Dear Praying Friends,

Next week we start our annual fast of ‘21’DAYS. During these days as a church we fast together and if you need a reason to fast, let me give you a few of the reasons that people in the Bible fasted:

1. To strengthen prayer (see Ezra 8:23)
2. To seek God’s guidance (see Judges 20:26)
3. To express grief (see 1 Samuel 31:13)
4. To seek deliverance or protection (see 2 Chronicles 20:3 – 4)
5. To express repentance and a return to God (see 1 Samuel 7:6)
6. To humble oneself before God (see 1 Kings 21:27 – 29)
7. To express concern for the work of God (see Nehemiah 1:3 – 4)
8. To minister to the needs of others ( Isaiah 58:3 – 7)
9. To overcome temptation and dedicate yourself to God (see Matthew 4:1 – 11)
10. To express love and worship for God (see Luke 2:37)

If we really want to understand fasting from God’s perspective, then the best place to go is to the Word of God; not just go out on a whim. My mother fasted on Thursdays every week in her journey with God and I never knew it. She did not boast or talk about it, she just did it, in some manner. Isaiah gives us the logical God Given way to fast in Isaiah 58.

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.

It is good instruction to show you how you should not fast.

‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked dists.
You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own dlesh and blood?

This coming year, in the Year of our Lord 2023, we are fasting with a worldview in mind and will join with Gary Klein and over a hundred million people who are joining together to fast for the nations. On four different days in this year, we will be praying for God to have his way in the earth. A cry will come from around the globe, “EARTH, OH EARTH, HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD.” The question rings in my ears today, “IF NOT YOU WHO AND IF NOT NOW WHEN”. It is encouraging to know that we can fast with Global Initiative and the promise of God to us is as valid today as it was when Isaiah wrote these words so long ago.

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing dinger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

On another note, GayNell and I are so grateful for the privilege we have as a couple to serve you and your families. It is a blessing to live our lives in the reins of the Lord with one purpose in mind; which is to help you live under an open heaven. A scripture that in on my heart today, in light of our celebration of Christ’s Birth this special time each year, is found in Titus 2:11 - “The Grace of God that brings Salvation has appeared to all men.” Salvation spoken of here means saved, healed and delivered. Each river and each power that works must have a source, which in this case is the Grace of God. There is no other way of Salvation. It is universal and it teaches us how to live in this present world as well as how to look toward the future.

Titus 2:11-14

God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-dilled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacridice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

The Message
Happy New Year and Blessing to you and yours,
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell

Greetings with a prayer,

“That the Essence of Christmas 2ill your house, during this wonderful season and the coming New Year”

Can you imagine what the 4irst Christmas night was like, exhilarating and exhausting, welcoming and wearingly wonderful? I found a poem recently that grasp the story in a unique manner.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT

The busy day was over,
The countryside asleep;
And night had veiled the quiet 4ield,
Where shepherds watched the quiet 4ield,
Where shepherds watched the sheep:
When unto them an angel
Appeared “mid-glorious light,”
And, all amazed, the shepherds gazed
Unto the fearful sight.

But words of comfort came,
And words of great, good cheer;
Of One, foretold from days of old,
In Bethlehem so near.
For there was born an infant,
Their Savior, on that day;
So pure and mild, the little Child
Within the manger lay.

And suddenly from heaven
A multitude came down;
A host was there, and all the air
Was 4illed with heavenly sound.
What sight most strange and wondrous
For mortal eye to see;
What sound for ear of man to hear?
So filled with ecstasy!

Oh praise to God, and glory,
That seems to echo still!
For with that birth, came Peace on Earth,
And unto man Good Will.

By Catherine Miller

Has it ever crossed your mind that the Born Again are the Gate Keepers of the message of our Lord’s Virgin Birth. Our job is easy because the message of the angel choir was, “Joy to the World the Lord is come!” This is what I mean by this statement; Christmas is in every message I preach and every song we sing and in essence, each time we give to church and missions. When our teams feed the needy on Sunday afternoons or travel on outreach to New Orleans, this is the essence of Christmas. The main thing is to share your faith in the living Christ with others, who do not know Him as the Savior of the World. The essence of Christmas is in part the on going theme of Jesus mission on earth and His continuing hope in the heart of the believer. Yes, the hope and fears of all the years met in the manger embodied in God enabled 4lesh. It is our joy as well, when we realize that the joy of the Lord is our strength and enabling.

