Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord! I pray this finds you blessed and about the Father�s business! We have no time to slack off now. It�s late in the race and our Lord Jesus will come soon. I don�t say that because of the wars, the weather or world economy, but because of the condition of people�s hearts in churches today. I am thankful that God still has �The Church� and it isn�t found with one particular name over the door or walls. It does not have a board of deacons or committees to vote on everything. It does not have the scribes and Pharisees � better known today as the religious! No, God�s Church has committed, dedicated people, filled with the Holy Spirit and love running over! Men, women, boys and girls that live in obedience to God and make a difference. They have the same Holy Spirit in them that came on the day of Pentecost. They are servants of God taking His message, and often going that extra mile. It is people like that who have touched my life, and made a difference in men like Brother Derrick (more later on that!) God has always had someone that would stand in the gap. This message is, �And God Sent A Barnabas.�
I think most everyone is familiar with the story of Saul/Paul in Acts. He went about beating, locking up and murdering Christians. He did all that in the name of religion, and I�m sure he had a doctrine! We all know that he was changed when he met Jesus. Even though he was then converted and ministering for the Lord, many still didn�t want to accept him � they were afraid of him. In Acts 9:26, here comes a changed man with a dangerous past reputation, and he�s preaching the Gospel. He wants to join the other disciples (Christians, the Church) but they�re afraid of him and didn�t believe he was one of them! I wonder where their discernment was? In verse 27, we read that Barnabas took him, telling what he had heard and seen concerning this new Saul. If it weren�t for Barnabas those people would have never received Paul. They would have let their personal fears, feelings and no doubt self-righteousness and prejudices cause them to miss God. God sent Paul there, but He already knew because of people�s hearts they wouldn�t accept him! That�s why God sent Barnabas to co-sign, so to say! I�m thankful that �God Sent A Barnabas�.
Many of you know about my past life, and that I wore about every coat sin had. I�m a man of past bad reputation and labeled as a murderer. Now, if I returned home preaching the Gospel thinking there wouldn�t be any opposition, I�d not be too bright! I will encounter people afraid of me, that just don�t trust me, and some that won�t even want to attend church with me. But God hasn�t left me out there all alone to be run off, stoned or picked to pieces. God has sent many a Barnabas into my life � I�m thankful for them all. I have to give recognition to the main one that has stood and told people of me. He has stood with me and been unmovable. That man of God is my Pastor, Kerry Yates. The religious bunch think he�s crazy because he believes in a man such as I. But you see, my Pastor knows God! He has discernment and he obeys the will of God � he has a shepherd�s heart! As I draw close to being released from prison, the battles intensify, my load almost overwhelming, so when I need a push or a word as I look for answers, �GOD SENT A BARNABAS!�
Now I want to introduce you to a young brother � his name is Derrick Ashby. God has given us much opportunity to fellowship. You see, people look at that strange, especially in here. There is a big gap in our ages. I�m from the country and once considered a racist and redneck. Bro. Derrick is from the city � a young black man that most would want to label a gang banger. We�ve enjoyed hours of fellowship and learning from each other. He�s now following the leading of the Holy Spirit and starting a newsletter of his own. As you read his powerful testimony, you will see what a simple Christian act can do! Some-thing as simple as sending a Bible. And in case you haven�t realized it yet, anyone can be a Barnabas � man, woman or child. God can use you in someone�s life, if you let Him. See what God can do as you read Brother Derrick�s testimony:
�Acts 9:1-22 speaks about Saul and his conversion to Christ. If you meditate on this text and see how a man who persecuted Christians, was converted to be a Christian, you will notice the power of God that is able to break any and all strongholds.
�In like manner, God broke my stronghold from the religion of Islam and converted me to Christianity. I was like Saul persecuting Christians verbally, constantly seeking to find contradictions in the Holy Bible.
�I would use Bible scriptures that I didn�t under-stand to confirm my Islamic faith. As a muslim my mission was to prove that the Holy Qur�an was accurate and true, and that the Holy Bible was a lie.
