MAY 2015 NEWSLETTER
Greetings in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD! I pray everyone has had a blessed Easter season and a Spiritual renewal from the events of Easter. The 2nd Annual Community Revival was exciting and many participated in the event. I would like to personally thank you for giving of your time, offerings and presence to the Community Revival. We had 565 people attend and collected a total of $2865.42. God is Good! All The Time! Our Linden Area Ministerial Association's goal was accomplished! Getting our community together to share One Lord, One Spirit and One Body in one place!
I want us to think about a scripture dear to my heart. It is Romans 12:1-2, subtitled in my Bible, Living Sacrifices to God, 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)
In my devotional book, Holiness and High Country, by A.F. Harper he writes about Reasonable Service. Paul called this act of entire consecration a "reasonable service." He knew that God required it: he entreated his fellow Christians to do it; but he insisted that it was what every thoughtful Christian should freely choose to do.
Self-surrender is a reasonable requirement because it is a requirement that every person can meet. If God required talent, some of us would be shut out; if He asked for money, some could net pay. But when God asks for the surrender of myself, He asks for that which is wholly within my power. Jesus did not ask the rich young ruler to sell property belonging to his father, his brother, or his business partner. The requirement concerned only that which was his own; "Go and sell that thou hast." Consecration is reasonable because it is the one condition clearly within your power to meet.
Is it not reasonable also in view of what God has done for you? He gave you life; should we not freely share that life with Him? He gave His only Son to die for our sins; should we not in turn gladly renounce all sin? He offers us eternal life; is it not reasonable that we should accept that offer?
God has made us for Himself, and our heart should be hungry for Him. There is just one thing that keeps us from our heart's desire--the unwillingness to give ourselves fully over to Him.
We can change as an individual, church, community or nation. Little by little as we pray, read and study the Word of God, The Holy One of God (Prov. 9:10) will help us to gain understanding and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Renewal is a regenerated spirit –– one with passion and desire to go deeper with Jesus, to Serve Him, to be His example for others. It is Living for JESUS! Becoming His cheerleader -– encouraging others to try what you know to be the TRUTH! As you ponder what has been written let me close with Paul's words in Philippians 4:8-9:
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Have a blessed month of ministry and may God help you to see clearer the Charge to Keep -- Living for JESUS! Blessings!
In Christ Jesus,
Bro. Tony Antonelli