An Expression of Thanksgiving Gratitude
November 14, 2014 Dear Members and Friends of the Ohio Bible Fellowship, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might … Continue reading
November 14, 2014
Dear Members and Friends of the Ohio Bible Fellowship,
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” [II Corinthians 8:9].
We often see this verse at Thanksgiving and Christmas since it has themes of thankfulness and Christ’s birth. These are good applications, but the immediate context of the verse concerns the collection that the Apostle Paul was encouraging for the impoverished believers at Jerusalem. In the midst of this encouragement, Paul tells how Jesus gave His all to provide for His people the riches of eternal life. The more direct application of this verse would be to encourage the Lord’s people to give for the Lord’s causes because the Lord has given so much to us.
Thanksgiving is a season to remind ourselves to be grateful to the Lord for the spiritual foundation of our country and for all other blessings both spiritual and material that the Lord constantly provides. Christmas is a season to remember the Lord Jesus’ birth, how He humbled Himself to provide salvation for sinners. Both of these seasons should provoke gratitude because the Lord has done so much for us as the verse above states. However, gratitude is not real if it merely remains a good feeling. It is to result in action, a giving of ourselves for the Lord and for the spiritual benefit of others.
The board of the Ohio Bible Mission firmly believes that the Lord has called Peniel Bible Camp into existence to be an instrument of the Gospel and to edify the Lord’s people. However, this undertaking requires effort and resources. We are near the end of our effort to build a house for our Program Director’s family. Out of a project of about $88,000 as its total cost, a little less than $10,000 is needed to complete it. As you ponder your gratitude at this Thanksgiving and Christmas season, please remember the Lord’s work at Peniel Bible Camp with your gifts.
We have posted more specific details on our website that tell what we need to finish this project. You can find more details on work progress here. Gifts can be mailed to the treasurer, or made online via credit card.
We thank you for your past prayers, your support of Peniel Bible Camp, and hope that you will continue to pray and support the Camp. I would gladly answer any questions you may have.
In the Lord’s Service,
Donald L. Gallion
President, Ohio Bible Mission
(For a printable version of this letter: Thanksgiving-Christmas2014)
