January 26, 2000

GRACE & PEACE:
What can we know about
the times or the seasons?
___"So when they met together, they asked him, 'Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.'" Acts 1:6-7

___From the very beginning of the Christian movement, the followers of Christ have had a curiosity about the future. We apparently share this interest with humankind as a whole.

WILLIAM M. PINSON JR. Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

For example, note all of the predictions about the future that accompanied the arrival of the new year, decade, century and millennium.
___Jesus clearly told the disciples there are some things about the future we are not to know. However, there are some things we can know. When people ask me about the future, for example, there are certain things that I believe we can count on.
___One thing is for sure, until the return of our Lord, the followers of Jesus Christ will continue to have the mission of making and maturing disciples for him and ministering to persons in his name. Conditions and circumstances change, but the mission does not change.
___Furthermore, we can be assured challenges, difficulties and obstacles will confront those who are faithful to the mission. Some people seem surprised when they suffer because of efforts to fulfill the missionary mandate of God. They shouldn't be. Through the ages, Christians have suffered on account of the gospel, and we should expect it to be no different in the years to come.
___However, in the midst of great difficulty in sharing the good news of Christ and caring for people in his name, we can also count on the direction, power and encouragement of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us the presence of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Through the centuries, he has kept this promise. Regardless of the difficulties of the days ahead, the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ will have the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Adding to our hope is the assurance that one day Jesus will return in victory and triumph.
___Another thing we can be sure of is there will be change. This should come as no surprise. There always has been change. In fact, one of the few constants in life is change. To some people, change is a threat. Actually, change offers opportunity to increase the effectiveness of our efforts with God's help to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
___Within recent years, many changes have taken place in the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
___Intentional change has been directed to improve the resources of the convention for individuals, churches, associations and institutions in carrying out Christ's mission. Changes already planned will focus on assisting churches to be healthier and institutions to be stronger.
___The organization of the Executive Board staff of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which has experienced constant change, will continue to be evaluated for better ways to encourage and assist churches, associations, institutions and other Baptist entities.
___We may not know the times or seasons, but we know God does.
___Pray that Texas Baptists will face the future with confidence because the changeless God of change is in control.

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