Christmas Faith in Action
If you’re reading this article, congratulations! You lived another year in this beautifully designed world that God created for each and every one of us! He poured out His love for you and I in ways we couldn’t have predicted, and we can revel in the unfolding of His divine plan for us. We’ve emerged from 12 months of ups and downs that are inherently a part of our story on this journey called life. As we contemplate the year ahead, it’s natural to take inventory of our lives, including the emotional, financial and spiritual aspects.
The awesome thing about a new beginning, a new year, is that it reminds us it’s never too late to make Jesus the center of our story. While God is the ultimate writer, we have the opportunity to be intentional about the choices we make as we go about our daily rhythms. Is Jesus the main focus of your next chapter? As we begin our new year’s journey together, let’s set goals, write them down, pray over them, and partner with Jesus to make them happen. Let’s encourage each other to keep moving forward and show the world what it means to live and love as He does. In our walk alongside Jesus, we have the God-given tools and the potential to do better. We know God only wants the best for us!
You are a part of the story.
Speaking of stories, we just experienced the awe-inspiring true story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus. Shepherds who were asleep were awakened by a glorious chorus and shattering light all around them. Kings came from the far, far east, following a star to the little town of Bethlehem. And the greatest part about this account is that you and I have been invited to be part of it! We get to be in an intimate relationship with God the Father, and build our lives with Him. There’s no better way to get to know God than to pray in solitude with Him, or to pray together with our loved ones.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. —Psalm 139:16
When you think about your story and your legacy, here’s an interesting thought for you to meditate on: God has already written the final chapter of your life. The Lord stands outside of time, and He sees your story in its fullness. In fact, what He writes from end to beginning and everything in-between, is part of getting you to where He has destined you to be!
Have faith that you will finish strong.
Although you read a novel from start to finish, you always have the luxury of turning to the final chapter to see how it all turns out. And while you don’t exactly have that option in life, knowing the character of the One writing the story enables you to get a glimpse of how it will end. In fact, because the author of your life is love incarnate, you can be certain that the culmination of the story will be even greater than its beginning. Even better, all the in-between, whether it’s hardships, trials, triumphs, or tragedies, are contributing to your final victory.
Friend, take heart today, because the only events included in your story are the ones that the Lord decided are important to get you to the best possible end! Though some chapters are challenging, and some characters obscure, He set every one of them on the right page at the right time. Will you believe this today? God’s Word is true, and the last page of your story is going to be amazing and good. I’m believing and sharing this good news with you! Let’s stir up our faith and trust that God is carrying us through.
What will your story sound like this year? As you venture into 2023 and keep Jesus at the center of your life, He will be with you through the good and the bad. He has gone before you on the road to your destiny. I am praying for you to have absolute faith in the best possible conclusion of your story!
God loves you and so do I,
Help Us Write Our Future!
If it weren’t for God, we wouldn’t have a story to tell. Your prayers and support of Hour of Power make it possible to share in countless stories of transformation, redemption and freedom from around the world! God’s story and what it means to us has given hope to those experiencing their darkest season. We are so grateful to you for being a source of constant strength and help, even in challenging times. By supporting us with your gifts and prayers, you have expanded the Kingdom of God.
Since YOU are a vital part of our Hour of Power family, your opinion is vitally important to us. In an effort to connect with you, I invite you to take part in our 2023 survey. Your response will enable us to better reach and serve you and your family in the coming year.
For your time and a gift of any amount, we will send you the Hour of Power Executive Pen. This stylish, blue and silver executive pen features a touchscreen stylus that works on virtually any current mobile device. It’s also beautifully etched on the barrel base for a firm grip. Engraved with the words, “God loves you and so do we,” I pray you will use it to write your story for generations to come, or to keep a gratitude journal to refer to in challenging times.
I also ask that you prayerfully consider supporting us this year as an Eagle Partner. In just two weeks, you will have the opportunity to become part of our living legacy by joining the community of partners that enables us to soar. Watch for all the details in our next mailing!
Please complete your survey and donation TODAY so we can share God’s story with future
generations!
2023 Eagle Partners…
Our Eagle Partners enable Hour of Power to stay on the air and reach the world with the unquenchable hope and unending love of Jesus.
What Our Viewers Are Writing…
While we begin our new year’s journey together, let’s set goals, write them down, pray over them, and partner with Jesus to make them happen. Let’s encourage each other to keep moving forward and show the world what it means to live and love as He does. Your partnership with Hour of Power has enabled us to positively impact many people around the world, including these friends here:
“I tuned into the program tonight a little late, when Pastor Tim Timberlake was already preaching. I just have to say that was an amazing message! Thank you for inviting him to preach, it was what I needed to hear tonight, and it encouraged me SO MUCH! May GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU ALL! And also, I always love hearing the choir and orchestra and organ in each service, as they are always AWESOME!!! To God be the glory!”
