Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Crossing The Time Line - 2007 to 2008

Dear Loved Ones, Brethren and Friends,

Happy New Year to you All!

Crossing The Time Line – 2007 to 2008

As I am now in the brink and transitory point of time to cross from 2007 to 2008, it’s amazing to feel the weight of anxiety this imaginary line brings. It feels daunting to come over to new beginnings. We need to cross the markers and signs of seasons that God set forth at creation in Genesis 1:14, when He divided the day from the night.

Meditating on Ephesians 5:15-17 ”See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”, I am made aware that in crossing the line I leave a past and welcome a future to live purposely and not by circumstance. Knowing that as in the 2007, in 2008, fear is my greatest enemy. It comes in different disguises. Economic downturns, Social disorders, Financial Crisis, Health scare. Etc. But, I know by the promises of God’s words that – goods, money and everything – Is Still In The Earth! I haven’t heard any of it ever have flown out to Mars. It’s all still here. And, God has given me claims for all these blessing to harvest as I continue sowing. (Genesis 8:22) “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

I have been made mindful that fear comes by hearing and bombardment of media technology makes me hear it again and again. It’s time to be discriminate in my media choices. Knowing that fear drains and paralyses.

Praises to our Lord for His word, which provide the weapon, how to fight fear. His holy Word supplies hundreds of ‘Fear Not’. Few of those verse are: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but power, and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1.7). For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again of fear, but ye have receive the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15).

Really fear should not hinder us to move on. Whatever circumstance happening, already happened before and God dealt with it victoriously for our sakes. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). So this new year on, need to be careful what to hear. … and what time I am afraid – I will Trust in the Lord (Psalm 56:3). As I cross the time line I declare my trust in and with God. I will do it even if afraid, because God is with me.

I will cross the line afraid. I am up for it. God provides the strength and the way out just in case. (1 Corinthians 10:13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Yes, I don’t know what’s out there ahead in 2008. But God is faithful. What’s out there, I am up for it. God knows it. And, God is already there. He is for and with me. (Jeremiah 42:11) Be not afraid of the king of Babylon (2008) of whom ye are afraid: be not afraid of him (it), saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his (its) hand.” God delivers me from any unpleasantness in 2008 and make it fertile grounds for pleasant fruits.

In crossing, I must take faith coupled with wisdom. God promise to uphold me (Isaiah 41:10) “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not be dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”. Faith and trust is how to overcome. All I do is ask Him. “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.” (1 John 5:14). I just have to ask my Lord to tell me again and again through His words all His promises, for me to hear again and again to increase my faith (Romans 10:17).

Coupled with wisdom – (Proverbs 4:7) ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’ I ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and God will give it generously. I must desire and dig it (Proverbs 2:1-9). I must avoid walking with ‘dummies’ (Proverbs 13:20).

For any circumstance that my tend to shake the journey in 2008 (I pray none would come across), need to seek God, normalize – keep moving on and meditate on God’s principles.

I know I can’t change anything around me but I know God is out there ahead and behind, and I can change, adapt and equip myself. I will overcome victorious all through 2008 by the promises of my Creator and Father in heaven. His Word stands forever. It never fails. Jeremiah 29:4-14:

‘Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have cause to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;

Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; let not your prophets and diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams with ye cause to be dreamed.

For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.

For thus saith the Lord, that after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

Yes, there are media paint of dooms in 2008 – they are not from the Lord. God will perform His favours upon us.

May God bless us all a blessed and overflowing prosperity in 2008 on, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Happy New Year!

Brod Fel with Sists Mae, Hannah and Shasha