We want you to know how grateful we are for your faithful giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your gifts make our ministry — and the ministries of more than 5,300 IMB missionaries serving around the world — possible. Countless souls will one day worship around His throne because you chose to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. May God’s richest blessings be yours as you partner with us to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to all nations.

I'd like to share an excerpt from Experiencing God day by day from Dr. Henry Blackaby's devotions.

Blessed in Believing

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45

In the kingdom of God, believing is a prerequisite to receiving. God spoke to Mary and gave the assurances He always gives when He assigns the impossible to His people. Everything was in place for God to act. Everything waited on Mary to believe Him. Once she believed, it was done! It takes an undivided heart to believe under such circumstances and a pure heart to see God (Mt 5:8; Heb 12:14).

This has always been God’s way with His people. Mary could not see all that had been arranged and assembled in the courts of heaven. She could not see the legions of angels prepared to protect her and her baby. She was unaware of the future and all that she and her child would face. All she knew was that God had spoken to her, and that was enough. So she responded: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Lu 1:38).

When God speaks about His plans, He does so with everything already in place to fulfill His word. God never speaks hypothetically. He knows exactly what will come to pass. He simply asks you to believe Him. You will experience great blessing when you place your absolute trust in Him. Mary could not have dreamed all that would result from her faithful obedience. Likewise, you cannot possibly imagine all that God has in store for you when you trust Him. He knows exactly what He will do to bring salvation to someone you have prayed for or to heal your friend or to provide for your needs. God has everything in place. Will you believe Him?

Prayer requests and praises:
1. Praise Him for caring us through the difficult storms.
2. Continued prayer for Al's sister Margie as she continues to trust the Lord through fight with lung cancer.
3. Linda's mom's health and Linda as she trusts in the Lord for decisions to be made.
4. Prayer for the lay counseling training that those receiving the training will be committed to let the Lord use them in the counseling ministry leading people to Christ for their healing of their brokeness.
5. Pray for wisdom, strength and courage to continue by faith trusting in Him to guide and direct us through the busy schedule of the coming year.

Again thank you for all of your prayers and support for being part of the King's team.