January-April 2012
Dear Pastor,
I trust this letter finds you energized as you begin a new year of service for our Lord. I am very aware that there are some who are predicting that this year will mark the end of our world. While we realize there are still events that are yet to come according to God's timetable before He is finished with this planet, wouldn't it be wonderful if our Savior would return during this year?
While each of us, no doubt, would welcome our Lord's return, we are reminded in Scripture that at His return, He will be looking for those who are faithfully engaged in his service. A good friend recently gave me a book that is a compilation of Puritan writings. Two of those writings have been of particular blessing to me. The first was a devotional on Matthew 6:33 where we are reminded that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The writer states, “If God is our heavenly Father, our first and main care should be to ask things suitable to His being, and His excellencies.” I was challenged that in this coming year I need to make certain the things that I ask for bring honor to my Lord. The other devotional was based on Matthew 5:16, where we are told that we are to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven. In this devotional the author shared this thought, “So is the nature of grace, it loves to spread itself. We love to reach and diffuse our influence on others.”
With these thoughts in mind as the children of God, we are to seek those things that please Him and live in such a manner that we point people to Him. Is not that the cause of missions? May I challenge you in this new year to consider what God might have you do as a pastor as you lead your congregation in the area of missions?
I realize that we are in difficult economic times, and often our first thought is we do not have the resources to do what we would like to. I've just finished reading a book about a young Christian lady who was involved in the Dutch resistance organization during World War II. In the book she states, “I came to understand that I was totally dependent upon God.” In a true sense, that's where we all find ourselves. This young lady found Him to be fully trustworthy meeting needs that, from any other source, could not have been met. If we dedicate ourselves to do what God wants us to do, we can be assured that He will supply the means to do it. I have resolved in my own heart this year that I am going to do that which will honor the Lord. I trust you will join me in this pledge. Together, may we see the cause of missions move forward, and people will give glory to our Father who is in heaven.
In the Master’s hand,
Rev. Steve Fulks
Administrator for Church Relations and Enlistment
Baptist Mid-Missions
P.S. Please dlick this link for a look at the current issue of our Church Planter’s Toolbox newsletter, published by BMM's North America Church Planting and Development ministry.