Here we are again, the end of yet another year. It feels like just the other day that I was writing my end of year message.
This year has once again been filled with so many challenges; covid, changes in weather patterns, weather related disasters, wars, the persecution of Christians, changes to laws that goes against Biblical values, huge job losses, growing world hunger, crashing world economies, and the list just goes on and on.
One of the worse things for me is how more and more Christians are fighting over so many issues, moving further and further apart from one another. Therefore, I want to dedicate this newsletter to talk about this issue.
Brothers and sisters, please, we should be moving closer to one another, stand together, give a helping hand, share the love of Jesus, show greater understanding, judge less, pray more and fight this battle we are in TOGETHER.
Now is not the time to fight, but rather to take hands. We cannot allow the enemy to destroy our values, beliefes and relationships. Yes, we all have our challenges and our own opinions, but be careful not to fall for satan’s tricks. He wants to break up marriages and relationships, may it be at home, work, church or within the community. We cannot allow satan to dictate our lives and break us apart.
When things go wrong, make sure that it is not the works of the enemy. And if it is not, then stop reacting in the way of the world and be more Christlike in your approach. We should be building each other up, not breaking each other down.
So many Christians are fighting over their own personal views of what is happening in the world and how we should react to it, so much, that I have seen families being torn apart because of this.
One brother tells another how his works are not from the Lord, yet he does not even know what that brother’s relationship is and how strong his relationship is with Jesus.
Brother and sister, stop judging the works of others. How do you know what the Holy Spirit has given them? Focus on your own life and your own journey with Jesus. Do not let your own views be the cause of the downfall of the church and the people of Christ.
If in doubt, read the Bible, not books, not videos on Facebook or Instagram, but the Word of God! We can so easily be influenced by social media, the things of this world, and then allow the enemy to destroy and steal. Proverbs 3:5 says Do not lean on your own understanding!
My message is not just for you, its for me, its for everyone, because we all are struggling in some way, and we all are falling for satan’s schemes at some point. But we cannot allow this to continue. Life is not going to get easier, and we need to be there for each now more than ever. We need each other for what is to come.
So, I am asking you, and me, all of us, to not let this year end like this. I am asking you, and I pray that you will do this, to correct the wrongs that has been done in 2021. Please, don’t delay, let us do this as soon as possible.
If there are issues between you and your spouse, if you have issues at work with a colleague, maybe a brother at church, a mother, father, child or even a neighbour at home, make things right, no matter whether you feel they were wrong, make things right! Don’t even think about it, just do it.
I say again, we need each other now more than ever and we do not know what lies ahead for us in 2022, so let us end this year on a high and start the new year with a clean slate, loving each other, being there for each other, helping each other and praying for each other. Let us put our differences and personal views aside and be more Christlike in everything that we do.
I want to leave you with a few words from my JTMR Radio Sermon, which I will be broadcasted this coming Sunday the 12th of December. These words are my encouragement to you as this year is drawing closer to the end.
Paul said, ”I am not perfect.” I am not where the Lord wants me to be. But I am moving forward. Jesus does not expect from us to be perfect, but we should at least try. And when we fail or fall, we should at least fail or fall forward. Let us all try and be more perfect in 2022.
Don’t dwell on old problems. If there are unresolved issues you have with someone else, you need to seek reconciliation, now.
The Christian life is to be a priority in 2022. We have a certain kind of life to live. We have a job to do. We have people to love. We have people to save. So, let us put our differences and personal views aside and stand together as the Church should.
We are to navigate. We are to put on a full court press. We are to go all out in running our race in 2022. There is no more time to “play” church. Like I said, we all have a job to do.
Brothers and sisters, we have been called from sin to salvation. We have been called from death to life. We have been strangers who have been invited into the family of Christ. We have been wanderers who have become witnesses. Let us live this out in 2022 in such a way for the world to see! Stand firm in your faith, keep your chin up and move forward.
There is no higher calling for 2022 than the calling of God on your life. Make sure that in 2022 you know what your calling is and that you give it your all.
May you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and reach out to those who do not have one. Share lots of Jesus love over this season of hope and joy.
My prayer for you is Eph 3:14-21
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
God bless,
Jaco van As
Managing Director