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Christian Gift Baskets by Oavio>
Oavio Good News Vol. I Issue 1
January 28, 2005
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
We have been deeply touched by the responses of those
receiving our baskets, as well as by your encouraging words
that give us support. There is great joy in knowing that
these baskets are touching hearts for God. Please continue
to let us hear from you. We do very much appreciate your
comments and suggestions.
The first question we are always asked is what does Oavio
mean? Oavio, pronounced o-va-o with all long vowels,
means “A heart for God.” It is a word given to Pat while
she was studying early one morning. We had been looking
for a company name and knew right away that it was from
God. We praise Him for giving it to us. Our Lord tells us
in Proverbs 8:17 - “I love them that love me, and those
that seek me early shall find me.” It was during one of
these early morning seekings that she was given Oavio.
We want to encourage you to guard your quiet time with the
Lord. Time spent in study and prayer is precious and
powerful. It renews our strength and transforms our minds.
Without it, we are beaten down by the world and lack the
strength to walk in the Spirit. May the Holy Spirit draw
you to a closer daily time of prayer and may His Word be
opened up to you with a fresh vision of Jesus in the year
ahead.
I’d like to share one of my favorite scriptures with you.
It’s Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for
you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” May God be
praised! He is so good.
Let me share a brief story with you of just how gracious
our Lord can be. There is a gentleman in our church named
Mr. Bud. He is one of those fellows that would give you
the shirt off his back in an effort to help you. His
youngest daughter was diagnosed with terminal cancer a
couple of years ago. This kind of news is devastating for
anyone to hear, but for your child; it just makes it that
much worse. God had other plans for this family though.
After more extensive tests, which were sent to labs in
other states, a miracle happened. The final test came back
that the cancer was treatable. Praise God! She has since
had surgery and gone through radiation treatments and today
is cancer free. What is even more joyous for Mr. Bud and
his family is that she is expecting her first child in May.
What a life-giving and life-changing God we serve!
Well, Mr. Bud was told a few weeks ago that he also had
cancer. The tests all pointed to it and the doctors were
sure he would need treatment. The final report came back
this week and guess what - that’s right, another miracle!
God changed the report to read “cancer free”! Just like he
changed the report for my brother-in-law last week. Just
like he changed the report for Mrs. Linda last week. And we
could go on and on.
Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe that God doesn’t
do, apart from prayer, that which He can do through prayer?
Circumstances are changed through prayer. There is great
power in the united prayers of the saints. It is indeed a
mystery and a privilege. Jeff Knight once said, “If you’re
a believer, just look in the mirror. You are a product of
prayer. You are a miracle.” May we say a good word about
Jesus everyday and tell others what He’s doing in our lives
so they may know Him more. (Psalm 145:21)
Valentine’s day is coming up and although most people do
not associate this day with God, it should be. God IS love
(1 John 4:8). What greater love story is there than God
sending His only Son to redeem us? It must have been
important to Him because He put love at the top of the list
of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and He commands us
to love one another (John 15:17).
We’ve added a couple of new baskets that are designed to
help express your love for others. The featured books are:
“Love and Respect - The Love She Most Desires - The Respect
He Desperately Needs.” This book, a Focus on the Family
book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, is full of biblically based
counsel for all couples. Whether you are just starting out
or have been married for years. You will be blessed and
enter into a new deeper level of intimacy with the love of
your life.
“The Five Love Languages” – How to Express Heartfelt
Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman. Have you ever
felt like you and your mate were speaking different
languages? You may very well have been. This book
explores the five main languages people use to express
their love for one another. It will assist you in
understanding how you need to express love for them and how
you wish for love to be expressed in return. Discover how
to receive the love that others are showing you in ways you
may not have realized.
These new baskets are shown on our “Specials” page at
www.oavio.com.
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow (1 Thess.
3:12).
Let us leave you with the following scriptures in hopes
that they will encourage you and strengthen you as you face
trials.
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from
Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my
fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts
to Him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8
May the Lord bless you this week and fill you with His joy
and love.
Bruce & Pat
www.oavio.com
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