Pastor’s Pondering
Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2012.
So … what
are you excited about for this year? What are you expecting from the Hand of
God? How will this year be better than the last and what good things are in
store?
I ask
these questions because too much of what I have read or heard from many
Christians are doom and gloom. The predictions include the end of the world,
collapse of the world financial system, increase of radical Islamism, and the
ever-present rapture of the church. While any of these may happen … I have to
ask, “So what?” So, what if disasters or destruction comes? So, what is our
heavenly Father doing in the midst of it all? How does He want us to interact
with our world so He can impact our world?
There is
an interesting factor that happens when markets take a sharp drop or even
collapse—some people actually thrive through it. While most see doom and gloom,
some see opportunity. While many are going from riches to rags, some are going
from rags to riches … and some from riches to richer. Do your circumstances present
insurmountable opposition or unprecedented opportunity?
Consider
what Jesus said in Mark 13:
5 Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you,
6 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will
deceive many. 7 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic.
Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 8
Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will
be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only
the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
9 “When these things begin to happen, watch out!
You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You
will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But
this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 10 For the Good News
must first be preached to all nations. 11 But when you are arrested and stand
trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at
that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
The Lord
would challenge you to look for the unprecedented opportunities in 2012. I am
not predicting specific circumstances or events, but I cannot help but predict
a loving, merciful, gracious, awesome Heavenly Father wants us to seize the day
and capture the opportunity in His Great Name.
Journeying
together with you,
Pastor Merril
