Pastor’s Note 1-1-22
“Happy New Year!” These three words bring hope and excitement this time of year.
Happy is what we all want to be. Happiness is a choice that we can make daily. We know what the opposite of happy is, it is sad.
The weeping prophet Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3:21-23; This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning.
We are happy when we get something new. New is what we like most. This new year offers new beginnings, new challenges, new expectations, new experiences and new opportunities. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17; Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The old year is behind us and the new year lies ahead of us. The next 365 can bring something new into our lives. We need a new touch. We need a new and fresh anointing. God wants to do something new for you. I pray we walk in the newness of life in Jesus Christ everyday. So instead of “Happy New Year” how about “Happy New Day!” Everyday can be happy in the Lord.
May God bless you in the new year!
Pastor Hatter
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Pastor’s Note 12-1-21
As we quickly close out the month of giving thanks and enter the season of giving, we begin the hustle of purchasing things to give. We go seeking to find that perfect gift.
While we prepare for the time of exchanging gifts with our family and friends, we hand out gifts from a store that will fade into obscurity. Those gifts that once shone with splendor, will one day cease to shine. There are some gifts that will find their way to the local trash pile or the local Goodwill store. We give gifts that will soon have no meaning or purpose and that was never our intent, but time has a way of doing that to things.
James 1:17 (ISV) says; “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father who made the heavenly lights…….”
There are several timeless gifts that have been freely given to mankind from the Creator of all things. The gifts of grace, mercy, love, joy, peace, healing, deliverance, forgiveness, freedom, faith, and miracles. All of these gifts didn’t come from a store, nicely wrapped in box, but these priceless gifts have been bestowed upon us from God alone.
The God of all creation, wrapped himself in flesh and dwelt among us. He came to a stable in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes. He gave the greatest gift of all, “Himself.” He is the perfect gift.
Pastor Hatter
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Pastor’s Note 11-1-21
God never promised an easy life or days without troubles, trials, difficulties, and temptations. He never promised that life will be perfect. He does not call His children to a playground, but to a battleground.
Be like the apostle Paul and say, “None of these things move me.” Few men suffered as Paul did, yet he learned to live above his circumstances, even in a prison cell. You can do the same. Refuse to allow circumstances to get you down. The Bible says in Colossians 3:15; “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be thankful.
Believe it or not, being thankful is the path to peace. Paul said, in Philippians 3:6-7; “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Taking the attitude of thankfulness in all of life’s circumstances will help you react as old Matthew Henry did when he was mugged. He wrote in his diary, “Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”
Can you have that kind of thankful attitude that brings such peace?
Pastor Hatter
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