January 2019
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
As we look forward to the new year, we need to remember that the Lord Jehovah wants to bless us more this year then he has in 2018. He has blessed us with trials, so that we might grow in him, sorrow so that we might appreciate the joy that he has given us. He has blessed us with his precious son, whose life and death has given us the promise of Heaven as our final home to be with the Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
As I look back over this year, we have lost many loved ones as they have moved from this world to their home in Heaven. Our most recent loss is Brother Dave Ritchie who went to be with Jesus on December 20th. He is remembered as a man who blessed us with the Word of God in his sermons, testimonies and in his singing. Let us keep the families of our friends in our prayers.
Prayer Requests
One of our General Board members, Brother Robert Harrison, is facing a health issue that needs the prayers of all of our ministers and their churches. He is undergoing some test to see what is the best course of treatment. Please keep him in your prayers. He is one who knows and testififies of God’s healing power, however your prayers are appreciated.
Brother Tommy Stephens has let us know that he and his wife, Sister Donna Stephens, need prayer for health issues. Unless God intervenes, Brother Stephens has been given about six months to live and his wife is also having health issues along with the stress that a person has while caring for a spouse with life threatening problems. Please keep both of them in your prayers.
The Roving Pulpit visits with Rev. Tom Charlebois
“Sufficent”
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV)
According to Mariam Webster, there are three words that all mean the same thing.
- SufficeB. SufficiencyC. Sufficient
They are probably not the most important words penned on the Holy Pages of the Bible, but they should be some f the most important Words Written in our hearts, as we know our God.
Because, if you know him, you know him as all sufficient. He is God, as I tell everyone, He is God, and there is no other!
There’s nothing you can change or do, He is God!
He is the only god once was dead but now is alive. He is the only god who came to serve his people, as they serve him. All other gods, wheather dead or alive came to be served by their fallowers.
Look at our God.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (KJV)
The text literally means that God is sufficient for us, mentally, physically, economically and spiritually.
The Bible gives us this example: Jesus asked the disciples to feed a multitude. There was only 2 small fish and 5 loaves of bread amongst them. They replied, “Not enough” even 200 pennies worth would not be enough.
Without faith in God, there is never enough. But with faith in God “Break it”, “Bless it”, “Believe it” and feed a multitude.
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 2 Corinthians 5:4 (KJV)
Women of Worth/Helping Hands
We want to encourage our ministers to support the women of their church. They are a precious resource for the church and in most cases they just need a small word of encouragement to become faithful supports of the church in works and financially. Just as woman was created to help man so the women are there to help the church. Try starting a women’s group in your church this year and see how much God will bless your church both spiritually and financially.
Evangelistic Youth Association
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Here in 1 Timothy, we are told not to despise our youth but to be examples to them. How can we be examples to them of how important it is to serve the Lord and be active in the church if we are not prepared to show them by our actions? So many churches do not have any youth in them and so I am asking minister to start praying for there to be an increase in their local church.
If you have youth in your church and do not have a youth group let this new year be the year that you form one and show them that their soul is just as important as the adults.
How is your youth?
Mighty Men of Valor
Our newest ministry is for our men and we, as ministers, need to support them by forming a support group. Men throughout the ages have taken the burdens on their shoulders and tried to do it alone. Some have found good wives that have helped, some have found some friends however, most are still lacking in the area of fellowship. I watched a DVD by Dennis Swanburg about the importance of each man having a support group of at least three men that they can trust to keep lifting them in prayer while keeping their problems, faults and trust safe from the world. Where is the best place to find these men to form that support group? The local church.
Is your church creating a safe place for men to relax and grow in the Lord without having to worry about what others think of them? Does your church have a place where the new Christian men can learn how to be the man that God wants them to be? Let us make the year 2019 the year to make our men stronger Christians.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
January 2019
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
Be sure and wish these fellow workers in the ministry field, a Happy Birthday. As we know, we all need a kind word every so often to keep our spirits up so we can do God’s work.
Emilio Carrillo (24), Barbara Fox (22), Gene Wingrove (6) and Aaron Finney (10).
The spouse of our ministers can use an encouraging word as well, so please be sure to let this supporter know that you are praying for her/him as well.
Fay Dunlap (17), Bobby Markham (24) and Rhonda Resendez (7).
Lord, we ask you to give these couples an extra blessing as they work together in your harvest field on their anniversary.
Jimmy & Linda Martin (24), Robert & Roma Olson (3) and Keith & Tracie Penny Jr. (17).
Annual Renewal
We have reached the end of our annual renewal time and as of the 25th of December 22% of our ministers have not renewed. It is with great regret that I will be letting these ministers know that their credentials will no longer be active as of December 31, 2018. However, if they renew before January 29th, they will not have to reapply for membership and go before the General Board which will cause a change in length of membership.
General Board Members
Brother Gary Wingrove along with the other Board Members would like our Association to be represented by a minimum of 6 to 8 board members. To reach that goal we would like for all Ordained ministers that have been with us for at least two years to pray with an open heart and mind asking God this question. “Do you want me to become a Board Member of the IFGEA?” Then when God speaks, listen and then act on what God directs.
New Year’s Resolutions
Let us all make the resolution of getting closer to God during 2019 then we have ever been and therefore doing more for God then we have done in the past.