Anna who was also a prophetess...

ANNA

THE WIDOW IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY

The songwriter, speaking of Christmas, said, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”  And it is!  Think about it!  How can it not be?  Listen to the proclamation of the angel to the shepherds at the time of Jesus’ birth: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)  Every person born of woman, other than Jesus the Son of God, is in need of a Savior.  Even Mary, blessed among woman and the mother of our Lord said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”  (Luke 1:46) 

We need not argue that each of us is a sinner.  Plant yourself on a bench where there are both parents and children.  What do you hear?  "Stop that!"  "Don’t do that!"  "If you do that again, I’m going to tell the park ranger."   "See that policeman over there? I’m going to go get him."   "I’m going to tell Pastor Bruce."  You get the point.  Even if we use our own standard, we will come up short of the mark.  Yes, as the Apostle Paul put it, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Jesus Christ came to save sinners of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

Here’s the true beauty of Christmas: family festivities, the giving and receiving of gifts, carols, Christmas songs, lights, and the list goes on, all make the season a delight.  But above all else, it’s this one truth that makes Christmas “the most wonderful time of the year” … Jesus the Christ bridges the gap between sinful man and a Holy God. 

Listen to the words of Anna the widow.  Jesus has been brought into the Temple to be

dedicated to Jehovah in accordance to the Law (Luke 2:21-38).  Anna, who was in her late 80s or early 90s, prophesies about the future of the Christ child and the redemption of Jerusalem.  As Jerusalem is redeemed so is the world, “for God so loved the world.”  John 3:16

In these three short verses, which reference Anna, the widow, and daughter of Phanuel, we can learn the following life-lessons:

1. We don’t need to travel to advance the Kingdom of God.  Anna stayed at the Temple giving herself to prayer and fasting.  Prayer is the real battle; and, every widow can pray.  C. H. Spurgeon said, “Prayer moves the arm that moves the world.”  Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not equip us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work."  A. J. Gordon said, “You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but you can never do more than pray until you’ve first prayed. “

2. We don’t need to be eloquent or have a so-called prominent position in the Church 

(or “wherever”) to please God and advance the Kingdom.  Anna had no special position or prominence, although I suspect she was well known because of her commitment to the Temple and piety.  Anna simply made herself available to be used when needed. In this instance, God chose to use Anna to speak encouraging words to Joseph and Mary and to assure them that what was spoken of the Child would truly take place.  I’m sure that Joseph and Mary were not the only couple or family Anna encouraged and spoke words of wisdom to. 

3. There is still another lesson we can learn from this widow at this Advent season.  We can  advance the Kingdom of God by giving ourselves to worship.  What is worship?  I love Rick Warren’s definition, the author of The Purpose Driven Life: "Worship is bringing pleasure to God.”  Jesus said if we give a cup of cold water in His name, it will not go unrewarded.  Would you not say that’s bringing pleasure to God?  Yes!  Whenever we in humility serve our Creator and Savior of the world we bring Him pleasure.

Sometimes as we get older we feel less needed and less valuable.  Don’t believe that lie!  There is nothing more pleasurable to God than loving on Him, praying for others and giving an encouraging word.  So, at this season, and year round, let’s learn from Anna the widow …the blessing is an encounter with the Son of God.

 Message by Pastor J.Bruce Sofia

Senior Pastor of the Gloucester County Community Church in Sewell, New Jersey 

I too love this time of year. My favorite is singing along with the Christmas Carols and some of the popular Christmas music.  Now get comfortable, turn the sound up real loud, forget about the neighbors and sing along with the music. This will truly put you into the Christmas Spirit. 

