We never know what lies ahead of us as we enter another year, but many sense an increasing apprehension as we journey through 2017.
The unknown appears from various sources. The White House, Washington, seems to have its unknown brand of being unknown. Usually we know what we are dealing with and what might or could happen - but not in 2017.
Brexit stalks the corridors of the United Kingdom and for two years we will be wondering just what might and could happen. So many are deeply concerned about the single market. We hear about the single market, the single market.
Do people not realise that this is a spiritual issue and much more serious than an economic or financial matter?
If hunger can explode then hunger is exploding in various parts of the world in a new dimension. At the time of writing, we hear of extreme hunger in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and parts of Nigeria.
Today, even as I write, we hear of hunger in areas of Kenya. Having visited Kenya to work and speak and teach on five occasions, this land of Kenya is very much on my heart and it grieves me to hear of what is happening across that nation today.
Sin wreaks horrid and horrendous consequences.
However, there are some unchanging positives.
God has said that He will never leave you and never abandon you, if you choose to ask for His help, guidance, presence and blessing.
We need not face circumstances alone, and we can show our thanks to God by serving Him with the abilities and talents He has given us.
We can please God by serving Him with thankful hearts.
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God." Now, there is a word worth holding onto for 2017.
Why should I be thankful to God - because of who God is - loving, gracious, merciful, forgiving, powerful, and reliably consistent.
No one will ever love you the way God loves you.
God is fair and unbiased and He always does what is right - always.
We thank God for what He has done and we praise God for Who He is.
He sent Jesus to save us from our sins, and those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him.
Many missed the coming of Jesus Christ into our world. The religious people missed him - so did the politicians.
The shepherds, having been told the glorious news, got up and searched, and discovered it all to be so true. Now, there's satisfying initiative.
Wise men travelled over a thousand miles at great cost, inconvenience and danger, but they found Him.
The lights soon go out and disappear.
Lights have been extinguished in so many parts of our pained and suffering world.
The Light of the risen and living Jesus continues to shine, and can shine in whatever your 2017 circumstances might be.
It is to this resurrected and powerful Lord Jesus Christ that I point you as you read this piece.
We need to learn anew and be reminded frequently that discipleship is not a spectator sport.
We long to see lost men and women finding Christ Jesus as Saviour and going to serve Him as Lord and King, for that is what He is.
Then we may have more workers going into the harvest field to deal with injustice and unfairness and warfare and bullying.
A man moving and serving and speaking with the authority of the Holy Spirit can change and transform situations. It can be done!
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: Facing Massive National and Global Problems Needs Men of Amazing Courage, Assurance, and Vision!
The unknown appears from various sources. The White House, Washington, seems to have its unknown brand of being unknown. Usually we know what we are dealing with and what might or could happen - but not in 2017.
Brexit stalks the corridors of the United Kingdom and for two years we will be wondering just what might and could happen. So many are deeply concerned about the single market. We hear about the single market, the single market.
Do people not realise that this is a spiritual issue and much more serious than an economic or financial matter?
If hunger can explode then hunger is exploding in various parts of the world in a new dimension. At the time of writing, we hear of extreme hunger in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and parts of Nigeria.
Today, even as I write, we hear of hunger in areas of Kenya. Having visited Kenya to work and speak and teach on five occasions, this land of Kenya is very much on my heart and it grieves me to hear of what is happening across that nation today.
Sin wreaks horrid and horrendous consequences.
However, there are some unchanging positives.
God has said that He will never leave you and never abandon you, if you choose to ask for His help, guidance, presence and blessing.
We need not face circumstances alone, and we can show our thanks to God by serving Him with the abilities and talents He has given us.
We can please God by serving Him with thankful hearts.
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God." Now, there is a word worth holding onto for 2017.
Why should I be thankful to God - because of who God is - loving, gracious, merciful, forgiving, powerful, and reliably consistent.
No one will ever love you the way God loves you.
God is fair and unbiased and He always does what is right - always.
We thank God for what He has done and we praise God for Who He is.
He sent Jesus to save us from our sins, and those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him.
Many missed the coming of Jesus Christ into our world. The religious people missed him - so did the politicians.
The shepherds, having been told the glorious news, got up and searched, and discovered it all to be so true. Now, there's satisfying initiative.
Wise men travelled over a thousand miles at great cost, inconvenience and danger, but they found Him.
The lights soon go out and disappear.
Lights have been extinguished in so many parts of our pained and suffering world.
The Light of the risen and living Jesus continues to shine, and can shine in whatever your 2017 circumstances might be.
It is to this resurrected and powerful Lord Jesus Christ that I point you as you read this piece.
We need to learn anew and be reminded frequently that discipleship is not a spectator sport.
We long to see lost men and women finding Christ Jesus as Saviour and going to serve Him as Lord and King, for that is what He is.
Then we may have more workers going into the harvest field to deal with injustice and unfairness and warfare and bullying.
A man moving and serving and speaking with the authority of the Holy Spirit can change and transform situations. It can be done!
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: Facing Massive National and Global Problems Needs Men of Amazing Courage, Assurance, and Vision!