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Pastor’s Letter
A most blessed nd
52
Church Anniversary!
I am truly amazed by and thankful for the faithfulness of God in seeing Faith through another year. As we move in the direction of being One Family, it is apt for us to take stock of our spiritual journey in 2018, having crossed the half-way point of the year. I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1-3 which exhorts us to run the race ahead of us with perseverance. Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
we find ourselves so fatigued by certain interests (e.g. World Cup) that we find ourselves having less spiritual energy to pray? Are we so busy with work and even ministry that we have actually neglected our families? Recently, I sought the Lord for wisdom for the journey ahead through a time of rest and retreat. God revealed to me that my need to hear His voice every time I seek to hear Him has become a distraction. God convicted me that He doesn’t have to speak every time I draw near to Him. He doesn’t owe it to me to speak to me.
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Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that we are to lay aside every sin and weight in this race. It is interesting to note that the writer of Hebrews makes a distinction between sin and weights. Weights or encumbrances are things which by themselves may not be sin but yet may weigh us down and tire us more readily so our run gets more difficult. As you and I take stock of our spiritual journey, are there weights and encumbrances in our spiritual lives? Are there certain habits which make us more likely to sin? Are there temptations which we unconsciously find ourselves battling with just because we are not careful of our boundaries? Do
JULY 2018 . FAITHLINK
He is God and He speaks whenever He wants to. I am simply to rest in His presence because that is good enough - yes, indeed. The amazing thing is that when I learnt to lay aside this weight, I found myself deeply rested in God’s love. When I am secured in that love, whether God speaks or not is immaterial, because His love is sufficient for me to press on. Let’s ask God to help us take stock of how we are really running the race ahead of us.
