As we stand on the brink of a new year, Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes invites you to embark on a transformative journey with us. Our mission, “Be the Change as Jesus Has Changed Us,” calls us to live out our faith through “Just 3”: Study, Share, and Serve. This year, we are inspired by the theme “Catch the Wind,” a call to embrace the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in our lives.
The Eternal Goodness of God
The foundation of our journey is the unwavering truth that God is good—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This assurance anchors us as we navigate the uncertainties of life. God’s promises are steadfast, and among them is the gift of the Holy Spirit, our divine Helper. In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.”
The Breath of God: The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is often likened to the wind, an unseen force that moves and shapes our lives. In John 3:8, Jesus explains, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” This imagery captures the essence of our theme, “Catch the Wind.” Just as a sailboat relies on the wind to move forward, we are called to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us.
Authentic Living Through the Spirit
In our human nature, we may attempt to manufacture the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. However, true transformation comes from genuine reliance on the Spirit’s power. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities cannot be faked; they are the natural outflow of a life surrendered to the Spirit.
Setting Our Sails: Intentional Obedience
As we look to the future, our goal is to be intentional in setting our sails and sights on what God has ahead for us. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” By aligning our lives with God’s will, we position ourselves to catch the wind of the Holy Spirit and move in the direction He leads.
Living Out Our Mission: Study, Share, Serve
At Lakeview Christian Church, our mission to “Be the Change as Jesus Has Changed Us” is lived out through “Just 3”: Study, Share, and Serve.
- Study: We commit to knowing and loving God through His Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 urges us to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
- Share: We seek to know and love others, sharing the hope and love of Christ. Matthew 28:19-20 commissions us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
- Serve: We put love into action, serving others as Christ served us. Galatians 5:13 reminds us, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Conclusion
As we embrace the new year, let us commit to catching the wind of the Holy Spirit, allowing His presence to guide and transform us. Together, as a community of believers at Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we will study, share, and serve, living out our mission to be the change as Jesus has changed us. May we be encouraged by the promise that God is with us, empowering us to make a lasting impact in our world.
