A Blessed New Year to each of you dear ones,
As we begin the new year, may I ask you a personal question? How is your love relationship with the Lord Jesus? This is such a perfect time for me to think about the ways He has been faithful as I review the past year. Once again, I’m wanting to consider and be mindful of His day-by-day grace to me – which can so easily go unnoticed or be taken for granted. Join me?
Our first love: Shall you and I work at rekindling it as we move into 2019? “We love Him and we love our neighbors because He first loved us” (my paraphrase/translation). Dr. Fuller will be addressing our first love this month as he considers the Lord’s admonition to the church in Ephesus recorded in Revelation, chapter 2. So many of us have a lifestyle of serving others, which Jesus commends, but serving without that first love fervor not only wears us out, but also blocks those we serve from witnessing Jesus in us. How easily our attitudes can deteriorate as we become exhausted and complainy – speaking for myself, anyway. Oh, keep close to Jesus, dear friend!
Drawing people closer to Jesus is one of the goals of the Old Fashioned Revival Hour. The following letters encourage us along that line. From Matlock, Washington: “I love your program. It takes me back to when I was a child attending a lovely country church in Dexter, Oregon. That’s where I accepted Christ as my Savior. My pastor was a wonderful teacher. My parents were also baptized at that church. I would be heartbroken if your program wasn’t there. I listen every week. Am hoping this donation helps to keep you on the air and am praying that the donations come pouring in. You’re in my prayers.”
And from a prisoner in Visalia, California: “It’s Oct. 6 and I heard your broadcast of the woman w/ the flowing blood healed, Mark 5:25-34. I loved it. I’ve known Christ our Lord but was a half stepper for years. Well, I gave my life to Christ April 14, 2018 wholly. The change is great. It’s a day to day battle due to my own thoughts and desires, but God is Good and I cry out for strength daily. I’d like to know if you have any books, something to get me closer to our Holy Spirit. I do study daily and know God’s w/ me, good or bad days. I share his word when given a chance, but this world Satan has a grip on. But ‘He that is in you is stronger than he that’s in the world.’” [We sent him The Tabernacle in the Wilderness.]
Our loving Savior is the Good Shepherd who gave Himself for His sheep. And the CD we’re highlighting this month is “Shepherd of Love” featuring sixteen solos by Joseph Barclay along with the OFRH choir, chosen to draw you closer to Jesus. The price is just $16.50 which includes shipping.
Thanking our Lord for each of you,
Michael Khanchalian, D.D.S.