A fascinating feature in the Scriptures is the intimate fellowship that God chooses to cultivate with His children. Have you ever noticed that God addresses His Own by name?
From the heavens God called, “Abraham, Abraham” (Genesis 22:11). From the burning bush, God called, “Moses, Moses” (Exodus 3:4).
From the heavens God called, “Abraham, Abraham” (Genesis 22:11). From the burning bush, God called, “Moses, Moses” (Exodus 3:4).
From the Ark of the Covenant God called, “Samuel, Samuel” (I Samuel 3:10). Within a cave God called, “Elijah” (I Kings 19:9, 13).
After His glorious resurrection Jesus, God’s Only Son, likewise addressed His children by name. In the garden Jesus gently said, “Mary” (John 20:16). By the seashore Jesus said, “Simon... Simon... Simon” (John 21:15-17). On the Damascus road Jesus called, “Saul, Saul” (Acts 9:4).
If God acknowledged His children in the past, surely He acknowledges His children today. God addresses every born-again believer by name. And when God calls your name, He always includes a personal message. With every one of us God pleads, “Will you continue My work, which the pioneers (apostles) have started and faithfully maintained? It now has been entrusted to your care.” The fate of our Faith rests in our hands. Will we continue to be a fellowship of believers that glorifies and honors God’s name in the New Year? The choice is ours!
When we stand before God in heaven as over comers, may we have the confidence that Jesus surely will proclaim concerning each one of us: “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5).
May every believer obey the voice of God and continue to work together proclaiming His name not only to the Slavic people but also to all the nations. Hands have already started the plow. Hands have sown the seed. Hands must continue to work the field. The harvest truly is ready. And as we labor together, let us not grow weary in the work but remember that the best is yet to come. “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
Rob Zapotoski,
SMS International Field Representative
After His glorious resurrection Jesus, God’s Only Son, likewise addressed His children by name. In the garden Jesus gently said, “Mary” (John 20:16). By the seashore Jesus said, “Simon... Simon... Simon” (John 21:15-17). On the Damascus road Jesus called, “Saul, Saul” (Acts 9:4).
If God acknowledged His children in the past, surely He acknowledges His children today. God addresses every born-again believer by name. And when God calls your name, He always includes a personal message. With every one of us God pleads, “Will you continue My work, which the pioneers (apostles) have started and faithfully maintained? It now has been entrusted to your care.” The fate of our Faith rests in our hands. Will we continue to be a fellowship of believers that glorifies and honors God’s name in the New Year? The choice is ours!
When we stand before God in heaven as over comers, may we have the confidence that Jesus surely will proclaim concerning each one of us: “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5).
May every believer obey the voice of God and continue to work together proclaiming His name not only to the Slavic people but also to all the nations. Hands have already started the plow. Hands have sown the seed. Hands must continue to work the field. The harvest truly is ready. And as we labor together, let us not grow weary in the work but remember that the best is yet to come. “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
Rob Zapotoski,
SMS International Field Representative
In the photo: SMS mission team in Belarus
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9
