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Every September, as we start a new season of ministry, I would lay out the theme for the year. The purpose behind this is to help us, as a church to focus on what God is calling us to do for that particular year. It becomes our compass as we try to move towards the direction that God has revealed to us.
In some seasons, the focus was on spiritual growth; and in other seasons, the emphasis was on evangelism. But every year, God does something different. He knows exactly what we need as a church in that particular time. For this, I am truly thankful.
This year, God has revealed to us that the theme for the 2013-2014 year will be: Forward in Faith.
All throughout the Bible, we see stories after stories about people moving forward in faith in order to experience the fullness of life that God has promised. But sadly, many of us choose to live a subpar life because we are crippled by fear, doubt and apathy. Sometimes our desire for comfort, safety and security cause us to become complacent. We become too easily satisfied with lesser things.
But this is not the life that God has for us.
God promises us a life that is full and abundant (Jn 10:10). But in order to experience this type of life, we will have to take some risks and step out of the boat (Mt 14:22-33). Yes, there is always a cost, but the reward always outweighs anything we give up.
Therefore, if we are to move Forward in Faith, we will have to actively pray for God to work. Then we will have to respond by aggressively participating and going through the doors of opportunity that God will open.
In order for us to practically take some steps forward, we need to:
2) LIVE by faith and not by sight (2 Co 5:7). Too often we live by sight and not by faith. We allow circumstances and different situations to affect us. In essence, the way we respond to things, really show our theology (what we believe of God). In our heads, we know that God is big, strong and powerful but in our hearts, we wonder if God can be trusted. Sometimes God does not show us any more than what we already know until, we take the first step of faith. Then, He reveals more things to us, as we move forward in faith.
3) LOVE the things that God loves (Mt 22:37-40). Part of moving forward in faith is to obey God in the greatest commandments. Succinctly, it is all about loving God and loving people. The Message translation of Mt 22:40 says, “These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” What a thought! Everything that we do and everything that we aspire to become hang on these “two pegs.” As we try to live obediently to God’s commands, may all our actions and steps of faith enable us to make Jesus our priority and loving people our passion.
This is going to be a great year. Join us in this journey of moving forward in faith!
I can’t wait to hear all the awesome testimonies that will come forth, as we move Forward in Faith.