to the evangelization of
James 2:14-17 “What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” Our works are important and vital to our faith. We act in obedience as a demonstration of our faith. Without works there is no evidence of our faith.
The second source of hope we see in our passage today is we know our God is faithful. In these verse the words promise, swear, or oath are used 9 times. All of these words demonstrate something that will be fulfilled or has the backing of someone’s character. For instance, a parent who regularly promises ‘tomorrow we will play catch or go do what you want to do’ to their children but never does it, their character demonstrates that their ‘promises’ are not truly promises. But when someone who has demonstrated faithfulness in fulfilling their word they proclaim promises that their children will eagerly wait for the fulfillment of. Verse 13 we are reminded of the promise that God made to Abraham. I remember as I was growing up being told to never swear by God’s name. I never understood why but when you swear by God’s name you are basically stating those to be the words and desires of God, but also you are swearing by what you cannot give. When you break that promise you break the character of God. But God, seeing is there is nothing greater to base His character on, will swear by his name. His character demonstrates that he is faithful to fulfill his word and over time we see him fulfill his promises. Verse 15 tells us that Abraham waited and received the promise. I struck by the fact that the verse tells us that Abraham waited patiently. I remember reading that Abraham attempted to fulfill God’s promise by having a child with his servant. Could it be that Abraham learned to be patient and trust the Lord? Could it be for us that the Lord is burdened by our disobedience and failures but he is looking to the end and not necessarily the here and now? Could it be that in our lives we fail and fall but the Lord is concerned that we eventually through successes and failures conform to his likeness? Could it be that our works are a source of evaluating our conforming to the Lord? Verse 16 we are told that an oath would be given as confirmation of the man’s word. Remember back to Genesis 15. After the Lord tells Abraham to go and get the animals, he gives instructions as to what needed to be done. He tells Abraham to cut the animals in two. And when the Lord passes through the pieces, he is telling Abraham, “May this be done to me if I do not fulfill my words to you.” In verse 17 we see that the encouragement of God fulfilling his promises is in that God’s purpose has never changed. Also, that God has given an oath, his word. Those two have never changed. In verse 18 we are told to have strong encouragement and to take hold of the hope set before us due to God’s word being faithful and it is impossible for him to lie. What a better hope one in which the word never changes and lasts because the one who has given it is faithful.
I was born and raised in a Javanese family, fully Islamic way in
After my graduation from the
Last year a tourist named "Sam" from
I read that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans
I wondered if all of this could be true. I thought about it very much - then I told Sam I wanted Jesus to come into my life because he was a real friend, and his sincere love for me touched me very much. That same day, I accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour though I was a little unsure of God's great love. When I came to
Sam showed such love and kindness to me and more too that I could not understand why. I continued to go to church with Sam because of the great joy and sincerity I saw in the people there and the Bible became a book of God's revelation to me. By God's grace in Sam's life I saw the love of Christ made real before my eyes. Sam demonstrated God's love toward me. It was this and the wonderful message of God's love I heard at the church worship service that affected me most deeply. After my third Sunday attendance in church, I finally concluded that I MUST forsake Islam and put my entire trust in Christ Jesus as my Savior and Lord publicly. Pastor Prince called for the last time for those who wanted to receive Jesus as their personal Saviour. Without hesitation, I raised my hand way up high enough to catch the attention of Pastor Prince and the Lord as well. It was the trning point of my life history.
It is impossible for me to describe the change that Jesus brought in my life when I turned from everything else and put my faith in Him. I felt that a great burden had been removed from my heart. I experienced the same joy that other Christians had. It became a personal reality to me and no longer something I only saw and envied in others. Jesus said that He came that we might have life and have it in all of its fulness (John
My heart had previously been dominated by fears and to be loved, but Christ cleansed me of these base and corrupt attitudes and replaced them with His blessed assurance and love. I found that I had a great desire to pray for my parents and siblings about the wonderful Savior who became my everlasting Hope. My father had told me to remain a faithful Muslim but I have my own choice in life and praise God He enabled me to make the right choice. Now, I would arise on Sunday morning with a deep desire to worship the Lord together with many others in church where the name of Jesus is glorified and honoured! Alleluia! My heavenly Father, God in heaven greatly loves me to send Jesus to die for me for He (Jesus) gave all for me - He overpaid the penalty of death for me (because of my sins) and Jesus is coming again soon for me and all who takes Him as their personal Saviour. I am convinced that no other endeavor in life could compare with that joyful calling. By the grace of! God, He rescued me and lifted me up. I am deeply loved, highly favoured and greatly blessed by God and that I have nothing to fear. It is a glorious experience to have this certainty - to know that all of my sins are forgiven and God will not impute my sins against me. Amen!
