|
| | | | | Dear Friend,
As we enter another year, and I watch the spiritual climate of our nation continue to go downhill, I am reminded of some of the dramatic statements Jesus gave concerning the last days:
|
| “See that no one leads you astray… you will hear of wars and rumors of wars… nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom… there will be famines and earthquakes in various places… you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake… many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another… many false prophets will arise and lead many astray… because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold…”
|
| | As if this picture isn’t frightening enough, Jesus then issues the conditional warning, “the one who endures to the end will be saved”! (Mat 24:4-13)
Despite how overwhelmed this passage could leave the reader, Jesus offers, “See that you are not alarmed” (Mat 24:6). The emphatic use of the word “will” throughout this passage could make one wonder how the Lord could tell us to not be alarmed.
Over the years, I’ve come to learn that God will have mercy. However, there is a condition attached to that marvelous promise. David expressed part of it in Psalm 103: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.” Jesus would later point out to the Pharisees that God was more interested in them living out His mercy to others than their Temple sacrifices (Mat 9:13).
This is one of the vital truths we teach the men in our Residential Program. Just like myself, they have spent years doing their own will and living to satisfy their lust, which has only resulted in sin, misery, and pain for themselves and their families. But praise the Lord there is a way out! There is a will that prevails over our own, the Lord’s will! When we submit to Him and obey Him, He begins to conquer our self-will and rule our hearts.
This is the kind of transformation that those in sexual sin desperately need. There is no other way to achieve lasting freedom from habitual sin. When the Lord established Pure Life Ministries as a refuge of hope for men in sexual sin, He founded it on His truth. For that very reason, I know the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to hinder this work or stop it altogether.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for those of you who share the same burden Kathy and I have had for the last 36 years. You have shown it by the way you have supported us through your time, prayers, and finances. Through your generosity and faithfulness, the Lord has continued to provide for our needs.
And once again, we find ourselves in a position of need. For the last several years, we have put a lot of miles on our Ford van picking up groceries and supplies for the Residential Program (as well as many other uses). At this point it seems to be in the shop more than at the ministry!
So, we are currently looking to raise $47,000 for a 15-passenger Ford Transit van that we will not only be able to use to pick up supplies, but also to transport the students in our Residential Program. Many of you gave very generous year-end gifts in response to our Christmas appeal and helped pay for three of the four needs we had listed on our website, and we want to say thank you!
If you weren’t in a position to give to those needs and you feel led to help us with this purchase, please visit our donate page at: www.purelifeministries.org/donate.
And please don’t forget about our Annual Conference in April. We would love for you to join us at the Ark Encounter for this special time. The theme for this year’s conference, I believe is very timely, When Jesus Returns, What Will He Find? To register, go to: conference.purelifeministries.org.
I pray that the Lord will continue to work out His will in your life, as you daily submit yourself to Him! |
| | | | Steve Gallagher, President |
| |
Mailing Address | Pure Life Ministries | 14 School Street | Dry Ridge, KY 41035 Copyright © 2022 Pure Life Ministries, All rights reserved.
|
| | | | |
|
