I am resolved for the future … to cast all my cares upon the Lord

Transition experiences of mid-life take place at any point between one’s twenties and one’s forties or beyond.

HERE IS A PRAYER OF HOPE AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD THROUGH MID-LIFE

My God, I believe most firmly
that you watch over all who hope in you,
and that we can want for nothing
when we rely upon you in all things.

Therefore I am resolved for the future … to cast all my cares upon you
People may deprive me of possessions and status.
Sickness may take my strength from me. I may even jeopardize our
relationship by sin; but my trust shall never leave me.
I will preserve it to the last moment of my life,
and the powers of hell shall seek in vain to grab it from me.

Let others seek happiness in their wealth and in their talents.
Let them trust in the purity of their lives,
in the number of their activities, in the intensity of their prayer;
as for me, my confidence in you fills me with hope.
You are my divine protector. In you alone do I hope.
I am assured, therefore, of my eternal happiness,
for I firmly hope in it and all my hope is in you.

“In you, O Loving God, have I hoped: let me never be confounded.”
I know too well that I am weak and changeable.
I know the power of temptation against the strongest virtue.
I have seen stars fall and foundations of my world crack.
These things do not alarm me.

While I hope in you, I am sheltered from all misfortune,
and I am sure that my trust shall endure,
for I rely upon you to sustain this unfailing hope.

Finally, I know that my confidence cannot exceed your generosity,
and that I shall never receive less than I have hoped for from you.

Therefore I hope that you will sustain me against the ways
in which I deceive myself.
I hope that you will protect me against the deceitful attacks
of the evil one. I hope you will cause my weakness
to triumph over every hostile force.

I hope that you will never cease to love me
and that I shall love you unceasingly.
“In you, O God, I have hoped, let me never be confounded.”

— adapted from the prayer of Claude de la Colombiere

A Disciple of Jesus is a candle shining in a dark world

Jesus said to his disciples,

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

A pastor friend said what Jesus is saying is;

Let others see inside your heart and inside your own walk with me. SHOW the world how a Christian responds with humility, simplicity & joy to God’s Word. Share personal small updates of your life. Share prayer requests. Show them your lighthearted humor. Thank them repeatedly for doing this with you. This will have great impact over months. This loving warm, safe real friendship with you is what opens their heart to God’s Word.

Philemon 1:6 says;

I pray that you may be ACTIVE in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

The scriptural mandate in Mathew chapter 28 is for each of us to go and make disciples. Our going must be a “One on One” deep relationship which is a proven method of producing a lot more fruit.

It is only by God’s grace that we have eyes to see what God sees

Scripture says of Jesus;

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned:  this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”

Jesus said,

“You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world’s Light.”

He said this and then spit in the dust, made a mud paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man’s eyes, and said,

“Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam.”

The man went and washed – and saw…

This day when Jesus made the paste and healed his blindness was the Sabbath. The Pharisees grilled him again on how he had come to see. He said, “He put a mud paste on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.”

Some of the Pharisees said,

“Obviously, this man can’t be from God. He doesn’t keep the Sabbath.”

Others countered,

“How can a bad man do miraculous, God-revealing things like this?”  There was a split in their ranks. They came back at the blind man, “You’re the expert. He opened your eyes. What do you say about him?”  He said, “He is a prophet….”

They called the man back a second time – the man who had been blind – and told him,

“Give credit to God. We know this man is an imposter.”

He replied,

“I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure:  I was blind…I now see.”

This is a paraphrase of the biblical story in John 9: 1 – 5 which teaches us that;

It is only by God’s grace that we have eyes to see what God sees. It is only by God’s grace that we can see who are our neighbors. It is only by God’s grace that we can see beyond our own biases, self-interest and personal desires.

