December 13, 2016
This is our last newsletter for 2016. Wow, how the year has gone by quickly! It is hard to believe that next year is 2017. Seems just like the other day we were celebrating the year 2000. The one thing this tells me is that we are all getting a little bit older! My dad once told me, “Jere here is a piece of advice, never get old.” I would love to be able to set the clock back some, but I still believe our best days are ahead of us.
It’s All About Jesus!
Isaiah 9:6 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Luke 1:28-33, 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” aFootnotes29 But when she saw him, b she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Isaiah prophesied 800 years ahead of time that Jesus was coming to the earth. Then an angel named Gabriel, came to Mary with news that rocked her world, that she had been picked by God to be the mother of Jesus, the Savior of the World! Her life would be changed forever!
Luke2:8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.× References for Luke 2:9Footnotes10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
This declaration to the shepherds has continued to be declared for almost 2,000 years that Jesus is Lord! He is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords! Jesus came for everyone (as verse 10 tells us) and that includes you and me!
There is No Other
Jesus said in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus! No matter what the media says, no matter what any man says, the Bible tells us, that only through Jesus do we have access to God.
What does that mean, it means you must be born-again! In John 3:3, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
How do I become born-again, Romans 10:9-10 tells us, “9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
It is that simple, believe in your heart that Jesus lived, died, and was raised from the dead, so that your sins would be forgiven. Then simply ask Him to come into your heart and be your Lord, your Savior, your Master. He will then come in and transform your spirit. Your spirit you were born with, will be taken out and Jesus will put His Spirit inside of you, that is why it is called being born-again.
Christmas-The Season to Tell Others about Jesus
This Christmas, when you are with family and friends, be open to share this good news about Jesus with the ones you love. No one wants to see their loved ones go to hell. We want them all to join us in Heaven someday. Their eternity is at stake! So be willing to share what you already know, and watch God do a great work in their lives.
Christmas is such an easy time to speak to others about God! It is so easy to ask someone how they are doing, this time of the year, because hearts are open wide during the Christmas Season! They are waiting for us to tell them. Would you want someone to tell you? I think so! So go ahead, and reach out to those around you! You will be so glad you did.
Keep the message simple:
- Jesus loves you
- Jesus died for you
- Jesus forgives you
- Jesus will give you eternal life
This is the “good news.” Kim and I are praying, that those in your circle of influence, will make Jesus their Lord and Savior this Christmas Season. Yes, He is not only the reason for the season, but He is the Season! Jesus is Lord!
Ministry Update
Our first ever Sunday pm meeting went well. We saw those who faithfully come each month, as well as a new face! Believe with us for a great meeting this upcoming Sunday! He is faithful!!!
Kim and I attended a Pastors/Minister’s meeting in Lancaster, PA for Rhema Bible Training graduates. It was a good meeting, held at the Worship Center. So good to meet Pastor Sam, his staff, and the guest speakers. So encouraged to see their new building (6 yrs old) and hear a part of their story.
After the meeting we visited around the area of Lancaster and spent time at the Wilbur Budd chocolate store (Kim’s favorite). Really good stuff here! We also were able to stay and see Samson at the Sight and Sound Theater. It was a really good show!
Our upcoming meeting schedule on Staten Island at the Hampton Inn & Suites is:
Thursday, Jan. 5th 7:25 pm
Sunday, Jan. 22nd 6:00 pm
Sunday, Feb. 5th & 19th 6:00 pm
Sunday, March 12th & 26th 6:00 pm
Please pray for these meetings. We will also be looking at possible new venue sites after the first of the year. Pray that we hear and obey the Lord as we search the land out.
Partnership
First of all, let me say “thank you” to all who give on a regular basis to this ministry. We could not do what we do without your financial help. Kim and I are believing for Him to bring you a great Luke 6:38 harvest financially for blessing us.
For all of you who pray for us, “thank you.” Nothing happens in ministry without prayer. We cherish you and the time you spend before God on our behalf.
Last month I shared our needs to replace the $620.80 in our general fund, and we needed to have some signs made for our meetings. I can share that we received $355 towards the goal, and that $80 came in for the signs. Believe with us for the remaining $265.80 (general fund) and the $420 (signs) to come in. God is faithful!!
Our largest need at this time is to renew our Liability Insurance. We must have $1,373.00 by January 13, 2017. Without this policy in force, we cannot continue our meetings on Staten Island. So please, be in agreement with us for this need to be met. We must continue the meetings in Staten Island as we continue to lay the ground work for a new church! We know God is faithful, and we stand believing He will give us the victory in this area as well.
You can give by sending us a check made payable to Jere Peterson Ministries, Inc. and mail to: Jere Peterson Ministries, PO Box 15, Lavallette, NJ 08735. Or you can give on our secure website at: www.jerepetersonministries.com. Please know, we are appreciative of any amount you plant into the work God has called us to here in NYC and around the world. You may want to consider an end of the year financial gift as well before 2016 comes to an end. All financial gifts are tax-deductible!
From our hearts to yours, have a great time with your family and friends this Christmas. And may 2017 be a year even better than 2016!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Jere & Kim Peterson
Staying Focused in a Chaotic World 