2008 the year the church stands out

Arnold Toynbee – Apathy can be overcome by a passionate interest, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, a principle to which you aspire which takes your imagination by storm, second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice.

We have all asked the Father one or more of these questions.

“Father what are your plans for me and for my family?”
“Father what are your plans for my business?”
“Father what are your plans for my job this year?”
“Father what do you want me to do this year with my life?”

Jeremiah 29:11 the Father has plans and thoughts for you in 2008. Our Father is stirring us to move ahead, He believes we can do the task He has given and He will be with us all the way. Our Father knows the future, and his plans for us are good and full of hope.

As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfil His mission, we can have absolutely boundless hope. I believe when you listen to the Fathers heart you will here His heart saying “This is the year for standing out.” I am NOT talking about standing out in pride and boastfulness. I am speaking about standing out because you show yourself to be a Christian.

Always remember “The words you may say do not prove your faith in God, rather your faith in God is inside and revealed through the acts you do compelled by your faith in God.” I believe 2008 is the year that the church has a great opportunity to stand out.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 shows us what we need to do in 2008.

Jeremiah 29:12 – We are to come to Him and pray – I believe our heavenly Father is calling us to walk in greater intimacy toward Him in 2008.

I believe this is significant for the church because too often we are praying from a distance in our hearts not because our Father walks at a distance from us. The truth is we sometimes walk at a distance from Him. I can call out to my natural Father and be so far away from him that he will not hear me; I need to get closer to him so that he can hear and respond.

Jeremiah 29:13 – We are to seek Him – this is something we did when we were outside of Christ yet we forget to continue to seek Him when we start to feel we are maturing in our faith. When we have called upon Him and come close we are truly seeking after Him with all of our heart.

Hebrew 4:16 those who truly seek after Him will find Him and will receive what they need to help in a time of need.

Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come “boldly”. Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because He is your King.

But also come with bold assurance because he is your Friend and Counsellor.

Neil Davis, 06/01/2008