Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

There is no other time of the year that spark such a mired of emotions like the short few weeks from Thanksgiving through New Years day. I whole heartedly agree that these days are “the most wonderful time of the year.” I was sitting out on the beach boardwalk the other day just to breath in the beautiful blessings of the moment. The white sands and white caps of the rolling ocean waves painted a picturesque canvas of Florida’s “White Christmas.” Yeah, I know it’s not snow in the “Winter Wonderland,” but you have to admit, it’s beautiful.
I sat there reminiscing over the past 54 years of my life and all that God has given me. I thought of my childhood days in West Virginia, sitting in front of the Christmas tree my dad cut down from the woods and mom decorated. Under it was a few gifts, but to me the framed setting said it all. I can’t recall how or why my minded captured such emotion that I still can remember, but I sensed then and still envision the very nature of God in the whole spirit of “Giving.”
Christmas represents the very core of Christianity because Christmas is about giving, “for God so loved the world he gave” (John 3:16). Study the dancing eyes of a child as he or she tears the wrapping paper away to expose the requested toy. Gaze across the table of family members laughing while they share their life stories over dinner. Watch your own face light up when your spouse, son or daughter or grandchild looks over at you and says, “Thank you – I sure do love you.” There’s nothing like that in the whole world.
I know this maybe another Christmas letter of the many you might receive, but please accept my words that is coming from my heart to you personally. As I sit here and write, my mind is racing over the dozens of family members, hundreds of friends and church family. Imagine with me that I am sitting with you over lunch sharing these words with you. Since you are in our personal rolodex, allow us the opportunity to tell you personally that you matter to us. We’re praying for you and wanted to tell you that we love you and yours.
Please let Jenny and I to wish you a Christmas filled with the precious gifts that only God can give… the joy of close friends… the love of family times… and blessing of glorious memories. May your year end with the gratefulness of God’s goodness and your new year spawn the kind of faith that offers a miraculous flow of opportunities. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With all our love,

Pastors Tim & Jenny McClure

Promiseland Newsletter 12-09

WE NEED ANOTHER HOLY VISITATION

A few weeks ago while I was in our prayer room in our house, the Lord caught me up in a Holy Ghost glory. While there, tears in my eyes, my soul full, He spoke to me; “What church needs is a Holy Visitation.” The time when this happened was when the world had become the most corrupt, perverted and anti-God. God’s people were slaves to an agnostic society. The Pharisees were the scourge of religion with blatant hypocrisy, corruption and living in total denial to where and how they were forced to live. Israel was spiritually dead. The darkness was so great, the only thing that could have ever saved them would be a Holy Visitation.
Since 1975, drug abuse has risen over 20%, crime 18% and aggravated battery 21%. Murder, terrorism and government and corporate corruption has gone through the roof. All of this has happened with more Christian Television, Music, Movies and the explosion of the “Mega-Churches.” Allow me to share my heart’s burden of what America needs today if we’re going to save our nation, families and future. Just like Mary, the mother of Jesus had a Holy Visitation from an Angel and the Holy Spirit overshadowed her till she became pregnant with a Savior of the World; today we need a Holy Visitation to impart in us a major shaking that is the ONLY thing that will save our nation, families and our future.
While walking in my neighborhood, praying one night with all this on my mind, the Lord spoke to me, “Welcome to Laodicea.” We’re living in a time when the church has traditionalized Laodicean as normal. We have created a new breed of “spiritual motivation” that we patronize weaknesses, failures and sins to the point that it’s a “reverse motivation.” “He’s worse than I am makes me feel good.” We used to be motivated by those greater than we are. Now we seem to glamorize dysfunction, failures and perversion.
“Woe unto those who call evil good and good evil” (Is 5:20). “God is weary with your words that you say everyone who does evil is accepted in God’s sight. Why doesn’t your religion hold you accountable? (Mal 2:17). Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for boasting that their “outside the cup” was clean. “Fools, you drink from the inside the cup.”
You say, Pastor it sounds too gloomy. What then must we do? “If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face, turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). The answer to your broken marriage is Get a hold of God and don’t let go until he bless you (Jacob). Pray, pray, and pray again until the rain falls (Elijah). Repent, fast a day, 5, 12, 21 until you hear from God (Daniel). Go back into the house of God, fall on the altar and cry out to God till he save you from your doom (Jehoshaphat). Your answer is not at the end of a beer bottle, new wife or new boyfriend but it is waiting at the end of your faith – knees.
What we all need is a new “Holy Visitation” like Mary had that literally turned her then world “upside down.” No, we will never see the salvation of our USA from legislation. Government is not going to save our country, only salvation can save our government. With nearly 1/4th of our nation’s work force out of work, worse economy since Jimmy Carter days, we desperately need to get on our face and plead for a divine interruption of our corruption till we birth a salvation.
By Dr. Tim McClure

Died on Christmas
Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. "In honor of this holy season" Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven." The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle", he said. "You may pass through the pearly gates" Saint Peter said. The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, "They're bells." Saint Peter said "You may pass through the pearly gates".
The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a couple girlfriend pictures. St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked," And just what do those symbolize? The man replied," "These are Carols."

Philosophies to live by:
* A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
* A pint of example is worth a pound of advice.
* The best vitamin for making friends is B-1.
* He who throws mud loses ground.

Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

COMING EVENTS
Dec 2009 – Visitation – Theme for December, 10:30 AM Sunday’s
Dec 11-12 – Christmas parties – @ a place near you – call 321-216-8030
Dec 20 – Christmas Interview – illustrated sermon @ Promiseland 10:30 AM
Dec 27 – The Door – State of the church address – Promiseland 10:30 AM

Promiseland Church
1855 Lansing St. Melbourne, FL 32935
www.promiseland.org
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