Christ who died for our sins on the cross and rose from the dead. No other religion knows a God of love such as the God who is revealed in Jesus Christ. He loves sinners, not in the sense that he approves their sins but in the sense that He loves everyone though He does not love the evil things people do. And God's love is not just a matter of words, for the Bible says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
In Islam I had no certainty and no peace. I was always in a state of anxiety and frustration. But in Christ I have assurance and rest in my heart. The most important thing to me is the love of Christ and the love he puts in the hearts of those who sincerely believe in Him and know him. True Christians love Muslims too. If anyone calls himself a Christian and hates anyone else, he is self-deceived, for he does not truly know Christ. The Bible warns against all of those who think that by persecuting and killing others they are doing God service (John 16:2).
When I came to
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the Lord your God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Our Lord is faithful. May we be faithful to obey and trust. May we trust our Lord who has given every reason to rely upon him and not ourselves.
May we trust in our Lord who has faithfully supplied the redemption needed for our salvation. May he gain all of the glory and honor.
He possessed a five-day supply of food, a Bible and Pilgrim's Progress (his two treasures), a small ax for protection, and a blanket. With these, Legson Kayira eagerly set out on the journey of his life. He was going to walk from his tribal village in
It was October 1958. Legson was sixteen or seventeen, his mother wasn't sure. His parents were illiterate and didn't know exactly where
Like these great role models, Legson wanted to serve mankind, to make a difference in the world. To realize his goal, he needed a first-rate education. He knew the best place to get it was in
Forget that Legson didn't have a penny to his name or a way to pay for his ship fare.
Forget that he had no idea what college he would attend or if he would even be accepted.
Forget that Cairo was 3,000 miles away and in between were hundreds of tribes that spoke more than fifty strange languages, none of which Legson knew.
Forget all that. Legson did. He had to. He put everything out of his mind except the dream of getting to the land where he could shape his own destiny.
He hadn't always been so determined. As a young boy, he sometimes used his poverty as an excuse for not doing his best at school or for not accomplishing something. I am just a poor child, he had told himself. What can I do?
Like many of his friends in the village, it was easy for Legson to believe that studying was a waste of time for a poor boy from the town of
After five full days of trekking across the rugged African terrain, Legson had covered only 25 miles. He was already out of food, his water was running out, and he had no money. To travel the distance of 2,975 additional miles seemed impossible. Yet to turn back was to give up, to resign himself to a life of poverty and ignorance. I will not stop until I reach
Sometimes he walked with strangers. Most of the time he walked alone. He entered each new village cautiously, not knowing whether the natives were hostile or friendly. Sometimes he found work and shelter. Many nights he slept under the stars. He foraged for wild fruits and berries and other edible plants. He became thin and weak. A fever struck him and he fell gravely ill. Kind strangers treated him with herbal medicines and offered him a place to rest and convalesce. Weary and demoralized, Legson considered turning back. Perhaps it was better to go home, he reasoned, than to continue this seemingly foolish journey and risk his life.
Instead, Legson turned to his two books, reading the familiar words that renewed his faith in himself and in his goal. He continued on. On
In that library he came across an illustrated directory of American colleges. One illustration in particular caught his eye. It was of a stately, yet friendly looking institution, set beneath a pure blue sky, graced with fountains and lawns, and surrounded by majestic mountains that reminded him of the magnificent peaks back home in
It wasn't necessary. The dean at
Another piece of Legson's dream had fallen into place - yet still more obstacles blocked his path. Legson needed a passport and a visa, but to get a passport, he had to provide the government with a verified birth date. Worse yet, to get a visa he needed the round-trip fare to the
Undeterred, Legson continued his journey to
Months passed, and word of his courageous journey began to spread. By the time he reached
When he learned of their generosity, Legson fell to his knees in exhaustion, joy, and gratitude. In December 1960, more than two years after his journey began, Legson Kayira arrived at
But Legson Kayira didn't stop once he graduated. Continuing his academic journey, he became a professor of political science at
Like his heroes, Abraham Lincoln and Booker T. Washington, Legson Kayira rose above his humble beginnings and forged his own destiny. He made a difference in the world and became a magnificent beacon whose light remains as a guide for others to follow.
Does your life demonstrate your faith?
Do you trust in God or your works for your salvation?
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