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New Beginnings
Many hope that 2012 will bring a new beginning! The nation is waiting in anticipation of a kick-start in the economy that will produce another period of prosperity. However, government forecasts are gloomy as economists speak of dark, difficult days ahead. What lies ahead might seem rather uncertain and overwhelming - human nature seems to have a need to see the whole picture, to have answers for everything that happens. William Ray captured the believers’ position concerning the future when he stated, “we know not what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future.”
Through these critical times I am reminded that the Lord Who holds the future is sustaining and strengthening us. In all the changes that come in our personal lives or in SGA we can trust in the Lord, knowing that He Who holds the future is with us. Isaiah’s trust was in the Lord Jehovah Who was his strength, song and salvation – ‘I will trust and not be afraid’ (Isaiah 12:2). With the Psalmist we can say, ‘Our times are in His hands’ - that means the joyful times as well as the sad times, the peaceful times as well as the troubled times.
This issue of Breakthrough focuses on a number of new beginnings. The work in Odessa, Ukraine is an example of those who are prepared to give themselves to the work of the Gospel to create new beginnings for children. You can also read about the opening of SGA’s first Mission School in Ukraine and the recommencement of our teaching programme in Slovakia. Church planter Delcho Atanasov informs us of new beginnings in two Bulgarian villages.
Some years ago, one of the major banks had as its advertising slogan, ‘We do not know what the future holds – but we need to be ready for it.’ Thank God the believer is ready for whatever the future holds. The Bible reminds us of ‘this hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast….’ In his letter to the Colossians, Paul the Apostle describes the future certainty of the true Christian, referring to it as ‘the hope which is laid up for you in heaven… Christ in you, the hope of glory.’
A.B. Simpson sums up the confidence of the child of God as he writes, ‘The believer’s future is as bright as the promises of God and as secure as His throne.’ Step forward positively, believing His promises, and trusting God’s power. Let us claim our inheritance in these coming days, and discover that the most difficult and disappointing places of life’s experience are God’s greatest opportunities for new beginnings.
Find out a little bit about Romania and what SGA does in this country