I am very thankful for the people that God has surrounded my family with at RFBC. I can say without hesitation that we have been loved by our church family and I am so grateful for the people who have served with us to make the things happen that God has called us to do. The relationships that we have built over the years have been so encouraging.
As RFBC's pastor, I look back and see how our strengths and our weaknesses have determined where we stand today. There were many things that we did right and there were also several things that we should have handled better. So as we begin this new year, here are some of the areas that we need to be totally committed to.
PRAYER- We have seen so many changes in our nation lately and our churches are being attacked in lots of different directions. We need to be praying for each other on a continual basis... praying that we would live lives that please God and accomplish what He has called us to do. Praying that we would endure the attacks that we face and that we would remember that we are not alone. God is with us and filled us with His Spirit... not a spirit of fear but of "power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7).
REPENTANCE- Too many of us are allowing sin to enter into our lives too easily... not resisting it like we should. In fact, many of us are inviting sin into our lives. Instead of aiming to please God, we are trying to please ourselves. Instead of living for eternity, we are living for the moment. Instead of asking God to forgive our sins, we are asking God to ignore our sins. And instead of turning from our sins, we are continuing in our sins through open rebellion towards God and His Word.
INTEGRITY- 1 John 1:6-7 (ESV) 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
When people see the way that we live our daily lives, are they seeing what they are supposed to be seeing? We are supposed to be living lives that reflect Jesus Christ... lives that honor God. The problem is too many "Christians", which means "Christ-like", are living lives that are not Christ-like at all. If Christians are no different than those who are not Christians, then why should we expect anyone to become one?
These are three areas that we all need to focus on as we begin this new year. What would happen if all of us were totally committed to prayer, repentance and integrity? Are you ready to find out?
