FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART August 14,2023

My grandchildren are always asking me, “Grandpa, why do you talk to strangers?” To which I regularly reply, “So that they can become my friends.” As a result, the saying among our family, wherever we go, is that Grandpa is “making new friends.” I did this all across South Korea, just as I do in our neighborhood of Cordova. After all, God called me to reach out to people with the love of Jesus Christ. Before we can tell them about the Savior, we must first connect with them as people and get to know them.

One of my favorite fields for harvesting new friends is the produce stand across the street from the church. We have allowed Micah and his crew to set up on our property for the past few years, as a ministry to our community. “Sweet From the Vine” offers much more than just fresh fruits and veggies to our neighbors. It has become a gathering place for people in Cordova, as well as from across the metroplex. As word has spread about the great products they offer, folks have come from all over to partake of their goods. This has allowed me to make some new friends and renew old friendships.

We read in Romans 10:14-15, “How can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” I am not sure that I match the rest of this verse that talks about beautiful feet, but I do know that God called me to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, with anyone and everyone. He empowered me to overcome my bashful nature and become bold enough to talk to people about my Lord and Savior.

I was noticing at the gym this morning that everyone in the place knew me, as they called out: “Good morning, Pastor.” The thing that blessed me most of all was the fact that they not only knew me, but they knew that I belong to Christ. People can go through life just fine without ever knowing Jim Muston, but they desperately need to know my Lord. That is why I work so hard to make friends with people, so that I can introduce them to my best friend, Jesus.

Serving in love, Bro. Jim