Like many of you, we are very busy during this time of year. There is much to do with family, church, work, shopping, planning, etc. However, let me encourage you (and me) to take some time to slow down and enjoy that which matters most--your relationship with Christ, your loved ones, and fellow believers in Jesus. In 2 Samuel 7:18 we read, "Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: 'Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?'" At times it is necessary to slow down, sit in the presence of the LORD, and simply be grateful for all He has done for us.

I am very much looking forward to preaching on Sunday from 2 Samuel 7:18-29. David has just received the amazing news from Nathan that God would bless his house and that his kingdom would be established forever (vs. 16). David responds to this revelation with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Also in this prayer he speaks of God's redeeming power and then he closes with a petition to God in verse 29, "Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever: for You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever." Three times David uses the Hebrew word or form of the word barak, translated bless. David asked the LORD to bless his house, and I am going to ask God to bless your house on Sunday. I am going to ask all our men, the spiritual leaders in their homes, to stand and receive this prayer of blessing for you.  I also will pray for you and your family--for your spiritual, physical, marital, and financial prosperity. I am so looking forward to this prayer! I believe God is going to hear us and do great and awesome things in your life. Please come and expect a blessing.

Immediately following our morning worship we will look over our proposed 2012 Ministry Budget and then vote to approve it. We are proposing a small (4.3%) increase in our ministry budget and present it in faith that God will enable us to accomplish all He wants us to do. Please remember that throughout December we will receive offerings for our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. Every penny will be sent to our SBC International Mission Board to directly support our 5,000+ missionaries on the field.

Speaking of missions, will you join me in prayer on a very specific and urgent matter? We are asking God to reveal to us the unengaged and unreached people group (UUPG) that He wants GHBC to reach. There are 3,684 such groups in the world. I am so honored that we get to select one of these groups and mobilize our church to reach them. Our church is becoming very missional and intentional when it comes to reaching the nations. Last Sunday morning was the highlight of the year for me. What a blessing to hear and see the stories and pictures of how our people went out all over Austin and the world, radiating the love of Jesus to a lost and hurting world.

I will preach the annual state of the church sermon on January 8, and I am looking forward to sharing my heart and vision for GHBC. By God's grace and strength I will seek to ask and answer these three questions: Who are we? Where have we been? Where are we going? More and more of our people are embracing the vision of GHBC being a radiant church that worships God with passion, studies and applies His Word with diligence, and shares the saving message of Jesus with the world. At GHBC we seek to be a radiant church that worships Jesus upwardly, disciples each other with the Scripture inwardly, and evangelizes our city and the nations of the world outwardly. I so desire for you to help others connect with Christ and our church, lead them to become dedicated followers of Jesus, and then enable them to disciple another. It is not easy, and takes much effort, commitment, and money, but my heart and passion are to help GHBC make disciples who will make disciples. There are some very exciting things I am contemplating and planning for 2012 and beyond. Please pray for me that God would speak to me and that I would hear Him and obey Him.

Take some time this weekend to slow down and enjoy times of worship and relaxation. Have fun with your family. As you are out and about shopping, visiting, etc., look for ways to bless those you meet, share Jesus with those who need Him, and invite them to our church fellowship. Come and receive the prayer of blessing on Sunday morning and then be greatly blessed by our worship ministry at 6:00. See you Sunday!

Danny Forshee

Luke 2:17