A Word from Our President
In Philippians 4:5-7 it says “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
We are beginning a new year. With all that has been going on in the world recently, there are some Christians who are voicing serious concern over the apparent darkness that seems to be dominating our world. People bemoan the fact that our culture, advertising, television, and educational systems have become secular and thus are corrupting our families and undermining the teaching of the church. But is that the real reason? Culture has been anti-Christian for over 2000 years. The darkness is just being the dark. The real question is, “Why is the light of the truth of the Scripture not significantly piercing the darkness of our culture through the people of God?” Could it be that a major portion of the problem is that we as Christians do not know the Scripture and that our light is getting dimmer?
However, more than ever before, doesn’t the darkness of this culture provide us as Christians a greater opportunity for our light to stand out if only we would stand firm to what we know to be the truth of the gospel? Are we not told in Scripture that light shatters the darkness? Did Jesus not call us the light of the world indicating there would be times of darkness? Some see this as a time where Christianity is going to be pushed to the side or maybe even stamped out altogether. I see it as a time where those who know Christ have one of the greatest opportunities in history to point people to the life, hope and freedom only found in a relationship with Jesus!
Remember this. The Lord is near. He is walking with you through every moment, every hour, and every day of the year. Does that assurance wrap you in peace? It should!
There will be battles and victories; there will be suffering and joy. God has promised, though, that if you pray, tell Him what you need, and give Him thanks for what He has already done, you will experience His peace. His peace, far beyond your ability to understand, will be present no matter what is going on around you. Even when peace seems impossible, your heart and mind will be able to rest in Him.
Keep your eyes on Christ, and stand firm in your faith. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Don’t go the way of this world that says everything is fine, you’re okay, and you’re going up the same mountain as everyone else, and God’s at the top and everything is going to be fabulous once you get there. No. Jesus said that no one could come to the Father except through Him. Jesus said He was the only way, but the world will say you have to be tolerant and that everyone can have his or her way to God. Stand Firm. You don’t have to be arrogant, but you can be humble and speak truth in love and not compromise your beliefs. That is what He has asked each one of us to do.
Do you have the courage to be a light on a hill? Not in your own strength, but in His strength, you and I will win the battle. He promised never to leave you nor forsake you and to be with you to the very end. He will give you everything you need for the task He sets before you.