Newsletter

                                                                             November 2019
Dear Saints,

Here we are again in November and Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. It is the time of year when the summer heat is finally over and the temperature begins to drop. We have heard the sound of geese as they head South for the winter. It is the time when we celebrate the end of the summer growing season. Those of us in the city may not notice the time of harvest except that we see people decorating with pumpkins and gourds, corn stalks and hay. This is the time when we look forward to the end of daylight savings time when clocks fall back for an extra hour of sleep on the first Sunday morning of November. This is the month when we celebrate a National holiday and many of us enjoy a long weekend away from the work routine where we can take a breath and feast with family and friends.

If only we all could celebrate and enjoy this time, yet for some, it is the first holiday alone after the loss of a loved one. For others it is a stark reminder of broken relationships. Or for some it is another year of unfulfilled dreams. How can you celebrate and give thanks while carrying the weight of grief or sorrow or feelings of futility? It is just these times that Jesus came for as he said in Luke 4:18–19 (KJV 1900) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. People often talk about the need for repentance and we hear about the work Jesus did on the cross and sometimes Mark 1:15 (KJV 1900) “the kingdom of God is at hand” but how do we experience this? Notice the last phrase, “the acceptable year of the Lord”. From the moment the Holy Spirit descended and rested on Jesus, the demonstration of God’s power for the Church began. And from that time, this gospel has been profitable to anyone that believes as in Hebrews 4:2 (KJV 1900) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. But God has always been gracious to his people, even long before this. In the old testament, when the people felt bad about their actions the Lord told them in Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV 1900) Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. There is a time for us to mourn, but the Lord wants us to know he has something better for us. He has a Holy Day for us, a day to enjoy, a day to be filled, a day to remember his goodness.

For those of us that have received the gospel, Jesus went on to say in John 16:33 (KJV 1900) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Though we face trouble, God is with us, God is for us! So we choose to do what he says in the face of every adversity in Hebrews 12:12–13 (KJV 1900) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Let us as Christians follow the example Jesus gave us in Hebrews 12:2 (KJV 1900) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Let us trust God's covenant and thank God for the work of Jesus Christ. Let us trust that His love completely forgives us and that we are fully accepted and grafted into his family. Let us remember that the whole world will see him in Luke 21:27 (KJV 1900) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. This November, let have the mind of Christ and as it says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV 1900) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Let us face fully the challenges and trials and raise our shield of faith and enter in with complete trust and sing as in Psalm 95:1–3 (KJV 1900) O come, let us sing unto the LORD: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, And make a joyful noise unto him with praise. For the LORD is a great God, And a great King above all gods.

Serving Our King Together,

Eric Ross for Rev. Joseph

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