CHN Newsletter September 2003

“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 things which are ahead.” (Phil. 3:13)

September 2003

Dear Friend,

Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones. We are fine, and praising God for a wonderful summer. This summer has been a tremendous time of ministry, as we took advantage of the beautiful weather for outreach programs. Thousands of tracts have been distributed, and our Hope Connection Helpline has been busy with new people calling for help or prayer. It is hard to believe that September is here already, and school will be starting soon. Where did the time go?

What are your plans for this fall and winter? What goals have you set before yourself? For me, September has always felt like a month of new beginnings, because once school starts, the laziness of summer is past, and God instills an urgency towards learning and growing. It is time to reach forward, and press into the things which are ahead. This is an exciting time of year! For me, personally, I am in the midst of working towards completing my Dissertation, and earning my Ph.D. in Ministry, at I.M.I. Bible College & Seminary. I am working hard towards that goal. Please keep me in prayer, for God to give me the inspiration, knowledge, and strength to complete my paper. When I began college in 1993, I had no idea what God had in store for me. All I wanted was to learn and grow in excellence in the work He was calling me to do. Isn’t this our goal anyhow? Isn’t this what God has called us to do? We all have a race to run in this life, each one is uniquely different, but the end goal is the same for all Christians. God wants us to reach forward, straining every muscle as we run our race, and reach out to grasp the prize.

As we go along in life, we find that straining our muscles can certainly hurt at times! When we find ourselves in situations where standing out alone from the crowd with our beliefs and value’s sets us apart from the gang, it can certainly feel lonesome. How willing are we to take that stand when we see everyone else doing something contrary to God’s Word, saying that it is acceptable? What do we do? Are we willing to give up selfish ambitions, and go our own way, or do we follow the crowd?

How willing are we to love Christ best before ourselves and others? How willing are we to flex those muscles and wash the feet of the unlovable? Ouch! That one hurt! Do you mean my mother-in-law? Yes..... If we are sincere about following God’s will for us, and we truly want to be a witness for Him, then He will make it possible by His Holy Spirit. If we are willing to choose His way, instead of our own, He will move heaven and earth to cheer us along, giving us the grace that is needed. It is all about “attitude.”

When we are willing to accept every circumstance in life with an attitude of gratitude, instead of finding fault, and we choose to cooperate with His wishes instead of choosing our way, a miraculous thing occurs. We suddenly begin to view life differently! Our muscles become more flexible! Instead of straining, we find that we can run faster! As we move on with God, He grants us wisdom, and knowledge, and a desire for more of His life and reality in us. Philippians 2:13 tells us “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” We pleasure Him when we obey Him! We pleasure Him when we fulfill our destiny! We pleasure Him when others see Him in us, and want what we have. Glory!

The heart of true religion is to believe that God literally lives within us. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” ( Gal. 2:20). We have entered into a new realm, where, if Jesus is Lord, If He really lives in us, then there is no room for compromise in our experiences and conduct. We are living in the world, but we are not part of it. Our safety is in Christ. Our home is heaven. When we fail, we have omitted to put on a trait of God, which was intended for that need. Thank God for His patience with us! We can confess our sin, and turn around, or repent, and know that He forgives us. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

In Philippians Chapter 2:1-18, Paul gives us goals for godly living to help us to make our lives more Christ-like. He speaks of loving with the love of Jesus, esteeming others before ourselves, putting on the mind of Christ, being a servant, doing things without complaining or disputings, and living for the glory of God.

When we come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, it is the Father’s purpose to begin a work in our life that will make us more like His Son, Jesus. Our goal should be to cooperate with the Father, by flexing our muscles and running our race. Run with perseverance! Take the risks of falling, and choose to endure the pain. Cooperation with the Father is a lifelong process that does not end with retirement. There is a reward that is unspeakable and full of glory! We will get to see our Savior face to face! We will enter into His Kingdom where we will live for eternity. “He who overcomes, shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Glory!