A Jot From John
From time to time, we watch baseball. It’s an exciting sport. My sport of choice in High School. We have all seen a ball hit a great distance, expecting it to be a home run, only to see some outfielder jump high and stretch every fiber in his body to catch the ball.
We are seeing many great things happening in our congregation. New families placing membership; new visitors every Sunday; a baptism this past Lord’s Day; an Evangelistic Program beginning in November; a gospel meeting with brother Glen Colley; a Ladies Day for our sisters and sisters in Christ throughout the area. Many of these things will involve each member. Therefore, we must not be content with our present status.
We, like a ball player, must stretch forward! We must launch out into the deep (this is an act of faith). We must have the attitude of the apostle Paul, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14). We too must “press on.”
We, like Paul, have not attained. There is a great work to do. There are almost 8 billion people upon this earth and the majority of them are lost. There is something for every member of this congregation to do. Each member in the body has a place and a responsibility (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Every Christian must “find his ministry”, (know his talents, etc.) The time for action is NOW. We can’t dwell in the past. The future is ever before us and this is why we must plan continually. God expects His church to be active in the tasks He has assigned the church to do.
What will stretching (reaching) forward take? Like the physical body requires exercise, the spiritual body requires the same (action). As the physical uses every muscle in the body, the spiritual must have every member actively involved. It will require: faith and trust in God and His promises; every member must be enthusiastic about the work; diligence is a key ingredient; there must be a vision for great things; there will be no successes if there isn’t work, work, work!!! There must be a positive attitude within each heart. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).
What will be the results of reaching forward? Lives within the church will be changed; souls within the community will be saved; the church will grow numerically and spiritually; God will be glorified; your home will be blessed and happier; greater and bigger things will continue to happen. “Soldiers of Christ arise. . .”
John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
