Follow Through In 2022

Happy New Year, to those who mean all the world to us. Welcome to the Year of our Lord 2022. The first few days of a new year are always considered to be a time of reflection and a time of resolution. It has been said the resolutions are only made to be broken.

Our resolutions as Christians are different than non-Christians for one reason. Our resolutions are vows and vows are not made to be broken.

The theme we have chosen for the New Year is, FOLLOW THROUGH IN 2022. I decided long ago that I could never be all that God wanted me to be with a WEEK END MENTALITY of the Christian life.

Early in my walk with God, the Lord made this verse so real to me, that it became a life conviction. Here are a couple of sources, the Message and the Passion Translations, for us to consider as we turn the page into a new chapter of our life.

“So, let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”

This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, (as some have formed the habit of doing). In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.

The same verse in the King James Bible is used as a set up for Hebrews 11 which is the Heroes of Faith chapter we all are familiar with. The writer uses this and admonishes the readers to ‘SPUR’ OTHERS ON, TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD WORKS. HEBREWS 11:39 holds a message for each and every one of us:

“So, don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.”

Knowing there is no chapter separation in the original scripture manuscripts, gives a whole new meaning to Hebrews Chapter 11, we know then that to be preserved we must persevere by faith. “So, then faith, is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.”

IMPERATIVE FOR EACH OF US TO RECEIVE THE END OF OUR FAITH.

THE JANUARY FAST BEGAN ON THE 3RD OF JANUARY AND WE INVITE YOU TO FAST WITH FOR GREATER THINGS ARE YET TO COME, GREATER THINGS ARE STILL TO BE DONE.

We give God thanks for all he has done for us in 2021 and the marvelous changes made in the sanctuary. As you have heard me say in the past, FIRE FALLS ON SACRIFICE, I believe God has seen our faithfulness and as the songwriter has written, “You prepare the fire, I’ll provide the sacrifice.” I am going into 2022 with this in mind and I believe the fire is on the way.

I believe in you.

Pastor Cleddie