Why Do We Give Thanks?

On October 3, 1789, President George Washington gave the first proclamation concerning Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. The first part of the declaration reads as follows:

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness: Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of the great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."

Wow, that sure doesn't sound very politically correct does it? Psalm 107:1 says, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." Then in verses 21-22, the Psalmist goes on to say, "Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy."

Just as the forefathers of our country gave thanks to the Lord, let us do the same today. As individuals or as a nation,  I believe that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)



We are now accepting requests for speaking engagements around the U.S. for 2011. Our ministry partner, Pastor Johnpaul Pinapati, and our President, Russ Sharrock, would love an opportunity to come and speak to your church, youth group, or home group. We will be available from May 5-June 20 depending on your location. Please Contact Us to schedule a date.


Prayer Points:
Pray for the HIV/AIDS patients who are shunned by society 
Pray for the Women and young girls trapped in a life of prostitution 
Pray for an increase in the number of monthly givers to allow us to reach a greater 
number of people with the gospel 
Prayer for continued giving to complete the building of the new Children's Home

 

 

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How To Prepare for Next Summer's Mission Trip, Now

I realize it's only November, but there are several things you can do to prepare for next summer's mission trip now. To get the most out of the week or two you'll spend on mission next year, here's what you can be doing between now and then to get ready:

Pray
It may be a "given", but it doesn't hurt to remind you to be praying about every aspect of your trip. Now's a great time to start praying about where God would send you and what you can be doing to prepare.

Research
If you haven't decided on a destination or with what organization, then now is the time to begin your research. Don't forget to check out the mission trips we offer at AIM. Find out about the different needs around the world and what God is doing in the nations through the various mission websites, and then join Him there.

Plan
November is a great month to begin making plans about next summer. Once you've prayed and done the research, it's time to decide on the right trip for you. Even if you haven't made the final decicision on where to go yet, odds are you can still make initial preparations, such as a passport, etc.

You can start drafting a "support letter" to let people know you're going on a trip (to see if they might be interested in supporting you), plan a fundraiser, find a packing list, learn even more about the country or area you are considering. The week before the trip will be here before you know it, so now is the time to start planning.

Stay informed
Don't disconnect from the organization. Continue to research and stay in touch with the sending organization. Subscribe to their newsletter or blog, or anything that will help you be prepared.

And pray some more

We harp on this a lot, I know. But prayer is important. Continue to pray for the participants, the people to whom you will minister, and for God to use you.

If you haven't already, you can become a follower of this blog and subscribe to our newsletter. That's a good way to prepare, too. 

If you can't go, but would like to help change a life in India, please consider sponsoring a child for only $30 a month, or donate now to complete the building of our new Children's Home.

Prayer Points:

Pray for a new harvest of believers
Pray for more workers for the field and at AIM
Pray for the financial needs of the ministry
Pray for our Board members as they seek God's wisdom in planing for the upcoming year

All gifts are tax-deductible and are used 100% as designated

The Compulsion of Divine Love

We need a new sense of divine love. There's nothing more powerful in the whole world than the power
of love. Love will motivate and empower people to do what nothing else can cause or compel them to do. In  Song of Solomon  8:6 we're told, "For love is as strong as death." Death is the one power that is universally recognized as superseding all human power.With all our knowledge of medical science, and in all we know about human existence and the human body, we are still helpless before the power of death.

Why is it that, relatively speaking, the "church" is doing so little in getting the gospel to unreached peoples around the world? Is it because we have lost our sense of compulsion from divine love? If the church is to accomplish the evangelization of the world, this one essential motive must be present in the believer's heart, and in the church.

Remember that Christ's love in us gives us a burden for the souls of men, and compels us to go to them with the message of salvation.

Remember the Apostle Paul who was consumed for his own people because the love of Christ was in him. In Romans 9:3 he said, "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers..." In the previous verse he stated, "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart." Paul was constantly burdened for his own people, and in chapter 10:1 he says, "...my hearts desire and prayer for the Israelites is that they may be saved." This was not merely the love of a normal man, it was the divine love of God in the heart of a spiritual man. Love is the first evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, and anyone filled with the Spirit is filled with the love of God. The two experiences always go together.

David Brainerd, one of the earliest men to carry the gospel to the Native Americans of North America, was found one morning on his knees in sub-zero weather. With perspiration dripping off his face, he was crying out to God for the souls of those people he had learned to love and sought to win for Christ. He was compelled by love in his own heart, put there by the Holy Spirit.

This is exactly what it takes to be a missionary. Human love alone can not do it, but God's own love is sufficient to drive us anywhere to proclaim the gospel of Christ to men. It was the love of Christ that moved Him to come into this world and go to the cross to provide salvation for sinful man. And it must be His love in us that motivates us to take up that cross and bear it to the ends of the earth for His name.

If you would like to partner with us to help proclaim the gospel to Asia please Donate Now, or if you would like to go on a mission trip, we are still accepting applications for next spring. Just go Here Now to download and complete the application form. Please read all the information carefully.

Prayer Points:
Pray the Lord will bring more youth and adults to get involved with international mission outreaches.

That God will continue to work mightily in the land of India.

That the Holy Spirit will speak clearly to the people and that many will turn to the Lord

Pray for the Unreached Addapu Singa
Population: Unknown
World Popl: Unknown
Main Language: Tamil                                          
Main Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%

All gifts are tax-deductible and are used 100% as designated