“2018 - The Year of Others”

Happy New Year Church!

Courtney and I pray the Lord has blessed you beyond imagination during the holidays.  Our first Christmas in Tioga was wonderful!

As we enter the new year, that God has so graciously given to us, let us do all that the Holy Spirit allows us to do to reflect the heavenly light of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  There’s one thing certain about our Lord, Jesus didn’t come from heaven to earth for Himself.  Jesus came for you, and for your family, neighbors, and coworkers.  Jesus lived His entire life pleasing His Father and serving others.

As Christ’s Church, in this new year, let us focus on people outside the body of Christ.  Let us focus on those that have yet to hear and receive the freeing news of the gospel.  Let us wake up in the morning praying for those that are amid affliction.  Instead of starting your morning thinking about how you feel or what you must do, let us ponder on God’s will for each of us that day.  Let us think about and seek the Lord’s will on how He’d use each of us for His glory and others’ needs.

Let us do this out of the love that Jesus Christ showed the world when He emptied Himself for each of you.  Let us reflect His sacrifice with each of our own living sacrifices.  There’s nothing more beautiful than someone losing themselves for the betterment of others.  Let us be united in this effort.  To better understand and live out “The Year of Others”, Mt. Carmel’s new mission statement is:

 To please God by serving others above ourselves,

while sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,

through the saving grace of the Son and power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us establish 2018 as the year of others that will continue until the return of our Lord.  This time next year, let us look back at 2018 and see how your living sacrifices pleased our Lord, served others, and grew God’s kingdom.

Thank you for your commitment to the kingdom of God here on earth.  Thank you that you have chosen to be a part of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.  Beloved, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely.  And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it…May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24,28)

 

Sincerely,

Brother Daniel