Pastor's Thoughts - February 2021

February 2021

A Thought from Pastor Bryson,

Recently, I was in a conversation with one of the members and I was asked this question, “Has the Lord given you a focus thought for the church for 2021? My response was, “No.”

Interestingly enough, as we continued conversing it was as though this thought was dropped into my spirit – Stay Focused On The Prize. That happened to be the sermon I was preaching on January 31st. The thought has stayed with me and will become our focus for 2021 – Stay Focused On The Prize.

For nearly a year now we have been going through adverse situations, the coronavirus, political turmoil in Washington, racial unrest, economic uncertainty, and the list could go on. It has been a wearisome time with all the challenges before us. But we are the church, the body of Christ. Of all people we should realize that trying times are going to come because we live in a fallen world. Jesus warned us in John 16:33 that in this world we would have trials, but we are to be encouraged because He has overcome the world.

As followers of Christ, we should realize that this world is not our home, we are strangers, pilgrims on a journey to our heavenly home. Consider the following passages: John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; Philippians 3:20-21a; Hebrews 11:13-15; Revelations 21:1-4.

Knowing this should give us something to look forward to. In order to appreciate what is in store for us we must keep our eyes on the prize. The apostle Paul lived a challenging life as a result of being a witness for the Lord. But, he did not allow the many challenges he faced to dampen his spirit of what was in store for him. I believed he was encouraged knowing what lay ahead. He said in Philippians 3:13-14:

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In other words, he did not wallow in his problems. His focus was on what was ahead of him, where he was headed to. It should it be the same with us today. Yes, the problems we face are real and challenging, but we are people of faith. The Lord is our Savior and Helper; He will see us through. Everything we face in this world is of a temporary nature. But what the Lord is preparing for us is eternal and we will be blessed beyond our wildest imaginations. Knowing this, focusing on this, will give us motivation to keep moving forward. Knowing this, focusing on this will fill us with joy and hope as we make our tedious journey from earth to glory.

The thought or focus for going forward in 2021 in the midst of all the challenges before is this – STAY FOCUSED ON THE PRIZE! Remember the song Yolanda Adams sang – It’s crazy right now, but one day it’s going to be nice.

Be blessed!