HOPE: MAKING an IMPACT!

Winter time is such a depressing time.  

The root of my depression comes from the temperatures, gloomy skies, lack of sunshine and daylight, and the barren trees.  Thanksgiving and Christmas get us through the gloomy days of November and December, but we have very little to motivate us to get through January and February. It just seems like forever until SPRING. So, when I preached about PLANTING MUSTARD SEEDS this past weekend, it was my feeble attempt to get us to look toward spring and NEW GROWTH. 

In order to get through the gloomy days of WINTER in Northern Indiana, I spend a lot of time thinking ahead. Yesterday in our staff meeting we were talking about EASTER, SUMMER, VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, SUMMER MOVIE NIGHTS, CHURCH PICNICS, and fun in the SUN. I need that kind of HOPE in order to get through these cold dark months. 

Yesterday, I shared one of my favorite scriptures and today I want to share another of my favorites. It is a scripture of HOPE from ISAIAH:

"But forget all that --- it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed." (Isaiah 43:18-20, NLT)

God, through Isaiah, was encouraging ISRAEL in a time of depression and hopelessness just like he is encouraging you and I today. 

Do you fight depression and hopelessness in your own life? I am not ashamed to admit, I have to fight this battle as well. I want, so bad, to serve the Lord well, to make an impact for His KINGDOM. My thoughts for the past couple of weeks has been GROWTH. I would love growth in our congregation physically, but really I am talking SPIRITUAL GROWTH for the individuals in our flock. I am talking about a GROWTH in the desire to fulfill the great commission and see the KINGDOM GROW with new believers. Those are my desires. So, when I do not see signs of that kind of growth, I can easily get discouraged. 

AM I MAKING AN IMPACT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD? 

That is my constant question. In some ways it is a selfish question, but my heart is sincere that I want nothing in my life more than being a TOOL to be used by GOD for KINGDOM GROWTH. It is not about me, it is about God using me for his purposes. My constant prayer is LORD USE ME.

Heavenly Father, help me, guide me, fill me with your spirit that I might be an effective tool for your KINGDOM. I love you so much and only desire what you desire. But, selfishly, I want to know that what I am doing is making a real difference for Your Kingdom. I trust your timing Lord. I trust your work doing A NEW THING, even when I cannot see it. You have brought me through the wilderness in the past, I have absolutely no doubt you will do it again and again. So, I praise you Lord and thank you ahead of time for the glory of KINGDOM GROWTH that is just around the corner. I praise you for what you have done, what you are doing, and what you WILL DO. Amen!

ARE YOU MAKING AN IMPACT for the KINGDOM?

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!