November 2024 Partner Letter
Giving Thanks Always for All Things
Ephesians 5:20
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Dear Kingdom Partners and Friends,
I still haven’t gotten used to “the goodness of God.” Psalm 145:9 declares that “the Lord is good to all.” I’m reminded all the time of just how good God is and has been to me. When I think about our quality of life overall, we are truly a blessed people. I, like you, have been the recipient of God’s goodness all my life. You may say how so? Especially when we’ve had some difficult days. Well, the truth is, God is good in difficult times and that’s why you and I have not been destroyed by difficult times. Jeremiah said it best in Lamentations 3:22-23:
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
The fact that we have not been “consumed” should ruminate on the hearts of every believer every day of our lives. Without God’s mercy, not only would we die a physical death, much worse we would be delivered to the pit of hell because of our faulty status without Jesus. But I’m so glad that Jesus died for you and I and as a result we can experience his “salvation” in every area of our lives; spiritually, physically, financially, etc. God is a good God! I wanted to start this letter off by reminding us all to never get used to God’s goodness. Say “thank you” to God every day, all the time, for both great and small things. I believe that if we practiced thanksgiving more, we would find reasons to have joy in our lives. We shouldn’t wait until we get a great bonus on the job or have the privilege of acquiring something material to say thank you. We should be muttering thanksgiving for our health, godly relationships, even things like gasoline and toothpaste are appropriate reasons to say, “thank you.” Our heart of thanksgiving is a divine set up for continued favor and peace in our lives.
With all of this said, I personally want to say, “thank you”, to each and every partner and member that was a blessing to me during my pastoral anniversary. Your words and your giving were beyond common and unprecedented and for these things I am grateful. Family, “thank you.” God is the source of all blessings, but the truth is, He often blesses through people. Church family, you are a tremendous blessing to me. I never want to get used to people being “good to me and my family.” Thank you so very much and as the old preachers used to say, “may heaven smile on you!” I love you all and I’m so grateful to you. During this season of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to take moments and reflect on the goodness of God. You will soon discover that there are more reasons than one to say, “thank you.”
With Love, Pastor Gabe
