We often hear people say they would like a little “peace and quiet.” I think we can all say a hearty “amen” to that, especially with all that is taking place in our world right now. Yet, I wanted to take a few moments to encourage you today on this thought of “peace.”
At times, we have wrongly concluded that peace is simply the absence of conflict of any kind, yet we forget that Jesus came into a world that was filled with political and moral turmoil. Yet, He was, and IS the Prince of Peace!
It's time for new beginnings! It's time for a fresh start! It's time to make some resolutions!
Thank you for taking a few moments to read this Church New Years Letter.
These are often statements that are made by most people at the beginning of a new year, and we as Christians are not really all that different! Who wants to remain the same as before? I know I don't, because I want to continue to grow in the Lord, as well as put off some of those things that have held me down for being all He wants me to be.
Have you ever had the enemy try to convince you when you are faced with impossible situations that it's because God doesn't care? Or, possibly, even that you are there because of the bad decisions you have made?
We are often in difficult situations but have you ever stopped to think that there are times God puts us there to trust Him more?
Consider the following scripture:
Exodus 14:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.' 4 Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.
As the people were leaving Egypt finally after ten plagues had convinced Pharaoh that it was time to let them go, God knew that even after this, his heart would harden once again as he saw all his “free labor” leaving.
While we go through difficult times as believers in America and around the world, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on a beautiful thought, and it is this: “Our Times are in His Hands”.
The entire chapter of Psalm 31 tells the story of David, who was a man after God's heart, speaking of the difficulties he was facing and his resolve to continue to trust God. Especially referring to “times” that were beyond his understanding.
The main verse of scripture that is powerfully encouraging is in Psalm 31:15 (NKJV) 15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.
The “times” being spoken of here in this scripture refer to the various events that come into our lives, whether we see them as good or bad.
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The fundamentals of God’s economy are sound! Isn’t it wonderful to read a statement like that in times of great economic and financial upheaval in the United States and around the World?
I wanted to take a few moments to write to you today concerning some of the events that have taken place over the past few weeks and months, and even as we look ahead.
