Be glad ... and have joy in the Lord your God

I received a note from Paul as he reacted to the destruction that is happening in our world. Read what he said:

“In my musing over the Christmas season and the Joy it brought to countless people around the world, I was reminded of the stark reality of life as it unfold before our eyes. My thought went out to the people of Haiti, Sudan, Australia, Brazil and the great tragedy of Arizona.

In times like this it is easy to spread blame, and demonize the other. My prayer is that we would turn to the source of Comfort, Hope and Peace.

Let me give you a portion of God’s Word as spoken to the people of Israel by the prophet Joel. Please read Joel 2:21-32 as he assures us we should have no fear because the Lord will give back the years that have been destroyed. ‘… Have no fear, O land; be glad with great joy; for the Lord has done great things.’

Read it, think about it and pray.”

Paul Weresch

Yes, Joel gives hope to the people of Israel where there seems to be no hope. And, just like the people of Joel’s time, we are given hope in words of the Bible.

Isaiah 34:4, Matthew 24:29-31 and Luke 21:25-28 tell us of the signs in the heavens … to “lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 to “keep watch” and “be ready” but also to “… see to it that you are not alarmed.”

The Apostle Paul warns and comforts in 2 Thessalonians not to be deceived or to become easily unsettled as the events unfold, because Jesus will keep you “steadfast in the faith to the end.”

Peter reminds us in his second book to be error free by “recalling the words spoken of old by holy prophets” which takes us back to Joel 2:21-32.

Yes, dear friends … there is much happening in the world today to bring sorrow to our hearts. However, let us listen to Joel as he says, “Be glad and have joy in the Lord your God!”

Larry Abele, Editorial Team

An Appeal for the family of Pastor Artur Suleimanov ...

Zina and Artur Suleimanov were pastors of Hosanna Church in Dagestan's capital city, Makhachkala

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Since the day those words were spoken by Jesus, many have followed that
commission given to us all ... and many have given their lives in the pursuit of that task. And, for every believer who has literally gone into the world of non-believers as well as seekers, many thousands have provided prayer and support for them.
Our brother in Christ, Pastor Artur Suleimanov, has Thursday, July 15, 2010 given the ultimate sacrifice in his attempt to reach the lost. Having been martyred in Dagestan in the North Caucasus region of southern Russia, he leaves behind, along with a successful ministry, a wife and children.

Christ will make sure that the work started by Pastor Artur will continue by raising up
another to fill his shoes. And, He will also take care of the surviving family, (wife and five children) by giving us ... those who stay behind to pray and support ... a chance to help that family with our love, prayers and financial support.

Out of your love for Christ and the Suleimanov family, will you please contribute
financially to that effort?

European Christian Missions is collecting the funds that will be delivered, in total,
directly to the family of Pastor Artur. You may send your contribution to:
European Christian Missions, P.O. Box 1006, Point Roberts, WA 98281.

Canadian friends may send their contributions to:
European Christian Missions, 5097-47A Ave., Delta, B.C. V4K4G5, Canada
Make your checks out to ECM and note: “For Suleimanov Family Support“

In His service,

Paul Weresch

Is God Real?

What happens when I start doubting God's reality?

I have been a Christian for over fifteen years, still, surprisingly, that thought did recently cross my mind. Is there a place for such thinking in my mind? Can a follower of Christ deal with that sort of thinking? Do you wonder where it comes from?

It comes from the garden of Eden, from the words of that same snake that asked Eve (who walked with God "in the cool of the day"): “Did God really...?” That Serpent loves to play in our minds. If we unwittingly invite him in he will do his job.

Is God real? How do I know that I'm real? Who says that I'm a man, that I'm human? Maybe I am just a worm who thinks he is a human? What wild thoughts! Still, many people struggle with that sort of ideas...

There is a source outside of myself which objectively says who He is and who I am.

“In the beginning God …” The first four words of the Source … the Bible. The inspired Word of God tells us who He is and who we are …

“Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

Satan will skip through your mind, no matter who you are or what the condition of your heart. But, you can throw that Serpent out of your mind, just as Christ did when tempted by him … “It is written,” Christ responded.

Is God real? Am I real? Yes! How do I know? Who said so? God! He said it, I believe it, and that is proof enough for me!

Alexander Shein – Editorial Team

DO NOT HESITATE !

Occasionally I meet people who are aware of their need of the Savior Jesus Christ but are reluctance to make a personal commitment to him by believing in his saving work accomplished for us. Although they have seen what faith in Christ has done for others they still hesitate. Their problem seems to stem from the misinformation given to them by well meaning religious people. Some people think one must join a certain church to be saved. Others insist that a person must be baptized in a particular manner. Still others claim that we must obey the “golden rule” in order to be pleasing in the sight of God. 
The Apostle Paul made it clear in his writings: it is not what we do for God, but what God has done for us that will bring us into relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
As we read the writings of the Apostle Paul we realize that God Loved us while we were yet sinners. Furthermore Paul makes it clear that it is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that enables us to be saved; which means that our sins are forgiven and we can be brought into an eternal relationship with God. Paul makes it unmistakably clear that, all we have to do to be saved is turn away from our sins and believe (place our trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have not done so, do it today trust Jesus now. Remember, we are not saved by what we do, but by trusting what Christ has done

Paul Weresch

*For further reference please read Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapters one to eight. Should you care to, please look it up on the following web pages: http://net.bible.org/bible.php