Page 5 - Good News January 2005 paper

with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I
believe that every person
on earth has some or other resolved to know nothing while I was with you
Idesire that he/she would except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”
like to see come to fruition He redirects their focus from their own
during the year 2005, be it achievements and capabilities to the Person,
better family relationships, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the All-
better health, more wealth, encompassing and the fulfilment of the desires
effective ministry, etc. of the heart for Paul; He was both the Power and
Pastors dream of larger the Wisdom of God in his life (1 Cor. 1:24). His
congregations, increased highest achievement was to know Christ and to
i n c o m e , n e w c h u r c h be found in Him having the righteousness which
buildings, new impetus in is from God: “[For my determined purpose is]
ministry, etc. All these that I may know Him [that I may progressively
desires/dreams most times become more deeply and intimately acquainted
lead to dismay and a feeling with Him, perceiving and recognizing and
of worthlessness when year understanding the wonders of His Person more
end arrives and nothing has strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that
transpired. Why do we so same way come to know the power outflowing
often find ourselves in such a from His resurrection [which it exerts over
position? The answer is believers], and that I may so share His
simple: We have lost focus! sufferings as to be continually transformed [in
spirit into His likeness even] to His death.”
When gazing at a far-off image
(Philippians 3:10, Amplified Bible).
through a pair of binoculars, As you ponder on the possibilities for the year
one has to set the lenses until 2005, redirect your focus on Him who has called
good focus on the image has you from darkness into His glorious light and
allow Him to guide you each step of the way in
been achieved. The apostle
the fulfilment of your calling and ministry in
Paul understood the essence
Him!
of true focus in his life and his May the year 2005 bring you into a closer
ministry when he proclaimed relationship and walk with God than ever before,
the following to the Corin- so that you may fulfil your life-calling in Him.
Peter De Witt
thians:
Pentecostal Messenger
1 Cor. 2:1-2: “When I came to
you, brothers, proclaiming the
mystery of God, I did not come

will, like Paul, forget those host, proclaim the message of
things which are behind and peace on earth and goodwill
Ipress forward; like David lift toward all men; and like my Lord
up mine eyes unto God from Himself, overcome all earthly
from Whom comes my help; allurements by refusing to
like Abraham, trust implicitly in succumb to their enticements.
my God; like Enoch, walk in Realizing that I cannot hope to
daily fellowship with my achieve these objectives by my
heavenly Father; like Jehosha- own strength, I will rely upon
phat, prepare my heart to seek Christ, for “I can do all things
God; like Moses, choose rather through Christ Who strength-
to suffer than to enjoy the eneth me.”
pleasures of sin for a season; - Knight’s Master Book of New
like Daniel, commune with my Illustrations
God at all times; like Job, be
patient under all circum-
stances; like Caleb and Joshua,
refuse to be discouraged
because of superior numbers;
like Joseph, turn my back to all
seductive advances; like
Gideon, advance even though
my friends be few; like Aaron
and Hur, uphold the hands of
my spiritual leaders; like Isaiah,

consecrate myself to do God’s
work; like Andrew, strive to lead
my brother into a closer walk
with Christ; like John, lean
upon the bosom of the Master
and imbibe of His Spirit; like
Stephen, manifest a forgiving
spirit toward all who seek my
life; like Timothy, study the
Word of God; like the heavenly