JANUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
With so much excitement that has happened last month. I now want us to look forward to a new beginning in this New Year! I pray you will read these scriptures and meditate on them for a fresh start to the new year.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Suffering may be something we should get accustom to in our Christian lives because if you watch the world news you see people having to stand up for what they believe. This could cause suffering for many. What is more important is that each of us look at the turn of the calendar as an opportunity to become better for the LORD JESUS CHRIST with a DEEPER COMMITMENT TO HIS CAUSES. Beginning with self reflection.
As we start off this new year may each of us consider showing mercy toward others. As God has showed us mercy. Then may we think of how we can create in ourselves a pure heart? When we recognize we are getting sluggish, short of breath, no energy, etc... we end up going to the doctor maybe to find out we have a problem with our physical heart. Therefore, when we become sluggish in our spiritual walk when things seem hopeless, feeling all alone, depressed, seem like there is no way out of the situation you are in, we have to recognize there is something wrong with our spiritual heart and the answer lies with the Great Physician, JESUS CHRIST. If we will take time to pray asking for God's guidance as we open the Good Book, our Bible, to search out HIS WORD for the answer to our condition. However, the most important part of this prescription is to understand we have to acknowledge we need to go to the doctor?
Jesus said, in Revelation 3:15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." "
My challenge for you is to begin this New Year with a resolution for a more disciplined Spiritual life. So that the result will be pure hearts, showing mercy to be called sons/daughters of GOD inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven knowing our reward is in heaven not here on earth.
As we reflect on this scripture I pray you will see yourself as a vehicle JESUS needs to carry out HIS mission on earth. To show all peoples they are special in HIS eyes and they have worth and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Loved and cherished, especially worth investing in them. How does this happen? It happens with you sharing your experiences, knowledge, and expertise of what you have learned in your spiritual life, in other words, invest your time to disciple others to become stronger in their walk with JESUS, THE CHURCH, AND COMMUNITY. It happens one person at a time. Please let it begin with you this New Year. May God Bless you this month as you share and invest in others to become their very best for Christ!
Bro. Tony Antonelli, 2 Tim.2:15