" David, upon purchasing the site of the Temple mount. 2 Samuel 24:2

God is pleased with sincere sacrifice. However, we cannot give enough to merit our personal salvation. It is a free gift of God's grace. But we who trust in the Lord realize that He is a giving God. And when we give back, we are following His generous example. We also are recognizing that He owns it all. Everything. It is His, including my money and my possessions. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." Psalm 24:1

Where the Temple ruins are situated in Jerusalem today above the Western Wall is a site originally purchased by David's sacrifice many centuries ago. It was offered to him for free by Ornan the Jebusite. David refused to take it as a gift. He bought it at a costly price.

The Word of God is filled with people who are remembered today mainly because they gave. Abraham was willing to offer up the son he had been promised. The Lord halted his sacrificial act.

When we give back to the Lord the tithe of our income, we are making a statement of honor and thanksgiving. When we give more than the tenth, we are recognizing and identifying with the generous heart of God. We give because we have been given so much.

Jesus said, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8 NIV

He told us, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 NIV Giving releases the blessing to flow back to us. God honors sacrifice.

Blessings,

Pastor Robert

for them by My father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:18,19

Walking and talking with God is life's greatest privilege. We experience God through prayer. Conversing with the Lord is not about all talk and no listening. It's conversation. It's about relationship. Fellowship. Communion. The pleasure of His company.

Spiritual revolutions turn with praying people. When you're walking with God, expect to encounter Satan who's going in the opposite direction. But fear not. When we pray, we can stand firm, undefeated: "But thanks be to God who always gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Effective prayer can be summed up in about ten easy principles. Here they are:

Thanks be unto God who gives us the victory.

Pastor Robert

31:6)

...never forsaken, though often cast down...(2 Corinthians 4:9)

When I was a child, our family often tuned in to listen on the radio to a well-known Dallas pastor, H. C. Noah. His program came on the air with the church choir singing an old, familiar song, "Never Alone."

No, never alone, no never alone. He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.

That is a comforting promise. As we enter into the New Year of 2013, none of us has ever gone this way before. We do not know what tomorrow holds. But we know who holds tomorrow. He promises never to leave us.

This promise was first made to the young fugitive Jacob, upon fleeing his troubled home. He was promised covenant grace and favor. (Genesis 28:15)

The promise was repeated to the people of Israel for their journey to Canaan. (Duet 31:6)

The Lord gave Joshua the same promise. Joshua became Israel's new commander. He was facing many battles for Canaan. (Joshua 1:5,8)

The Lord likewise promised Solomon He would be with him in his work. (1 Chronicles 28:9, 10, 20)

To us the Lord promises His presence and provision in Hebrews 13:5. Since the Lord is our helper, we are not to fear hardship nor persecution. We face the unknown with confidence.

The Lord is faithful. He will watch over us all the way to glory. The future bodes well for us who have the Lord at our side. He will by no means leave us nor forsake us.

This is cause for hope and happiness in the coming New Year.

God be with you,

Pastor Robert