We greet and welcome you today in the all-powerful name of Jesus Christ the Son of the living God. Our prayer is that you would leave here empowered edified and encouraged
Whether we want to believe it or not, we are in the last month of the year 2014. It seems like it was just yesterday that that January began. Maybe you made some promise to God that you have not fulfilled as yet. Well you should seek to fulfill that promise now before it is too late. Just trust Him for the grace and strength to do whatever you must do.
On the other hand maybe you have been believing God for something or for His intervention in some matter in your life. Maybe you have trusted Him for a breakthrough of some sort. But it has just dawned upon you that you are in the eleventh hour and nothing has changed for you up until now. You are wondering within yourself if God has forgotten about you. You may even be in doubt about His love for you as a consequence.
Let me assure you of something in relation to God our heavenly Father. He is a covenant keeping God. He came through for Israel by the Red Sea in the eleventh hour and He will come through for you. I like the way someone put it: “God is seldom ever early, but He is never late either.”
SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK
1. MEMBERS’ MEETING
Today, 6:00 p.m.
2. WARFARE PRAYER / BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday 12:00 noon, Lunch Hour Warfare
Prayer. 5:30 p.m. Bible Study.
3. CHOIR PRACTICE
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
4. HOUR-OF-POWER PRAYER SESSION
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 a.m.
5. NEXT SUNDAY
• Worship & Ministry, 9:00 a.m.
• Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to all those who contributed Christmas boxes to Samaritan’s Purse Outreach. Over 50 boxes were sent out to different countries to bless less fortunate children and share the good news of the Gospel with them. Praise God!
REMINDERS
* KING’S DAUGHTERS PRACTICE will be on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. in preparation for the upcoming Christmas program. All women and young people are asked to attend.
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
* CHRIST FOR THE NATIONS OUTREACH MINISTRIES is having a Callaloo sale after today’s service over in the Annex. Small bowls are $6.00 and Large are $10.00. Please give your support.
* F.E.A. AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM is in need of a Kitchen Aide to assist with preparation of snack. Any interested persons please contact Sis. Cynthia Brookes, Afterschool Coordinator, at 774-8433.
CHANGED LANDSCAPES
I LOVE MY GARDEN. BUT LIVING IN THE MIDWESTERN US DURING WINTER REDUCES MY BEAUTIFUL GARDEN TO A FROZEN, SNOW-COVERED, BARREN LANDSCAPE.
IT WASN’T LIKE THAT IN EDEN. EDEN WAS A BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL GARDEN YEAR-ROUND. AND IT WAS IN THAT GARDEN THAT ADAM AND EVE BASKED IN THE STUNNING CREATION OF GOD AND THE JOY OF PERFECT HARMONY WITH HIM AND WITH EACH OTHER. UNTIL, THAT IS, SATAN ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, BRINGING WEEDS, THORNS, DESTRUCTION, AND DEATH.
YOU CAN’T HELP BUT NOTICE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE LANDSCAPES IN GENESIS 1 AND MATTHEW 4. THE SAME TEMPTER, WHO ONCE ENTERED GOD’S GARDEN, NOW WELCOMES GOD TO HIS TURF—THE DANGEROUS, BARREN WILDERNESS.
THE WILDERNESS CAN BE A PICTURE OF WHAT THE WORLD—AND LIFE—BECOMES WHEN SATAN HAS HIS WAY. WITH ONE DECISIVE BLOW, THE JOY OF EDEN WAS REPLACED WITH BARRENNESS OF SHAME (GEN. 3). BUT JESUS WAS VICTORIOUS ON SATAN’S TURF! (MATT.4). IN THAT VICTORY HE GIVES US HOPE THAT WE TOO CAN HAVE VICTORY. A VICTORY THAT SHOES US THE ENEMY NO LONGER HOLDS SWAY. A VICTORY THAT ASSURES US THE DAY IS COMING WHEN WE WILL NO LONGER TOIL IN SATAN’S WILDERNESS BUT WILL BE USHERED INTO HEAVEN, WHERE THE JOY OF EDEN WILL BE OURS—FOREVER.
As you journey through the wilderness of temptation, Christ’s victory is yours.
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MEDIA MINISTRY
World Overcomers: WSTA 1340 AM station: Sundays at 12:30 p.m. & Tuesdays at 6:00 a.m.