Reaching Forward

-

Another year is closing down.  We, at The Shepherd's Fold Apostolic Church praise God for all that He has done for us, how He has protected and provided for us, how He carried us through some deep sorrows.   We saw two of our dear ones pass through the veil into the glory of the Lord this year- Bro. Herman Lanning and Bro. George Parsons. We miss them dearly but their legacy lives on in each one of us.  Their lives were a testimony to the faithfulness of God. We also saw God work miracles in one our brothers- he has had many afflictions this past year but to God be the glory, he is still with us and God is bringing him through. God is faithful to His own.

As we enter in this new year. let us, as Paul stated in Philippians 3: 13, 14-- "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 thing which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Let us follow in Paul's footsteps.  Let us let go of what was and reach forward to even great heights in Jesus Christ.  At the close of each year, we have a tendency to say "We don't know what lies ahead."  And it is true.  If we keep our eyes on what is going on in the world we will quickly become discouraged and defeated.  We must keep our eyes on Christ, and what He is doing.  Remember, it isn't about us- it's about Jesus- and what He is up to.  Don't become distracted with the world or worldly things.  Stay in the secret place with Christ- that's the safe place- that's where our anchor will hold when gale force winds descend upon the world.  Stay close to the Rock and you will overcome.

We pray for many blessings for God's people in 2020- but the greatest of these is that you will sense the Presence of the Lord in an every increasing measure.  Pray for wisdom, discernment, unconditional love and that your spiritual ears and eyes will be open to hear and see marvelous things from the throne of God. Remember how, when the Syrian army surrounded them,  that Elisha prayed that his servant's eyes would be open to see that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around them.  "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them". (2Kings 6:15-17)

Do not be full of fear, but full of faith which comes by reading and studying the Word and spending much time in that secret place. Reach forward to those things which are ahead.  Don't let the losses- or the victories- keep you from moving forward in God.  God bless you all!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Identity

-
Image
(Taken from Sis.Suzanne Parsons' message- 1/28/2015) Luke 6: 43-45 43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."   In some ways the Church has lost its identity. It seems that we blend in more with the world than we are  separate from it. Years ago many in the Church held on to a strictness in outer appearance, for instance. They stood up against the world in their convictions. Yes, many became harsh and judgmental in this attitude but through the years, the Lord has shown many that it isn't in outward appearance that determines a holy life, but it is our life itself- our actions
Read more

WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?

-
1 Samuel 15:13-16 In this text Saul is confronted by the prophet Samuel because Saul didn't obey the command to totally destroy the Amalekites. The  spoil was considered a sacrifice to God. But Saul didn't do that. Instead he spared King Agag, the best of the sheep, oxen, lambs and all that was good. ( Verse9 ). When Samuel confronted him on his disobedience (even while the sheep were bleating and the oxen were lowing)-- Saul denies that he has done anything wrong. What have I done wrong? Instead in verse 13 he makes a statement --"I have performed the commandment of the Lord". It is as if he is saying- Look at me--- I've done a good job! I did what the Lord asked me to do! Aren't I great! Later, Saul gives various excuses as to why he did what he did (or better said- didn't do what he should have done).   Samuel looks at him and says "Be quiet!". When God confronts us on issues that are not pleasing to Him, I can imagine Him looking at
Read more

THE HARVEST

-
Matthew 9:37-39: "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'"     God has set individual Christians and churches in specific fields. Harvest will come but we must be obedient to the Lord and allow Him to prepare us for the harvest. We can not wait until harvest time and them make sure everything is good to go. No, we must prepare now for time will be short when it is time to harvest.   We must allow God to do the work in us so that His light will shine out from us. Then others will be attracted to that light. Are there people in your pathway that seem to bother you? They may be a nuisance to you or obnoxious or just difficult to get along with. These very people may be part of that harvest to come and we must show them God's love now. As we do this, we are "cultivating" the field for the harvest. Our neighbors, co-work
Read more