The little boy in line ahead of me was counting out his money to buy a cherished matchbox car.

He carefully placed down two or three crumpled dollar bills and some change … but the cashier told him that he didn’t have quite enough money. It seems the boy had forgotten to calculate the sales tax. Dejected, he began to collect his money. I asked him, “How much more do you need?” It was only about $0.30. “I’ll cover it today,” I assured him, tossing a quarter and a nickel on the black conveyor belt. Seeing his little face light up with gratitude was worth much more than $0.30!

Dear friend, have you ever pushed your shopping cart up to the register only to discover you didn’t have quite enough money to buy everything in the cart? It can be a little discouraging … and perhaps embarrassing … to set certain items aside as others wait in line because you simply don’t have enough to pay for everything.

Self-supporting ministries like Amazing Facts must walk a thin line between faith and estimation. As we consider our budget from year to year, we try to make bold plans that will please the Lord without being reckless. For more than 47 years, Amazing Facts has survived from month to month by faith—never knowing exactly how much money will appear in our mailbox. We receive no subsidy from the church or any other organization, but instead depend entirely on monthly support from our friends like you.

And in reality, most supporters do not give monthly. Many give once at the end of the year. This is why December becomes the most crucial month for our ministry.

Now here we are with less than two weeks left in December and it appears without some miracles of generosity, we are going to end the year in the red. (We are about six percent behind where we were last year.) If this happens, it will naturally mean we need to be responsible and cut back on certain evangelistic programs. Of course, it makes us very sad to cancel a radio or television program or an evangelistic meeting, publication, or project. But the saddest thing for me is realizing this ultimately means fewer souls will be reached in 2013.

But I still have hope. I still believe there are people out there who can help Amazing Facts have a strong finish in 2012. Jesus said, “Ask,” so I’m asking. Friend, if you believe the Lord is coming soon and if you believe Amazing Facts has proven effective in reaching people with the saving truth, could I ask you to prayerfully consider making a final year-end gift to this evangelistic ministry? I believe the Lord will bless you.

Of course, Amazing Facts is a nonprofit organization and all donations made on or before December 31, 2012, are tax-deductible on your 2012 tax return.

Have a blessed Christmas and New Year in the Lord,

Pastor Doug

Three easy ways to give ...

• Online: Click here
  
• By Phone: 877-506-1751
  
• By Mail: P.O. Box 1058, Roseville, CA 95678-8058