The Kingdom of Heaven is Forcefully Advancing
January 2023
Dear Friends,
We are so encouraged to witness the extraordinary spiritual hunger and growth of our young people. The Lord’s hand is clearly upon them in this season of preparation to reach their generation as witnesses for Christ. It is such a blessing to see the Lord forging new relationships and friendships within the congregation. These divine connections for His kingdom work often last a lifetime.
In 2023, we will be facing many profound changes and challenges in the world around us. As the world continues to slip into darkness, decay, disorder and depravity, the light of Christ will shine more brilliantly in His people. Though the nefarious works of the Evil One are more visible than ever before, the plans of our mighty God are powerfully moving forward:
From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it. ~Matthew 11:12
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-19
Persecution will intensify as the devil’s time grows short, yet we understand that in the kingdom of heaven, opposition presents opportunity! We must seize those opportunities to share the good news and reveal the life of Christ within us to family, friends and strangers alike.
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ~Ephesians 5:15-16
…greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. ~1 John 4:4
The early church was fully committed and devoted to God with pure and faithful hearts. They served the Lord by serving one another. There was a cost to following Jesus in the first century; though they suffered greatly, they lived lives of deep gratitude toward God:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. 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. ~Philippians 4:4-8
Hold onto the 7,000 Promises of God in the Bible, including these:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ~2 Peter 1:3-4
We are not to be moved by what we see or hear, as we walk by faith and not by sight:
…my righteous one will live by faith. ~Hebrews 10:38
We live by faith, not by sight. ~2 Cor 5:7
…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~Hebrews 11:6
As we wait in eager anticipation of the Lord’s return:
…our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ~Phil 3:20
The Lord is our source of help, strength and protection:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. ~Psalm 46:1-3
…I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
…For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. ~Isaiah 41:9-10, 13
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ~Psalm 73:23-26
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." ~Deuteronomy 31:8
In this yew year, we will learn to trust in the Lord as never before. We will lay hold of the hem of His garment – which will require us all to drop to our knees in prayer, gratitude and worship. The Lord promises that He will make a way when there seems to be no way – He can even make streams in the desert. The Lord will make clear the pathway for our lives and His kingdom work for us:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Romans 12:1-2
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~Romans 12:11-18, 21
We are not to place our trust in earthly resources, but in heavenly resources:
…He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up, nor leave you without support. I will not, in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake, nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? ~Hebrews 13:5-6 (AMP)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. ~Proverbs 3:5-6
Let us support one another in the love of Jesus – in prayer, study, worship, fellowship and service. The new year is an opportunity for believers in the local church to come together to build each other up in our most holy faith as Jude 20 encourages.
If God is for us, who can be against us? ~Romans 8:31-32
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. ~1 John 5:3-5
May the Lord richly bless you all with a very happy, healthy, prosperous and fruitful new year!
Pastor Paul