Pastor's Thoughts: November

On October 27, we had a reception for Pastor Appreciation Day. Many of you joined us in the Fellowship Hall and enjoyed a time of fellowship. It was a great time together. Many of you also gave gifts to show your gratitude. Thank you so much for all the kind words that were written in those cards and the gifts that you gave. My family and I greatly appreciate all those offerings of support and gratitude. I want to say thank you to all of you for all the prayers and kind words that all of you express throughout the year. New Hope is such a kind and caring church, and I am blessed to be your pastor. My heart is full, and I am greatly encouraged by all of you.  I am so grateful that God called me to be the pastor here at New Hope, and I look forward to many more years of serving as your pastor. God bless you, church. 

I know that all the stores are already decorating for Christmas, and it seems that Thanksgiving seems like it is almost a lost holiday between Halloween and Christmas. However, I believe that Thanksgiving is a holiday that we cannot overlook. After all, we are, out of all the people in the world, the ones who have every reason to be thankful. Through faith in Christ, we have been forgiven of our sins and have been adopted into the family of God. We are all sons and daughters of the one true living God. The Heavenly Father is our Father. He has given us salvation through His Son, and He has given us His presence through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our Father pours out spiritual and physical blessings on His people in abundance. God is so good, and He is our Father. As we look forward to spending the Thanksgiving holiday with our families, let us never forget all the reasons that we have to give thanks. We ought to be a thankful people. 

11/9 @ 10:00 a.m.  - 12:00 p.m. - Production (Audio, Video, & Lighting) Traning
If you are interested in technology at all, this is a great place for you to serve at New Hope. The need for help with the production team has increased significantly since the remodel. Andrew, from Learner Productions, will be here to help train everyone interested in serving.

11/16 @ 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast
All men are welcome to enjoy a great breakfast and time of fellowship. During our fellowship, there is a time of encouragement as we have a time of devotion and prayer.

11/23 @ 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Thanksgiving Baskets
Make plans to join us at Bayshore Park in Bacliff as we partner with the Light Christian Ministries to distribute Thanksgiving baskets to those who are in need in our area. New Hope will be hosting a booth where we will give popcorn out. There will be great opportunities to share the gospel with people who are there.

11/24 @ 12:00 p.m. - Thanksgiving Fellowship Meal
Join us after the worship service for a Thanksgiving fellowship meal. We will have great food and a great time of fellowship together. 

The Southern Baptist of Texas Convention (SBTC) will be having its annual meeting on 11/11-11/12 at Sagemont Church. Please be in prayer for our state convention as we continue to conduct business for the convention. The decisions that are made are important to our church and other cooperating churches as strive to work together to ensure that the Great Commission is fulfilled in Texas and beyond. 

I believe that we might be living in one of the most difficult times in our nation's history. I say that because, from what I can see, it seems that our nation is so divided by political agendas. We are perhaps living in the second most divided time in our history, second only to the Civil War. I am not sure what is going to happen with this election. I do not know if any president is actually going to make things better or worse. I do not know if there is a president that can unite our nation again. In fact, I would say that when it comes to this election, there is a lot that I do not know.

However, there are some things that I do know. I know that no matter who ends up in the White House, Jesus is still on His throne. I know that no matter what happens to our nation, God is still good. I know that no matter how bad things might get, our hope is secure in Christ. I know that whether or not our nation endures, the church will. I know that we can trust our God no matter what comes our way, and that should give us the confidence to endure whatever may come our way.

There are two things that I would like to encourage you with during this election. First, God has given us a wonderful governmental structure that allows us to have a voice in the matter of our leaders. As faithful Christian men and women, we should take the responsiblility to vote seriously and ensure that we do our part by voting. Second, no matter your political position, the other side is not your enemy. Jesus is not a democrate or a republican. Jesus died for the sins of the world so that all might be saved through faith in Him, including democrates and republicans. We need to understand that if we really want to see our nation change, it is going to happen as God uses His church to reach people with gospel and change their hearts; not because the right leader is in the White House. We need to be obey the Lord by making disciples so that we can see our nation change in a way that honors God. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to You today on behalf of New Hope. I pray that You will continue to work through Your church for Your glory. Father, I pray that You would help us connect with all the people that You are bringing to New Hope. I ask that You would empower us with Your Spirit to be a church that is bold in proclaiming the gospel of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Father, You are so good! We praise You with our lives. Thank You for Your faithfulness to New Hope. Help us to live in faithfulness to You!

In Christ,
Pastor Ben