Greetings in the name of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ!

What a mighty God we serve! We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2024!

Pursuing Christ with a Greater Effort – How Are We Doing?

 

Can you believe we are halfway through 2024? Feels like we just had our New Year’s Eve service and learned that the Word of Knowledge Ministries focus for the year would be ‘Pursuing Christ with a Greater Effort to Gain a Greater Reward’. So, here we are six months into the year – how are we doing?

In our journey of faith, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We sometimes find ourselves distracted, worn out, and feeling distant from the One who loves us most—Jesus Christ. But, as we know, it’s crucial to take the time and make the effort to focus and pursue Christ with a greater effort. The message from Philippians 3:13-14 provides profound insight and encouragement for us all.

Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of not dwelling on past failures or successes. Instead, he encourages us to look forward and keep pressing on towards our heavenly goal.

 

Embrace the New Day

Every day we wake up is a new opportunity, a fresh start given to us by the grace of God. So, if you feel like you haven’t done enough or that you could do more in your effort to pursue Christ, know that every day you wake up is another day to try harder, to make a greater effort. Despite the challenges we faced in the past, today is a new day to grow closer to Christ. It’s a chance to deepen our relationship with Him, learn from our experiences, and strive to be more like Him. Remember, the past is behind us and cannot be changed, but today and the future are filled with endless possibilities.

 

Focus on What Lies Ahead

It’s easy to let past mistakes or hardships weigh us down. Maybe 2024 hasn’t panned out the way you planned or expected, that’s okay. Don’t waste time beating yourself up or pondering over the past – keep moving forward. Paul teaches us that we must leave these things behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. God has great plans for us, and His mercies are new every morning. By focusing on our bright future and the promises God has laid out for us, we can navigate through life’s challenges with hope and determination.

 

Pressing On with Determination

To “press on” means to pursue with earnestness and diligence. It’s not a passive activity but an active, determined effort to follow Christ. This pursuit requires daily commitment, prayer, and studying God’s word. Have your daily “press on” efforts been lacking? That’s okay. Make a choice today to make a greater effort to press on. We can choose to seek His will in every aspect of our lives and be open to His leading. When we actively pursue Christ, we find strength, peace, and purpose that the world cannot offer.

 

Letting Go of the Past

Holding onto past hurts, grudges, or even successes can hinder our growth. God is all about growth and multiplication, He wants us to grow. When we pursue Him, we open up opportunities for growth in our lives. Paul’s message is clear: forget what is behind. By letting go, we free ourselves from the chains that hold us back and allow God to work in our lives. This doesn’t mean we ignore our past, but we learn from it and choose not to let it define our present or future.

 

Encouragement for the Journey

As we embark on this journey of pursuing Christ with greater effort, let’s encourage one another. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. This means we need each other, and we need to assemble, and Christians assemble in church. If we have not seen you in the sanctuary in a while, we invite you back to church. It is important to surround yourself with a community of believers who will uplift you, pray for you, and walk alongside you. Together, we can press toward the goal and experience the fullness of life in Christ.

 

As we reflect at this midway point in 2024, pursuing Christ with a greater effort is a call to action for all of us. It’s about making a conscious decision every day to follow Him more closely, to let go of the past, and to press on toward the future with hope and determination. A greater effort on our part will result in greater reward. God has good plans for us. Let’s embrace this journey with joy, knowing that as we seek Him, we will find Him and be transformed by His love.

 

So, let’s recommit today. Let’s pursue Christ with all our hearts, minds, and souls. Let’s press on toward the goal and experience the abundant life He has promised. Amen!

Pastors Ron & Janice