Missions Newsletter February 2023
From Dwight Castle, Pastor of Missions
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace...And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Phillipians 1:3-7,9-11)
We are already a month into 2023- how has that happened?! How are you doing with your New Year's Resolutions and all of the goals that you set for yourself this year? I imagine that, for many, the realities and challenges of the new year are already threatening those goals and desires. I know in my own life, I am wondering where the time has gone and how I have made so much less progress than I would have hoped at this point. Maybe you can relate.
And yet, when I read these words of Paul to his friends and spiritual family in Philippi, I find myself recalibrated and encouraged. Paul could begin this new letter to them in many ways. He could start with a to-do list, or with words of inspiration or challenge. He could list for them all of the deep lessons that he is learning as he sits in a damp and dark prison cell. But instead, he starts out by encouraging his friends in the gospel and thanking God for them. He sees them as partners and co-laborers in his life and purpose and lets them know how thankful he is to walk it out with them. I can relate to this. I am thankful for each of you and your partnership in the Gospel. It too gives me joy as I pray for you and as I reflect that God has given us each other. Even now, I remember you and pray for you.
Paul prays a specific prayer for them, and one that I am praying for myself and for each of you. He prays that their love will abound more and more with knowledge and discernment, so that they can approve of the good things, live in a pure way, and be filled with the fruit of knowing Jesus. There are many things I hope for this year, many things I desire. Changes I wish to make, patterns I hope to set, goals I want to accomplish. I want to see God do big things in my heart, in our church, in our community, and across the world. But that can become overwhelming and I quickly find myself disappointed at the progress that seems partial and slow. So instead, I am going to follow Paul's example. I am going to pray that my (and your) love will abound with knowledge and discernment. That I will love more, and in wiser and better ways. That my heart of love will grow, and that my wisdom to apply that love will grow. Then, I will make right decisions, live purely, and have the fruit of walking with Christ. Join me in this simple prayer, and let's ask God to grow us more and more in this gospel work, in which we labor together.
