MIF 1:1 (Jan-Feb 1969)
This is the first issue of your magazine under its new name, MINISTRY IN FOCUS, with its new cover and its new Associated-Editor, Mr. W. Ross Rainey.
These improvements are intended to bring to you significant and relevant ministry in better and more attractive style.
We have much excellent ministry in store for 1969, if the Lord tarry, progressively we attempt to make this more readable for we are deeply interested in your spiritual welfare.
A New Year Message
“Certainly I will be with Thee”
On the opening day of another New Year, we need the assurance that the Lord and Lover of our souls will be with us. We dare not face the future, with all it’s trials, troubles and temptations alone. We turn with confidence to the Holy Scriptures and read therein words of certainty: “Certainly I will be with thee” (Ex. 3:12). “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Ex. 33:14).
As we think upon the unknown and the untrodden future, let us take these words for our comfort, cheer and consolation. We may experience bitter conflict, our pathway may be cheerless with the powers of darkness and doubt arrayed in all their might. While the hand of the enemy is thus directed against us, we must not forget that we have the thrice-blessed assurance of our Saviour God: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). These lovely words remind us of the lines:
“I will never leave thee, never forsake,
At THY Word Lord Jesus, we fresh courage take”
Well might we have fresh courage and in calm confidence take these concepts with us for the commencement of the year:
“The Lord He it is that doth go before thee.
He will not fail thee nor forsake thee.”
The trials of our pathway will soon be exchanged for the no more sorrow, the no more pain, and the no more tears of our heavenly home. What a change!
We do well then to seek the needed grace not to lose heart, even when the tears come to our eyes, and course down our cheeks. Try to find the needed comfort in the following lovely words:
“When the storm is raging round thee,
Call on ME in humble prayer,
I will fold MY arms about thee,
Guard thee with the tend’rest care;
In the trial, in the trial,
I will make thy pathway clear,
For I’ll never, never leave thee,
I will never thee forsake!
“When thy soul is dark and clouded,
Filled with doubt, and grief, and care,
Through the mist by which ‘tis shrouded,
I will make a light appear.
And the banner, and the banner
Of My love I will uprear,
For I’ll never, never leave thee,
I will never thee forsake!”
This New Year message was written during an illness by Stewart Lavery, Belfast, Ireland, who since has gone to be with the Lord.
MINISTRY IN FOCUS is published (6 Issues Annually) by the Board of Food for the Flock Inc.; Chairman, Robert Hazel, 220 Vroom Ave., Spring Lake, New Jersey, U.S.A. Editor, James Gunn, 432 Hugel Ave., Midland, Ontario, Canada; Associate Editor, W. Ross Rainey, 7229 Boellner Dr., Hazelwood, Mo., U.S.A. All subscriptions and business correspondence should be sent to the Business Office, Box 53, Station U, Toronto 18, Canada; Editorial matters, to the Editor.
British representative: William G. Kirk, 45 Orby Dr., Belfast 5, N. Ireland. Subscriptions $2.50 per year.
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