Jeremiah
33:3 “Call to Me, and I
will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Pastor
Kyle started the New Year with saying that we need to pause and reflect upon
what God has done in our lives in 2017. We do not know where God will show up
for us in 2018, but we do know that there are steps of obedience required on
our part in the ongoing work that the Lord has in store for us. What comes in
2018 is a whole new year of spiritual and relational growth as Christians
because there are always new things that God wants us to do in advancing the
kingdom of heaven in this lost and dying world.
Jeremiah
33:8 “I will cleanse them
from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon
all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have
transgressed against Me.”
Most
everyone turns to God in times of crisis. It is said that there are no Atheist
in a foxhole during the heat of a battle. Positive thinking is nice, but not
what it takes to win the spiritual battle for souls. God must be in it. Even doing
the “right” thing won’t guarantee the perfect outcome in 2018, but obediently do
it anyway. We may not understand or like everything that God, in His holy Word
of Scripture, says, but just do it knowing that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to His purpose – Romans 8:28. We do not
be the “grand scheme” of the big picture of God’s plan and God’s Will may not
be ours. Go to God in prayer.
Acts
5:29 “We ought to obey God rather than
men.”
It is never our
job, as kingdom working followers of Jesus Christ, to give false hope. Our
greatest hope in every situation is Jesus Christ, right there beside us. Pastor
Kyle gave us three things about God that are as constant in the good years as
in the bad ones. (1) God’s Voice. The Lord speaks powerfully and has more to
say in both good and bad times, so we can learn and grow in either. We live in
a “Fallen World” to sin, but it gives greater comfort that God is on the throne
in Heaven reigning and ruling His creation. (2) God’s Peace. We can have a
positive attitude and real peace inside of us despite life’s circumstances,
struggles, hardships and trouble based upon the supernatural promises of sovereign
Almighty God towards us and our future.
Acts
5:39 “If it is of God,
you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
(3)
God’s Care, which is universal. It’s natural for us to pray for security and prosperity
in life. We may have trials and tribulations for a season, but give thanks to
the Lord in season and out of season. Call out to our Heavenly Father in this
season of life. Our Lord God is in control and works all things for good in the
long run. The Lord, Jehovah Tsidkenu, is our righteousness. Pray for
wisdom, pray with others Christian brothers and sisters, and pray for
supernatural intervention. Surrender our flawed will and align with the will of
the Lord; obey and be “right” with God. This is the difference between our
desires and God’s holy Word, Will and Way. This godly way of life is best for
us and demonstrates faith.
In
Christ, Brian
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