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Fall 2012

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PROMISES

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Last month, I sought a consultation with my doctor at Mayo Clinic. I had a small mole on my lower abdomen that had grown in size and it was starting to bother me. He examined me and suggested that I have it removed. After having it surgically removed, the specimen was sent to pathology. A few days later, my doctor phoned me at home and gave me the results from pathology. It was cancer! He informed me that there were two different types of cancer cells, one more aggressive than the other and surgery was needed as soon as possible.

Mayo Clinic is very thorough, and over the next few days they put me through a battery of tests to ensure that I was a good surgery candidate. I met with Dr. S., the director of the pre-surgical department, after a week of tests.

Dr. S. carefully reviewed my tests, and explained the reasons for each test and its results. She proceeded to ask me a slew of questions pertaining to my physical history, and then asked what religion I follow. I explained that I don’t follow any religion, but instead I have an intimate “relationship” with my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah. Dr. S. was quite baffled with my answer. I went on to explain what I meant by my “relationship” with Jesus, and shared my testimony and the Gospel message with her. She told me that she has been attending church for many years and never heard these things before. I then quoted John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

I asked Dr. S. if she would like to pray with me to receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and she replied, “Yes, very much!” We then prayed together with joy in both of our hearts. After I recuperate from my surgery we’ll meet again.

My surgery went well, and both surgeons assured me that they were able to remove all of the cancer. Once again: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).Praise God!

A SPIRITUAL DIP IN THE POOL

Our grandsons Austin, age 16, and Jared, age 11, visited us for a week in early August. We’re always excited to see them because they are good kids and lots of fun. Both boys are believers in the Lord and attend church regularly. Austin recently went on a week-long missionary trip with the Bible-believing church that they attend. So they are growing in the Lord, but neither has ever been baptized. Weeks before they came to visit, I had prepared four 30-minute Bible studies for them. We studied different topics each day, as I taught the need, mode, and reasons for them to be baptized.
It was confirmed to them that baptism does not save you. It is only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus that our sins are forgiven and we then receive God’s free gift of eternal life. Both Austin and Jared fully understood and believe that baptism is only symbolical and identifies them with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Messiah. It is a public proclamation of our faith in the Son of God.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”
(Rom. 10:9-10).

Austin

The Saturday afternoon before the boys left for home, we held the baptism in our backyard pool. There were 17 of us who witnessed this blessed event. I baptized both Austin and Jared with the help of David Wimbley, who is part of our leadership team for Tikvah BaMidbar (Hope in the Desert Messianic Fellowship). Each boy gave a short testimony of his faith and was baptized.

Jared

We sang hymns afterward and had a “pizza party.” At the end of the day, I knew that our God was glorified.

Thank you, once again, for being such an integral part of our ministry. It’s with your encouragement through prayer and financial giving that we are able to continue bringing the Gospel to Jewish people and Gentiles alike!

In Messiah’s love and ours,

Barry & Vi

Please send all future giving designated for: Barry and Violette Berger to:
CJF Ministries
PO Box 345
San Antonio, TX 78292-0345