We 4irst see him as an infant but we know Him also as the lamb slain from before the foundation of the world, the miracle child who grew in strength and wisdom with the favor of God upon Him. He is the Word made 4lesh and dwelt among us as one of us, this same Jesus was the worlds creator and our soon coming king. We are called also to continue proclaiming the Gospel of Peace. It is not just preacher’s feet, which are called beautiful. The Bible says Beautiful are the feet of all those who proclaim peace; announcing news of happiness that our God reigns. It is as though the angels could not wait to get in on the action and their praise burst out of heaven. This should be the way we feel about it; when we receive Jesus born in our hearts, we just can’t keep it to ourselves. Don’t you think it is amazing that The Perfect, Heaven Inspected Lamb of God, would be born in a manger? Why? This has always been a question people ask at this season of the year.

The answer is so easy; it is because he was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. He lived an impeccable life, tempted in every point as we are, yet without sin and quali4ied as the one who would carry out the redemption mission.

Thank you for doing your part in keeping the essence of Christmas alive, day by day, in your commitment to Him; by your sacri4icial lifestyle and example to the world around you.

Thank you for being faithful to the call and helping us all ful4ill our life mission as we keep the essence of Christmas in wide-open mode, 24/7 today and always.

Your loving pastors,
Cleddie and Gaynell

Christmas Faith, Hope and Love to You in the most wonderful season of all, Have you ever stopped to consider what our gift to the one born King really is? It has always been my conviction that Christ deserved more than just a consensus of opinion from me. He is worthy of my total commitment and allegiance. In my surrender to Christ it was evident to me that my responsibility was to live and be in agreement with Him. My immediate response to Christ became known by my faithfulness to His love for me. I realized that my church attendance was one way in which I could steward my influence to those around me.

My Church Attendance
Habits Affect My Church
(What my presence does.)

1. It caused people to have confidence in me.
2. It made people know that I regard my spiritual welfare and that of others, as a matter of great importance.
3. It had a good effect on the service.
4. It made my friends feel more welcome.
5. It encouraged the brethren and helped the preacher in his work.
6. It caused others to come to the house of God.
7. It made my life stronger week after week.
8. It caused others to stay away from the path that leads to destruction.
9. It pleased God and I was happy for it.
10. It caused others to think and even say, “He practices what he preaches.”

(What my absence does.)
1. It made some question, the reality of my faith.
2. It made some think I was a pretender.
3. It made many think that I regard my spiritual welfare and that of others of small concern.
4. It weakened my effect of the church services.
5. It made it more difficult for the ministry of the church to fulfill their assignment.
6. It was a means of discouragement to church family.
7. It caused others to stay away from church.
8. It became a means by which I had a void in my life, whereby I was more susceptible to temptation.
9. It kept me from the place where the fire of God for lost souls was stoked weekly.
10. It encouraged the habit of non-church going.

You could call this missed opportunities. Through the years I have suggested that the Inn Keeper who had no room for Mary to give birth to her son, had cold indifference toward the young couple knocking at his door late one night. However, that is not necessarily the total picture. The Word of God does not imply that he was mean, cruel, vulgar or rude; he was just busy. Many have charged him with a cold indifference but that is not the case, as I see it, at all. He did not know Mary was the mother of the Savior of the World, nor did he recognize the opportunity at his door that lonely night in Bethlehem.

No! He was not rude or ruthless; he was just busy. Some may consider what took place at the little Inn in Bethlehem a travesty. I look at it as a lost opportunity to have hosted in the hostel, the most celebrated and memorable of all maternity moments in history. The Inn Keeper in our story was not hostile; he was just busy.

We could call it LOST OPPORTUNITY, as we revisit the story or we could call it a lost chance, because business got in the way of the most important event in human history. What then is the moral of the story? Business still clouds the real meaning of Christmas. He was not born in the Inn; but the real question is — has He been born in your hearts? Beyond the sparkle, the lights, the trees, the melancholy of memories, the giving, the getting, and all the Yuletide festivities; He is knocking at the door of men’s hearts today. Let us all make sure business is not getting in the way of our Christmas. The spirit of Christmas is ours; 365 days a year.

Choice Christmas Greetings to You and Yours,

I have packed my soul with Christmas Truth because I have my own Magnificat. “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Matthew 1:46-55

Do you have your own Magnificat? What has God done for you? In Psalms 136, David gives us his own personal version of what God has done for him. Let's borrow from David and compile our own magnificat:

YOUR LOVE NEVER QUITS.

