God has blessed us throughout 2017 and now its end is approaching. The elders want to once again say how grateful we are for all of the wonderful and dedicated members of the Beckley Heights congregation. You’ve embraced every plan that was made in 2017. Our results were wonderful. We baptized some into Christ. Several placed membership and our faith grew. We know in some cases times have been tough with you and we are thankful for your continued support. Our desire is to always watch out for the church and care for its member’s spirituality in humility.
At the start of each New Year we hope for the best, but life does not happen without crisis “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. But This time, This moment, embrase your crisis, the struggle is a part of the story.Your greatest chalenges in life can become your biggest opportunity to see the glory of Christ in your life “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.
Now the year 2018 is upon us. In the coming year, there are things we will need and even need them now.
- We need the perseverance of Christ in the face of affliction.
- We need the energy and strength of Christ in the face of pressures, which deplete.
- We need the wisdom of Christ in the face of the complexities of life and ministry.
- We need the stability of Christ in the midst of rapid, social, political and personal changes all around us.
We need the assurance of his sovereign authority in a culture sliding farther and farther from his truth.
It is no exaggeration to say that we need Christ more than we need anything else. “Beloved, we are God’s children now. It does not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2
Our needs here at the end of 2017 are not primarily financial, but basically spiritual. We need to be the kind of people that radiate the beauty and truth and value of Christ. We need to be a Beacon of Hope, like lights shining in a dark place. This means we need to be focused on Christ.