Thursday, March 28, 2024

Forward all your issues to Heaven

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Stepping Out In Faith was the title of the message delivered by Sister Colleen Gilkes-Collymore last Sunday at the Westmoreland Church of the Nazarene in St James.
But the members of this church did more than step out in faith; they also stepped out in style during the church’s Back In Time celebrations as they dressed in attire worn to church in days gone by.
Some turned out wearing long three-tiered flounce skirts, gloves, hats of past eras, long-sleeved blouses, ribbons, shoes and socks, and at least one boy dared to wear a short pants, shirt and tie.
The special service was filled with stories by older members – stories which took congregants down memory lane. And the worship songs were the rhythmic old-time choruses and hymns of yesteryear.
Special culinary treats at the end of the service, presided over by Reverend Dr John Yarde, were in the form of old-fashioned nut cakes, sweetbread, sugar cakes and other tasty delights.
The service, led by newly installed members, provided a serene atmosphere that was punctuated with laughter, dancing in the spirit, and praise.
In defining faith, Gilkes-Collymore said it was “a living unshakable confidence in God”.
“It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It is not a badge that you can stick on. Our faith increases based on our experiences. We learn to trust God. If we do not trust Him, our faith is not developed.”
She also gave the following acronym for FAITH – Forwarding All Issues To Heaven.
“We’ve all been given a measure of faith and if it is mustard seed faith, you simply nourish it and it will grow,” she added.
Stating that the Word of God was not a “back-in-time Word” but a “living now Word”, Gilkes-Collymore spoke of instances in The Bible where faith was at work and referred to the crippled man at Lystra, who was commanded by Paul in Acts 14: 8-10 to stand up and walk.
She said that while faith was necessary to receive from the hand of God, fear, on the other hand, was crippling.
“Fear is crippling. We all have fears but what are you going to do about that fear that cripples you?” she asked.
“Faith reminds us that when we have fear, we must turn to God. The man at Lystra was impotent in his feet and without strength but Paul perceived that he had faith to be healed,” she preached.
She advised her congregationto take their measure of faith and use it.
“We can forward all issues to heaven or keep it on our backs. The choice is ours. There is nothing that God cannot do. We’ve developed a habit of trying to work things out on our own when we can bring them to the altar of sacrifice.
“When you are facing your issues, come to God. At Paul’s command the man at Lystra leapt up and walked. He had faith to be healed. What are you doing with your measure of faith?” she reiterated.
“How are you demonstrating your measure of faith? Have faith in God,” she insisted.

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