The Pastor's Desk
"Pulling Down Strong Holds and Building Up Relationships" (2 Co. 10:3-8)

September 26, 1999

A New Experience With God, Thru His Church

Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, "Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know!…. "Thus says the LORD: "Again there shall be heard in this place—of which you say, "It is desolate, without man and without beast"—in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, 'the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for His mercy endures forever"-- and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD.

Jer 33:1-3, 10-11 (NKJ)

I want to remind you of our church theme from last year. 'On Our Way to Heaven Restoring a Spirit of Rejoicing'. We found the scriptural basis for this in Isaiah 61:1-4. Reflecting back on the 1997 God blessed us in the realization of that theme. I believe we were restored. This year we were too, 'Rise tot he Challenge: Let Us Love One Another'. I thank God that the challenge has been met. There have been some difficult days, as a matter of fact we are still in the midst of some trying times, but love has raised its majestic head and smiled in our midst. Out of the midst of tragedy and loss, God has bore witness of His great love. Returning to the shores of America I found that love had voiced a concern to heaven and heaven had responded, so by your love and God's mercy I am able to pen these words that express my hearts joy.

"Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. 'You show loving kindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them—the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts. 'You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons and men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of this doings. (Jer 32:17-19 NKJ)

Cast your burdens on the LORD!

Rev. Michael E. Coleman

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