The new year was welcomed by most with great hopes of a very different year to the history making one we experienced last year, for the better at least. While we looked forward with optimism to 2021, unfortunately the first few Sundays still saw us limited with our numbers of church attendance. Our hopes is that the ebb and flow of restrictions would soon begin to cease and settle to a more consistent normal.
However, the fact of the matter is that what we have learned from the pandemic is that there are some things that are beyond our individual power to influence and beyond the church’s capacity to control. We are truly finite creatures at the mercy of the elements, our physical restraints and to the will of God.
What we do have and what is our responsibility is to have faith in God and His Word. Our theme for this year as a Church is IF. Such a small word that carries a hefty and profound implication. So much of what we are promised through God’s Word and the gift of His grace can only be unlocked and accessed by faith. Thus the blessings and provisions of God, though immense and ready to be poured out, are contingent, and conditional, to our participation in faith and works. I like to see the word IF as a simple acronym for ‘I Faith’.
This year I want to challenge us to focus on our responsibilities; to believe, to pray, to fast, to act on our faith and unlock God’s promises to bless us, help and empower us. We’re believing God for revival and growth but they will not happen by God alone. No, He calls us into partnership with Him and to; preach the Gospel, make disciples of all nations, sacrifice, give, love others and all that is required of us. Then, I believe we will see the glory of God in our midst. Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
IF My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chr 7:14