Dear friends,
I hope you have just experienced a wonderful Thanksgiving. We all have so much for which to be grateful. But life, circumstances and people can give pause and lead us to become discouraged. These last 18 months I have felt more vulnerable and stretched in my faith than I have in a long while.
What causes us to live above the circumstances? What helps us keep an eternal perspective and watch out for what God is doing in the midst of difficulties? The encouragement of friends is one key element. Also, an attitude of gratitude is so important. Ultimately we get that attitude of gratefulness from the Scriptures, and from God’s Holy Spirit. II Corinthians 1:3-4 says: Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of mercies and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Let’s give thanks, draw strength, and be encouraged by the following verses:
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. Psalm 100:4
Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy name. Psalm 97:12
He has remembered His loving kindness and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Psalm 98:3,4
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord O my soul. And forget not his benefits, as far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:1,2 and 12
Praise the Lord! I’ll get thanks the Lord, for he is good; for his loving kindness is everlasting. Psalm 106:1
With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise Him. Psalm 109:30.
You should receive our end-of-the-year newsletter soon. It will give highlights from the other cities and introduce you to our new staff and strategies. Rejoice with us for what God has done.
Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and involvement in this ministry. I am thankful to the Lord for all of you.
Gratefully serving with you,
Phil