In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV) "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Oh how I praise God that He had a plan of redemption for man. Even before the foundations of the earth, God knew we would need Jesus Christ.

The word of God tells us (John 1:1-5 NIV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was with God in the beginning. {3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. {4} In him was life, and that life was the light of men. {5} The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." God wrapped flesh around the word and sent him to earth as a new born babe. They called him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.

If God cared enough about us to send his one and only son to earth to die for our sins, why don’t we, instead of spending countless time, effort and money on things that are temporal, spend countless time, effort and money on the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ? Take time to pray, read the Word, pray for someone in need and by all means be sure that when people look at you they see the love of Jesus Christ shining through your life. Jesus is the real reason for the season.

This month it has been five years since Greg and I founded Loving God Fellowship (LGF) in December 2005. We are currently ministering to 8,968 people around the world per day. Last month, Bible messages were listened to 5,964 times through Internet technology. We thank God for all those who send in monthly support that allows us to minister the love of Christ to people all around the world.

As you plan your end of year giving, please know for each ten dollars donated, we can reach 60 people per day with the Gospel and love of Jesus Christ.  By law, all contributions given for tax credit in the year 2010 will need to be received by midnight on December 31, 2010. Mailed in donations will need to be postmarked no later than December 31, 2010. All donations are tax deductible.

Please keep me, my family and the worldwide ministry of LGF in your prayers as we keep you in ours.

Partners in the Faith,
Rev. Becky Johnson
Co-founder
LovingGodFellowship.org

Dear Friends,

With all the stress and concerns we live with in today’s world I thought that I would share something more on the lighter side this month.  I ran across a paper that I have had for years and while it is dated somewhat I want to share it with you.  It is titled “God is Like”.


I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this month and may God bless and keep you.  Please keep me, my family and the worldwide ministry of LovingGodFellowship.org in your prayers as we keep you in ours.

We thank God for all those who send in monthly support, either online or by mail, that allows us to minister the love of Christ to people all around the world.  With the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons upon us we are reminded that the end of the year is approaching.  Please consider Loving God Fellowship in your end of year giving.

Partners in the Faith,


Rev. Becky Johnson
Co-founder
LovingGodFellowship.org    

by Rev. Sean Lawrence

1 Thessalonians 2:4-7 & 4:9-12  Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives--God is our witness-- and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others. Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.

About brotherly love: you don't need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.  (eSword HCSB © 2005)

Paul says that it is not leadership, but the church as a body, that is about God’s business.  This defies the conventional model that tells us that leadership is the church and the rest are but laborers.  It is the body that indeed defines the church, not a handful of managers.  If it is a cult of personality, known only by its senior pastorate, then it is honoring self, not God.  That would make such a model [potentially] a pagan worship center with a false god at its helm.  Avoid this.  Do not be tempted.

One concept of the new church model is the upside-down pyramid with the base (now the top) being made up of the body.  Another approach would be the hub and spoke model where leaders are at the center and the body radiates out like spokes.  Either way, the burden of the church is born by the body, where the real strength is, not by a handful of designated leadership types.  Our strength is in God, not men.

Primary mission:  pleasing God, not men, as Christ’s disciples.

Paul speaks to the activities, and the examples of the body, more than he ever discusses leadership.  There is a good reason for that.  Leadership in the Christ-like model serves and does not glorify itself above the body.  Christ pointed to God, not to Himself.  We would do well to remember that deliberate focus.

Yes, leadership has the distinct duty to direct and facilitate, and has a specific calling to help mobilize; but they are also held accountable for that calling.  Such a calling is not for everyone, but everyone has a specific calling.

Paul suggests:  love one another, be gentle, strive to please God not men, do not be greedy, lead a quiet life, tend to your own business, work with your hands, walk the walk, and do not be a burden to others.

_______________

 
Rev. Sean Lawrence is a credentialed minister with Loving God Fellowship.  He ministers and resides in Middletown, Ohio, with his wife Rebecca.

It's hard to believe that July is here and half the year has already passed us by. I guess before we know it Christmas will be here. Wow I don't even want to think about that yet do you?

As I have been considering what to write on this month, I feel compelled to share with you Hebrews 12:1-3:NIV:   "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."   These three verses are what help me make it through yet another day in this sinful world we live in.

With the world's economy in such bad shape and all the natural disasters let alone the manmade ones, we as a world people are facing tough times.  Many have lost just about everything one could possibly lose along with their self esteem and dignity. We truly are facing troubling times. But one thing I do know for sure is that God is still in control. He knows what you are going through and He will never leave you nor will He forsake you. So keep your eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith no matter what your circumstances look like. Run the race marked out for you with perseverance and consider Jesus who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that YOU will not grow weary and lose heart. So be encouraged today the best is yet to come!

We thank God for all those who send in donations that allows us to minister the love of Christ to people all around the world.  Please keep me, my family and the worldwide ministry of LovingGodFellowship.org in your prayers as we keep you in ours.
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Partners in the Faith,

Rev. Becky Johnson
Co-founder
LovingGodFellowship.org