by George | Jan 2, 2021 | Community News
January Community Church Ministry Newsletter
Standing outside our apartment New Year’s Day, I felt a little restless.
Shouldn’t I be doing something? I was anxious to do some “ministry stuff.” January is a rather slow month for Community Church Ministry. We only have 2 dinners planned (Lord willing.) Callier Forest Apartments on January 11 and Dutch Gardens MHP on January 14th. (We are also planning to continue our grocery outreach to Dutch Gardens MHP and Pine Village MHP.)
My restlessness could have caused me to rush into doing something too soon, and missing God’s direction.
I realized I needed to slow down, rest, pray, and listen to God’s still small voice.
I invite you into a season of waiting and resting. I pray that God will strengthen and renew your mind.
Prayerfully consider these 3 verses:
“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
*** Consider partnering with us in 2021. We would like to help you reach your neighborhood with the Good News of God’s love.
Our goal is to reach twice as many neighborhoods in 2021, expanding into surrounding counties.
Please pray with us for direction, success in our mission, and for health and safety for our volunteers.
by George | Jan 1, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Goodbye 2020
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
I keep hearing people say that they will be glad when this year is over. The subject line of an email I received today said “Good riddance 2020!”
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking similar thoughts.
We want to hit fast forward, and be in the year 2021.
It seems ironic though, because one of the lessons we learned this year is that time is precious. We read every day about how many are sick with Covid, how full the hospitals are, and how many have died from Covid. We’ve realized that every day is a gift, and that we are here by the grace of God.
Years ago, I told a co-worker that I would be glad when Saturday came. He said “Don’t wish your life away.”
Someone talked about this subject a long time ago. It was Moses, the author of Psalm 90.
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
Whether you are reading this before or after the calendar has turned to 2021, I pray that God will teach all of us to number our days, to enjoy each day, and give us a heart of gratitude for each day we are given. Happy New Year!
by George | Dec 31, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Paul Finished Well
“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
Acts 28:30-31
Who are you no more likely to follow, the one who tells you what to do, but doesn’t do it himself, OR someone who tells you what to do, and does it himself?
I think we would all pick the latter. We like people who “walk the walk” and don’t have much regard for someone who merely “talks the talk.”
Paul “practiced what he preached.”
He instructed early believers how to run this Christian race. It’s not a sprint, it’s a long distance race.
Paul finished the race well, but it didn’t happen by accident. He ran well, and showed us how to run well. Running well has several requirements.
- It requires discipline.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
I Corinthians 9:24-27
- It requires focus. You have to keep looking ahead, not behind.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
- It requires a strong finish. Good long-distance runners make a final “kick” or sprint in the end of the race. At the end of his race, Paul wasn’t jogging. He was sprinting. He kept teaching and preaching with confidence until the end. “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” Acts 28:30-31 .
If we keep those principles in mind, one day we will be likely to say what Paul said at the end of his race:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
II Timothy 4:7
Finish well!