                                              O Holy Night by Josh Groban

My love to all......
Dotti Ackerman
Director of FNF Blog

HE IS ABLE

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...Ephesians 3:20

I've been chewing on this verse for a few months now. I think I say those words in every email I write! I hope you chew on God's word. There is so much nutrition in His Word for our spirits. His words are sweeter than honey on my mouth! Anyway, back to Ephesians...God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...Stop! Just stop right there and think about those words! They have such intense meaning! They are so full, yet we often read them, pass right over them, and don't really think about the power that is contained in them. Paul made up that phrase. His knowledge of God, his vast understanding of God in his heart, his personal experiences with God have surpassed words. God is so amazing, awe inspiring, and really at times, just beyond words. So Paul took liberty here and just made up a saying to explain a little deeper who God is. Spurgeon says it this way... "He (God) is able to do so abundantly it exceeds measure and description." That word "able" is the same word used for power when we talk about the resurrection of Jesus. It's dunamai - It's miraculous power! He can do it! He can keep on doing it too! Ok! Ok! What can God do? Well, He's told us so much of what He's already done... He is able to... ·        provide a child for the barren (Abraham/Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, the     Shunnamite Woman) ·        The widow whose oil was multiplied ·        lead 1 small stone slung by 1 small boy right in the head of giant killing him ·        bring the dead to life...Shunnamite's Son, Jaerus' daughter, widow's son,   Lazarus ·        shut the mouths of lions ·        Protected Naomi and Ruth on their journey to Naomi’s home town. ·        create a child in the womb of a virgin ·        Provided a son for Ruth that would be in the lineage of Jesus ·        feed a multitude using a few fish and loaves ·        Provided for the widow of Zarephath. ·        Provided Tamar with two boys and protection from Judah ·        endure the beating preceding the cross and then give Himself upon the cross ·        Raising Dorcas from the dead. 1 Cor. 2:5 tells us that our faith should not be in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. We measure life, circumstances, abilities, things by our own experiences, and then live our lives and make understanding by putting God in that same box. We give Him our attributes thus giving Him our limitations and our measurements, but God is above and beyond all of that. "He abundantly exceeds measure and description."   God did all those things. I've become simple enough that I believe every word in the Bible including the fact that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  So, if He did all those things so many thousands of years ago. He can do so much more! Exceedingly! Abundantly! Above all that I could even imagine or think. Some of those things are beyond my imagination even now. Wouldn't it blow your mind to see some of those things happen?!  Exceedingly abundantly more than we can think or imagine...Because of this praise to God, we can have assurance that God can answer our prayers!  We should never hesitate to offer our deepest request. Jowett says it this way, "What I have asked for is as nothing compared to the ability of my God to give. I've asked for a cupful, and the ocean remains. I've asked for a sunbeam, and the sun abides. My best asking falls immeasurably short of my Father's giving. It's beyond all that we can ask." What are you trusting God for? Ask Him...believe He can do it. Wait and see! Blessings! Pastor Gary Clark Calvary Chapel Turnersville, NJ 08012 Lynda Randle - Walk With Me Lord Lynda Randle - He Will Carry You.

ALWAYS ENJOY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS

In I Timothy 6:18, we read these words: Command that they do good, that they be rich in good works, generous, willing to share, and laying up in store for themselves a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life. (MEV)

Paul is writing to Timothy, his son in the faith, and instructing him on what he should be teaching to the church in Ephesus. Someone, upon reading this verse, remarked that it is telling us to enjoy being a blessing to others for in so doing we are laying up eternal riches that will far exceed any sacrifice we may make down here.

As I contemplated this verse in reference to widows and, always seeking to inform my writings with biblical examples, I thought of Tabitha, the story of whom is recorded in Acts 9:36-42.  She was a follower of Jesus Christ who became ill and died.  Her death so upset the people of her church in Joppa that they sent for Peter to come.

The scriptures don’t say exactly why they sent for Peter, but it does tell us that when he arrived the widows could only take him to where Tabitha’s body lay, and then through their weeping point out to him the many garments that Tabitha had made. The scriptures describe her as being full of good works and acts of love. The scene seems to be that of a group of widows, who traditionally were among the most impoverished in their culture, totally distraught at the death of this generous, loving woman and looking to Peter whose miraculous works were well known, as if to say, “We can’t survive without her. Do something!” And he did.  He sent them out of the room, and prayed over her and God raised her up. 

Tabitha has left us with quite a legacy and example of how to live out the injunction of I Timothy 6.

As many of you know, the FNF chapters in New Jersey and Florida have “adopted” twelve widows in India and send a monthly stipend to them through the Kerusomen Gospel Ministries.  They have selected what are known as “orphaned widows,” those with no family to help them; in fact, many times they have been totally abandoned by their families and left with no means of support. 

These American widows initially took on the support of five orphaned widows and that group has grown to twelve.

