These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
~James King, pastor of Rock Creek Church
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“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.”
Isaiah 41:10.
In these days of great uncertainty, it is so comforting to know God and His Presence and to know that He is always available to help us.
~Dennis Murphy, pastor of Pleasant Grove Church
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These are very unique times in which we are living.
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Corinthians 5:18), because
“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His
purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
~Jerry Fugate, former pastor of Friendship Church
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“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
We don’t know what the future holds,
but we do know WHO holds it!
~Lisa Green
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MESSAGES OF ENCOURAGEMENT
During this year we have all been impacted by changes in the way we live, work, relate to other people and worship. We could no doubt add other changes to the list. But we can be thankful that, in the midst of changes in our lives, there are some biblical truths that do not change.
“For I am the Lord, I change not . . . .” (Malachi 3:6).
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is his faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Larry McCoy
Associational Mission Strategist
Elkin Baptist Association
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As we celebrate Christmas this month, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I pray that each of you will have a wonderful celebration. May God’s richest blessings be upon you.
“Call upon me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 3:3).
Charlot McCoy
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“The Lord is my light & my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1
Many in our world are now paralyzed by fear. They fear the corona virus. They fear being around people. They fear going outdoors. They fear the future. They are
overwhelmed by fear.
Time & again in the scriptures God calls His people to resist fear. How do we do this? The writer of Psalm 27 says through our personal faith & relationship with God. When the Lord is our light, our salvation & the strength of our life, fear vanishes. What or whom should we fear when the Lord is the strength of our life? The Psalmist implied the answer is nothing and no one.
So in these difficult days, let us not be overcome by fear. Rather, let us overcome fear through faith in the Lord. He is our light, our salvation & our strength. And if He is, then what do we really have to fear?
~Johnny Blevins, pastor of Elkin Valley
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