All to Jesus I surrender, All to him I freely give, I will ever love and trust him, In his presence daily live.
This is the beginning of the well known song found on page 662 in our Hymnal. In Psalm 37:7 we are told to Surrender yourselves to the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
As the Elders work on the budget for 2020 we challenge you to set your vision to be the church that God wants us to be. What is your Vision for Summit? What is the need of our community? Where do you see Summit in 5, 10, 15, 20 years? Consider the churches in the New Testament. One did not have unity, one had left their first love, and another one was neither hot nor cold for the Lord; they were just lukewarm. Guard that Summit does not fall into these habits; make us a church that serves the Lord and strives to be a church of action.
Our theme for 2019 has been Discipleship
Discipleship is Obedience. Jesus said “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15. We were commanded to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. You may not be able to go into other countries to teach and work, but what about your own neighborhood, your community, your church? What can you do to obey God’s commands right here?
Discipleship is Prayer. We are praying for God to open doors for us in 2019. You don’t feel comfortable talking to others? You can always talk to God. Pray that He will open the heart of the gentleman who owns the land adjoining our church. Pray for the impact that we could have in the community with an all-purpose building. Pray that God will send a youth minister or a couple to fit the needs of our church. Praying is a part of discipleship and you don’t even need to leave your home to do it. Pray for the people in our community and our country. Pray for our leaders and our nation.
Discipleship is Love. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us the characteristics of Love. Patience and kindness are among those. You can be a disciple by showing Love and kindness everywhere you go and in all things you do. Do people you meet daily know you are a Christian by the way you talk and act? Our world needs the acts of kindness and love now more than ever.
Jesus said, “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask what you will and I will give it to you.” (John 15) You cannot remain in God’s word if you are not daily reading the Bible. Make a goal to increase your Bible study. Sunday night and Wednesday Bible studies are good ways to get into the Word and to fellowship with other disciples.
Brothers and sisters, you are a disciple. Summit is your support and your help as you work to spread the Lord’s message. Take that first step… Surrender All. And may 2020 be a great year for Summit.
