Due to a road name change at the
Overseer's residence, he now has a new address and he is also using a new email
address:
email:
kramer912@aol.com
Please note these changes for
your Minister's reports or any other information that you may need to send the
overseer.
"Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus"
Philippians 3 : 13-14
In this passage of scripture Paul began to encourage us in the importance of
pressing on. He first began to tell us to not worry about the past as he said,
"forgetting those things which are behind". This statement can cover a lot of
ground, from bringing to mind some of the buildings or properties we had prior
to 1993 to the missed opportunities we had to work for the Lord this past year.
Whatever the case, the Bible teaches us of the dangers of looking back. However,
it should be a blessing to us to recall to our remembrance the times the Lord
has always been there for us, like when He saved us or when we became a member
of the Church or even the countless times when we look at our lives and see that
He made a way where the task seemed impossible. These times should remain very
precious to us, but we cannot allow ourselves to live in the past. I believe
Paul was putting special emphasis on the fact that we must realize that time is
very short and if we get bogged down over water that has passed under the bridge
it will only cut down on how effective our work for the Lord is now. The
statement "reaching forth unto those things which are before" should be our
constant thought as we begin each day, realizing that we have no time to lose.
"We must remember that what we are going to do for Christ we must do quickly for
the time is very short, and, as Jesus said, "the labourers are few". The Church
needs workers today that will "press on toward the mark" and work for God. As
the song says, "though the cost be great I'll work for you".
Sometimes when we look at situations
and easy to say, "Lord, I can't". But it is then when we with your help. I CAN
witness, visit the sick, make a difference in my local Church. I CAN take
this local Church appointment and do my best. I CAN pastor this Church.
I CAN take this Regional appointment and be the very best appointee I can be."
But to do this we must have a determination and a made up mind to "press on
toward the mark". The road might not be easy and the mountain may be a
little steep to climb, but our motto must be "PRESS ON".
As this new Church year begins, let
us have a clean slate and forget all that we may not have gotten done for the
Lord and "press on" with a renewed mind and attitude, and also an excitement to
work for the Lord. The harvest fields are wide open and ready to reap, but the
work cannot get done without a willing vessel to say, "Lord, here an I; send
me". So let us "PRESS ON TOWARD THE MARK" this year and labor for the Master
like we never have.
God Bless You,
Bro. Kramer
As we look at the Regional theme this year “Pressing Toward
the Mark”, we find that it can cover a lot of territory. Over the course of
this year we will be looking at several different areas that we can “press on”
or “strive to” that will help our work for the Lord. Let's look at what Jesus
said in Matt. 24:12b, “the love of many shall wax cold”. This verse is coming
to pass right before our eyes in the time that you and I live in. Never since
the beginning of time has there been so much hatred scattered throughout the
world. It is even evident in the recent storm that hit the gulf states. There
is too much finger-pointing and blaming local, state, and national officials
on who was at fault and not enough of pulling together and saying “Let’s get
through this crisis and then we’ll figure out what happened". This is just one
example of a world that has lost that true love that the Bible says the we
must have. I am a firm believer that we as The Church of God cannot afford to
lose the love that Jesus taught us to have one for another. As we look at
love, I see it as a great river that runs from its starting point into the
final destination of a great ocean. But if an obstacle hinders the flow of
water it becomes stagnant and loses its potential to give life to that which
is dependent on it. The same is true with a child of God. The flow of love is
critical to those we come in contact with. If that flow is hindered in any way
we lose our potential to give life, hope, or whatever is needed to that person
that is standing in the valley of despair. Satan will try everything he has to
stop the flow of love in us, but that is when we must “PRESS ON” a little
harder and dig a little deeper and not allow him to get an upper hand. I am a
firm believer that love still works. The familiar story in the Bible of the
good Samaritan is a good example of love one for another. As the man was
traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho he fell among thieves and was robbed,
beaten, and left for dead. A priest came and showed no love as he passed by. A
Levite came by and showed no love and passed by on the other side. But then
came the Samaritan which when he had seen the man’s condition he had
compassion on him. He left us a great example not only of love, but love in
action. Today we must have that same love for others. We will have people come
into our services that may not dress like we do, or talk like we do, or their
garments may be stained with sin. There is one sure thing that will work in
cases like these, and that is love. As I have already stated love still works,
love still saves, and love still wins. So let us “PRESS ON TOWARD THE MARK OF
LOVE”. If we continue to practice love, we will be amazed at the difference it
will have in our work for the Lord.
God Bless You,
Bro. Kramer
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