|
NEWSLETTERS -> DECEMBER 2008 THE
WORD WAS MADE FLESH
(John 1:14)
John in the beginning of his Gospel
doesn’t say a lot about the birth of Jesus, or the Advent. In fact this
one statement here in verse fourteen is John’s only direct reference to
the birth of our Lord. However this one brief statement says volumes to
me.
This statement puts God in a
different perspective Not only can we know God better,
in Jesus, we have the assurance, that God understands us. The scripture
says “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as (we
are).” (Hebrews 4:15) For thirty-three years He lived among us. He
knows what it is like to tired. He knows what it is like to be hungry
and cold. A lot of those years He spent as a carpenter. I believe He
knows what it is like to have someone cheat on a business deal. He
knows what it is like to be misunderstood by His loved ones and
friends. He was tempted in every point that we are tempted. Jesus even
understands our temptations. He is a God that lived among us. In Jesus God became a man to
show us how to live. Listen, do you want to live life to it’s fullest?
Just live as best you know how like Jesus lived. Get you one of these
WWJD bracelets and in every situation look at it and do what Jesus
would do. He came to teach us how to live life at it’s best. He came to
show us how to really live. Not only did he show us how to
live, one day He walked up Calvary’s road and died in our place. He who
knew no sin became sin for us. He died that we could go free from the
power of sin and live the abundant life. He died that we could live
forever. No wonder the Host of Holy Angels came to announce His holy
birth. This statement puts the future in
a better perspective It must have been wonderful to
have lived when Jesus walked among men in the flesh. The Greek word for
dwelt is tabernacled. The Scripture says “And I heard a great voice out
of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he
will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, [and be] their God. 4 And God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for
the former things are passed away.”(Rev. 21: 3-4). What a wonderful
day. That day is only for those who have put their trust in Jesus. Have
you accept Him? -Jesse
Family News Jeff has been home
since October and is doing exceptionally well (see note from Jeff in
this newsletter). Although he has been unable so far to find a job in
this slow economy, he is a tremendous help to us. Linda is doing well
managing her diabetes with diet and exercise. Most of her exercise is
running after Ceana. I haven’t shared with you, but I have had a long
bout with depression. Thanks to the many prayers and a good Christian
doctor, I am doing quite well now. I intend to add this experience to
my testimony and my book in the future. Overall the Crooks family
remains exceptionally well blessed. Prayer Requests Please pray for our new president. This will be hard for some of us. Proverbs says that God can turn the heart of a king like he turns a river (Prov. 21:1). Pray for me and Linda as we strive to be good ambassadors for Him. Pray for our whole team and our directors. Pray earnestly for Clifton Road Baptist Church, our pastor, Jeff Smith, and his wife Bekki. We are growing by leaps and bounds. Surely the devil will be trying to get in. Prayer for your friends and neighbors who do not know Jesus. Ask the Lord to give you the courage and boldness to be a faithful witness. Pray for all our churches. The devil has launched an all out attack against churches and Christians. Pray for our family and all families everywhere. Pray for our slow economy and the many who are struggling financially because of it. From Grady John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The New Year always begins with a certain amount of optimism based on new resolutions and the desire to change. But right on the heels of those determinations is usually a pessimistic voice as well that taunts us with the thoughts of ‘What if’. “What if we can't? What if I don't?" Our intentions are great, however our actions are weak. Naturally, we want to do better for the Lord. But thoughts about our habits, reasons we can’t (excuses) and the fear of quitting really hold us back. Well, we need to remember we have a New Life and new tools! Jesus has clothed us with His blood; the Spirit has equipped us with gifts to do the work of the ministry with greater power and effectiveness. When you are covered by the Blood and take stock of your spiritual gifts, you simply feel the urge to start improving your walk with the Lord. Jesus made a huge investment in you to provide you with these gifts. You don't want to make light of that sacrifice or waste what it cost to outfit you spiritually. It's a new year! Put your new spiritual stuff on and begin a closer walk! It doesn't matter how far you go ... just start. - Grady Workman, Treasurer Schedule As of December 1 2008 Date Church Place 12/7/’08am Pilgrim Baptist Church Wilkesboro, NC 12/7/’08pm Caldwell Prison Unit Hudson, NC Our goals for 2009: twelve revivals, twelve “Miracle Sundays”, unlimited supply jobs, and special events. Please join us in prayer that God will fill our schedule by opening doors He wants us to walk through. Report from Reach Out Ministries, Our Missions Division Christian family, Christ Greetings from Reach Out ministry. You
may wonder why I do not open with the popular “Seasons Greetings”.
Well, let me explain. Too often we limit this greeting for the
Christmas holiday. It has been brought to my thought life that the
season of CHRISTmas is and should be a greeting shared all year. We
celebrate Christmas as the birth of our Lord and Savior. However,
sometimes we fail to realize that, although the virgin birth is a
miracle in itself, that Christ lived some 30 years after that and
performed many miracles. His death and resurrection is just as much as,
if not more of, a miracle as his birth. This in no way denies that the
three greatest miracles are indeed his birth, death, and resurrection.
My point is, let us learn to greet others, especially our Christian
family, with the thought of Christ year round. A Note From Jeff
Be A Part of Our Financial Team and help us
minister to smaller churches.
All gifts are tax deductible. Please mail gifts to: Jesse Crooks Ministries P.O. Box 2445 Thomasville, NC 27361
|