I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU
On Jan. 27, 2009 and I got to go to part of the state evangelism conference in Ruston, LA. Charles Thornton from Texas was one of the preachers. God is using his life in a fantastic way to help reach people in apartment complexes. Their ministry moves CARES Teams into complexes to build relationships and start Bible studies on-site. Hundreds of people have been saved in metro-Dallas, and now the ministry is expanding to Atlanta and other cities.
Charles closed by reminding us that people all around us are hurting, and they need to know that God loves them. He used the illustration of a visit he made to his aunt’s house. Charles was a young man at the time, but it had been years since he had seen his aunt and uncle.
He said that they lived way out in the country. I mean waaaay out in the country. Charles said that when his aunt put carpet in the bathroom, she liked it so much she ran it all the way on up to the house!
Well she was in the kitchen cooking. And Charles began to look around. There in the hall, he saw many pictures of family members he hadn’t seen for years. Then, Charles was surprised to see his own picture on the wall. He mentioned it to his aunt. And he said, she stepped out of the kitchen, and wiped her hands on her apron. Then she reached up, put her hands on his cheeks, and asked, "Did you think I had forgotten you? I have never forgotten you. I will always love you."
Those are the kinds of words we need to say to each other. But Charles reminded us that there are lost and hurting people all around us. They need to see God’s hands reaching out to them. And they need to hear God say to them, "Did you think I had forgotten you? I have never forgotten you. I will always love you."
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Jesus Christ loved you enough to take all of the punishment for your sins. He loved you enough to die on the cross for you. And Jesus rose again from the dead. Right now He offers forgiveness and eternal life to everyone who will turn to Him and put their trust in Him. Will you do it? It will change your life forever.