 Dotti Ackerman, director of the Florida chapter, asked her widows to give a Christmas gift in the amount of $5.00 per widow above their regular stipend. Dotti relayed the following story to me:

          One afternoon when I was at my dentist’s office, he inquired how everything was going with me, knowing that I was undergoing cancer treatment. We had developed a special bond as both his mother and sister were cancer survivors. I told him about my widows’ group’s support of the widows in India and how we were wanting to send them a monetary gift at Christmas as well as gifts to Pastor Sahaya Simon and his family who oversee the ministry. My dentist Dr. Ralph asked me how much was needed, and then gave me enough American dollars to cover monetary gifts for the widows and gifts for the Pastor and his family. The $55.00 my widows collected covered the cost of mailing 
 the gifts.

Dotti was elated as she shared this story of God’s provision. Her widows gave sacrificially and God moved on the heart of Dotti’s dentist to go beyond what Dotti could ask or think and a dozen widows and a pastor’s family in India will be the grateful recipients.

John Wesley made the following a rule for his life and I pray that each of us will too.

          Do all the good you can,

          by all the means you can,

          in all the ways you can,

          in all the places you can,

          to all the people you can,

          as long as ever you can.

However, I don’t want you to think that by doing good you somehow earn God’s approval.  Oswald Chambers beautifully says it, “Christian character is not expressed by doing good, but by God-likeness. It is not sufficient to do good, to do the right thing. We must have our goodness stamped by the image and superscription of God. It is supernatural all through.”

 In other words, our acts of love and service are prompted and empowered by the Holy Spirit who indwells each of God’s children.  Pray that God will open your eyes to ways to show His love through acts of generosity and service each day.

Message by Shari Hervold

THE FAITH THAT MAKES US WELL

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?"  When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 
And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace” (Luke 8:42b-48).

On His way to the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler that desperately sought his healing touch for his dying daughter, someone else touched Jesus. The all-knowing Word of God paused and asked "Who was it that touched me?"

 He was creating another teaching moment that would compel the crowd of followers to come closer and challenge His disciples to grow in understanding. This lesson was about faith. It was about the kind of effectual faith that gets results. Jesus wants true disciples to know that there is faith that can heal the hurting, restore the ruined, emancipated the enslaved, and even save the sinner. It is a special kind of faith. Today truth seekers are reminded that effectual, productive faith is centered in Christ, and it is the faith that makes us well.

Potent faith is desperate to touch Jesus' garment. Faith is a channel or vehicle that connects us with something or someone. We all trust in things and people every day. We trust the cr to get us to work, the company to give us a paycheck, the spouse to be there when we get home, and so much more.  We are connected to the things and people we trust. But the Word of God became flesh to invite us to behold and trust the Creator and Father that made us to be connected with Him..."to all who did receive Him, who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

The woman's desperation drove her to touch Jesus became everything and everyone else had let her down. Growing disciples learn to let their times of desperation drive them to touch Jesus, and we do, He never lets us down...
"do not be anxious about anything, but in everythilng by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Powerful faith is driven to trust Jesus' gift. Faith is a channel or vehicle that connects us with the object or result we seek. Desperation drives us to something or someone we hope will meet our need. The desperate woman had no certainty of the healing she sought, but that did not prevent her from approaching Jesus. Maturing disciples learn to seek and trust God's best answer to our prayers when desperation drives us to Christ because the seeing helps us know how much He loves us and wants to give us His best.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on God, because He cares for you" (I Peter 5:6-7).    

Productive faith is delighted to tell of Jesus' goodness.  Faith is a channel or vehicle that empowers us to be an effective witness tothe world around us. When our desperation is relieved by a touch from Jesus, and opportunity is created for Him to receive glory. We exist for God's pleasure and to give Him glory...

"From Him and through Him and to Him are all things to Him be glory forever" (Romans 11:36)

Jesus interrupted His journey toward Jairus house reminds us of the time He interrupted His travels to raise the only son of the widow of Nain. Earnest disciples learn to celebrate and share the precious and powerful testimonies of Jesus touching their lives and answering their prayers because we are eager to see God get glory and Jesus lifted up in the midst of this very needy world...

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." John 12:32)

As we grow up into Christ we learn to let our desperate need drive us to Him as we grow in... The Faith that Makes Us Well. 

