Council Grove Christian Church

1/8/26
Servants of God,
“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ”
-Ephesians 4:12
 
The year of our Lord 2026 is here! Actually it arrived a few days ago, but you get my point. Marking a new year is important. They all belong to God. We have our ongoing stewardship of life in each one. As a body of believers we can be fruitful in God’s vineyard in this new year. Let me suggest a thing or two you might want to consider.
A new year can be a time of evaluation and recalibration. Each of us can prayerfully meditate on our lives and consider whether there are changes, additions or subtractions that we need to make. There is a blessing in growing older. If we have good sense, we will realize that certain things are growing increasingly unimportant while others are growing more. As I have meditated on my life I have been convicted that I need to stop thinking that I have plenty of time left for certain things. At the same time, I am convicted that it is important to be willing to value each moment more. There are some things that I must put in the “That is not likely to ever happen” bin of life. Other issues I need to put in the “It is still possible, so why not try” bin.
Christians must take the mandate to be fruitful and multiply seriously. This works out both in getting married and having children and in producing spiritual offspring outside our biological context. Young Christians must consider the dangers in putting off marriage and family. The most important venture of the average Christian life is likely to be marriage. I know not everyone will be married, but most can and should. If God brings children, young moms and dads should accept the gift with humble joy and get busy shaping the next generation of believers and kingdom workers. Kingdom workers do not appear magically. Usually, they are nurtured for years before they begin to find their place and their tasks in gospel-shaped living.
Believers, in general, should determine to take in the Word of God more often and in more ways. The entrance of God’s Word enlightens the Christian life. Productive Christian maturity is like the dawning of a new day. It grows brighter and brighter with time (Proverbs 4:18). Perhaps the new year could occasion a new reading plan or taking on a serious Bible study.
This past Lord’s Day, Pastor Callahan taught us that we need one foundation for our lives. He warned us that only God and His Word are a sure foundation for life. All other attempts to ground life are foolish and will (in time) prove to be sinking sand. I needed to hear that afresh. Perhaps you did too.
Beginning in February, we will be entering a congregational project. For a 13-week window of time we will offer a study called “Truth Rising”. We will offer multiple locations and times. The goal is to get as many congregants as possible to attend 6 sessions during the 13-week period so there will be some flexibility. Various families will host these studies. Each session will involve at least two elements. Hosts may choose to add more, but the essential elements will be viewing a video teaching and then conducting a discussion time following.
The study series is jointly produced by two ministries: Focus on the Family and the Charles Colson center for Christian Worldview. The study features Christian statesman Os Guinnes, whose background includes being born in China to missionary parents and having escaped the Communist tyranny. It will challenge us to view the world around us through a biblical lens and offer practical instruction and encouragement to make a difference by exalting Christ in our thoughts, words and actions.
The study will be a look at what is happening in the Western Hemisphere as Christian influence wanes and will equip participants to live out the Christian faith in a manner that can make an impact in our confused world. It will challenge us to bring Christ-centered hope to our broken world. Christians can learn truth, develop relationships and be faithful to God’s calling on our lives. The elders want to encourage as many people as possible to be a part of this training.
As you live out your ministry it is important to be reminded of our Christian mission and to be rearmed for spiritual combat. Please prayerfully consider taking part in the “Truth Rising” study. We will be announcing times and locations soon. So, please pray that as a body we can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through this effort.
Blessings,
Pastor John
Coram Deo