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November
2009
Where is the Message of
Hope?
Like it or not, the holiday season
is upon us. Thanksgiving is around the corner, and Christmas
following right behind.
If you were honest with yourself,
how does that make you feel. Delighted, panicked,
bewildered, rushed, or hopeful.
A lot has to do with our priorities
and where we look for hope.
I was at the mall yesterday and I
am amazed at how sterile Christmas has become. It used to be
warm and inviting. Now, even the decorations have become
generic so no one will be offended. The problem is, the
message of hope has been removed from CHRISTmas, and now all
we have left in the world's approach is the "-mas".
The "manufactures appealing sales". And it all
hinges around the holiday that precedes it, Thanksgiving.
Romans chapter 1:21:
"For although they knew God,
they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him,
but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts
were darkened."
All because they did not give God
the glory and recognition for who He is, and they neglected
to be thankful to Him.
As we quickly approach
Thanksgiving, my heart is moved with the need to give God
the glory and the thanks which He deserves. To really
acknowledge Him for who He is and give Him the rightful
place in our hearts and lives.
Christmas has become what it is
because of what we have failed to do with the significance
of the holiday before it, THANKSGIVING!!!
I Do Give
Thanks
I want to thank the
Lord for who He is. I am so grateful for His love for us,
and His faithfulness.
Hebrews 10:23 says:
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for
He who promised is faithful."
I am thankful as I see
God continuing to work among His people and He continues to
save the lost. Since I last wrote I have seen God save and
transform a young man hungry for something better. Last week
at prayer I was with two men who God has restored to
Himself, and has put a love for God in their hearts. The
things of the world and its pleasure left them disappointed,
but God has not!
I am thankful, as I
continue to meet and mentor the younger generation, to see
the significant spiritual commitments of these individuals.
Their excitement,
energy, and conviction for God and His call on their lives.
I am also very
thankful for each of you. You are important in God's purpose
and plan for the things He is doing this very moment.
I would challenge each
of us to be thankful and prayerful as we enter this Holy
season of thanksgiving to our God and His Son Jesus Christ
who came to this earth on that Christmas day to be Emanuel,
God with us!
Thank you, Lord!
Please continue to
pray for this ministry and your part in it.
Rick Messer / Pastor of a church
without walls |
