MIND OF CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.
PASTOR THOMAS E. OGLESBY
P.O. BOX 85
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY 07110
website: mindofchristministries.net
Phone: 973-818-2750
e-mail: mindofchrist@verizon.net
November 2023
“We Can Be Thankful”
Dear Believer (s):
As we prepare and look to Thanksgiving Day 2023. The world is filled with many, many challenges that appear to be hopeless situations. There are wars, viruses, hunger, natural disasters, governments in disarray, financial uncertainties, unusual weather patterns, spiritual decline and disobedience to God’s Laws and Principles. Needless deaths of all types. How can we be thankful, you might ask? We look at our personal lives, dealing with the loss of loved ones, family problems, job problems; sicknesses (physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual). Can I say I am truly thankful for all of the troubling situations I’m facing? Then I worry about the future of my family and loved ones.
I do not have a solution for all of the trials I’m faced with; nor do I know or see anyone who can cure the world’s problems that are so unnerving.
What shall I do? There are no magical solutions. The troubles of the world and my own personal problems are real. Who can I turn to for help? Who cares about me? Well, I have family members, a few friends who love and care about me. I have a pastor who prays diligently for me. But I am still faced with fear, worry, and anxiety regarding life. I need help.
Today many are faced with life troubling problems. I too face difficult situations. I ask that you listen very carefully. Listen and read with a spiritual ear. There is a song that I want you to hear. Most Christians have probably heard and sang it before. The song is entitled, “What Friend We Have in Jesus”.
The entire song is on page two: Please read it now and then continue with this letter.
1.What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.
2.Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3.Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he’ll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.
God knew that the world would have many troubles. God knew that we, (His children), would need help. This is why He sent His Son. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
My prayer is that you will seek Jesus with all of your heart and allow His Spirit to meet every need you have. The Bible says, “For with God, nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). Jesus said, “I will never thee nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). For those of us who are saved, we have a Savior who loves us and causes us to be thankful and helps us to know that He is real and will meet our every need.
If you’re not saved, you need Jesus. I invite you to accept the Sinner’s Prayer. Accept Jesus as your Savior. Then you will have a problem solver who loves, cares, and will handle your problems. His name is Jesus.
No matter what your need is and the problem you’re facing, Jesus is the answer. Let us be thankful this Thanksgiving because Jesus loves us.
Let us pray. “Dear God, because of the problems of the world and our personal troubles we come to You. You can solve all our troubles, and we need You. Lord, help us to be thankful because You are Our Redeemer. You can give us love, peace, joy, happiness, and all that we need. We pray this prayer thanking You for our blessings large and small. Thank you, Lord. We pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!”
I will be in Special Prayer on Thanksgiving Day. Please send me your prayer request. God is doing great and miraculous things. He has a miracle with your name on it. I will join with you and as we pray, believing and expecting, God will answer our prayer. Please send your prayer request to: Mind of Christ Ministries, P.O. Box 85, Nutley, NJ 07110. You can also go to our website at: mindofchristminitries.net.
As in previous years, I want to caution Believers how the devil uses the time leading up to, during and after the Holiday Season to steal, kill, and destroy. The devil is able to do this because so many people seem to lose their focus on God. They instead concentrate more on the things of the world, rather than godly things. We can avoid the devils’ traps by not rushing, avoiding stressful situations, financial pitfalls, overspending, being impatient, poor planning, and not getting enough rest. As well as not becoming involved in heated arguments with others. We can do this by godly planning and seeking God’s guidance during these hectic times of over-commercialization of the season.
It’s sad but it is true. Large numbers of individuals will not live to see the New Year. They will be killed by the devices of satan. During the Holiday Season, we experience more killings, robberies, scams by crooks to steal from you, fires, accidents of all types, heart attacks, and other health related problems. We see a large increase in bitter family disagreements, and temper explosions which leads to physical and mental harm. Let us all be led by the Spirit of God.
One of the many things I can be thankful for are the friends who support the ministry and allow me to reach hurting and lost souls for Christ. I wish you could see some of the letters that I receive of how God has answered prayers and people are being greatly blessed. It is because of your unselfish giving that I am able to help others.
Please, I need your continued financial help in order to move forward with the work of God. Remember when you are giving to God from your heart, no gift is too small. I know that God will reward you for your giving. I am truly thankful for your support and your prayers.
With Love and Thankfulness,
Thomas Oglesby
Pastor Thomas E. Oglesby
