I have a lot of good news I want to share with you concerning the last couple of months.
I am most excited about the three souls that were saved over the last three weeks so I will start with their stories.
A woman named Kelly was saved a couple of weeks ago on Saturday visitation. I knocked on her door looking for someone else; but I asked her about her salvation before I left. She said she had always wanted to know for SURE she was saved. She allowed me to take the Bible and show her what God has to say about eternal salvation. Praise the Lord that after about an half hour she received the Lord with humility and tears!
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. - Acts 8:35-38
Timothy, a young man about 25 years old, was saved about a week or so ago. His girlfriend has been attending our church off and on for about two years. She already has a solid testimony of salvation and desires to join our church as soon as possible. They have been attending services together for the last two months. They called me during the week and asked if I would be willing to marry them. I agreed to perform the service only if they would submit to some counseling before they were married. I went to visit them and first ask if they were equally yoked...meaning were they both saved. Of course I already knew her testimony, but I hadn't heard his. She shared hers with me again, and he said he "got saved just a few days ago". This puzzled me because I hadn't dealt with him after any of our services; so I asked him to elaborate. He said he had heard me telling folks how to pray to be saved after every service for two months...so he finally decided to do it a couple of nights ago. Praise the Lord! I continued to counsel them and before I left he was asking me when he could be baptized. In next months issue I hope to be able to tell you about at least 3 baptisms that will take place this month. To wrap up this story though...they were married the next Saturday afternoon at 12:30.
I am particularly excited about the third salvation that took place last week. Between our services on Sunday I retreated to me room after lunch to look over my notes for the evening service when I heard a little knock on my door. "Daddy, can we pray? I want to be saved." My little Aaliyah (age 5), after answering many questions from me and my wife, prayed and asked the Lord to become her Saviour! Every day since her salvation she has thanked the Lord...of her own accord...everytime we pray for saving her and letting her become His child. Hallelujah!!!
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:1-3
There are many other events and things that I would like to elaborate on in this letter, but for the sake of brevity I will just mention them -
1. Our folks gave enough money to put really nice carpet down in our main hallway. This has cut down on a lot of noise and made the hall a lot more warm and cozy.
2. Our church celebrated another anniversary! We had a good number in attendance and enjoyed some light refreshments and fellowship after the evening service.
3. Three preachers came through and were a blessing to our people as well as our family.
4. We have seen many visitors and a few members we hadn't seen in a long time return.
Thanks so much for your prayers and financial support!
In His service until He comes,
Pastor Raymond Beckles
Newport, Arkansas
