Dear Freedom Family,
As 2023 comes to a close, I can’t help but think this past year may have been the craziest year in Freedom Bible Church history. We dealt with the result of destruction, homelessness, questions, and loss. At the same time, there has been restoration, new homes, answers, and gain. God has provided so much more than we realize!
But as we come into the new year, there is one major question that can cross our minds…
What do we do next?
2023 had so much vision. It seemed clear that God wanted us to prepare our new building for our new home. Yet now the year is over, and we are settling in. It can be easy to think that our direction isn’t as clear as it was in 2023.
The good news is, we do not have a silent God, but one who gives us clear direction on what He wants us to do!
As beautiful as it was to celebrate our first Sunday in our new home, it will be even more beautiful to see the lives that God changes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our new home! So as we move into 2024, here are three things we should focus on:
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1. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
As Christians we have the pleasure of having purpose on a daily basis. Every day, we can wake up and choose to bring glory to God, knowing that He has made each day for us to rejoice and be glad in (Psalm 118:24). In the new year, let’s continue to focus on bringing glory to God in our church, one day at a time.
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2. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Let’s continue to love each other with the same love our precious Savior has for us. This past year has brought our Freedom family so close together in love. Let’s continue to let God’s love grow in our hearts! I truly wish for Freedom to be like the first church in Acts where it says:
“And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:44-47)
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3. Lastly, let’s continue to keep our focus centered on the Gospel. We are saved by God’s Grace alone, by Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And let us remember that He has made us a new creation, created to do good works in Him.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
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So dear Christian, do not tire of doing good! God has a plan for us in the new year, to use us for His glory and His Kingdom. Let’s seek Him with all our hearts, and by faith trust that in His love, He will lead us step by step in His glorious will.
I love you all so dearly, and hope that God continues to reveal to you His perfect truth, and leads you into a deeper understanding of our Salvation in Christ.
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…” -Ephesians 1:16-19a
In Him,
Pastor Nathanael Vargo
