Now that 2011 is behind us, we can start paying attention to the upcoming year of 2012. Depending upon whom your predictive authority is, 2012 could be anything from more of the same old same old, or the dreaded arrival of the Apocalypse! Though entertaining, consulting the Magic 8 Ball, The Farmer's Almanac or Jean Dixon is an exercise in futility and foolishness. Predicting the future is a very tenuous and treacherous undertaking with many so-called experts continuously contradicting each other as well as themselves! Never mind that these modern day prophets are almost ALWAYS wrong. Their predictive prophecies can and usually are updated, revised, redefined, or denied outright as taken out of context by the reader!
Looking back and understanding the events of the past year through detailed investigation is a much more astute way of understanding what the future may hold. As Christians, we have been called to walk by faith and not by sight into the future, knowing and trusting that God is leading us every step along the path. Like the Apostle Paul on his trip to Rome, there are times that God may show us what the future may hold for us, but the majority of time we are left uninformed and left trusting in the leading of the Holy Spirit.
In the Old Testament, we read about Israel having monuments and feast days that required the people of God to stop and reflect on the things that God had done for them during the course of their past history. These symbols were intended to cause Israel to remember where they came from, to remember the conditions that they were brought out of, and to also encourage them to face their near future with complete confidence IF they were faithful to God and his Holy Word!
Last week, I was given a list by the leaders of the DC3 IMPACT group of what had been accomplished during the past year. This list is a great example of how God can and will lead anyone who trusts in him and resigns himself to his sovereign oversight. This list is just a small sampling of what God did through one group in the church. I am sure the list could be multiplied over and over through the various ministries. The one thing that stands out in all these accomplishments is that every individual was willing to step out in faith to be used by God. Check out this partial list to see some of the things that God accomplished with the IMPACT group in 2011.
My prayer for the upcoming year is that we will all step out in faith to a greater degree than we did in the previous year. There are still many people and things God wants to touch for the advancement of his kingdom, and we play a very important role in that plan. May we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength as we step into the new year - not knowing what may come, but confident we can face it and overcome it by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and simple faith in his guidance!
Pastor Don
Looking back and understanding the events of the past year through detailed investigation is a much more astute way of understanding what the future may hold. As Christians, we have been called to walk by faith and not by sight into the future, knowing and trusting that God is leading us every step along the path. Like the Apostle Paul on his trip to Rome, there are times that God may show us what the future may hold for us, but the majority of time we are left uninformed and left trusting in the leading of the Holy Spirit.
In the Old Testament, we read about Israel having monuments and feast days that required the people of God to stop and reflect on the things that God had done for them during the course of their past history. These symbols were intended to cause Israel to remember where they came from, to remember the conditions that they were brought out of, and to also encourage them to face their near future with complete confidence IF they were faithful to God and his Holy Word!
Last week, I was given a list by the leaders of the DC3 IMPACT group of what had been accomplished during the past year. This list is a great example of how God can and will lead anyone who trusts in him and resigns himself to his sovereign oversight. This list is just a small sampling of what God did through one group in the church. I am sure the list could be multiplied over and over through the various ministries. The one thing that stands out in all these accomplishments is that every individual was willing to step out in faith to be used by God. Check out this partial list to see some of the things that God accomplished with the IMPACT group in 2011.
- Had eight members go on a short-term mission trip to Mexico last June for building projects, street ministry, and community outreaches
- Held and lead the first ever IMPACT Sunday Service!
- Continued to lead their college ministry outreach program at Henry Ford Community College!
- Were trained and equipped for more street evangelism by Evangelist Craig Fosler
- Were challenged to develop and live out the Christian worldview by Apostle Keith Tucci and his daughter
- Had 20 of their group attended the RAMP Conference in Alabama for recommitment and strengthening in their spiritual walks
- Attended a Praise and Worship Conference in Chicago for teaching, instruction, and leading in their roles of worshipers of God
- Participated in numerous other church ministries that were related to ministry within and outside the church - such as nursing home visitation, hospital visitation, and community outreaches
My prayer for the upcoming year is that we will all step out in faith to a greater degree than we did in the previous year. There are still many people and things God wants to touch for the advancement of his kingdom, and we play a very important role in that plan. May we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength as we step into the new year - not knowing what may come, but confident we can face it and overcome it by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and simple faith in his guidance!
Were There Is Faith
Stay Holy, My Friends,
Pastor Don
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