Greetings to New Beginning Church Family and Happy New Year. As we leave 2017 and move into 2018, we move with a loving, merciful Savior to go with us. Our Lord and Savior has truly blessed us in 2017. He equipped and blessed us to provide meals to the homeless for 7 months, with one being Easter dinner. What a joy it is to share, pray and fellowship with our brothers and sisters.
We also had two opportunities to take Jesus Christ to the community at Goebel Park, sharing the word of God along with a cookout after services. God blessed us to fellowship with some brothers and sisters and share Christ with them.
As we plan for the year in front of us, may we continue to allow Matthew 6:33 to order and direct our steps. This coming year we have a threefold mission:
First, we have to continue to pray that we grow in Jesus Christ in our walk and knowledge of his word to share with others. We have opened doors with the homeless population, now is the time to increase our efforts to continue to provide fellowship and offer them our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is important that we fast, pray, and study God’s word. We must hear what the Psalmist says in Psalms 119:195, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”.
Secondly, we want to increase our outreach efforts in several areas. If people are not aware that we are having church in their neighborhood, perhaps they will never come; however, if we extend an invitation maybe they will. Our Bible commentary offers direction for Matthew 28:18-20, it says “The Great Commission is not just an order, but a pronouncement of victory by the risen Savior through His disciples”. When God stirs our Spirit, we cannot sit back. We’ve got to step up and step in. We have to go all in by going all out, we do this through unity. NBCC, if we trust God and have the courage to make the choice and take the risk, trusting and believing Proverbs 3:5-6, it will become a defining moment of our lives.
Lastly, it’s important to continue to identify those agencies and individuals with whom we can provide assistance. We have identified several agencies to provide assistance to this year; it is important that we be in contact with them. We also need to be aware of the commitment we have made for each quarter. Success is spelled stewardship, and stewardship is spelled success.
Sister Mary’s presentation “Stewardship saves Christmas” offers insight for our 2018 journey. We can borrow from basic stewardship principles: Gratitude, Responsibility, Generosity, and Willingness. This can be a formula for us to move forward.
We don’t have to worry about results. If it’s the right thing, the results are God’s responsibility. We continue to focus on doing the right thing for the right reason. It will take an all-out effort, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
As we approach 2018, remember: “a failed attempt is not failing, failing is not trying”. If we are trying, we are succeeding. That’s what going all out is all about, it’s giving it everything we’ve got.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless and keep us, encourage and prepare us to build His Kingdom in 2018.
To God be the Glory. God Bless You.
Pastor Hill