We’re starting the new year looking forward, determined and optimistic. But we have a few things to do first…like get rid of some stuff that slows us down. I think the beginning of a new year is a good time to evaluate and adjust. What slows us down? The writer of Hebrews says that weight and sin does. I’ve learned the hard way that weight is something that you’ve picked up that you shouldn’t have. It may not have necessarily been a bad thing, but just not something you should have committed to. Weight also is added gradually, and before long we’re tired and overwhelmed. In 2 Timothy 2:4 Paul says, “No good soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” We tangle ourselves up in things that only distract us and hinder us from what the Lord has called us to do. Put down your weight!
Then there is sin. I’ve heard it described as “missing the mark,” but I like what Randy Newman says in his book Questioning Evangelism. “When the Bible describes the nature of our rebellion against God, it paints an uglier picture than our simply missing a bull’s eye (Rom. 3:10-18). Rather than aiming carefully at God’s target, we turn our backs and shoot arrows everywhere else. Wanting to please ourselves, we ignore the true bull’s eye and set our affections on seductive targets that cannot satisfy, sanctify, or save. We are not primarily target-missers; we are self-centered, false-target worshippers.” Yeah, we didn’t just “miss the mark” we turned our back to the bullseye completely. What a vivid description!
So, having identified that which will hinder us in this race that the Lord has set before us, let’s be determined this year to keep our eyes on Jesus. In 1 Timothy chapter 6 (from The Message) it says, “Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.” Run hard and fast to pursue a righteous life. I pray the Lord will strengthen our minds, bodies, and spirits as we follow hard after Him in 2025.
Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us to take the Gospel where it isn’t? We covet your prayers and welcome the opportunity to go on mission with you!
Life in Cuba is very difficult these days as there is a nation wide food shortage, fuel shortages, and an energy crisis due to an unmaintained and failing power grid.
I’m sharing these things with you because I am asking you to join me in praying for the nations of Cuba, Nepal, India, and the United States.
Here’s what we are praying.
Pray that salvation would come to these countries.
Pray that God would show His power to the church and to the lost in such ways that it would leave people speechless and their lives changed forever.
Pray that the church will not grow weary in doing good for in due time they will reap a great harvest if they do not quit.
Pray for our partners around the world that the Lord would give them renewed strength for the things to come and the wisdom to navigate them.
We are excited to be taking 4 different teams into Cuba this Spring and many more still needing to be planned for the Fall. We are also excited to partner with new (and old) churches in the area to get them involved in what the Lord is doing in Cuba. There’s also plans to get back to India this fall.
As always, there is a lot going on and we are thankful and optimistic. Thank you for TRECing with us and for making a difference. We press on because the world around us is dark and many are hopeless. What a privilege it is to share the hope that only Jesus can bring.
Go, Fight, Win!Jeff & Trudy McFarland