It is only by God’s grace that new opportunities for ministry and the means to accomplish them are revealed to us. It is only by God’s grace that we can pray with eyes wide open. It is only by God’s grace that we can affirm, “Though I was blind, now I see.”  Christ Jesus is the only one who can restore our sight. Christ Jesus is the only one who can heal our blindness. Christ Jesus is the only one who can help us pray with our eyes wide open.

I, for one, am praying for open eyes to see the miraculous ways Jesus uses each of us to offer healing and hope to those persons we will evangelize and disciple.

I, for one, am praying for open eyes to see the miraculous outpouring of God’s grace as we transition to a new premise. Remember our goal relocation facility that is within twenty mile radius of I-20 and 635 with acreage for expansion and space for children, youth, parents and grand-parents  to fellowship, pray and touch the world for Jesus.

THE REALITY OF TRANSITION

Throughout this TRANSITIONAL SEASON the following principles and considerations will help guide and influence our planning and decision making:

A. God’s Provision: We trust and believe that God will do immeasurably more in VICTORY FELLOWSHIP than we could ever ask or imagine. Our commitment is to put our trust and faith in God alone and not in our planning or works.

B. Our Purpose: In all of our planning and praying, we will stay focused on our core purpose to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Additionally, we will strive to help all of our people at VICTORY FELLOWSHIP to value and appreciate the importance of growth, and to experience first hand the excitement of seeing God at work doing miraculous things.

C. Our Values: Our values define what is important to us. Our values shape who we are, what we do, and how we act. In all things, we will strive to model Jesus Christ and live our scriptural values.

D. Faith: Transitions challenges us to step out in faith beyond our current comfort levels. God’s blessing and provision in the early stages of VICTORY FELLOWSHIP is abundant. In response, we need to take big steps of faith. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus told the parable of the talents. The servants who were entrusted with much were faithful and thus were blessed with even more. We recognize God’s blessing on VICTORY FELLOWSHIP and will strive to be faithful with the abundance He has poured out on us.

E. Prayer: We recognize the power and absolute necessity of seeking God’s direction at every stage of this process. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” We will make prayer a priority.

F. Relationships: Establishing, building and nurturing relationships with God, with one another, and with the Community will take priority in all we do. We are committed to love each other (I Corinthians 13), not to a product or process.

G. Excellence: We will strive for excellence in all that we do. Excellence honors God. We desire to eliminate barriers between Christ and the unsaved. Our commitment to and demonstration of excellence will draw unsaved people to be more receptive to hearing and considering the good news of Jesus Christ.

H. Genius of the “And”: Transition into a new premise will enable us to reach more people AND improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of what we do. Conventional wisdom teaches that you can have either quantity or quality.

I. Planning: Planning is a means to an end, not the end. We will always seek first to be lead by God without being constrained by our plans. We will use planning as a tool to help us join God in what He is doing and to accomplish what He is calling us to do. Planning will help us coordinate our limited resources to move us from where we are to where God wants us to be. Our plans will serve as a guide to help focus our efforts and will be updated to reflect where God is leading us.

Word

Isaiah 1:17

^“ …learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow”

I Thessalonians 4:18

“Therefore encourage each other with these words”

2 Timothy 4:2

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.”

Titus 2:6

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled”

Self-sufficiency is a myth, and it is one that we should get past

With the financial sector in crisis and the stock market in a tailspin, our nation’s economic outlook is as gloomy as it has ever been in my lifetime.

Words like “fear” and “panic” are regularly being used in headlines to describe the worries of investors.

Even worse, it is starting to look like the financial meltdown is having a serious impact on the economy as a whole. The New York Times reports the worst job loss rate in years. While our nationwide employment figures are still relatively healthy, statistics like that are not a good sign for what is to come. And that’s just in the United States.

Worldwide, the drying up of capital due to the subprime mortgage  – meaning that our sloppy banking practices here could end up hurting a lot of people around the world.

