People Who Blessed My Life

 

     Preaching the gospel of Christ has been my life for more than forty-three years. Throughout those years I have met many people that have blessed my life. My love and appreciation for these brethren is deep. Paul wrote, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." (Romans 1:8) The people that I speak of are brethren of great faith and spiritual strength. They have truly been a blessing and an encouragement through their love, kindness, support and faithfulness.  Following are some of those people that have blessed my life:

 

      People that love and appreciate sound preaching: God's word is the power that brings salvation. (Romans 1:16) The word of God: (1) Convinces (Acts 8:22-37), (2) Convicts (John 8:9), (3) Enlightens (Psalm 18:28), (4) Cleanses (John 15:3), and (5) Purifies. (1 Peter 1:22) I have always admired, loved and been blessed by people that appreciate and expect sound gospel preaching.

 

      People that constantly show an attitude of love: God pleasing love must be a love that is demonstrated. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." (Galatians 5:6) The closer our walk with God the easier it is to love the children of God. (John 13:35) I have always admired, loved, appreciated and been blessed by people that have an attitude of love that is constantly shown.

 

      People that have a generous spirit: "...Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)  The generosity of faithful brethren makes possible our local evangelism, our mission works and our benevolent work. Our effort is not self-centered, but rather our fo­cus is on others. "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4) I have always admired, appreciated, loved and been blessed by people that have a generous spirit.

 

      People that are busy sharing their faith: There is something terribly wrong in our world. People rape, rob, steal and kill. They curse, drink, murder and molest. Man has a sin problem. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) However, there are many godly people that are busy sharing Christ with others. These soul winners tell others about the sacrifice of Jesus and God's plan of salvation. Eternity will be spent with God only if one believes in Jesus (John 8:24); repents of sins (Acts 2:38); confess Jesus before men (Matthew 10:32) and is baptized into Christ (Acts 22:16) just as the New Testament teaches. After baptism and at the end of a faithful Christian life there awaits an eternal reward in heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:58) I have always admired, appreciated, loved and been blessed by people that share their faith with others.

 

      People that really want to go to heaven: There are some that really want to go to heaven. This desire shows in their: (1) Faithful attendance (Hebrews 10:23-25), (2) Generous giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), (3) Constant study of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15), (4) Unending effort put forth to restore erring brethren (Galatians 6:1), and (5) Evangelistic outreach to lift Christ up before a lost world. (Matthew 28:18-20). I have always admired, appreciated, loved and been blessed by people that really want to go to heaven.

 

            Thank God for so many of you that appre­ciate sound preaching are generous, and evangelistic, and that really want to go to heaven! If you are not yet a Christian will you appreciate Jesus enough that you will receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21). After your baptism will you follow Jesus faithfully so that He can lead you home to heaven? (Revelation 2:10)

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA.