April 2023 Newsletter
Prayer request: Pray for those you know who only attend church on Easter, that God will move in their hearts and that they will see a need to attend weekly and grow in Christ.
If you have any questions about the Mission or how you can help, please give us a call. 432-337-8294
A Word From Our Director ~ Pastor Andrew Pistone
Hopeless Grief Without a Risen Savior
Charles Swindoll tells the story of a woman - Mrs. Roberts - who lived across the street from his family when he was growing up in Houston. The neighbor's husband had recently died from a sudden heart attack. For weeks after her husband's death, Swindoll's mother watched their neighbor leave her house every day - to visit her husband's grave. Mrs. Swindoll knew that their neighbor was struggling with overwhelming loneliness, and that she was afraid of facing the future alone.
Those daily trips to the cemetery continued for a very long time. Even though Mrs. Roberts was a morally upright woman, she wasn't a follower of Jesus, and she didn't understand the Truth of the Bible. Charles remembers that his mother had – over the years – tried to reach her with the Gospel, but she had never been receptive. She didn't believe in Jesus as her Savior, and she had no understanding of His resurrection…and she definitely didn't have the security of an eternal home in heaven. Her life was filled with hopelessness, and that hopelessness was magnified after the death of her husband.
Even though she enjoyed remembering all the good years she had spent with her husband, she had no answers about the meaning of her life now – or the reason she was even on the earth in the first place. All the trips to her husband's grave site just made her life feel more and more pointless.
Swindoll said that he'll never forget the day his mother asked him to pray specifically for Mrs. Roberts – that her heart would be open to hearing what his mother was – once again – going to say to her. His mom was getting ready to go across the street – with some lemonade and a batch of cookies to share.
I'm guessing that the loss of her husband had given Mrs. Roberts a new sensitivity to the matters of life and death - because, that afternoon, she finally embraced the Truth of God's Word: that Jesus died for our sins, and that He came back to life again. Now, she understood that our earthly death is not the end of everything, and that God has prepared a place in heaven where His followers will live with Him forever!
Swindoll said, that after Mrs. Roberts became a follower of Christ, the trips to the cemetery didn't stop…but, the reason for going there HAD changed. During her many trips before – she had noticed other people crying and talking to cold headstones. She had once done the same thing, so she completely understood their pain and desperation; but she had accepted the Truth of Jesus' death and resurrection, and she wanted those hurting people to believe too.
So, she took her little New Testament, and spent time at the cemetery – comforting grieving people as they wept…and then, she shared the same message that had given meaning to her life: that Jesus Christ died a sacrificial death and that He came back to life after three days.
Without the Resurrection…Nothing Matters
What if Jesus had not come back to life on that first resurrection Sunday after the crucifixion?
The Bible makes it clear that - without His resurrection - nothing else matters.
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)
As Christians, our faith is based on the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus had not come back to life – our belief in Him would be pointless. When He rose from the dead, He proved that He was the King of Kings, and the Redeemer of those who will
trust Him.
The resurrection of Jesus gives meaning to those of us who follow Him. Without the resurrection, we could probably enjoy some of the pleasures of this earthly life – but, when this life is over, it would be ABSOLUTELY OVER!...and everything would just end in death
and decay.
Mrs. Roberts had experienced that kind of despair. She enjoyed many years with her husband, but realized that - without a belief in the risen Savior - she would be completely hopeless…in THIS life AND for eternity.
If we understand that we are depraved sinners in need of a Savior, and then - repent of our sins, believe that Jesus died to pay the debt for our sins, and accept God's free gift of forgiveness – we can spend eternity with Him in heaven when our earthly life is over.
Because of the Resurrection:
Because of the Resurrection…We can have an eternal perspective – even when we have overwhelming trouble and tragedy during this
earthly life.
Because of the Resurrection…We can have confidence that our lives have purpose, because our work for the Lord will have eternal significance.
Because of the Resurrection…Our earthly blessings are only a small taste of the joy we will experience
in heaven.
Because of the Resurrection…We don't have to fear death. God will have complete victory over evil
and death.
Because of the Resurrection…We know for sure, that our earthly death is not the end of everything. The risen Lord has prepared a place in heaven for those who trust Him and follow Him.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)
Our earthly lives go by in a flash…and it seems like every year goes by more and more quickly. When this earthly life is over, will you spend eternity in the presence of God – or separated from him? “There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.” (John 12:48)
I hope that you've trusted in the Risen Savior – for a life of purpose and significance while you're on this earth, and for an eternity with Him - where you will live in perfection forever!
He is Risen!...He is Risen Indeed!
Pastor Andrew
Thrift Store
If you haven't had a chance to shop at our Thrift Store, we hope you will do that very soon. The proceeds from the store are a major source of our support. You will find thousands of quality items at incredible prices, and you can shop with confidence that your dollars are helping to change lives.
We are located at 1515 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX Our hours for shopping are: Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
We continue to take ALL donations with grateful hearts. We could not do this without your help.
We will come to PICK UP any and all donations – just give us a call at 432-337-8294 to schedule a pickup. You can also drop off your donation at the Thrift Store,
Funds / Donations Needed
Your financial support will help us provide hot meals, a safe place to sleep and shower, and exposure to the truth of God's Word through Bible study and counseling to those who struggle with addictions. Many come to know Jesus as Savior because of the work God is doing here at the Mission.
There are a few ways you can give:
#1: PayPal Giving Fund:100% of what you give goes to the Mission. Paypal does not keep a processing fee when you use this service. If you would like to make a direct financial donation you can go to PayPal at the link below.
https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2432315
#2: Use our Website http://www.doorofhopemission.com/donate.html
#3: Mail a Check to Door of Hope Mission PO Box 1789, Odessa, TX 79760
#4: When you Shop at Amazon or Ebay, just add us as your preferred charity, and a portion of your purchase will go to the Door Of Hope Mission.
With Amazon: Visit Amazon Smile www.smile.amazon.com, then login to your account then you need to select Door Of Hope Mission Odessa TX so we will receive donations from eligible purchases when you shop.
With Ebay: You just need to add the Door Of Hope Mission to your favorites. Click the link this link to add us.
https://charity.ebay.com/charity/charity-name/2432315
If you have any questions please call us 432-337-8294.
The Door of Hope Mission is supported 100% by DONATIONS and our thrift store. We do not take money from the government because they would restrict us from preaching about the freeing power of Jesus to those we help.
All donations are tax-deductible.
DOOR OF HOPE THRIFT STORE UPDATE
We are in need of good furniture and antiques that you might want to donate to our ministry, and of course - we continue to take ALL donations with grateful hearts. We could not do this without your help.
We can also accept cars, trucks, RVs and boats.
If you have items you wish to donate, please drop them off at the store. If you need us to pick them up, please call the Mission at 432-337-8294.
We invite you to come and visit the Door of Hope Thrift Store. We are located at 1611 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761.
Our hours for shopping are Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Please visit us on Facebook : www.Facebook.com/DoorOfHopeThriftStore
All donations are tax deductible.
Please check out our latest post and like our page at https://www.facebook.com/DoorOfHopeMissionTX
A CHRISTIAN MISSION