Trusting God to Reach the Next Level – I’m Going Higher!
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
have been looking forward to 2018 for several weeks. Some of you are aware that I seek the Lord for vision and direction for our local ministry continuously. This usually takes the form of an annual theme. For 2018, Holiness Tabernacle’s theme will be, Trusting God to Reach the Next Level – I’m Going Higher.
The Spirit of the Lord impressed upon me to encourage the membership to stretch themselves and set higher expectations. This year marks our 20th anniversary. I sincerely believe God is calling this church to reach the next level. This is not to say that we haven’t accomplished tremendous feats in the past. However, I believe there is another level in God we need to reach.
In the book of Habakkuk, the author and prophet had a problem. Habakkuk observed the people of God, and he grew disheartened. He saw corruption, unfaithfulness, abuse and greed. He believed the leadership of the church was dishonest, they took advantage of the poor and they were not committed to God. He told God about it and of course God already knew this was occurring. However, God’s response surprised Habakkuk.
God told him that he was going to use the Babylonians to punish Judah / Israel and allow the heathen nation to conquer His people. Habakkuk objected because he believed that the Babylonians were even worse than the Jews. Of course, God knew this as well, but He wanted the bewildered prophet to see the larger picture. God was preparing the world for another Exodus. Just as He had delivered the Jews out of slavery in Egypt, He was going to deliver His people (every believer) out of a world stricken with sin and evil. Once he understood, the prophet asked God to strengthen his legs as those of a deer so that he could walk and reach higher places.
My friends, maybe you haven’t noticed but the world is waxing more and more evil. Our marriages are under attack; our families are falling apart; our schools have failed to teach our children; in 2017 more than 64,000 people died because of the opioid epidemic; we saw racism seemingly reach a new level; the gap between the wealthy and impoverished is increasing; the threat of nuclear war hangs over our head; we continue to see corruption in the church; sexual harassment seems to be the norm for too many people in power. Yet the church appears to be powerless. It appears the church is having more and more conferences, but fewer and fewer people are receiving Jesus as their Savior. What are we to do?
God has not lost any power or ability to save and deliver. He still wants to reconcile with mankind and He needs a people willing to lift and raise the holiness banner. As He told Moses (Deuteronomy 2:2-3), we have passed this mountain long enough and it’s time for us to change direction. We have complained about our circumstances long enough. This year we are determined to elevate our commitment and service to God. We’re going to the next level; we’re going higher!
We invite you to join us as we seek the Lord for greater in 2018. For Holiness Tabernacle (and all who dare to join us) we’re going to trust God to reach the next level – in praise, worship, anointing, commitment, service, signs and wonders, the harvesting of souls, restoration of broken relationships, and more. Yes my friends, we’re going higher!
I bless you in the name of the Lord!
Elder Eddie B Pruitte, Jr.
Holiness Tabernacle COGIC, Founder & Pastor