First Assembly of God - Harrisonburg, Virginia: First Assembly of God Newsletter

1310 Garber's Church Rd. | Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | 540.433.8687


First Assembly of God Newsletter October 2009
	Sometimes the circumstances of our lives are not always the best. In fact, they may be downright bad, but still there is always something positive for which we can be thankful if we look hard enough! A positive, thankful person is a great witness in this dark world. We only shine when we are thankful. Instead of looking at the negatives in our lives and complaining, we must look for the positives and be quick to give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Giving thanks is God's will for our lives. It is what pleases the Lord most. As Americans, we can sometimes do some crazy things. We will do almost anything to have fun, and then complain when we can't get out of bed to go to work the next day. Someone said, "We worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship. 2 Timothy 3:4-5 “warns us that in the last days men will be "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Godhaving a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment and we often enjoy it too much. It is alright to enjoy the blessings of God, but not to the extent where this is our main focus. We are not to focus on the gifts but rather the giver of the gifts. James 1:17 reminds us that "every good and perfect gift is from above..." It's okay to enjoy the blessings of God, but not to the point where they become the main focus of our lives and God is pushed to the sidelines or completely forgotten. A few years ago, the cartoon 'Peanuts' pictured Charlie Brown bringing Snoopy his dinner on Thanksgiving Day. But it was just his usual dog food in his bowl. Snoopy took one look at his bowl and said, "This isn't fair. The rest of the world is eating turkey with all the trimmings and all I get is dog food." He stands there and looks at his dog bowl for a moment and says, "I guess it could be worse. I could be a turkey." Instead of thinking how little we have, we need to count our blessings and give thanks. In closing, let me list some things that I am thankful for:
	the taxes I pay because it means I'm employed the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need cleaned out because it means I have a home the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means that I am capable of walking all the complaining I hear about our government because it means that we have freedom of speech the person behind me in church that sings off key because it means that I can hear the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby the alarm that goes off in the morning hours because it means that I am alive the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive
	I'm sure that you would agree with me, there is much to be thankful for. — Pastor Jeff

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR NOTES	Statistics indicate that at least 3% of all U.S. households are victims of identity theft every year, so it pays to be very careful with your personal information. Given today’s economic climate I suspect that this type of illegal activity is on the increase. We all need to be sure that we are very careful with our personal financial information to protect our assets from unscrupulous individuals. In July of 2006 I wrote to you about how to obtain a free credit report to help guard yourself against identity theft. I am sure that you all remember every word I wrote, but just in case you don’t, I think it bears repeating at this time. So, how do you get a free credit report? The Fair Credit Reporting Act established one (and only one) way for obtaining a free credit report from any of three nationwide credit reporting companies. Be aware that this is not the one you see so prominently advertised in the catchy TV ads. You can access the truly free site via the internet at annualcreditreport.com. You can also request a report via telephone by calling 1-877-322-8228. I have requested my credit report several times via the internet. Usually after less than five minutes of entering and verifying information I have instant access to my report which I can print for my records. So far I have been pleased to find that everything has been okay on my credit reports. Things you might see on a credit report include: mortgages; car loans; credit card accounts; other charge accounts; balances owed; payment history; accounts in good standing; accounts currently past due; negative account history; arrests; law suits filed against you; bankruptcy filings; and inquiries by companies for your credit file. If you are the unfortunate victim of identity theft you might also see information indicating unauthorized use of your identity. The Credit Report provides you with guidelines on how to correct inaccurate information and how to report unauthorized activity in your accounts. There are three nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You are entitled to one free report from each of these companies every year. That means you can get three free credit reports per year. You can order all three at once or stagger them throughout the year. I believe there is merit to ordering a report on a rotating basis from these companies about every four months. That way you can stay relatively current on what your credit report is showing. Be aware that any offer of a “free credit report” or “free credit score” is not part of the government mandated free annual credit report program. By signing up for one of these “free” services you most likely will end up paying for something later on if you don’t immediately cancel your subscription. Keep in mind that it takes a lot of income for a company to pay for those catchy TV ads. It is an unfortunate fact of life that there are many people out there who will readily use devious, or even illegal means for personal gain at someone else’s expense. One way we can be a good steward of what God has blessed us with is to exercise wisdom when it comes to protecting our identity, and our financial assets. Proverbs 2:10-15 says that when wisdom enters our heart it will deliver us from evil and those whose ways are devious or crooked. — Steve Parsons

	I want to thank you so much for your support over these past few years. On Sept. 13th, which was Chi Alpha Sunday we wanted to give you a chance to see what you make possible. I couldn’t minister to students without your faithful love, prayer, and support. We are blessed to be training the leaders of tomorrow and be vessels that God is using to impact these students’ lives as He has entrusted us with them while they are here. I am so encouraged daily knowing I am not alone in being a minister to these students, but knowing we have a loving church behind us praying and bringing to the table the spiritual wisdom that we so desperately need. It is my privilege to serve here with you. I usually am not in the book of Lamentations, but this Scripture has really been on my heart lately: “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-24 NASB. It makes me think of the hymn of old, “Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God, My Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee, Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not, as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be”. The author of Lamentations had hope because that write chose to recall the lovingkindness of the Lord. His compassions never fail. There are times when you come across something in the Word and it is good just to sit and meditate. Think about that. God’s lovingkindnesses for _____ never cease. God’s compassion for _____ never fails. Put your name in the blank because this Word is for you personally. He is a God who cares about you personally, wanting to speak straight to your heart. Think about that. Do you start to feel your hope rising too? Meditate means to think about something over and over—Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “to focus one’s thoughts on: reflect on or ponder over.” As you focus your thoughts on the verses above be encouraged as you are reminded of the great, enormous love that God has for you specifically. — Pastor Stephanie Grant