I am always on His mind.

I was on His mind, when He was crucified on Calvary.
I am on His mind and in His thoughts right at this moment.
I say it like this, “the devil will never make God change his mind about you.”
On my behalf, He has done marvelous things.
I am thankful He is a miracle working God.

HIS MERCY ENDURES FOR EVER

The creator, who formed the universe, laid out the earths foundation, filled the sky with light by day and night. The sun watches over the daytime and the moon and stars are the guardians of the night.

He makes our Enemies His enemies, just like He did when Israel was being oppressed by Egypt.

He has been there for me when I was down, rescued me when I was down, and taken care of me in a time of need.

HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER

Go ahead and put this in your Christmas stocking and join me in celebrating His love for you and I — in the greatest story ever told. These are true stocking stuffers:

GOD HAS NO FAVORITES.
GOD’S PROMISES ARE UNLIMITED.
GOD’S WORD IS TRUE. “WHATSOEVER THINGS YOU ASK IN HIS NAME BELIEVE THAT
YOU RECEIVE IT AND YOU SHALL HAVE IT.
IN GOD, “NO SITUATION JUSTIFIES DESPAIR.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS! YOUR FRIENDSHIP IS INDISPENSABLE AND WE LOVE SPENDING IT WITH YOU.

CHRIST WITH US, CHRIST FOR US, AND CHRIST IN US.

Happy Holidays to all our Church Family,

It seems to me that 2022 went by faster than the two previous years. I think this is because negative news was the order of the day. We have been exposed to an unhealthy vulgarity and enough negativity to last us a lifetime. The public profanity and the unleashed tongue of anti Christ rhetoric of late, has now shown us the hearts of our national leaders and it is not a pretty sight. Negativity is seen as Mutiny on a ship and can cause all kind of problems. Allegorically, if
America were one big ship then it could well be on the edge of Mutiny.

Have you ever been to Kewaskum, Wisconsin? I just thought I would ask. Maybe you have read about the owner of a Dairy Queen in that town who refuses to be Politically Incorrect. Here is C.B.S. news statement in regard to his front door sign: KEWASKUM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A sign on the door of a Kewaskum Dairy Queen, calling the restaurant 'politically incorrect' is generating business and conversation. The sign reads: "THIS RESTAURANT IS POLITICALLY INCORRECT.” It warns potential customers that staff may say things like "Merry Christmas," "Happy Easter," and will also offer free sundaes to veterans on Veterans Day. It also says "In God We Trust." "I felt the sign was appropriate to hang in terms of being transparent about the views of the owner and staff supporting God and country," said owner Kevin Scheunemann.

"It just seems that those kinds of values and principles are becoming controversial in society," he said. The sign was posted close to four years ago, after a man from Oregon, a one time customer was upset when he heard Christian music inside the restaurant. Scheunemann decided to post the warning, and said he hasn't had many problems since then. One time, a customer was upset at the offer of free ice cream for veterans, but Scheunemann said he is open to talking with anyone who may have concerns about the sign. He says he'll even make arrangements for a customer to come in without witnessing any expression of God or country. Other business owners in town say they support Scheunemann's right to run his business the way he sees fit. One local business owner said, "You don’t have to walk in if you don't agree with it. "In fact, some people in town told us there isn't even a need for a sign like that -- because most residents in Kewaskum share the same values.” In this small community, I don't think it's a problem," a resident said, "We're all just liking each other and having fun."

It is one thing to be verbal; verbiage does not change the way people think. Just look at the impact of one man’s simple statement; the airtime and press coverage his statement made. What is VERBIAGE? IT IS WRITING THAT USES TO MANY WORDS OR EXPRESSIVELY TECHNICAL EXPRESSIONS. The message is: KEEP IT SIMPLE. It is like the structure of a sermon; too many stories without the foundation of the Word of God and the sermon will fall apart.

I had seen this story back in 2019, but it did not catch my attention until I saw it when it made the news cycle again. Don’t you think it could be time for believers to speak up? I have always been riveted to the story of the early church, in Acts chapter 4, the church was threatened by the government to cease and desist, herein is that story:

They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—WE CANNOT KEEP QUIET ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. The religious leaders renewed their threats, but then released them. They couldn’t come up with a charge that would stick, that would keep them in jail. The people wouldn’t have stood for it—they were all praising God over what had happened. The man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old. As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer:

“Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In Iran in the month of September over 400 people have been martyred for demonstrating for FREEDOM. Do you think it may be time to put a sign on our door; knowing the Strong God is with us? He made the earth and everything in it, is available to make all things work together for good, and He is with us.

I am not going out quietly!

“Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be UNTO HIM that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelations 5:13

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful, UNTO HIM and bless his name.” Psalms l00:5

My heart is overflowing with praise this morning as I write this weekly letter to my church family and friends. I pray that it will be an encouragement to you to give praise unto Him for all he has done for you as well. Several years ago I ran across something that I have kept in my office and today, I want to share it with you as you read this letter. It is alphabet of personal prayers and it applies to all of us.

• Abide with us, the Prayer of Companionship, Luke 24:10
• Bless me, “Bless me also, O my Father”. Individual Prayer, Genesis 27:34
• Come unto me, “Let your tender mercies come unto me, that I may live.” Psalms 119:77
• Deliver me, The Prayer of Victory, Psalms 31:15
• Examine me, A Prayer of Testing, Psalms 26:2
• Forgiveness, A Prayer of Forgiveness, Psalms 25:18
• Guide me, The Prayer for leading, “For Thy name sake guide me”, Psalms 31:3
• Help me, The Prayer for Aid, Matthew 15:25
• Integrity, A Prayer for Uprightness, “Preserve me” Psalms 25:21
• Judge me, Prayer for Discretion, Psalms 54:1
• Keep me, Prayer for Preservation, Psalms 17:8
• Lead me, Prayer for Direction, Psalms 139: 24
• Make me, Prayer for Adjustment, Psalms 119: 35
• Never be Ashamed, A Prayer for Constancy, Psalms 71:1
• Open my Eyes, The Prayer for Illumination/Revelation, Psalms 119:18
• Preserve me, A Prayer for Keeping, Psalms 16:1
• Quicken me, A Prayer Revival, Psalms 119:25
• Redeem me, Prayer for Release, Psalms 26:11
• Save me, Prayer for Rescue, Matthew 14:30
• Teach me, Prayer for Instruction, Psalms 27:11
• Unite My Heart, The Prayer of Communion, Psalms 74: 11
• Visit me, A Prayer for Visitation. Psalms 106:4
• Watch, A Prayer for Prevention, “Set a Watch, O Lord before my lips”, Psalms 141:3
• Xtremity, Remember me, Psalms 23:42

These prayers remind me of why I am so thankful for His watch care over our lives. They are sometimes just faint utterances; at other times heartfelt petitions and person- al pleas. In other instances they are just humble mutterings but prayers none the less; as well as faith filled earnest appeals to heaven.

On another note, I thank you for your faithfulness to our faithful God. You are on my heart and in my prayers.

Wow, what a mental ride we have had in the past three years. I have often said that America is God’s idea--that being the case; America is No Accident.

A parallel to America is found in Exodus 3:17 where God speaks to Israel to leave their bondage in Egypt and as they do God leads them across the sea to the Promised Land. “I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt...unto a land that is flowing with milk and honey.” Can you see the similarities between America and Israel? People in both cases sought a land of Freedom; a place where they were free to worship God, a place where they were no longer under an intolerant system where you could not speak your mind for fear of being imprisoned or hanged. They sought for a place where your conscience was not dictated by Monarchs and a system you must oblige or the results would be bow or burn. Not only would this place be a place of freedom, with these factors incorporated into the fabric of the society. There would also be freedom of press, not just propaganda determined by a few. Have you ever considered how wonderful freedom of travel and freedom of equal employment is? Do you know what this spells out for us—FREEDOM FROM, FEAR!!! A place like America could have only been the results of prayer, where a farm boy like Lincoln could rise to the highest office in the nation and go from a log house to the White House.

It was my pleasure to know J.A. Dennis, a wonderful faith preacher, who was a paralegal by profession before he followed the Lord’s call into ministry. He had a profound influence on my life before I came to Heritage. In one of his writings he directs our attention to two verses which cause us to think of the blessing of God on America; blessings which are similar to God’s blessing on His chosen people—Israel.

“Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the nation whose, God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalms 33:12

“God has not dealt (this way) with any [other] nation;They have not known [understood, appreciated, heeded, or cherished] His ordinances.” Psalms 147:20

J. A. Dennis was given a word of prophecy, seventy years ago on December 5th, 1952, it begs to question. “Oh, how can I save you if you refuse to be saved? How can I heal you if you refuse to be healed? How can I give you good things that I long to give you when you spurn my gifts for he world’s treasure and the world’s pleasure? Can you not learn from history from My Word and My Son? Why must you go the way of the Israelites....Read, Heed and take Warning....From the men who have gone before.” In one portion of the prophecy he states that God sent His prophet Jonah to warn Nineveh, they heeded the warning and Repented, they cried out to God and He heard their cry and spared the city. This is the only way for God to spare America—for America to repent or perish. God is long-suffering and not willing that any should perish. I have always lived with short accounts when it comes to God; it is the pathway to immediate victories.

Billy Graham once said, “If America does not repent God will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. May God have mercy on America is my prayer, we must do more than only believe, we have to roll up our sleeves and fight the good fight of faith. It is a good fight because it is a fixed fight, We Win!!!

We love you and we stand together, AS ONE.

Choice Christian Greetings to our friends, who receive our weekly Heritage letter,

Have you ever noticed that when catastrophe strikes, people respond by the hundreds to the scene of the crisis, wherever it may be? I have watched the volunteers come with everything from water to clothing, Electric Power Companies send their crews rushing to get the power lines up and running again. Every agency comes together to lighten the load of those who have suffered as a result of the catastrophe. In my life I have seen the destructive force of tornadoes and floods, hurricanes with their strong winds and tide surges that have wiped out entire communities. We all have been armchair observers of wars and the casualties of war. I was in Mexico City three days after the 1985 earthquake that killed an estimated 10,000 people. We had a construction team there the morning it struck, and they had been warned, “Get the men together early in the morning and leave the city”. Their stories of that morning still are fresh in my mind. God spared them that day and we are forever grateful.

There is, however, what I think is a greater catastrophe and it is happening all around us. The National Guard is not responding what is happening. It is as though the world at large is blinded to what is taking place and what the root cause really is. You ask what is the tragedy of which I am speaking? How can a catastrophe of this magnitude be overlooked? The catastrophe that I am speaking about is the world has forgotten God. I have often said, “God gives a nation the
kind of leadership it deserves.” Gary Klein has had us repeating with him a declaration that is being used in the noon prayer meetings. I have asked that we would be able to send it out to you in our letter where you can be praying it aloud in your homes, between now and the midterm elections that are coming up next week.

Decree Over America and the Nations:

1. We appeal to heaven for a complete containment of Global Satanic actors and all their operations. We say, “YOUR SORCERIES AND SACRIFICES WILL NOT HELP YOU! YOUR PROTECTION IS REMOVED!

2. We decree and declare that they will not shut down travel, commerce, freedom, or access. We declare that their lies will not succeed, but rather will boomerang back onto them.

3. We decree that the hand of the Destroyer is stayed and immobilized by Jehovah, so that a nuclear disaster will not happen in Ukraine or anywhere else.

4. We decree that the Enemy is denied the ability to start WW3.

5. We declare that there will be, no new health emergency declared, we forbid it!

6. We decree against ALL false flag attacks
•No terror attacks anywhere.
•No airplanes shot down.
•No assassinations anywhere; of popular leadership persons.
•We thwart all uprisings and riots.

7. We declare...No more incidences of deadly gunfire attacks in public places that could be used for the purpose of disarming our citizens and violating our 2nd Amendment.

8. There will be no foreign takeover of our nation!

9. We decree against All manipulations to bring about panic and fear.

10. We decree against all violence and civil war. We release a Spirit of Reconciliation in our land.

11. We decree that all Global satanic actors will not succeed in manipulating the upcoming Israeli elections or our own United States elections! We bind all criminal deception, lies, evil schemes and corruption!

12. We lose justice, righteousness, and truth and decree that these are now being poured out from heaven on the United States and the Nations!

13. We proclaim Amos 5:24, ‘Let Justice roll on like a River and Righteousness like a never-ending stream!

14. We decree that America shall always be a nation that blesses and stands with Israel!

15. We DECLARE AND DECREE THAT, AMERICA SHALL BE SAVED!!! GET OUT AND VOTE NEXT TUESDAY, JUST ONE MAKES A DIFFERENCE... THANK YOU FOR THE PASTOR’S APPRECIATION GIFTS THAT YOU HAVE SO GENEROUSLY GIVEN
TO GAYNELL AND I, WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A PART OF YOUR LIVES.

Blessed and Highly Favored,
Cleddie and GayNell