In the Hand of the Father
By Dean Honeycutt
Mitchell County
I want to thank the Lord I am saved and for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Like many of you, I am frustrated over the ongoing pandemic restrictions and the political unrest our country is in. Our country is divided, and this division has caused many problems. We are divided politically and morally. Christian people are really caught in the middle of all this mess. We will not swear our allegiance to a single man because our allegiance is to Jesus Christ. Neither will we compromise our Biblical convictions of the sanctity of human life and the union of one man and one woman.
But one thing is for certain we can not let our differences become our division. We must unite as the Body of Christ and stand together united in the sole purpose of sharing the Gospel and glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan wants to deceive, conquer, and divide, but we must stand firm, stand strong, and stand united. An unbelieving world will never understand why we want to gather and fellowship. We must continue to gather and fellowship. We are stronger when we are united. The Holy Spirit unites us into one Body. The Body will suffer when it is divided.
1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV 1900)
13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:25 (KJV 1900)
25 “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
Your church needs you. When you miss church, the body is not complete. Could you imagine leaving home without your hands? How much would you be able to accomplish? Would your day be more difficult, and would you be frustrated? The answer of course is yes. So likewise, your church needs you as much as you need your hands. You are a vital part of the ministry of your church. The idea that we can be a virtual church is not Biblical. We must live by faith and trust the Lord. I realize there are times for the best interest of the Body we may not meet, but this absence from church fellowship cannot be the norm.
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV 1900)
25” Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
The closer the church moves towards the return of Christ the more we need to meet as a body of believers. The Church will become smaller because of persecution and lack of commitment. But this is God’s plan it is the “weeding” process God uses to purge His church.
Ephesians 5:26–27 (KJV 1900)
26 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
We are living during a challenging but also exciting time “for such a time as this” God has chosen this generation of believers and churches to stand strong in the faith and be a light in a dark world. What example of faith are we leaving our children and grandchildren? Can you imagine the faith to be required to live in the days preceding the return of Christ? Will our children require greater faith than ours to endure the challenges and tribulation of a pre-tribulation church? Yes, believers need greater faith.
The Lord will strengthen His Church and our faith will increase to help us endure the perilous times that are ahead of us. Jesus encouraged Christians and gave us a promise to reward our faithfulness.
Revelation 3:10 (KJV 1900)
10” Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
During this season of life, we are like the disciples in a boat during a storm. Jesus comes walking on the water. Some of the disciples are in the boat. They like the comfort and safety of the boat. You like the comfort and safety of your home, mask, or distancing. One disciple is walking on the water. His eyes are on Jesus and he has great faith. The only thing he needs is great faith. However, when he takes his eyes off Jesus and places them on the storm he begins to sink. But Jesus is there to rescue him and take him back to the boat. Some of us are walking on the water. Some of us are in the boat. Some of us are sinking. But we are all in the mighty hand of God.
John 10:28–29 (KJV 1900)
28 “And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
Praise the Lord. The Lord knows where you are at in this season of life and He is with you. Dear church look up our redemption draws near. Strengthen your family by attending church faithfully and reading the Bible.
God bless you,
Pastor Dean.
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Pastor Dean Honeycutt shepherds Snow Hill Baptist Church in Bakersville, NC. He may be reached at 828-385-0213, snowhillbaptist@gmail.com, or visit their website at www.snowhillbaptist.com.
You can read more good Christian news from Dean HERE.
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