December 29, 2016
Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
As I watched 2016 slowly disappear, like a child’s mitten in a snow drift, I began to think of what 2017 will bring. For some, 2016 was a banner year. For others it will be forgettable. But for a few it may have been a year we want to bury and forget about. A new year always has that promise of a new beginning, a new start, a new chance to make a difference. As I was meditating on this, the above verse caught my attention.
Let me break it down for you:
1. Christ wants us to be free, not enslaved to anything.
2. Freedom is challenging to maintain.
3. It requires something of us.
4. Stand firm then.
5. If one is going to stand firm, one must know what they stand for.
6. Don’t fall back into your old destructive lifestyle of slavery in … (you name your vice).
It is not how well we start, but how we finish that has the most impact. Anyone can start well, but can you finish? It will depend in large part on what you are standing firm on. If your foundation is faulty, your resolution will come crumbling down at the first sign of trouble. An impaired foundation might be the false pride of your own ability. We can have an exalted view of our own abilities based on the assumptions of past experience.
Faulty!
2016 taught me that there are many things I have no control over. In a moment of time a loved one can be taken, a financial crisis can occur, or a life threatening sickness can appear. And if we are not standing firm, these things can send us back to bondages we had previously escaped from.
It doesn’t take a major crisis to bring us back to bondage. It can occur like a little trickle of water which left unchecked will erode the best of any “firm foundation” one is standing on.
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything”, is a famous quote. That is because it is true. Why not take a moment and write down what you are standing firm on.
Here are some of my standing firm ideas:
1. I know I can’t live the Christian life on my own, so I am going to depend on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
2. No matter what happens, I am going to trust Jesus has my best interest at heart; therefore I will rejoice and praise him regardless of my circumstances.
3. As far as it is possible within me, I am going to maintain and nurture relationships that are important to me. This starts with my wife and then extends to my family, my church, and my community.
4. I am going to live ethically and morally transparent so the devil will have no foothold in my life.
5. I am going to live in faith and not be governed by fear; therefore I will do great things in 2017.
6. Since God resists the proud, I will approach next year with humility, trusting that “great things” in point five can be little simple things that no one sees or knows about.
7. And lastly, I will trust Jesus with my life and will stand on that no matter what happens.
These are the things I am planning to stand on. Therefore, I have no fear of being deluded, deceived, or destroyed. Jesus has set me free and continues to give me greater freedom as I stand firm.
May it be so for every one on my readers. This is my prayer for you.
Donations to ODB, KCF and S.H.A.R.E.
I would like to give God praise and a big thank you to all those that supported our ministries this past year. This has been a banner year for us, through the good help of God’s people. S.H.A.R.E. Nelson had its best year in five, despite having to move to a new location and all that was involved in that. Donations to KCF this year have surpassed all records, and ODB received the largest amount of donations during our Christmas fund raising program since we started. We have had our share of challenges in 2016, but this visible out pouring of support, proves to remind us that God is with us and people trust us to do his will. Thank you so much for supporting this ministry. It allows us to do the good work God has called us too. Together we shall reap a great reward as we are faithfully partnering together in obedience to his word. I am reminded of the word of God where it says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10) And we will do just that!
Growth Groups
Growth Groups will be starting at KCF in the New Year!
Interested in knowing more or signing up? Contact the KCF Office 250.352.1722 or office@kcfoffice.com.
Alpha
Plans are underway to have an Alpha Course start in the New Year. We will have a meal together, watch a video and then have some discussion time. The group will get together on Wednesday nights from 6:30 – 8pm. This is a great course if you are a new Christian or have questions about God. This is a good group to invite a friend to come out with you. This Sunday, January 1st will be the deadline to sign up. We need a minimum of 12 people with a leader and a host in order to start this group up. Contact the KCF office or reply to this email if you are interested.
Support for Haiti Mission Team
A Team is going to Haiti at the end of January to early February this year. Costs are increasing and it is a costly endeavor for each individual going. They will be working hard there, some sacrificing wages while they are away etc. We can participate as a church family with our prayers, support, finances etc. You can donate by Interac (debit or credit), cheque payable to KCF (notation for Haiti Trip), Paypal at www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com to KCF General (Notation for Haiti Trip) or cash.
International Tasting Faire
We are partnering with Rotary to host the International Tasting Faire. Tickets are available at KCF at $50/person (you will receive a $20 tax receipt). The money raised for this event will go towards our teacher in Haiti and towards food security, namely Our Daily Bread. What we need are auction items for the silent or twoonie auction. Do you have a service you could provide, or have a friend or favorite business you could ask to provide a gift certificate? Please reply to this email if you have something you would like to donate or volunteer your time.
Calendar of Events
Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.
Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Pastor Jim
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5