�Little did I suspect that God would use the same Holy Bible (that I was using to look for contra-dictions), to convert me to Christianity. I can recall while I was at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, I was called to receive a home package. When I entered the property room, I was handed a NIV Study Bible. I told the staff I didn�t want it, and to send it back. The odd thing was, the package had no return address. Staff told me I had to take it.
�Upset and furious I shared the news with some of the muslims, and expressed how I felt. As I was talking, a Christian brother asked if he could have the Bible, and I said, �No.� I couldn�t explain why I was fighting so hard to keep a book (the Bible) I didn�t want.
�I later decided to go to my cell and look at some dirty magazines. As I started turning he pages, I noticed the Bible sitting to the side. So I hid the dirty magazines, and started reading the Bible. As I read, I felt relief, comfort and peace.
�So I started sneaking reading the Bible. The more I read, the better I felt, and had the urge to tell someone. So I called my sister, and we talked, and we cried, and I told her as soon as I find out about how Jesus works I�d call her back and we would try Jesus together.
�That Friday I was supposed to attend Jumah (Muslim�s obligated prayer service) instead I chose to walk the yard. I noticed there were women on the yard and decided to walk past. As I walked past I realized how alone I was, and desperately needed to fill that void. I seen some more people talking, and I walked past. I went by once, and then another time. Then I cried out to God (paraphrasing) � �If you are real, you have to get me because I don�t know what to do, this is your last chance if you want me; I�m yours.� So I walked back past that last time, and I was called over and led to Christ.
�Pastor William Bumphus shared his testimony with me and how God delivered him from being a muslim. We talked and prayed the sinner�s prayer together. Thank You, Lord for deliverance.�
I pray that you have opened your heart and received from the Holy Spirit as you read my brother�s testimony. God needs obedient Christians to take His Word into the jails, prisons, streets � yes, you will encounter dangerous people! Yes, you will encounter fakes! Yes, you�ll encounter users! That�s where discernment comes in at. That�s why you must be truly called to enter this field. It takes a special person, prayed up, fasted up, with a close relationship to God! The half-hearted better stay at home. I warn you to weigh the costs. If you�re concerned about the praises of man (see John 12:42-43), then stay at home! If you�re in it for money, stay home! People aren�t much into truly supporting prison/street ministries. If you can�t answer the call and sell out to carry the Gospel, God will replace you. If you don�t believe me, read Luke 14:16-24. The Harvest is great and many are needed to go into the fields. The time is short and the obstacles are great, but God will make the way. There are many ways you can answer the call of God and be �A Barnabas� to someone. You can get physically involved, you can correspond, you can finance ministries with tithes and offerings, with prayer and fasting. Each person reading this has the means to be a �Barnabas� to someone not accepted by the religious. I know there are those that have a colorful past that have never broken the laws of man. They are looked down on, not accepted by most. No matter where you are you�ll find a place where there�s a need. Stand up for God today and be a Barnabas!
As I close I urge you to send your requests to us. We care, pray over each of them and can put them on our website. There are times we need encouragement too! Your cards and letters mean so much to us. I�m in the valley of decision right now and I/we need your prayers. I ask that you pray for Pastor Kerry Yates, Evangelist Tim Hall, and their families and ministries. December will be the 4-year anniversary of Hi-Ways & Bi-Ways! God has done much and only by His grace do we continue. If you�d like to see Brother Derrick�s newsletter, �Goodnews Ministry�, then contact us and we�ll forward your request.
Love In Christ, Bro. Don George
Let Me Be A Light (Sandra E. Hanna)
Lord, let me be a light
in a darkened world of sadness.
Let me be a light,
and bring to others Gladness.
I ask for You to guide me,
and in humble reverence I bow.
On my own I can do nothing -
only You can show me how!
I ask for You to intercede
in all I say and do.
I ask for You to take the lead,
as I joyfully follow You!
I know not why You've chosen me,
to fill this calling so great,
But then 1 know You call us all -
to share, before it is too late.
What a beautiful world this would be,
if all prayed this together.
Then our light could shine brightly,
as we follow You forever.
I ask that I might shine for You today,
to help someone as I go my way.
I need not know what good I've done,
as my light helps others, one by one.
I only need to feel
Your Love and Your Presence,
As I follow You
in humble reverence...
