Sisters and brothers,
Happy Monday to all! Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. We worshipped by singing songs of hope. Hope is knowing that all God has promised will be given. We finished up the book of Hebrews by looking at the gift of leaders from Hebrews 13. All of us have been greatly impacted by God-given leaders. There are men and women who have motivated and helped us to know, love and follow Jesus. They are not extraordinary men or women. They are simply men and women who surrendered to God and through whom God worked. We learned that everyone of us can be that kind of influential leader to someone or some ones. We all want God’s help to follow this kind of God-given leadership. We all need to submit to and pray for God-given leadership. We know that every believer and their leaders share the burdens and blessings of serving God together. We are also aware that God will provide everything we need to do His will and bring glory to His name. God-given faithful leaders help us to know God more intimately and live for the glory of God.
During the Christmas season we take up the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. You ask, “What is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering?” The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is an annual offering collected by believers around the world to support international missions. The offering was officially named in 1918 by Woman’s Missionary Union in honor of the missionary to China who urged churches to start it and give sacrificially. This offering is unique from other mission offerings in that 100% of gifts provide for missionaries all over the world. It is a valuable part of Southern Baptists’ 175-year history of reaching the nations with the gospel and vital to reaching the vision of a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 7:9). There are prayer guides and special Lottie Moon offering envelopes at the church building. Also, here is a link to the daily prayer guides for international missions that you can use to pray this week: LMCO Week of Prayer for International Missions – International Mission Board (imb.org)
Remember to keep praying continually for each other.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church