Message by Pastor Bob Barber

Music by a great singer, Doug Oldham - "He Touched Me" I have heard Doug Oldham sing many times on TV and in a church,Turnersville, N.J. His voice and songs always make you feel that you were in the throne room of God. Today, Doug is with the Lord, but his songs will always be an enouragement to many. 

 I found another great song, so sit back and enjoy the song "He Cares" by this special man of God....Doug Oldham.

God Bless all of our viewers of "Friends Needing Friends International Widow Ministry. 

GOD'S PLANS WILL PREVAIL

   In the first chapter of Matthew, which records the lineage of Jesus, the mother of Judah’s son, Perez, is listed as Tamar. In noting that only five mothers were named and I was fairly familiar with the other four, I started researching to find out more about this woman. Of course I started with the Old Testament itself as her story is told in Genesis 38. It’s a rather unsavory story, even repugnant to the average twenty-first century mind.

          But, there’s something in the character of this woman Tamar that resonates with me and I want to share her story with you. You see, she too was a widow and, like you, found out that there were battles and challenges after becoming a widow that overshadowed the death of her husband. I don’t mean to diminish the grief that accompanies becoming a widow, but that often is only the beginning of pain, disappointments, and set-backs which come in many and diverse forms.

Let me quickly summarize the story for you to help you understand what led to Tamar’s depth of despair and hopelessness. Tamar was married to Judah’s oldest son, Er, but because of his wickedness, God caused Er to die before he and Tamar had a child. Onan, the next son in line, was to raise up a son through Tamar to keep his brother’s lineage alive, but he refused to do so and he too died at God’s hands. 

The third son, Shelah, was too young but Judah promised Tamar that when he was old enough he would give him to her so that she would conceive a child. 

This was in keeping with the custom of “kinsman redeemer” found in the book of Ruth. The closest of kin was to ensure the line of the deceased husband. Once Tamar had married into Judah’s family, she was a part of it and he was legally her father. But he told her to go back to her own father and he would call for her when Shelah was mature because he thought that Tamar was responsible for the other sons’ deaths and that Shelah would die too. She obeyed him and did so

Now, the tribe to which Tamar belonged prohibited a childless widow from remaining a widow and it was Judah’s responsibility to make sure that didn’t happen and I’m sure at this point of time, Tamar trusted her father-in-law to look out for her interest and the interest of his eldest son. They believed that his name could not, under any circumstances, go into oblivion.

We don’t know how long Tamar remained in the home of her parents. But we do know that during that time Shelah did, in fact, become a mature man and Judah’s wife died. We also know that the desire to have an heir remained strong in Tamar’s heart. I conjecture that it was this desire and the anticipation of it coming to fruition that kept her going through the lonely, shameful, barren years she was waiting. Remember, she lived in a culture where it was a disgrace to be a childless widow, and she had twice been left one.  Shelah was her last hope.

  After years of waiting, it became clear to Tamar that Shelah was not going to come asking for her. It also became clear to her that she was thought to be the cause of the deaths of her first two husbands. This was a crushing blow to her as well as humiliating. Imagine the depths of despair into which this must have pushed her, most likely overwhelmed by feelings of complete hopelessness. But, Tamar was not going to stay there. She may have lost all trust in men, but she knew her legal rights and she was not going to go to her grave without an heir.  In fact, Gien Karssen in her book, Her Name is Woman, states that she considered it a religious duty to produce an heir from the tribe of Judah.

 

 When she heard that her widowed father-in-law was going to be shearing sheep nearby, a plan formed in her mind. She dressed in the veiled clothing of a temple prostitute and sat by the side of the road where Judah passed by.

           He offered her the usual payment for her “services” which would be brought to her by his servant and she complied on the condition that he give his walking stick, cord and identification seal to her as a guarantee that he would keep his word. These objects were symbols of a man’s identity and personal worth.

Idenification Seal 

           As one writer put it, “It is astonishing that Judah gave them up.” The Greek historian, Herodotus, states that the staff was made specifically for each person with a personal emblem carved on top of it.  It was much more than a mere walking stick. As the leader of a tribe, it was Judah’s emblem of authority with the names of his forebears carved into it.

Judah's emblem of auhority.

          It is especially astounding that Judah would give up that staff. The fact that he did so is a testament to his state of mind and lack of wisdom at this time in his life.

