Each month Pastor Riley writes a letter to encourage you, challenge you, and strengthen your faith.

Current Partner Letter

DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
“IMMANUEL-GOD WITH US”

Dear Partners,
As we journey toward another holiday, I want to share a few words of encouragement with you. As the world celebrates Christmas with all the traditions that we hold dear let us glory in Christ. As believers, we know Christ was not born on December 25th but we can enjoy the goodwill that seems to be the theme at Christmas time.

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) Matthew 1:18-23 KJV.

As you and I read those Scriptures let us rejoice. Verse 23 reads “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Every time I hear those words “God with us” my heart shouts for joy…Hallelujah! During this season, it is a great comfort to know that God is with us and in us. Christ is the Star that brings light to the world. The wise men from the East traveled to Jerusalem just to behold His glory and worship Him Matthew 2:1-2.

Before we allow the joy of giving gifts, spending time with our family and friends, feeding the homeless, enjoying a Christmas program that our children or grandchildren are performing in, let us join the great multitude and all the angels that worship God (Revelation 7:9-12). By offering the sacrifice of praise of God continually with the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name (Hebrews 13:15).

God loves us so that He gave us the greatest gift that we would ever receive, His Son. So I encourage you to not allow the spirit of this world to entangle your emotions by spending money you don’t have, complaining about your health, life situations, being so focused on yourself that you won’t allow yourself to see the wonderful creation that God has made for us.

I’m thankful for God’s salvation in my life because I know the thoughts that the Lord thinks toward me, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give us an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). We can be thankful to God because Emmanuel is with us. Friends and partners, rejoice because the Greater One is with us, in us, and loves us! What else do we need?

I want to thank you for your support through your financial gifts, your prayers, and your friendship. My wife, Marcia, and I are truly grateful! Thanks to our ministry team for their hard work, dedication, and support! We hope that your Thanksgiving holiday was full of love, joy, and thanksgiving. We pray that as you celebrate the Christmas holiday, you rejoice in the true reason for the season…Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! We love you and want you to know that we are committed to you success!
                                                              Season’s Greetings!

Bless you,

Pastor Howard