15088 Mt. Holly Creek Ln. Smithfield, Virginia 23430
Sunday Morning Worship Service
@ 9:00AM
Every Tuesday at 7:00PM
Join us on our Conference Line
1-202-926-1144
Code: 150888#
Pastor & Co-Pastor Shivers
2023 Theme: Transforming for The Power and Purpose of God
“For this purpose, also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” Colossians 1:29, (NASB)
Thrilling greetings to you Solomon’s Temple Family. As we transition from 2022 into the new year of 2023, Co-Pastor Edith and I want to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to share in leadership with you and to be a part of this wonderful church community.
As we look back on the past year, we can see the many ways in which God has blessed us and guided us through the challenges that we have faced. And as we look ahead to the new year, we can have hope and confidence that God will continue to be with us and lead us on the path that He has for us.
It’s time for new beginnings! It’s time for a fresh start! It’s time to make some resolutions! These are often statements that are made by most people at the beginning of a new year, and we as Christians are not really all that different! Who wants to remain the same as before? I know I don’t, because I want to continue to grow in the Lord, as well as put off some of those things that have held me down from being all He wants me to be. Yet, we all struggle just a bit in our endeavor to move forward as failings and difficulties from the past create a “drag” on the vision for the future! Sometimes we need a “Spiritual Transformation” by and for the Power and Purpose of God!
The New Testament Greek word for “transformed” is metamorphoō. This word implies change resulting from forces beyond one’s own effort or power. It might be compared to the metamorphosis that occurs when a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly. The butterfly does not use any personal energy or effort in the transformation. Once the transformation occurs, the butterfly is a new creation and does not need to work to maintain its transformation. However, he does position himself for the transformation that is coming. This is what God desires for us; transformation that changes us into something beautiful that we cannot become on our own. The original Greek calls us to “be transformed,” not by our own efforts, but by the power and purpose of God.
When we offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, we have a crucial role to play. We seek to learn and live by God’s will for us, which is good and pleasing and perfect. God will transform us into a new person by changing the way we think. The verb meaning “be transformed” utilizes a Greek mood that conveys an ongoing process. Transformation doesn’t happen automatically, once-and-for-all, when we first put our faith in Christ. Rather, it is a life-long process of opening ourselves to God’s renewing power and purpose.
In this new year of 2023 let us focus on being more powerful and purpose filled to obtain our mission in building ourselves and others for the advancement of The Kingdom of God. We sincerely appreciate your support in past years and anticipate greater blessings in the 23rd year of service unto God.
We glorify God for your wonderful attraction to this ministry and pray much success upon each of our lives in this new year. We love you all.