"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change!" (Psalm 46:1-2a, NAS). In 1999 our ministry theme for the year was "For Such A Time As This" taken from the scripture found in Esther 4:14. We moved into and through the year 2000 rejoicing in all the Lord was doing in Community Bible Study as we celebrated twenty-five years of ministry, yet realizing we were in a place of change as we moved into the new millennium. We borrowed a quote from a friend, Dr. Charles Wesley Hodge, "When you are walking with the Lord, change is always in your favor." The year 2001 was a time of His favor and we prayed for the peace of Jerusalem. We saw great growth and expansion last year. We also experienced great shock and grief over the terrorist attack, and now we are at war as a nation.
This year I believe the Lord is speaking to us as His children and telling us not to fear but to look to Him in a greater way as our refuge and strength during times of change. "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold" (Psalm 46:7). The powerful hymn written so long ago, A Mighty Fortress is our God is true.
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe-
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He-
Lord Sabbaoth His name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us.
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him-
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also-
The body they may kill; God's truth abideth still:
His kingdom is forever.
Sing the words of this song to the Lord and read all of Psalm 46. We must choose to keep on "making disciples of Jesus Christ in our communities through caring in-depth Bible studies...available to all." We need not fear any changes or surprises in our future for change will always be in our favor when we are walking with Him! May our hearts be steadfastly trusting as we move into 2002!
Camilla L. Seabolt
Executive Director