Are you looking forward to the Millennial reign of Christ? When I think about the next age to come as part of God’s plan that is coming soon, it keeps everything in the right perspective. We are truly passing through, our earthly lives are short and they are just an important step in the big picture.
To put it on a smaller scale, it is like doing a big project and when you finish, you go on to the next one. This life we are living in the church age is a big project and I believe what we do here and now will have a definite effect on what we do when we step over to the other side.
Some will Stay and Maintain and Some will Charge Forward
It seems very clear to Tanya and I that our projects are going to get a lot bigger this year. The Word that we heard for us is that 2011 is the year for “Authority and Expansion.” That means something different to me now than it did a few years ago. Authority has gotten very up close and personal for individuals in the Body of Christ in this season. We are to take responsibility and do the work of the ministry to which we are assigned.
In previous times, this authority and expansion would mean being more aggressive in gathering more people as part of the local church and obtaining more buildings. Of course, we all have our places in the Body of Christ and some will continue in the same stable path and at the same time I believe that there are many who are hearing from God to jump out and do things differently and untraditionally.
Many of them will be trailblazers making a path for others to follow. We have read of many forerunners in Church history who have stepped up and broken out when called upon and ended up leading great revivals. We are about to see this happen again right before our eyes. It will be no surprise when God uses the least likely and the unknown in ways that are different than what we are used to.
I would love to be one of those called to advance forward in uncharted territory. It has been fifteen years that we have been reaching and helping the hurting and hungry for Christ in many different nations. This year we will continue in a strong way to stay focused on helping the orphans and mentoring and empowering Church leaders around the world.
Making It Happen In Your Life
So how do you apply this new felt “authority and expansion” in your life this year? Simply be yourself in Christ, walk in humility and love in this natural world and demand your God-given rights in the Spirit! What this means to most people is that it starts internally and it is expressed by just “living out what is in your heart.”
Continue to pray for us as we seek God’s direction and provision. Know that we are praying for you for God’s direction, protection, health and blessings! Keep your eyes toward the future age of the millennium and see the big picture!
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Jim has been an active leader in the local church for many years. Some of the areas he has worked in include pastoring, teaching, altar counseling, singles ministry, youth ministry, prison ministry, ministry to the deaf, evangelistic outreaches, church building projects, hosting mission teams, and church planting.
Jim ministers with an emphasis on teaching and facilitating unity among believers. For many years now his heart has been stirred to serve the Lord abroad with a calling to the Russian-speaking people wherever they may be. Jim has helped many in this people group to know Christ and grow in their relationship with Him. Jim has also worked in the Far East of Russia. There he assisted the Christian churches in the areas of growth and unity by giving counsel conducting seminars and leadership schools.
Jim Harper is married to Tanya and they have three children: Anna Marie, Natasha Joy and Jimmy Andrew.