December 2017 Radio We almost never say anything about radio, and that is an error that we must rectify. Quite a number of churches have been started as a result of the radio programming concerning the Message of the Cross. Consequently, radio is very important, even though it covers a tiny, tiny number of people compared to television. My reason for writing is this: It costs us an average of about $50,000 a month to take care of all the 74 stations. I can’t remember when we’ve asked for any help for radio, and, therefore, we haven’t received much help. If SonLife Radio is a blessing to you—if you enjoy the preaching, the teaching, and especially the worship—then we need your prayerful and financial support to keep coming to you each and every day, 24 hours a day. As you read these words and you are blessed by SonLife Radio, I ask you to whisper a little prayer to the Lord regarding what He would have you do to help financially. We need that help, and I know the Lord will bless you abundantly. Let me hear from you, please! Christmas Christmas is going to be here any day now. Please allow me to encourage you to do the following: We believe that the things we are offering in this magazine (the Bibles, the music packages, the books, etc.) are some of the finest in the world today. In other words, any of these would make par excellent Christmas gifts. So, why not give something worthwhile for a change to your loved one or friend, whoever that might be? Of course, we’re speaking of what is offered in this magazine or our catalog. For instance, even though the following could be said about anything offered, I will specifically point out The Expositor’s Study Bible. If you really want to give something to someone that is an absolutely excellent gift, try the Signature Edition. The cover is made of Cromwell premium genuine leather. It retails for $200 but is on sale for $125. As stated, this would make the greatest Christmas gift in the world, and I exaggerate not. There is the Ladies’ Bible that would make the greatest gift for the lady in your life, whoever she might be. Irrespective, whatever it is you choose, whether it’s Bibles, books, or music, it will be something worthwhile. Speaking Of Bibles… To date, we have given away 1.2 million copies of The Expositor’s Study Bible to Third World pastors all over the world. I should say quickly, “Thanks for your help.” In the coming Bible-thon, which will be January 2, I urge every one of you to give a Christmas gift to a Third World pastor somewhere in the world. As I dictate these notes, we’ve just had one of these pastors from Nigeria in Africa visiting here at the ministry. He has been very instrumental in helping us distribute the Bibles in his country. He tells of preachers who don’t even have a Bible, and yet, they are trying to pastor churches. He tells of Muslims who give their hearts to the Lord but know absolutely nothing about the Lord because they don’t have a Bible, and they have no way to get one. We must get Bibles into the hands of these individuals. So, I’m asking each one of you who holds this magazine in your hands to give one or more of these Bibles to Third World pastors somewhere in the world. Some of you reading this could easily pay for 1,000 Bibles, others 500 Bibles, and others 100 Bibles, but others could only pay for two or three or even one Bible. I’m asking each and every one to do what you can do. To be frank, I don’t know of a missions work in the world today that can compare with this. When you place The Expositor’s Study Bible in the hands of a Third World pastor, you are not only placing a Bible into their hands but, as well, a commentary, a Bible dictionary, etc. I don’t know of another Bible in the world that explains the Scriptures as The Expositor’s Study Bible does. So, I’m asking you, please, on January 2, which is the Bible-thon, do the very best that you can do. If it’s only one Bible that you can afford, please do it. However, if you can afford to pay for 10, 20, 100, or even more, you can feel assured that if you do such, you will be making a difference. Really, there is nothing more important than that. Much Of The World The Message of the Cross is what I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. How I thrill at the emails and letters that we are receiving as it regards how lives are being changed as a result of this message. The problem is sin, and the only solution for sin is the Cross of Christ—and I mean it’s the only solution. That means that every single person in the world, and for all time, who has been delivered from a bondage of some nature, has been delivered because of what Jesus did at the Cross. That’s how important this message is. Sometime back, Franklin Graham called me about this very thing. He said, and I paraphrase, “Brother Swaggart, you are the only one over television who is preaching the Cross.” I mentioned that maybe there were some others, but he interrupted me and said, “No, there aren’t any others preaching the Cross.” Whether he’s correct or not, I don’t know, but I suspect he is right. I appreciated so very, very much his taking the time to call me and to tell me how much the Message of the Cross means to him, even as it has meant to untold numbers of others. The message is not new, having first been given to the apostle Paul, and in a sense, was given to Adam and Eve. The point I wish to make is that we couldn’t do this without you. So, if you have been blessed by SonLife Broadcasting, whether by radio or television, I’m asking you to give an offering to help us with the expenses. In other words, I’m asking for a Christmas gift for our Lord. Of course, the Lord needs nothing, but His work does. The gospel is free, but getting it to the people costs money. Let me ask you this: Have you given this year what you ought to have given? Only you can answer that, and if you haven’t, why not rectify the situation now? You can be certain of one thing, and that is that you know what we preach and teach. You know the doctrine that we espouse. You don’t have to guess at it because it’s obvious and is just as near to you as the television set in your room. I need to hear from you, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Incidentally, from the entirety of the staff of over 300 people at Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, we all want to say a wonderful Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year.