Daniel Nwaelene
When the apostle John described himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20, 24), he made it sound like Jesus Christ loved nobody else in the world but him. But in Christ there is no partiality or favoritism, as the apostle Peter said: ?Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons? (Acts 10:34). The apostle Paul reiterated, ?For there is no respect of persons with God? (Romans 2:11). The same John quoted Jesus Christ saying to Nicodemus, ?For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life? (John 3:16). I believe, like the apostle John, that I am one of the sons of God whom Jesus Christ loves and died for. This is in view of my realization of the love, mercy, and grace of God for me in Christ Jesus. I have not been the best person, or the wisest or smartest person anywhere, yet the Lord has blessed me with some peculiar gifts for service to Him. Although I am not yet where I expected to be, I am not where I was yesterday, all by God?s special grace. I was the founding pastor of Royal Priesthood Baptist Church, Aseese, Ogun State, Nigeria, before relocating to the USA, where I did further studies and obtained a master of theology and doctor of theology degrees. I am in the Lord?s service as a minister (associate pastor) on a bivocational basis at Community Baptist Church, Yonkers, New York, for the fifth year, where I was ordained. Before my call to the pastoral ministry, God took me through industry, where He gave me special favors, the testimonies of which are documented but not yet published. The Lord has been good to me. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit has used me and helped me to publish two books before this one. To God be all the glory. I am married to Patricia, and we have been blessed with two sons and two daughters. I would counsel, appeal to, and encourage you to appreciate God?s love for you today, and if you have not already put your trust in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, invite Him into your heart and life and be saved, ?For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation? (2 Corinthians 6:2).