Remembrances and Recommendations

What would you say to everyone on your last Sermon Sunday? If you had one more message to give to your family? Your loved ones? What would it be? The last word Jesus gave to His disciples before he left the planet were in paraphrase: ‘Don’t worry about time charts and dates… God’s got that. Just remember that power is yours when my Spirit will come upon you and you will be my witnesses all over the world!’  Do you think they believed Him? Not immediately. Jesus also told his disciples that He would be with them ‘even to the very end of the age.’

Even though the disciples would learn to trust God to a greater degree, they began with weak faith. But it grew! and God did use them to touch the world.

As Karen and I move on in ministry, we have many fond memories; many relationships that will go on while others perhaps will fade. We encourage all of you to LOOK UP first in faith to God in whom we trust. As great as leaders are, they are not the ones in whom we have our ultimate trust. As you look up, remember that God has given RESOURCES which are POWERFUL to build His house among you. You all know that God has given us a revelation of Himself through His written Word. And it is a WORD OF GRACE and favor from heaven which has divine power as we believe. Therefore, put it into action in your life! The result? God will build the house continually at Emmanuel. And don’t forget that your bank account in heaven is full and will never run dry. You will have eternal dividends.

From the both of us: We wish you a Happy New Year in His grip of grace!

Remember Isaiah’s prophetic word: ‘And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  (Isa. 35:10 ESV)