So what are Christians to do in this time? I think the first thing is for us to keep everything that is happening in perspective. As Christians we know that Jesus Christ and his church are driving history. No king, nation-state, or economy can usurp what he has rightfully claimed for his own. It is a basic Christian affirmation, but in such a time as this (when we are tempted to think of the economy and presidential politics as having much greater ultimate importance than they really do) it is really important.

And second, I think any situation where Christians know that their brothers and sisters within the household of faith are going to suffer is an opportunity to help them in tangible ways. The current economic climate can actually help to teach us what it means to love one another.

Now I know that isn’t easy. Middle-class people have fear of others finding out that they are hurting financially. But self-sufficiency is a myth, and it is one that we should get past. In the generation after Jesus, the early church shared so that no one went needy (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35). If our current economic situation gets as bad as many fear it might, we will find ourselves with the same opportunity.

The Faith That Saves

All who have been “born again” (John 3:3) into God’s “family in Heaven and Earth” (Ephesians 3:15) by the Incorruptible Seed of the Word of God (1Peter 1:23), are the children of God. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He Power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name” (John 1:12).

Regardless of any lack of drama in the conversion experience, turning in faith to the Savior away from our sins, is Salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believe; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

Gospel Faith is alive with works, i.e., the Works of Faith. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38).

The Laodicean spirit of the present Church Age has divorced the Works of Faith from the meaning of Evangelical Faith. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).

In the name of upholding Salvation By Faith Without Works, they deny the necessity of anything outside of a passive, intellectual persuasion concerning the Truth for Eternal Salvation. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14).

Laodicea passive, intellectual definition of faith would satisfy even the demons. “Thou belie-vest that there is one God; thou does well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (2:19).

Apostle Paul demonstrates  “obedience of faith” (Romans 16:26)! Inspired by the Spirit he wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). He  finished the thought with the assertion that, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (2:10).

Anyone abiding in Evangelical Faith must be walking in “good works” (2:10), which are the Works of Faith. Without that walking in “good works” (2:10), they do not possess Evangelical Faith. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

Paul asserted that those who are presently committing sin shall not enter Heaven, i.e., “they which do [literally, are doing– present tense] such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21). “19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sedition, heresies, 21 Envying, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

The Apostle John agreed with Paul that those who were presently committing sin could not enter and defile Heaven. “And there shall in no wise enter into It any thing that defilement [literally, defiling– present tense], neither whatsoever worketh [literally, practicing– present tense] abomination, or make’s a lie” (Revelation 21:27).

STEWARDSHIP

Scripture says “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (I Tim 6:7). Paul in writing about stewardship reminds us of the Lord Jesus when he writes, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich (2 Cor. 8:9).

Some people give grudgingly – as a grim duty. Others give out of greed, for what they can gain in return. But we should give out of grace.  In chapter 8 of II Cor. Paul teaches us three significant things about the grace of giving. (1) Hard times will not be a hindrance to giving (2) Low expectations will not be an excuse for not giving (3) Money will not be a substitute for self giving.

Hard times are not a hindrance to our giving (v. 2). The Macedonian Christians gave out of “deep poverty.” These believers were going through hard economic times. They were having difficulty making ends meet. They were literally “scraping the bottom of the barrel.” But because God’s grace had touched their hearts, their economic hard times did not prevent them from giving. Their love and compassion, their Christian concern, was greater than their lack of resources, so they dug down deep and gave generously to help their unfortunate Christian brothers.

Giving is seldom a matter of resources, but of concern and compassion. The truth about giving is that “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required….. It is more blessed to give than to receive….. God loves a cheerful giver. …..Therefore upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in story God has prospered him that there be no gathering when I come” (I Cor. 16:1-2).

Apostle Paul expected the highest and best out of himself and he expected as much out of others.  He said of his own life “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14).

The church exists not to make profit but to help people in worship, discipleship, missions, and the physical needs of life. All of that takes money. As someone has said, no amount of money can evangelize the lost; yet is a factor without which these results would not be accomplished.