Pastor Dave's Corner-January 2012
By Pastor Dave Banfield | January 3, 2012
Keeping Our Focus for a New Year
The speculations have already begun. The “experts” are already telling us what we can expect in 2012. The economy will continue to be slow. Gas prices will hit record highs. Home foreclosures will increase. The job market will continue to be tight. Wow, with those kinds of predictions it’s no wonder people are discouraged. Do we have to live under a cloud of discouragement? The answer is a resounding NO!
Hebrews 10:19-25 gives us a different way to approach the future.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
As followers of Jesus Christ our hope is not political or economic systems. Our hope is in Jesus. Through Jesus we have access to the Living God. We can come boldly into his presence without fear. We are invited to bring all of our cares and concerns to him and let him act on our behalf. In uncertain times our focus should not be on the uncertainty but on the one in whom we can trust.
Jesus commanded us not to waste our energy worrying about the future. So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. [Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)] Jesus tells us that instead of worrying about tomorrow we need to take a more positive approach. Hebrews outlines for us some very practical steps we can take to face the new year.
Let us draw near to God. The most important thing we can do as we face the future is to grow in our faith. We are all at different places on the faith journey. But no matter where we are none of us have arrived. We can all take a next step closer to God.
Let us hold onto the hope we have in Christ. Hope plays such an important role in our sense of well-being. If we lose hope we lose our vitality. The hope we have in Christ is eternal. He came to this earth to save us from sin and to reconcile us to God. In Him we can face a Holy God with confidence. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [Romans 8:1 (NIV)]. Fear has been replaced by an overwhelming sense of God’s love.
Let us spur one another on to love and good deeds. We have been called to be light in a dark world. We can do this alone and make some difference, or we can do this together, combining out lights for maximum impact. We all need a little challenge from time to time to get in the game. We all do a better job when we pull together.
Let us keep meeting together. Isolation is one of Satan’s prime weapons against us. If he can keep us apart he can drain our spirits and make us ineffective. By gathering together for times of corporate worship we can draw strength from one another. We can inspire one another to stand firm in our faith.
Let us encourage one another. It is easy to find fault with one another. That comes naturally from our fallen nature. It takes intentional effort to genuinely encourage and support one another. The benefits are enormous. Our whole demeanor is transformed when we are in an encouraging environment. We can do that for one another.
The tagline for Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story is “To infinity and beyond.” Let’s make 2012 a great year for the Kingdom of God at Bethel and beyond.
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