It’s easy to start a race! The difficulty comes in finishing. Even though the Israelites instituted spiritual reform under Josiah (2 Kings 22-23) the reformation did not last long. After Josiah’s death the nation once again turned to idol worship and reverted back to their evil ways (Jeremiah 21-22). This is where we find the people of God in Habakkuk 1:2-4. They were no different than the people of their day. Are we?

In Matthew 6:10 Jesus prays, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." God is not slow in keeping His promises (2 Peter 3:9). God is running human history and everything that is happening in our world is right on schedule! So don't fret about world events. History is under God's control, past, present and future. God is still on the throne. A lesson Habakkuk had to learn and we must continually realize.

After spending considerable time brainstorming, discussing and praying your council 4 years ago determined 5 values or principles that are of supreme importance to us as a church.

Value: 1. A principle, standard or quality considered worthwhile or desirable, 2. Worth as measured in usefulness or importance, merit.

Being a “Christ-follower” is in our purpose statement and is more than just saying a prayer, raising your hand or coming forward in a worship service. Being a Christ-follower includes a lot more than that (see The Process of Salvation document). We “invite” Jesus to be our Savior and Lord. They are two peas in the same pod! We are saved “by grace, through faith, for good works” (Eph 2:8-10). There must be a change in behavior to be considered a Christ-follower. That change is found in Luke 9:23.

Paul easily could have ended his letter to Timothy concerning the church in Ephesus with the beautiful Doxology of verse 16. But instead he added a “one more thing” about a topic Scripture discusses abundantly. That subject is how to handle God’s riches. Remember, we are stewards of all that God has given us. Paul wants it to be clear that it’s not a sin to be rich, but it is a sin to misuse those riches, and that’s Paul’s “one more thing.”

A Doxology is a song of praise to the nature of God. 1 Timothy begins with a Doxology (1:17) and ends with a Doxology (6:15-16). How do we as Christ-followers keep the motivation and strength to flee, follow and fight faithfully the marathon race of the Christian life? It’s found in the character of the mighty God we serve!!

Paul reminds Timothy to “keep this commandment without spot or blame…” How do we do this?