This Time

The other day, I was involved in a conversation with our Music Minister, James Horton, when he said, "This time last year…" James then proceeded to rejoice in the marvelous works of God had accomplished in he and Michelle's life since this time last year. A year ago, Michelle was engaged in a life or death struggle. This time last year, James was sharing his testimony at the Church in the Park not knowing if he would be a widow before the year was out. In addition to the immense weight of the Horton's medical crisis, the other pressures and cares of this world weighed heavy upon the Hortons, but they never lost faith and the body of Christ did not cease to beseech God for his infinite mercy on behalf of the Hortons. To God's glory, Michelle and James not only survived a very difficult trial, but thrive. James will be leading us in praise and worship with Michelle by his side in just a few days at this year's Church in The Park! Wow! What a difference a year makes! When I think about all God has done since this time last year it causes me to reflect on how incredible God truly is.

This time last year, I was praying about how we would approach establishing two seed plants in Bates and Henry county. This past October, a "seed plant" Bible study was established weekly on Wednesday evenings. In January, during the Vision update, I asked the members of HBF to join me in praying for the souls of Henry and Bates County. Since this time last year, God has not only established a seed plant (a Bible study in the target culture intended to be the seed for a church plant) he has provided a key man who believes he is called to plant a church in Henry County! During the 2017 "Invest" Vision Conference, God made it clear to Brad McGuire that he needed to heed the call to take the seed plant and lead it forward as a church plant. The seed plant team eagerly embraced and encouraged Brad and Annie and they are now working weekly to take the next steps in establishing a church planting initiative in Henry County! Wow! What a difference a year makes!

We are still planning to trust the Lord for a seed plant in Bates County. We initially intended to establish the seed plant this spring but God has suspended that initiative temporarily. Please continue to pray with me and the rest of our HBF family for the souls of Bates County as we will see what God has in store. Who knows, in a year from now we could be celebrating a church plant in Bates county as well.

Not all the things we face during the year are encouraging. Along with triumph we face tragedy, trial, disappointment and failure. There are many who are going through trial and difficulty as I write this. Some public, others private but all deeply personal and completely transparent to God. At times, it may seem as though hurt and despair may never end but that simply is not true. The prophet Habakkuk wrote a three-chapter book recording the pending judgment facing his people, Israel, the world and specifically the Babylonian kingdom. He concluded the letter with a tremendous series of verses.

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Habakkuk's choice to rejoice is remarkable! This is a remarkable trait I have seen in many who have endured trial and hardship. It is not based in the power of positive thinking but the truth of God's word. It is based in the character and promises of God almighty who loves and cares for those who follow him in faith. I'm reminded of Psalm 37:25-26:

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

God's provision is so incredible that he not only takes care of our temporal need but he supplies our eternal want. The conclusion of Habakkuk 3 ends with the promised resurrection that lifts the believer to places well above the valley of judgment and despair. Trust in the Lord and lean not on thine own understanding for Salvation is of the Lord and it is found in the Lord Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross. If you have never trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is the day to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. You may be in the clutches of Death today but God can and will deliver you through his own right hand and see you victorious for all eternity if you trust in Christ's death, burial and resurrection for your atoning sacrifice for sin. His blood is sufficient to cleanse you of all unrighteousness if you apply it to your heart and life by faith. I could supply testimony after testimony of people who could rejoicing in the change God has brought to their heart and life because they placed their faith in Christ Jesus.

What a difference a year makes! No matter if you find yourself in crisis that threatens your life or on a mountain top experience of blessing, the one constant is the Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and we can and should make a choice to rejoice in him. This time last year, you were one year further removed from eternal glory (if you are born again). The child of God has cause to rejoice because our salvation is nearer than when we believed (Romans 13:11). God's people can rejoice no matter the circumstance because our circumstances do not define our joy, the promise of eternal life in Christ does. This time next year, we could very well be looking at life through the lens of eternity. That truth no matter how it occurs (the rapture of the church or the doorway of death) is not something we lament but recognize as the fulfillment of our Joy in Christ Jesus. We labor in light of eternity, knowing that our redemption draws nigh and soon, even if we live to be 150 years old, our faith will be sight. I pray this time next year finds you rejoicing as well as the next and the next for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; Psalms 105:5