The first lines of Charles Dickens’ famous novel, A Tale of Two Cities, sums up this past year:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
But it’s the Apostle Peter’s words that sum up how we have by faith in God persevered through 2020’s “worst of times” whether pandemic, sickness, financial insecurity, social instability, or racial and political unrest.
1 Peter 1:5-7 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
The fires of trials burn away all that is temporary and strengthen our faith and make us stronger! What Satan means for harm Jesus is the master at turning them into victories! I want to share with you some of those victories in 2020.
Although we paused Sunday services for six weeks in April and May the church continued to serve. We have continued to have services and not one member or faithful attendee has been sick with the Coronavirus!
Through the continued faithfulness and generosity of the CWC family, not one church bill went unpaid. And it gets even better, by faith we did not stop giving monthly to our missionaries and still gave over $10,000 to missions in 2020!
We have continued to extend the use of our facilities to other ministries throughout 2020. Do you know that the church and grounds are being used every day of the week?
-Three Sunday services
-Wellsbranch Community Church has an 8:30 am outdoor service on the grounds.
-We have Sunday School and a 10:30 worship service.
-Pastor Jaime and the Hispanic church have a 2:00 pm service.
-Monday
- Evangelist Antonio Gonzales with Life for the Nations has his headquarters office with us.
-A fitness group will soon begin meeting in our parking lot Monday and Wednesday.
-Tuesday
-One Day Academy (A Christian school) meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
-Wednesday
-We have a weekly online Bible Study and the fitness group in the parking lot.
-Thursday
-We have 6:30 am prayer and One Day Academy meets.
-Friday
-The Hispanic church has Friday evening services.
-Saturday
-Just As I Am Church has Saturday morning services.
This year we also invested in a professional recording studio being used for ministry and our food pantry continues to serve families in need.
Although for now, we may be “small” by natural standards, we are stewarding the resources God has given us to be a light on a hill that burns bright 7 days a week!
I sense 2021 to be a year of new beginnings, fresh starts and do-overs! I pray a special grace of God over your life and everything you set your heart, mind and hands to do in 2021. Don’t let the setbacks and delays of 2020 cause you to forget the vision and plans God has given you. He knew what 2020 was bringing and nothing can stop His will being fulfilled in your life if you only just believe and never give up! His promises are guaranteed.
Jonah disobeyed the Lord and tried to escape but was instead swallowed by the great fish. Three days later he was cast out onto the land and God said to him, “Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time…” Jonah 3:1 After his rebellion and discipline God gave him a second chance, a new beginning, a do-over!
No matter where you are in Christ, remember God is the God of second chances! You may have given up on Him but He hasn’t given up on you. My hope for you in 2021 is that you by faith in God step into the grace He has reserved just for you!
Lookout 2021! God's saints are living by faith with the cross set before them. No plague, no natural disaster, not setback or disappointment, not even all the hordes of hell can smother the joy in our hearts given to us from Heaven above. Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave, we live victorious in His accomplishments!
In Christ, for Christ, by Christ, and through Christ and all for the Glory of God!
Pastor Matt
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