Ting, ting goes the sleet on the chimney. Greetings brothers and sisters. May this note find you warm and comfortable. The new year is unfolding to us, bringing new thoughts and opportunities, ways to help proclaim the gospel and share the good news of Christ. Are you ready? We all have been called, indeed we have. Now what can I mean? Over the years that I have been writing this, I have mentioned things that we find in the words of Jesus and His apostles. The work is the same, the people still have our human nature. God asks of us to plant the seed, He does the rest through the Holy Spirit. The work is real, the work needs to be done. Come, fellowship, grow in the faith of Love and spread the Word.
Isaiah 43:1-7 But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! 2)”When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. 3)”For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. 4)”Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. 5)”Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. 6)”I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, 7)Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” Do you see the reference here of “when you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, or the flame will burn you.” What does that say to you? Yes, we will walk through that fire!
Psalm 29 1)Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2)Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. 3)The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD is over many waters. 4)The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is majestic. 5)The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6)He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7)The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire. 8)The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9)The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve and strips the forest bare; and in His temple everything says, “Glory!” 10)The LORD sat as king at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. 11)The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace. Just imagine, as only God speaks and these things will happen. What about when He raises His hand!
Acts 8:14-17 14)Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15)who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16)For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the mane of the Lord Jesus. 17)Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. These apostles were doing the work that Jesus asked them to. Immediately, upon hearing that these Samarians had knowledge and accepted Christ, they moved to bring to them the Holy Spirit. The work of us for Christ.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 15)Now while the people where in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, 16)John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptized you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17)”His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” John clarifies who is in control and let’s us know what is to come.
Through Christ, seek God,
D.J. Schoneweis