           Can you imagine the fear Tamar experienced attempting to conceal her identity by disguising her voice and making sure Judah did not catch a glimpse of her face? This gal deserved a medal for chutzpah, if nothing else! Judah didn’t know it yet, but he wasn’t dealing with an ordinary prostitute.

          To Tamar these almost-sacred objects were symbolic of the son that she would have to succeed Judah. Her actions beg the question: What made Tamar so resolute in her desire to bring forth a male heir from the tribe of Judah? Perhaps she didn’t even know the origin of this strong resolve, but God did. God knew that his son, the promised Messiah, would come from the tribe of Judah and I suggest that it was He who put this strong desire in Tamar’s heart.

          Tamar suffered greatly from the sins of her two husbands. Doubtless she was shocked and shamed by the wickedness of Er and humiliated and insulted by Onan’s behavior. But, she was a woman with no rights of her own; no one cared about her opinions and certainly less about her feelings – except God.

            The rest of the story is a fascinating read and I strongly encourage you to read it. Tamar’s clever insistence upon taking Judah’s symbols of honor and dignity become clear. Her story demonstrates how God can take the greatest disappointments, the deepest pain, even the failures and sins in our lives, and turn them around for good. In nine months Tamar gave birth to twin boys. God gave her not just one, but two sons. Imagine her joy and pride to become the mother of two sons from the tribe of Judah. Finally, she was vindicated and recompensed all in one birth.

          One of the boys was named Perez, and through him Tamar became an ancestor of Jesus, our Messiah. In fact, she is the first registered woman in the genealogy of Jesus. Now, this could only happen through the mercy and grace of God. The Law said that she deserved death, yet God gave her life and the privilege of being in the lineage of His son.

            Ladies, not matter the situation in which you find yourselves, God’s grace is greater and He will come to your rescue; yes, even if you have tried to turn things around on your own, in your own way. He, as your loving, caring Father, will rescue from your deepest pits and make those plans He has for you become a reality.

We are all dead in our sins until and unless we have accepted Jesus as our savior. If you have not done so, I pray that you will ask God to open the eyes of your heart to see Him as He really is: a loving heavenly father who longs to give your life meaning and purpose. If He can do it for Tamar, He can and will do it for all who call upon Him. Hebrews 4:16 states it this way: Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it the most.

Message by Shari Hervold

                                                           
                                                                                                                                                  

             

OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, LORD

         

In a recent conversation with a friend who is going through treatment for cancer, she remarked that she felt that it was fine with God if she if she asked Him to demonstrate His love for her in a more tangible way. Anyone who has undergone chemo treatments knows that they can leave one feeling weak, sometimes nauseated, and emotionally drained. It was just such a time for her and she relayed how she had prayed to God for greater proof of His love and care for her. The actual words of her prayer included a line from a well-known song, “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord. I Want To See You. . .”

Then, she recited many instances of how God heard and answered her prayer that very week through the words and actions of caring friends and relatives.  My friend, a widow, has no one to walk through her pit with her. .  .except God and, as she stated,

“Each widow comes to a point in their “pit” where they may ask for more proof of His presence. I’m at that point . . .” It may not be cancer, it could be any number of circumstances that has put you in your pit, or perhaps you’re still in the pit of despair and grief over the loss of your husband. I assure you, as I assured my friend, that God welcomes your request that He demonstrate His love for you in a special way. As I ruminated over our conversation, I thought of the life of a woman in the Old Testament who was in a “pit” and how God’s mercy was extended to her.

I’ve written much about Naomi, as she’s a favorite of mine for many reasons. (Her entire story is recorded in the book of Ruth.) Let me refresh your memory concerning her. She, along with her husband and two sons, went to Moab from Bethlehem in Judah because Judah was experiencing a drought. Things were going well for her and her family in Moab. They had plenty to eat, while their families back home in Bethlehem were suffering through a famine. Then, trouble hit. First, Naomi’s husband died, followed by the deaths of both of her sons. She was cast into the abyss of grief and despair and, upon hearing that food was again plentiful back in Bethlehem, Naomi made the decision to return.

This was a seventy-mile trip through some rough and dangerous terrain. Only one of Naomi’s daughters-in-law committed to make the entire trip with her. Whether they walked or rode on an animal of conveyance, they doubtless endured hot dusty days, cold nights, and danger from wild animals and robbers who hid along the roadways. Two women would have been easy prey for disaster.

