Ephesians 3:14-21 - "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Dear friends, We thank God for each of you. As we enter this new year, we want to take the opportunity to tell you all that we think of you and pray for you. As we head into 2019, the prayer in this passage is our prayer for you. We pray for God to strengthen you, never forget the power that He gives you through the Holy Spirit indwelling you. Psalms 46:1-11. We pray that He will be your source of strength, hope, peace, and joy as you go into this new year in whatever you face, wherever you go, whatever you do. We pray that your faith will grow deeper and stronger in this year and that you will continue to draw near to and abide in Christ who dwells within you. And that if you have never invited Him to dwell in your heart and life, that you would place your faith in Him. We pray that you would know beyond a shadow of a doubt God's great, deep love for you and that you would share this love with others. We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19. We pray that as you grasp the depth of His love for you, you will then seek your identity in Him, not in the world around you, but in God who loves you so much and tells you that you matter. We pray that His love will then flow out of you as you interact with those around you, and that 2019 will be a year in which we who are God's people will live His love in a powerful way among our neighbors, co-workers, friends, family, random strangers....that they would then also see His great love for them and the gospel of Jesus Christ will impact and transform lives.
Finally, we hold fast to the final verses of this passage. As we look ahead to this new year, we are looking ahead to the ministry that God has called us to in Armenia. We claim these verses as we head into 2019. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine for His glory. We believe He has called us to go to Armenia and serve with Pastor Jorge and Kristina. And we know that where He calls, He will supply. Please continue to pray with us for His provision. A couple of weeks ago as we were checking our kids into children's church at our son's church, we met a lady who asked if we were going to be coming to the church regularly. When we said that we were just visiting and that we are missionaries in Colombia, she asked how our time of furlough (home ministry assignment) is going. I (Cristi) told her that it is going good, but that sometimes it is hard because raising support is a difficult part of being a missionary and we still have support to raise to be able to return. She encouraged me that God has the perfect timing and that He is faithful and in control and will provide all our needs; to just trust Him. Then later after we dropped the kids off at kids' church, she walked over to me, handed me a check, and said, "This is for your mission." I was in awe and overwhelmed with gratitude. We went into the church service, and as we sang, it was difficult to hold back the tears as I thanked God for His provision and for His reminder that He is in control and is working out His plan. To God be the Glory. When I read this passage tonight, those last 2 verses stood out. God is able to DO immeasurably more than we even ask or imagine. I hold onto this truth and hope for our family in this time of transition and support raising, and also look forward to all the great things God is going to do in the ministry we will be part of in Armenia this year. We pray for each of you that you will also be able to rest and hope in this truth as you make your plans for this year and look forward to what God has planned and in store for you in 2019. We trust in this truth and hope as we pray for our friends in Colombia and Venezuela. God is able!! He is all powerful! As He works out His will in each of our lives and does more than we can even ask or imagine, His power will be evident to all and His glory will spread through the church and throughout generations. Praise His Holy Name!! God bless you all!! God bless your families! God bless your congregations! God bless His church forever!! Let us make His name known and bring Him glory in 2019. Happy New Year!!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Dear friends, We thank God for each of you. As we enter this new year, we want to take the opportunity to tell you all that we think of you and pray for you. As we head into 2019, the prayer in this passage is our prayer for you. We pray for God to strengthen you, never forget the power that He gives you through the Holy Spirit indwelling you. Psalms 46:1-11. We pray that He will be your source of strength, hope, peace, and joy as you go into this new year in whatever you face, wherever you go, whatever you do. We pray that your faith will grow deeper and stronger in this year and that you will continue to draw near to and abide in Christ who dwells within you. And that if you have never invited Him to dwell in your heart and life, that you would place your faith in Him. We pray that you would know beyond a shadow of a doubt God's great, deep love for you and that you would share this love with others. We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19. We pray that as you grasp the depth of His love for you, you will then seek your identity in Him, not in the world around you, but in God who loves you so much and tells you that you matter. We pray that His love will then flow out of you as you interact with those around you, and that 2019 will be a year in which we who are God's people will live His love in a powerful way among our neighbors, co-workers, friends, family, random strangers....that they would then also see His great love for them and the gospel of Jesus Christ will impact and transform lives.
Finally, we hold fast to the final verses of this passage. As we look ahead to this new year, we are looking ahead to the ministry that God has called us to in Armenia. We claim these verses as we head into 2019. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine for His glory. We believe He has called us to go to Armenia and serve with Pastor Jorge and Kristina. And we know that where He calls, He will supply. Please continue to pray with us for His provision. A couple of weeks ago as we were checking our kids into children's church at our son's church, we met a lady who asked if we were going to be coming to the church regularly. When we said that we were just visiting and that we are missionaries in Colombia, she asked how our time of furlough (home ministry assignment) is going. I (Cristi) told her that it is going good, but that sometimes it is hard because raising support is a difficult part of being a missionary and we still have support to raise to be able to return. She encouraged me that God has the perfect timing and that He is faithful and in control and will provide all our needs; to just trust Him. Then later after we dropped the kids off at kids' church, she walked over to me, handed me a check, and said, "This is for your mission." I was in awe and overwhelmed with gratitude. We went into the church service, and as we sang, it was difficult to hold back the tears as I thanked God for His provision and for His reminder that He is in control and is working out His plan. To God be the Glory. When I read this passage tonight, those last 2 verses stood out. God is able to DO immeasurably more than we even ask or imagine. I hold onto this truth and hope for our family in this time of transition and support raising, and also look forward to all the great things God is going to do in the ministry we will be part of in Armenia this year. We pray for each of you that you will also be able to rest and hope in this truth as you make your plans for this year and look forward to what God has planned and in store for you in 2019. We trust in this truth and hope as we pray for our friends in Colombia and Venezuela. God is able!! He is all powerful! As He works out His will in each of our lives and does more than we can even ask or imagine, His power will be evident to all and His glory will spread through the church and throughout generations. Praise His Holy Name!! God bless you all!! God bless your families! God bless your congregations! God bless His church forever!! Let us make His name known and bring Him glory in 2019. Happy New Year!!
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