November 2022

Happy Thanksgiving! Look around; many folks are worse off than you! Be thankful for the life God has given to you. Give your heart to Jesus; the best promises are yet to come!

“May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” 1

Letters of Thanks…

I’m always blessed to hear how the site is reaching so many around the world.

“I have wanted to reach out to you for over a year since I stumbled upon one of your Abounding Love brochures. Since then, I have followed up heavily on my Christian faith, so I have you to thank for that, Charles! I have already started to feel better in myself and projecting my faith into others now. I learned about your history, and I’m completely amazed at what you have achieved and done for so many, just like myself. Stay strong, take care, Rory, London.”

“Thank you for your brochure. It is good that you are able to write and spread the Word of God. I really need to get back into reading the Bible. I agree with you that this is a time more than ever to be connected to God. I think it is commendable of you and your change. God’s love is amazing. Kimberly, WV.”

I’m a tattoo artist from the UK. I have read about you for many years. I felt that I’d like to reach out to you. Many people have turned to some form of religion throughout their life, but very few have managed to turn their life around in such a huge way as yourself. I am fascinated by the extreme difference between your early life and the life you have today. Was it a gradual thing, or was it like being struck by lightning or sudden? I’m 52, and parts of my younger life seem so alien to me now that it almost feels like it wasn’t me. Do you have those feelings? Kind regards, Nigel, UK.”

“I’m 18, and I’ve been directed to your site that talks about your mission to hope after the events of your life. This letter is a call to you because I’m in a pretty dark place in my young adult life. I’ve regretfully turned to alcohol and drugs after my mother left about five years ago. I’m not sure if I have the will to save myself. I hope you can help the way that you were healed. Sincerely, Isaac, FL.”

Thanksgiving Abounds…

I’m so thankful for your letters telling me how blessed you are by my testimony. I find many who I respond to end up spreading the Word themselves. Some print ALMS brochures from the site, then hand them out or lay them on counters around town.

Maybe you’ll find it easier to share Jesus through my story rather than your own. Regardless, it will take the Holy Spirit flowing freely through a heart full of thanksgiving for your salvation because of the sacrifice of Christ for your sins and the resurrection for the gift of eternal life. What a wonderful reality to share with family and friends this Thanksgiving season. In the end, they’ll thank you for your boldness to share the life of Christ with them.

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power, so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” 2

Thankful for Everything…

The Bible says, “…in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God…”. 3 I hear you say, “How can I thank God for everything? How could this be the will of God? Clearly, the scripture says, “in everything” not “for everything.” The New Living Translation says, “…thankful in all circumstances”. I’m not thankful for many things, but I find that God works in everything when I give thanks for His grace to endure.

Certainly, I’m not thankful for my crimes of the past, nor for 52 years in prison, but in everything [including some safety concerns], the Lord has worked mercifully in my life, even protecting me. In Romans 8:28, the apostle Paul wrote:

 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Thankful for God’s Purpose…

Romans 8:29 tells us that God’s ultimate purpose is for us “…to be conformed to the image of His Son…”. In God’s mind, He has already “…predestined…called…justified, and …glorified” those who love him (v. 30). His great love and grace won the battle through Christ, though I did everything possible in my prideful heart to reject His purpose for my life.

How about you? If the Lord had this purpose for me after my heinous past, there must be hope for you! Maybe now is the time for you to believe and receive your salvation. God loves you no matter what! Jesus died for your sin. He took your punishment at the cross. Simply turn to Him for your forgiveness and gift of eternal life. The Holy Spirit will reveal to you the power of God’s love and righteousness so that you can begin to reign in this life. 4 This can be the first day of the rest of your life in Christ.

A Prayer for You…

Heavenly Father, I thank You for making this the best Thanksgiving season of my life. I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I receive Your free gift of eternal life. I thank You that when You died for me, Your blood cleansed me from all unrighteousness and the sins of my entire life; past, present and future. In all my trials, I give You thanks, knowing that giving thanks for Your love and grace notifies the devil of his defeat at the cross. I commit my life to You 100% from this day forward. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Scripture References (NLT):

1) Col. 1:11b-14
2) Col. 3:17
3) 1 Thess. 5:18, NKJV
4) Rom. 5:17-21