Yet, God protected them and they arrived safely to Naomi’s hometown. Usually when one arrives home after a long absence, there is much rejoicing with hugs and kisses to spare. And even though Naomi’s name means pleasant, she was anything but.  The Scripture relays her homecoming like this:  When they came to Bethlehem the whole town was stirred because of them and the women asked, “Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara, because the Almighty has brought great bitterness to me. I was full when I left, but the Lord caused me to return empty.”  (Ruth 1: 19b-21a) God is sovereign over all of life, but it is never His intent to make us bitter; He is always at work to make us better, more like Him.  

Naomi, though still in her pit of grief over lost loved ones and despair over her poverty, knew that God was with her. Most likely she would have acknowledged that it was He who had protected her and Ruth on their arduous journey from Moab. Yet, she, much like my friend, needed a new visitation from God, a demonstration of His abiding love in her life. The author, Elizabeth George, says this, “We can be sure that Naomi would say, ‘When you’re in a hard place in life, it is not the time to collapse, to cave in, to fall apart, or to break down. It is time to trust God.’ When her life caved in, Naomi began learning how to trust God more.” 

Soon Naomi’s bitterness was replaced with hope, and God began to orchestrate changes in her life, first through her daughter-in-law Ruth, and then through Boaz, a close relative of her deceased husband. Ultimately, joy and fullness reigned in her heart again through the birth of her grandson, Obed, who became an ancestor to Jesus our Messiah.

Had Naomi prayed, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, that I may see you,” she would have known that it was no coincidence that she decided to make the trip back to Bethlehem, it was no coincidence that Ruth insisted on accompanying her, it was no coincidence that Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field, it was no coincidence that Boaz fell in love with Ruth, and certainly no coincidence that their precious baby boy became the grandfather of King David and in the lineage of Jesus, our Messiah.

 I encourage you always, no matter what you’re going through, to remember that there are no coincidences with God, our heavenly Father. He has promised in Romans 8:28 that He is working all things out for our good. When you are able to see things through His eyes, you will begin to “see” with faith those good things that He has for you. Remember, you serve a loving heavenly Father whose plans for you are good . . . no matter the circumstances that will lead you there.

If you have not asked Jesus, our Messiah, into your heart, I implore you not to delay in doing so. He wants to make something beautiful of your life too and demonstrate his great and eternal love for you.                                                                   

Message by Shari Hervold

CHRISTMAS IN JULY, NEW JERSEY CHAPTER OF F.N.F.

At our July 2015 meeting, everyone took the time to have some fun celebrating "Christmas In July".  We have done this for many, many years and each time, we not only had lots of laughter but we took the time to help others.

Now just sit back and I hope we get you in the mood to celebrate "Christmas In July".
Enjoy Michael Buble singing "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"

Mary Lou, our director of the N.J. Chapter (on the left) does a GREAT job putting the programs together along with her loyal workers. These ladies have been with the program for over twenty years. May God bless these ladies as they continue to serve the Lord.

Now stay with us as I show you some of the ladies that attended this party!  There were over 80 ladies that special day. 

These ladies above took the time to have some fun and laughter, but never once did they forget to serve the Lord by helping others.

"Friends Needing Friends" have been for many years helping a special ministry called "Choices of the Heart" directed by Rita Reyes, located in Turnersville, N.J.  Our calling was to help gather brand new articles of clothing and toys for the new babies.

Not only did they help the babies at "Choices of the Heart" but they also financially support ten widows living in India from the Kerusomen Gospel Ministries.  Each month along with the FNF in Florida help these ladies with a check for food and medical supplies.  Pictured below are five of the ladies, The other five live in areas that are difficult for the ladies to be put on this blog. Prayers are needed for all of the widows.

Now we can not forget about our Teddy Bear Ministry.  Teddy Bears go to many widows, that are sick or in the hospital. Over the years hundreds and hundreds of teddy bears have been give to many widows.

A special blessing to everyone from FNF that has helped to serve others.

As I close this post I ask that we all pray for Mary Lou who is the director of New Jersey chapter. Mary Lou will be having knee surgery this week. May her surgery go smoothly and may her recovery be swift.