Dear brothers and sisters!
I devoted the sermon before the Lord’s Supper in August to the subject of sluggishness and haste. Both of these shortcomings disturb us in service to the Lord. A good example of the spiritually unconcerned person is Abraham’s relative Lot:
“And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, ‘Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.’ And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.”
Genesis 19:15-16
Lot and his family were faced with a matter of life or death, but they very much didn’t want to leave the house. Though angels brought them forth out of Sodom, the consequences were tragic.
We also always worry when the people coming to church hesitate with repentance and baptism. For some years a woman by the name of Svetlana has been attending my bible study. She accepted Christ in the heart and constantly participates in our prayers, but only attends the church meetings on special holidays.
I spoke with her many times about baptism and gave her some articles about this commandment of Christ, but she always said that she isn’t ready to be baptized yet. After my sermon on sluggishness she told me that she now understands her mistake and wants to be baptized as soon as possible. I ask you to pray for her as she prepares and obeys this commandment of Christ.
On the other hand, the Bible also speaks about the hasty person:
“Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.”
Proverbs 19:2
If we hurry in decision-making and fail to consult with God in prayer, always there is a stumbling block on the road. The most striking example of haste in the New Testament is the Apostle Peter who on more than one occasion stumbled because of rash words. People often hurry to accept Christ with their lips before they have truly trusted him with their hearts.
Last year, one of the women attending our church professed faith in Christ. But when I started talking to her about baptism, she was frightened and left us. Please join us in praying that she returns to the Lord and that her belief isn’t vain.
Please also pray for:
- The peace of Jerusalem
- The service of brother Antony and other Christians ministering in Iraq
- Our biblical tour outreaches
- The health of Ella, Vladimir, Tamara, Tanya, Luda, Natasha, Andrey and many others
I thank you for your prayers and material support. May our Lord bless you and keep you!
Leonid B.