Letter From Pastor
11 December
- December 09
- Thanksgiving always reminds me that if I would thank God more, I would have more to thank God for.
Thanksgiving develops an attitude of gratitude for all God has done for us. Many times my abilities are less than adequate, but I can choose to have an excellent attitude. That will always determine the altitude of relationships that can be enjoyed with one another. Our greatest statement of loving God in this world is always connected to how we love others.
I can only wish there was a way that Sharon and I could sit down at a table with you and say how much we love you and your family. “I thank God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,” Philippians 1:3, 4.
Take time at your Thanksgiving table to tell those closest to you how thankful you are for them. Remember everything you have in this life will wear out, burn out, or rust out, but relationships are the only thing in the world that have eternal value.
Christmas is only one month away. This is the day God said, “I would rather die than live without you,” and He sent His Son to restore relationships to Him with all the Humpty Dumpty people like you and me. Immanuel, God with us—God in us to become His Christmas gift to the world.
Recently, 400 pastors and leaders gathered together at our church for the Heartland District Conference. During that conference, Glenn Burris, President of the International Foursquare Gospel Church stated, “I never thought I would see the day in America that we would be in a battle for the Divinity of Christ.” Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” John 14:6.
A 2008 Pew Forum poll of U.S. adults reported this amazing and sad statement, “47% of white evangelicals, 49% of black protestants, 82% of white mainliners, and 84% of white Catholics believe that non-Christian religions can lead to eternal life.” Political correctness and tolerance have trashed the truth that Christ is the only one who conquered death, hell, and the grave. Merry Christmas—Joy to the World—Thank you God for sending Jesus—Thank you Jesus for coming.
Holy Spirit come and help us glorify His Name. Our only protection from deception is the Bible. B-Basic, I-Instruction, B-Before, L-Leaving, E-Earth.
When you read reports like this one, don’t be critical even if you are good at it. The Holy Spirit is a Creative Spirit and he will create life, love, and light to disperse and reverse the dullness and darkness in the church.
The church is God’s gift to the world. It is the Father’s Forever Forgiven Family and it is what Jesus came for, died for, and will soon come again for. Christmas #2 is only one scripture away from that great and glorious day. That scripture tells of His longsuffering love for all mankind and that, “God is not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance and everlasting life,” II Peter 3:9. Remember, you are the proof of the truth that God is real in this world today. I pray God’s richest blessing on you and your family. Let’s celebrate the greatest love story ever told. Pastor Jim
posted at 08:29:51 on 12/11/09
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