PRAISE GOD!
During the time of isolation God moved in some very powerful ways, the Church rose up and met their respective communities needs with the tangible love of Jesus. All around the world, the Church remained a light to their communities. There are many opportunities to join God is what He is doing. Joseph reminds us Genesis 50:20 that what man/Satan means for evil God can turn to good. The evil is so real in our world today, the “Good,” those things God is doing is far more important and needs to be our focus. Yes, acknowledge evil, give all glory and honor to God who is always at work in our world today (John 5:17). Our prayer focus is for Pakistan: April 17…Distributed 25 packets of food to those at the brick making factory as it is shut down during the pandemic; May 10…Distributed 25 packets of food to others because of lock down; who lost jobs during the pandemic; May 15… 4 baptisms From Pakistan: Two Pastors (Name removed for safety) had the privilege of leading these 4 new believers to Christ 4 months ago and were giving them Bible study regularly. Now the new believers were very excited to take the next step of faith in their spiritual journey. Sister (name removed for protection), one of the new believers said, "As I have come to know all about my savior Jesus Christ, why should I delay for more days to publicly declare my choice to follow Him"? Her passionate words of boldness touched our hearts and encouraged us to arrange the baptism ceremony even in the midst of covid-19. Her passion to get baptized reminds me the story of Ethiopian Eunuch when Christ was preached to him. He said," “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Praise God!! All the Glory to our Lord and Savior!! Amen. After the Baptisms we gave them all Bibles copies as Free gifts for them and for their families to read and grow in personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a moment and pray Pakistan and Missions work around the world! It is so good to take time to praise God for the wonderful works He is doing. Hebrews 10:23-25 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. One of the ways we can motivate one another to acts of love and good works is to share what God has revealed to us when we meet together. What is God doing in you? What is the Holy Spirit teaching you in the Scriptures? What Truth has Jesus taught that makes Him more real and personal in your life? God is doing in you so that you can be His witness to ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). If you are up for it take a moment and share in the comment section an adventure God has you on. What has God asked you to join Him in? PART 2... "Freedom is not free" Time for a heart inspection/checkup. The freedom we have to gather and worship the One True God, the God of all creation, was given to us through Jesus, God's one and only Son; His life, death, and resurrection. Jesus brings this freedom into our lives that we might love one another as we are loved by God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit, who first loved us (1 John 4:18-19). We love one another so that all of humanity might come to know Jesus as Lord, Savior, Prophet, Priest, King (John 13:32-35; Philippians 1:9-11; Ephesians 4:1-6). 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. NLT Jesus’ love for us must be so real and practical that our love for one another, the Family of God, and for all people will grow and overflow. We know that Jesus’ action of love was costly; it cost Him His life. Our freedom to love as God loves us was not free. I pray that the words "freedom is not free" never becomes a cliché in the hearts of God’s children. All of the freedom we have is because the penalty for sin has been paid in full for all of humanity by Jesus' blood. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9-10). We have no room in our lives for hate of people, for causing discord or disunity in people’s lives. The Scriptures tell us: Proverbs 6:16-19 16 There are six things the Lord hates – no, seven things he detests: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. Christ Jesus has broken the bonds of these sinful chains in our lives. The love and grace of God should so fill our hearts that all the evils of our enemy, Satan, are squished out of our lives. The Scriptures tell us: James 4:7-10 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. I have heard so many Christians say they are praying for revival, and that is so good, I pray continually for revival to come to my home town and this nation. I was convicted here recently about revival in my own heart. How have I come to God with a repentant heart and sought His prefect ways for my own life? Oh God, that I would humble myself before you and let you search my heart for hatred and squash it out of me! It is time, brothers and sisters, to Pray/Confession/Repent and get right with God! It is time to have the revival start with you and me! Let us love one another and all people with an over flowing love. As God’s holy priesthood “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
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AuthorDean Walker; Pastor Archives
January 2023
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