The Overcomers Christian Fellowship International, Plymouth

Pastor's Desk:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Sometimes the circumstances of our lives are not always the best. In fact, they may be downright bad, but still, we are to look for something to be thankful for! And there is ALWAYS something positive for which we can be thankful! Now, I believe there are at least three attitudes that steal away our grati- tude. These are: (1) Our pride: This is the attitude that says, "Nobody ever gave me anything, I worked hard for everything I have. We feel that we have no one to thank but ourselves. (2) A critical spirit or persistent complaining: Instead of looking at the negatives in our lives and complaining, we must look at and for the positives and give thanks. (3) Carelessness: Someone once said that if the stars only came out once a year, we would stay out all night to watch them. But they are there every night and we have grown accustomed to them. Therefore most people regard thanksgiving with significance.

A positive, thankful person is a great witness in this “dark” world. We only shine and our light shines for the Lord when we are thankful- when we live it and express it!. Being thankful will increase our personal happiness. Most of us think that our happi- ness is determined by our circumstances but really our happiness is determined by our attitude and by our perspective in life not by our circumstances (Happenings). This will also improve our witness for Christ. Having a noticeable countenance of thankfulness and joy will certainly make us better witnesses for Christ. We attract the lost with our spirit of gratitude because the world is so dark and depressing and ungrateful. This will also enhance our relationships. Husband could you imagine about how much your marriage would improve if you come home one day with a gift or some flowers and just tell your wife how thankful you are for all she does. As a wife, you could add more value to your marriage by telling your husband how much you appreciate him when the opportunity presents itself. Kids, think about how much better things would go for you in the home if you tell mum and dad once in a while how grateful you are for the money they spend on you and the things they do for you. Just imagine how much better our church relationships would be if we expressed our thanks for each other from time to time and become grateful for each other.

Also it will solidify our relationship with God which is the top benefit. Someone once said that God lives in two places. He lives in heaven and in a humble, grateful heart. Hebrews 12:25 says, “Let us please God by serving him with thankful hearts.” There is something inside of each of us that needs to give thanks to God. It is God’s plan, His will for us to give thanks to Him. He made us for that. This is the Overcomer’s celebration of thanksgiving!.

On this note I will like all our family members in diaspora, friends and well-wishers all over the world to please join us for our sixth birthday celebrations as a great Church of the living God established for the end time harvest and founded in the year 2009. Our annual convention commencing from the 4th of March to 8th of March 2015 with the Theme “GOD OF DIVINE RELEASE- Psalm. 126:1-3” is for this purpose. As you join us in prayers and / or with your physical presence during our convention; the heaven will continue to release its abundance blessings upon your life and your household in this new month of our cele- brations and beyond in Jesus name.