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To My Brothers & Sisters at North Shore Baptist Church, A Personal Greeting. . .
For the Lord Jesus has come to seek
and to save those who are lost..
Luke 19:10
As it is written, There is none righteous,
no not one.
Romans 3:10
For all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
Warm greetings to everyone at North Shore Baptist Church in Queens, New York. To Pastor Noel Reid and to everyone on staff. My name is David, and I hope you will accept this short message of encouragement along with my greetings in Christ Jesus.
On February 24th I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Pastor Noel Reid, and his brother, Bruce. They took the opportunity to visit me. And when I left the prison's visiting room, I felt loved and accepted as a brother and fellow servant in the Lord.
However I also wish to thank North Shore Baptist Church for your interest in prison ministry work, and for caring for the families of those who are incarcerated. I pray Christ rewards you greatly for this.
I know, too, that many despise those who have committed crimes against society. This is understandable. But the Bible (God's word) declares that each one of us have sinned. Every- one is guilty of violating some of God's laws and is thus worthy of eternal punishment. Yet, the Lord is willing to forgive those who come to Him with repentant hearts.
In addition, it is amazing to think how many people in the Bible lived unsavory and sinful lives, even taking the lives of others, yet God chose to forgive them, and He used them for His glory, as well.
For example, in the Old Testament there was Moses. As an adult growing up in Pharaoh's household, Moses deliberately and with malice and aforethought, stabbed an Egyptian citizen to death. After having done this crime, Moses took off, running from the law for forty long years before the Lord called him back to deliver his people.
After this, there was David, chosen to become king, who committed adultery (a sin that was punishable by death under Old Testament law), lied about it, and then set up this woman's husband to be killed in battle. In God's eyes, this was murder. Yet David's life was spared. Although severely chastened by the Lord, David was allowed to retain his kingship and led his people to many military victories. In spite of his terrible sins, David was a man after God's own heart.
While in the New Testament, there was Zacchaeus, a wealthy, powerful, yet very dishonest tax collector who extorted money from his own people. He was a despised man. The people hated him. Yet Jesus forgave Zacchaeus, and the Lord even elected to stay overnight in Zacchaeusts home, much to the disdain of the tax collector's neighbors. And then there was "Saul of Tarsus," a man who beat, killed and persecuted his fellow Jews who believed in Jesus. This religious killer was to become the apostle Paul, and perhaps the greatest Christian who ever lived. By the grace of God, this murderer of innocent men and women would become a minister of the gospel.
And I tell you today that God has not changed. He is still willing and able to save sinners, no matter what they have done. This is what He did for me, and I am thankful more than words can express. I was undeserving of mercy. Yet the Lord gave me the chance to repent of my many sins, and to ask His forgiveness. For He knew the deep remorse I had for my crimes, and how I regretted everything. Furthermore, if the Lord has forgiven me, a man who was a murderer, I know He can and will forgive all who call upon His name and who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, there is hope for everyone. How wonderful! Most assuredly, I know that with God all things are possible (Luke 1:37).
You remain in my prayers.
In Christian Love,
David Berkowitz Fallsburg, New York
March 23, 2013
This message was read to the congregation at the North Shore Baptist church by Pastor Noel Reid.
North Shore Baptist Church
202-09 42nd Avenue,
Bayside, New York 11361
To My Brothers & Sisters at North Shore Baptist Church, A Personal Greeting. . .
For the Lord Jesus has come to seek
and to save those who are lost..
Luke 19:10
As it is written, There is none righteous,
no not one.
Romans 3:10
For all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
Warm greetings to everyone at North Shore Baptist Church in Queens, New York. To Pastor Noel Reid and to everyone on staff. My name is David, and I hope you will accept this short message of encouragement along with my greetings in Christ Jesus.
On February 24th I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Pastor Noel Reid, and his brother, Bruce. They took the opportunity to visit me. And when I left the prison's visiting room, I felt loved and accepted as a brother and fellow servant in the Lord.
However I also wish to thank North Shore Baptist Church for your interest in prison ministry work, and for caring for the families of those who are incarcerated. I pray Christ rewards you greatly for this.
I know, too, that many despise those who have committed crimes against society. This is understandable. But the Bible (God's word) declares that each one of us have sinned. Every- one is guilty of violating some of God's laws and is thus worthy of eternal punishment. Yet, the Lord is willing to forgive those who come to Him with repentant hearts.
In addition, it is amazing to think how many people in the Bible lived unsavory and sinful lives, even taking the lives of others, yet God chose to forgive them, and He used them for His glory, as well.
For example, in the Old Testament there was Moses. As an adult growing up in Pharaoh's household, Moses deliberately and with malice and aforethought, stabbed an Egyptian citizen to death. After having done this crime, Moses took off, running from the law for forty long years before the Lord called him back to deliver his people.
After this, there was David, chosen to become king, who committed adultery (a sin that was punishable by death under Old Testament law), lied about it, and then set up this woman's husband to be killed in battle. In God's eyes, this was murder. Yet David's life was spared. Although severely chastened by the Lord, David was allowed to retain his kingship and led his people to many military victories. In spite of his terrible sins, David was a man after God's own heart.
While in the New Testament, there was Zacchaeus, a wealthy, powerful, yet very dishonest tax collector who extorted money from his own people. He was a despised man. The people hated him. Yet Jesus forgave Zacchaeus, and the Lord even elected to stay overnight in Zacchaeusts home, much to the disdain of the tax collector's neighbors. And then there was "Saul of Tarsus," a man who beat, killed and persecuted his fellow Jews who believed in Jesus. This religious killer was to become the apostle Paul, and perhaps the greatest Christian who ever lived. By the grace of God, this murderer of innocent men and women would become a minister of the gospel.
And I tell you today that God has not changed. He is still willing and able to save sinners, no matter what they have done. This is what He did for me, and I am thankful more than words can express. I was undeserving of mercy. Yet the Lord gave me the chance to repent of my many sins, and to ask His forgiveness. For He knew the deep remorse I had for my crimes, and how I regretted everything. Furthermore, if the Lord has forgiven me, a man who was a murderer, I know He can and will forgive all who call upon His name and who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, there is hope for everyone. How wonderful! Most assuredly, I know that with God all things are possible (Luke 1:37).
You remain in my prayers.
In Christian Love,
David Berkowitz Fallsburg, New York
March 23, 2013
This message was read to the congregation at the North Shore Baptist church by Pastor Noel Reid.
North Shore Baptist Church
202-09 42nd Avenue,
Bayside, New York 11361