From Your Director of Missions – Neil O’Donnell

Here it is 2020. It’s hard for me to say and it’s even harder for me to believe I’ve lived to see it. For some of us who have watched the de-evolution of our culture over the last several years, it is hard to believe God hasn’t already returned to rapture His children home and begin the inevitable judgement that He has promised from Scripture.

There is only one reason why we are still living and breathing this side of judgement. ^“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
(2 Peter 3:9)

In a world where God is mocked, His children are persecuted and killed, and where every form of wickedness abounds; our God is still merciful and gracious. So far, He has chosen not to begin the end.

He has proven through Scripture that there have been times when humankind moved Him to action.

5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:5-7)

So as to not be self-righteous let’s also acknowledge that the world of unbelievers has no corner on the market when it comes to sinfulness. We Christians can hardly point fingers at anyone else. Let’s just acknowledge what the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,”

The patience of God and the mercy of God are the only thing holding back His righteous judgement on the world. There are still souls to be saved, lives to be changed and miracles to take place.

And since in God’s sovereign plan He has decided to use mankind to spread the news of the Gospel of His love through His Son, it is our duty to be the voice and the feet that share the message. It is our responsibility to let the world know.

1. verse 8 of Genesis chapter 6, after God said He would destroy man because of His wickedness, we find our hope.

8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Because of God’s grace He provided a way for Noah and his family to be saved through the flood! And since that time God has shown His mercy and grace in the world on multiple occasions.

In the wicked world we live in today God has provided a way for us to receive grace just like He provided Noah so many thousands of years ago. He provided Noah the Ark as shelter and safety from the flood, and He has provided us the greatest shelter of all time. God has provided us with the gift of His Son’s life!

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (Titus 211)

I challenge you to make 2020 the year you share the message of God’s grace for all people with someone. The truth is we don’t know the day when God will return to take us all home, but we do know that this world comes to an end for thousands everyday.

Spread the news! It’s all about that GRACE!