168 Colonial Drive, Jackson, MS 39204
Senior Adult and Education Ministries
We are beginning to plan for the 2022 church year.
Please help us with any updates to your address, phone number or email address.
It is hard to believe that Nell Rose and I are in our 20th year with you. The Lord has been good and faithful to us through all these days. We thank Him that He has allowed us to serve Him with you these 20 years. And thank you again for your Christmas gift. Thank you for the Christmas cards and expressions of your appreciation this Christmas.
LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING - Received in 2021 - $7,839. Thank you for your generous giving to tell people all over the world about Jesus.
I wrote about this a few weeks ago, that it seems we are living in the days of Noah, when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. God finally got fed up with them all and destroyed them in the great flood.
Paul says in Romans 1:26 "God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves."
And v. 28 "And since they have not acknowledged God, he gave them up to a debased mind."
Isaiah 60:12 "The nation and kingdom that will not serve God shall perish."
BUT WE REJOICE IN THE FACT THAT OUR GOD IS A LOVING AND FORGIVING GOD. In reading today's article by Dr. Jim Denson, I was reminded that God's forgiveness is dependent on our repentance. If there is no repentance of the sins we have committed, then how can God forgive? Saying empty, hollow words with no indication of genuine sorrow and repentance will not bring true forgiveness. You know... I am glad it is God who grants forgiveness because "man sees the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" 1 Samuel 16:7. Only God can tell if there is a genuine change of heart or not. 1 John 1:9 but "if we confess our sin, He is faithful to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The beauty in that is that God separates our sins from us as far as the east is from the west... will cast them in the depths of the sea... and remembers them no more.
Dr. Denson went on to say that God gives us a free will, that is, we get to choose what we do or say and how we do or say it. I find it very disheartening that many people today have no concept of absolute right and wrong, or at least they have no fear of the consequences of their sin and bad choices they make. They don't fear meeting God one day and having to answer for their choices. There is a moral emptiness in their lives. We see much of it in the "entertainment" industry - accepting no moral responsibility at all. We should not be surprised as we have allowed sin to creep into our government, our businesses, our schools, and even some of our churches, pervading every aspect of our society. Hatred and distrust are rampant. People have lost their spiritual and moral compass. They have lost their way. We hear of too few stories of people who are making a difference by the wonderful choices they are making.
BUT The great thing is that we can choose to do what is right as well and be blessed by Him.
And we Christians have the wonderful opportunity and responsibility to reconcile people to God and people to people through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Becky Miller played as a prelude a couple of weeks ago a great old song that should be our best new year's resolution, "LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH.. AND LET IT BEGIN IN ME.
God, use us as your instruments of peace... and kindness... and love... and pardon... and grace... and mercy... and good will to everyone we see.
Why not write these things on your daily calendar and be reminded of what He would have you to be and do each? Every day in 2022 is a blank page on which you will write. What will you write on your pages today, this week, this month, this new year?
