May Newsletter
"LIVING IN THE RESURRECTION POWER"
Praise the LORD we have received what we have been praying for, warmer weather! The wonderful colors of the grass getting greener, a variety of colorful flowers blooming, trees developing their canopy, and the rivers settling in their banks for the fish to start biting. We now have work to do out in our yards to maintain their beauty, as well as, in our lives and community. Plus, we have to make sure the air conditioners are working in our homes and cars so we can be cool. With that said, how blessed we are to live in beautiful Linden, Alabama.
I would like to share one of my most favorite scriptures with you this month. It is Philippians 3:7-11, "7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead (NKJV)."
As I write this article (and not yet knowing the outcome of our Revival), I do however, anticipate great things to come out of it. Note what Paul writes in the scripture above, he reminds us of what we should take away from it. Paul speaks to us clearly of things we have gained here on earth. He then expresses the importance of the Word of God or the knowledge of Christ. As we learn the Word of God and get to better know Jesus in our personal relationship with Him, He will strengthen us to live by faith.
As the Lord suggested to me the theme for the Revival, "Unity in the Community, building the Kingdom of God here in Linden, Alabama", He helped me to see, as Christians, we are one body of believers. To focus on the Cross, The Blood, and The Resurrection! More or less The Word of God being the Truth and JESUS our Redeemer!!!!! All of the Christian churches in our community love Jesus and share Jesus! We are on the same team! Therefore, we as brothers and sisters in Christ should act like it and not be in competition or against one another. We should live as the body of Christ and reflect His image to our community.
Paul also writes in Colossians 3:12-17 "12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (NKJV)
As you read this, Paul suggests we do many things to edify one another in the body of Christ. I do pray for you individually and our church; but not only us, because we are a part of something much bigger! Our community is just an extension of what we can be. If we want ourselves, church, community or country to be better, It starts with us leading by example - unifying and having a strong witness of the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT in our lives. I do know that Spiritually we can take back what has been taken away from us when we begin to understand the Resurrection Power of Christ Jesus. He has given us something the world does not understand Jesus, The Name above all names! Therefore, I suggest we learn about it and then use it for the building of the kingdom of God right here in Linden Alabama.
Please remember to check out our monthly calendar. There's a lot going on this month which will afford you the opportunity to plug into ministry to help build the Kingdom of God here in Linden, Alabama. What an exciting time for many of us. I pray for doors to be opened for those knocking and seeking to find. We also want to ask God to help us to become a community known for loving Jesus! With your help we can! May God bless your ministry this month!
In Christ Jesus,
Bro. Tony Antonelli