“There is no peace like the peace of those…

whose minds are possessed with full assurance

that they have known God,

and God has known them,

and that this relationship guarantees God’s favor to them

in life, through death and on forever.”

James Innell Packer

James Innell Packer was the son of a railway clerk in Gloucester, England who was later named one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals by Time Magazine in 2005 and was the author of one of the best-selling Christian books of all time, Knowing God. 

You might better recognize him by J.I. Packer.

J. I. left this world last month after 93 years. Even in his infrequent times of positional controversy, he was always a kind and gracious gentleman to those that were on the other side of his position.

Dr. Packer was firmly grounded in his understanding and knowledge of his place in God’s family and eternity.

Much unlike the kindness and graciousness of J.I., most of us who have watched the television in the last couple of months, have witnessed just the opposite.

Anger, bitterness, no room for anyone else’s thoughts or position, anarchy, and chaotic destruction have been displayed over and over in bold and, many times, one-sided presentations.

Our own western world is now experiencing socially much of what the rest of the world has experienced for many generations. We have been protected by these forms of outrage and destruction for the most part by our “Christian nation” umbrella of protection.

Regardless of the reasons and the level of outrage, we may have all forgotten, on some level about…adoption. Our great adoption!

“Adoption is the highest privilege of the gospel.

The traitor is forgiven, brought in for supper,

and given the family name.

To be right with God the Judge is a great thing,

but to be loved and cared for by

God the Father is greater.”

                                                    J.I. Packer

Please pray for ITMI’s Timothy Keller and ITMI’s Nobuhle “Fifi” Smith to be protected and healed from their exposure to COVID-19.

Tim was hospitalized and is now home recovering from the ongoing respiratory and stamina issues. Fifi is now quarantined in South Africa because of direct exposure to a confirmed case of the virus during a ministry visit.

Finally, Dr. Packer wrote, “The Scriptures are the lifeline God throws us in order to ensure He and we stay connected while the rescue is in process.”

During this “rescue process” God is giving ITMI and each of you a voice and a presence in sharing the truth of our “adoption”, our “peace”, our “full assurance” to the blind and hopeless, to the lost and dying.

Thank you for being faithful to the lost of this world even now, during these times of tumult here in our own backyards. Together, we can make a difference.

In His Service,