I am honored to have been impacted by you and to have had you as my pastor. Ephesians 4:4-12 says, And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.
I am thankful to our God that you fit that description. By this, I know that it was God who led you to Better Days International and it is God who kept you there.
On Sundays during the announcements you fondly say “if you are here in Better Days International, then your days are already better.
One of your favorite verse was: Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches;….
I have so many memories and lovely moments with you but a few stand out:
I remember when I just came to BDI, in one of my interactions with you; I asked whether there was a way that I could read and understand the word? Then during the Christmas of that year, I received a gift from the Atanga family. It was a book titled: Adventuring through the Bible by Ray Stedman. Inside the cover of the book was written “Merry Christmas! May the light of Christ be all over you as you enter into the 3rd prophetic year with the word of God? This is so true of Pastor Jackson: always listening and figuring out how he could be of help leading anyone to the Lord. I had no idea then how strong that light of Christ will hit me
During the preparation for Foundation classes, I assisted you in putting it together, you had asked me to take over the responsibility of teaching the foundation class, so that you can tackle other activities in other ministries; I resisted but you forged ahead teaching the foundation classes. I guess now I get the message.
You also gave me some Bible verses to be meditating on:
There were seven areas and in each area you recommended three verses. It is now dawning on me that there was a message in these recommendations. It is very clear to me that these numbers 7 and 3 biblically means something. I am praying for the message to be revealed to me.
The areas were:
1. Prayer
Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
Mark 11:24 - Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].
2. Appreciation
Psalms 37:23 - The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way
1 Thessalonians 1:3 - Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.
1 Corinthians 2:9 - But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
3. Hope
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
4. Forgiveness
Mark 11:25 - And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
5. Healing
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 53:5 - But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6. Fear
2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.
7. Strength
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your God [is] he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
Thank you, Pastor for allowing the Lord to use you to do great things before going to meet him. We love you and I pledge to keep the flame you ignited in me burning and to keep your legacy.
DeGaulle Cabinda MD