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Day 16: January 19th, 2021

VISION FOR THE FUTURE ~ SEEING THE GOD WHO IS GREATER

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

1st John 4:4

1st John 4:4 NLT

At first they didn’t believe the reports of the women. Jesus was alive, they said. The disciples were troubled, and filled with doubt. Then, one by one, they recognized Him, fell at His feet, and worshiped Him. He was alive! Hope was reborn! But what about the past? Would He remember how just a few days earlier they had deserted Him? Leaving Him to die alone on that cross…how they had cut and run at the moment of danger? How could they have been so faithless and unbelieving?

Never one to condemn or blame, Jesus quietly reaffirmed His love for them. He spent time among them on several occasions. He allowed them to touch His hands and His side, to settle their doubts and be convinced of His resurrection reality. He helped them in their daily needs: directing them to the location of fish when they had caught nothing and fixing them breakfast on the shore. He opened their eyes to the Scriptures. He gave them the promise of His Spirit, to be with them forever. And then, He gave them a mission. When the disciples were renewed in faith and secure again in His love, He gave them a charge. Those who had so glaringly failed Him in His moment of trial, were now entrusted with the greatest work the world would ever know: the spreading of the Gospel. The past didn’t sabotage their present or their future. Neither does your past sabotage or disqualify your present or future. Their failures would always be a reminder of the weakness of the flesh and the power of sin, but they would not be a barrier to further usefulness. These men, renewed by love and mercy, went on to turn the word upside down.

As we look back at all God has done for us in the life of our church, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the Lord’s goodness. He has always been faithful and forgiving! And, like our counterparts in the first century church, we have a mission to carry His truth to our community and to regions beyond. Our obedience and our willingness to continue to believe God will position us to more effectively fulfill this exciting mission.

Prayer Focus: Pray for you and your family, as well as all aspects of CFTN.F to be anointed with strength to declare with confidence and assurance all of the Lord’s promises, the we all have ears to hear His guiding voice, and the humility to follow in an uncompromising manner.