—Elizabeth, Washington
“Thank you so much to you, your father, grandfather, and last but not least to Pastor Norman Vincent Peale. Shalom!”
—Robert, Delaware
“I watch the Hour of Power every Saturday night when I am home and last Saturday night was such a special service. The opening of the choir with the organ and orchestra was so beautiful and so wonderful. The message from Bobby was also a blessing about the shepherd and the sheep with the videos! I also enjoyed that the Dutch were in the audience since we are Dutch Americans!”
—Jeanette, California
“Thank you and your extended family. You are doing plenty of good all around the world. Keep going. We need each other.“
—Jean Marc, Quebec
The Handwriting on the Wall
by Pastor Russ Jacobson
Have you ever heard the saying, “The handwriting is on the wall?” It is synonymous with bad news, and interestingly, this phrase comes directly from the Bible. In Daniel Chapter 5, a human hand writes on a plaster wall while King Belshazzar watches with trepidation. Unable to decipher the inscription, he summons Daniel to render an interpretation. Needless to say, it is bad news. Persia captures the city that very evening and Belshazzar is killed.
It did not have to end that way for Belshazzar, but he sins against the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. First, he commits a major blunder by using sacred Jewish temple vessels as party favors to get drunk. And then, there is the timing. Babylon has been on a steady decline, and the Persians are literally garrisoned at the city gates. Instead of tending to business and defending the city, Belshazzar decides to throw a party. This act of indulgence does not go well for either Belshazzar or the Babylonian Empire.
If Belshazzar is a cautionary tale, then what is the alternative to letting our own desires prevail? We find the answer in Psalm 139:16: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” God knows what needs to be done because He created you. And yet, we all get to decide whether to make the journey. God is not going to move you around like a puppet. You alone can make the decision to follow the path that He has set before you. This, of course, is easier said than done.
I remember my time in seminary with both fondness and regret. I was on the five-year plan, and I had two young children at home with another on the way. I missed countless basketball games, school plays, and award assemblies. I sacrificed time with my family, and I will never get those precious years back. But I also knew that God had placed a call on my life, and that seminary was the only way His plan would come to fruition. You see, I just wanted to lounge around with my wife and kids, but God knew what needed to be done. If I had followed my desires (to relax and do my own thing), I never would have found my calling and life’s work here at Hour of Power.
January is a time for fresh starts. It is when we make resolutions and set the stage for the year ahead. What is God nudging you to do? Maybe you are called to be a peacemaker, missionary, instrument of forgiveness, or dedicated volunteer. Whatever it may be, the key is following the rhythm that God has set before you. If you do, everything will fall into place. Sure, you can be the author of your own story — but don’t be surprised if someday a creepy hand starts writing its way across your living room wall. In conclusion, keep Jesus at the center of your life, because a life with Him equates to a peaceful and bright future.
An idea that began as a way to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Hour of Power in 2020, the East Gate Legacy Walk is a testament to the fact that projects don’t always go smoothly, especially during a worldwide pandemic. But after many challenges due to a materials shortage and construction delays, the East Gate Legacy Walk was finally unveiled on the Shepherd’sGrove campus in Irvine late last year! We are ecstatic to share this special legacy project with you today!
Without the commitment of faithful friends who have supported this ministry from the very beginning to present day, this project wouldn’t be possible. The East Gate Legacy Walk is a tangible remembrance of how the Holy Spirit has worked through people like YOU to bring Hour of Power to its 53rd year, and a way to prepare our hearts for amazing things yet to come. Because your faithful support and prayers led us to our new home in Irvine, YOU have an opportunity to become a part of it.
Our East Gate Legacy Walk transports guests through the first 50 years of our televised ministry as they enter the Shepherd’sGrove campus from the east side. Featuring twelve pillars flanked by plaques that tell the story of our journey, and hundreds of commemorative stones engraved with the names of those who continually point us to God’s faithfulness, we believe this project will inspire hope for future generations. At the time of the writing of this article, 190 faithful friends from the U.S. and around the world have decided to build a future with us by investing in a commemorative stone. And there’s still time to become a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a legacy for future generations.
Your participation in this special memorial not only marks your vital role in the ongoing outreach of our broadcast, but it positions us to begin our second half century of ministry in a place of financial strength that will prime us for even greater impact in the years to come!
Click here for information on how you can become a part of the East Gate Legacy Walk and leave a legacy for generations to come or call TOLL FREE at 1-866-GET-HOPE (438-4673).
