Dear Friends and Family,
We are so happy to report that the sun has returned to our windows and we are able to bask in its warmth once more. Two months is a long time to be without direct sunlight! Even one day of gloomy weather in the Midwest has one hoping for sun the next day - who wouldn't want to go on a vacation in the winter to anywhere warm and SUNNY! This brings me to my point of writing you this letter today. Is your heart warm or cold for God? Just a simple question but how will you answer it?
I have been reading through Acts and Romans and I am surprised at how many times Paul gives the new Christians warnings to beware of complacency and worshiping idols. He has to keep encouraging them and give them the tools to stay Hot for the Gospel. Do you need to be encouraged and need some new tools, too? I bet you all have the most important tool already. No matter how many times you have picked it up with good intentions, please try again. Pick up your Bible. Pray for God to lead you to the passages you need to warm your heart back up for Him.Your Bible is the inerrant Word of God! The whole truth and nothing but the truth...wow! No exaggerations, no story telling, no fairy tales, no fake news - just the truth. The Bible informs us how to live right with God. Your salvation depends on you believing that Jesus paid our ransom with His blood by being nailed to a cross. Jesus went to hell and rose again to sit on the right hand of God so ALL sins would be forgiven and we would be able to have everlasting life with Him!
This happened over 2000 years ago in Palestine. At first, just a few in that corner of the world were touched and warmed, but the fire spread and could not be put out. Christianity quickly went from Jerusalem and Judea out to the world and its people. If it wasn't for these courageous early Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, teaching, preaching, healing, and demonstrating love in synagogues, schools, homes, marketplaces, courtrooms, ships, and desert roads - wherever God sent them, our lives and history would not be the same. So reach for your Bible of Truth and warm up with it - today! Enjoy the sunshine! Amen.
Acts 2:36-41
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God had made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brother, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
