December 2024 Partner Letter
Great Things Come In Small Packages
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”
God bless you members and partners! I trust that you are having a tremendous holiday season. We are only days away from Christmas and as some may say, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” I have always loved Christmas because the holiday pumps a great dose of love in the air for so many. We are looking forward to receiving gifts, eating good food and laughing with those closest to us. However, we can’t forget the “reason for the season,” Christmas is still about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is without exception that we as Believers should be heralding the birth of Christ for everyone around us to know our love for Him. Jesus is the greatest gift ever given.
The idea of “great things coming in small packages” is often used for gift packaging that seems small at first, but once you open it, you realize that it is a package of great value. For example, a young lady this holiday season may get a small box only to open it and realize that it is an engagement ring for a long-term commitment called marriage. The birth of Christ works alongside the metaphor of “great things coming in small packages.” In Jesus‘s case, He came from a small town called Bethlehem. Bethlehem was not the most desirable place to live in and it was not known for having many great people to ascend from it, however Jesus did. The revelation of Jesus coming from Bethlehem needs to be understood through the eyes of faith. We should know that small beginnings don’t mean minimal results in the future. In fact in God, it’s just the opposite, starting out little turns into very big when you're walking with the Lord. Hear what the book of Job had to say about this truth:
Job 8:7 (KJV)
Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
So, we see again this idea of starting out small and moving to a place of “great increase.” Far too many Christians today are missing out on some of the largest blessings of our time because they don’t know how to handle “small beginnings.” In fact, most Believers “loathe” or “despise” small beginnings. Hear the advice of the Old Testament prophet:
Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
In your Bible, highlight and underline this phrase, “do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” When God says through a prophet “do not do something,” it is not a suggestion that is optional. When God says don’t do something, it is a command. That is, every Christian is commanded to “not despise the small beginnings of faith and manifestation.” What does this look like you might ask? If you are believing for healing, thank God for every segment of manifestation. If your whole arm was paralyzed including your fingers, yet at a point you can move your fingers, “praise God loudly for the progress.” This is a small beginning but it’s a seed for more progress towards full healing manifestation. Soon enough by faith, you’ll be moving the whole arm in perfect health, praise God! If you are believing for a house and have $10 towards the down payment, save that, or sow it and thank God for the fact that more is coming; $10 can turn into $10,000 real fast when you start walking by faith. Further, “THE LORD REJOICES TO SEE THE WORK BEGIN,” do you rejoice to see the work begin? If God doesn’t see things as small, why do we? The key is to not despise Bethlehem, the small place. Bethlehem is a town in Judea. Notice how we progress from Judea to the uttermost parts of the world:
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
In the text above, the Gospel grew progressively throughout the earth. It started in one region but expanded to the world as it is today. Jesus started in Bethlehem, but now He is a household name everywhere!
What does this have to do with our ministry you might ask? Well, we are believing God for some capital expansions on our property towards a new sanctuary, K through 12 school, plane, Grace House ministry expansion and a national broadcast. I am not despising the day of a small beginning! Today, our broadcast reaches millions, but we can reach billions! We recently had a very successful meeting with the city concerning our building projects and are well on our way towards next steps in the process. What am I asking my partners to do as we grow from Bethlehem to the ends of the earth? We need you to pray and sow towards these expansions. Many of you would desire to get a great seed in by the end of the year, why not plant it into the tried-and-true ground of Kingdom Christian Church? Prayerfully consider being a difference maker before the year is up, I believe that partnership makes it happen. Thank you so very much for your continued support and I look forward to continuing to represent God and all of my partners on the front line!
With Love, Pastor Gabe