"If we confess our sins (to the Lord), He is faithful and just to
forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9
Several weeks ago, I received a letter from a man by the name of Joe...
forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9
Several weeks ago, I received a letter from a man by the name of Joe...
He and I have never corresponded before. But Joe felt the need to reach out to me because he's been struggling with his faith. He wrote, "I've been in a dark place for many years now." He confessed to "dabbling in the occult," although he did not go into details about what his involvement with it consisted of. And he went on to say, "I've suffered great misfortune, and somehow I lost my way."
I thanked Joe for his honesty and frankness, and even for reaching out to me, of all people. As over the years, strangers from all walks of life have contacted me seeking assistance and advice regarding spiritual and even mental health issues. I'm convinced this is God's doing, since I don't solicit mail from troubled souls, nor from anyone else for that matter.
I believe, however, that these individuals somehow connect with me, and hence reach out to me because of our similar life experiences. And I am truly humbled by this, and grateful too. Perhaps they see in me one who has had his struggles and overcame them. Yet I could not have done so without God's help.
Nevertheless, I did what I could to encourage Joe. I pointed him to Jesus. I shared some of my own experiences with him, too, such as how the Lord answered my prayers when I was in deep distress. How He sent people to encourage me by sharing their faith with me, and sharing God's words from the Bible, as well.
I reminded Joe of Satan's deceptions when it comes to the occult. How he can inadvertently open his soul to demonic influences, which will ultimately result in causing him much harm. Which, by the way, has apparently been the case.
I told him how he could call upon the Lord to ask for forgiveness. How Christ will never reject him, but will receive him gladly, just as He did for me. I briefly shared with Joe the story of the "prodigal son" who wasted his life through a series of bad choices. But when he went back home to his father to seek forgiveness, his dad came running to him with his arms wide open, in a display of unconditional love and forgiveness. And the son was reunited with his family (see Luke 15:11-32).
I told Joe that the story of the prodigal son is one of the most heartwarming stories in the New Testament. And how the Lord Jesus will do the same from him as the father did for his boy. I also encouraged him to renounce his affiliation with all forms of the occult to include witchcraft, and to place his faith in Jesus Christ alone.
I pray Joe does just what I suggested he do, and I believe he will. "Whom the Son of God sets free, is free indeed" (John 8:36).
D.B.
I thanked Joe for his honesty and frankness, and even for reaching out to me, of all people. As over the years, strangers from all walks of life have contacted me seeking assistance and advice regarding spiritual and even mental health issues. I'm convinced this is God's doing, since I don't solicit mail from troubled souls, nor from anyone else for that matter.
I believe, however, that these individuals somehow connect with me, and hence reach out to me because of our similar life experiences. And I am truly humbled by this, and grateful too. Perhaps they see in me one who has had his struggles and overcame them. Yet I could not have done so without God's help.
Nevertheless, I did what I could to encourage Joe. I pointed him to Jesus. I shared some of my own experiences with him, too, such as how the Lord answered my prayers when I was in deep distress. How He sent people to encourage me by sharing their faith with me, and sharing God's words from the Bible, as well.
I reminded Joe of Satan's deceptions when it comes to the occult. How he can inadvertently open his soul to demonic influences, which will ultimately result in causing him much harm. Which, by the way, has apparently been the case.
I told him how he could call upon the Lord to ask for forgiveness. How Christ will never reject him, but will receive him gladly, just as He did for me. I briefly shared with Joe the story of the "prodigal son" who wasted his life through a series of bad choices. But when he went back home to his father to seek forgiveness, his dad came running to him with his arms wide open, in a display of unconditional love and forgiveness. And the son was reunited with his family (see Luke 15:11-32).
I told Joe that the story of the prodigal son is one of the most heartwarming stories in the New Testament. And how the Lord Jesus will do the same from him as the father did for his boy. I also encouraged him to renounce his affiliation with all forms of the occult to include witchcraft, and to place his faith in Jesus Christ alone.
I pray Joe does just what I suggested he do, and I believe he will. "Whom the Son of God sets free, is free indeed" (John 8:36).
D.B.