In a few hours we will cross the threshold from 2015 to 2016. Much has been said and written about the past year that will go down as one of the most challenging in modern history.
But sitting here this morning my mind kept drifting to the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12-13;
12 I have not yet received all these things. I have not yet reached my goal. Christ Jesus took hold of me so that I could reach that goal. So I keep pushing myself forward to reach it. 13 Brothers and sisters, I don’t consider that I have taken hold of it yet. But here is the one thing I do. I forget what is behind me. I push hard toward what is ahead of me.” (NIRV)
All of us have a calling from God and every call is significant in the grand plan of His Kingdom. Some are called to the market place – business, others are called to one of many vocation such as a teacher, a doctor, a house wife to mention a few. There are also those called to be a pastor or missionary. However, the fact is that we are ALL called to be in FULL-TIME ministry. (You cannot be a part-time Christian)
We are ALL called to fulfill the purposes of God and His Kingdom. Certainly this main purpose of God as seen in the mandate of the His church is to give everyone the opportunity to hear and respond to the message of the Gospel.
We live, work and play among some that need to hear and be given the opportunity to respond to the Gospel, while others need to be reached in distant lands and in difficult circumstances. The fact is that we are mandated to reach them wherever they are. Jesus said in Math:24v14 “This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached to all people (Enthos) and then the end will come”.
When we look at all the events in every part of the world, we must realize that we are rushing toward the last of the last days and in this context we MUST ensure that we are connected to and engaged in the purposes of God in 2016. We cannot reserve our Christian experience for a Sunday when we go to church or during our daily devotions. We MUST live with an URGENCY that says – everyone MUST hear. Be it at my work, school or at the ends of the earth.
We MUST say together with Paul; I have not done all I can as yet. Yes 2015 had great moments of breakthrough BUT in 2016 I am going to be singleminded – I am going to pursue people and share the Good News of the Kingdom with them. I am going to be bold and share it in such a way that they can have the opportunity to say yes or no to the call of Jesus. I going to pray, go, send and give to ensure that those who are called beyond our borders are fully equipped to achieve their goal to reach the unreached, towns, villages and people groups in various nations.
Join us as we say with Paul: But here is the one thing I do. I forget what is behind me (in 2015). I push hard toward what is ahead of me (in 2016).”
Lydia and my prayer is that you will be SIGNIFICANT in the Kingdom of God in 2016. May you walk in FAITH and not FEAR. May you be BLESSED and not CURSED and may you KNOW and EXPERIENCE the PRESENCE of the LORD in you life, ministry and family and may you have GREAT IMPACT IN HIS KINGDOM PURPOSES
Many blessings
Willie, Lydia and the World Mission Centre team.