UFCCM INTERNATIONAL PRESIDING PRELATE

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1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV) Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Amplified Bible) Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].

From this passage of the Lord's Word we have been led of the Holy Spirit to use the statement, STEADFAST, UNMOVEABLE ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN CHRIST, as the Theme for the UFCCM for the year 2022.

     We have been seeking the Lord in prayer for quite some time, for an appropriate word from the Holy Spirit to use as our annual theme. My initial leading was to go to the book of Joshua and speak from the theme from the word that God gave to Joshua as he faced the challenge of leading God's people into the promised land after the death of Moses. Joshua was faced with the promise of a new land, plentiful in its resources, and flowing with milk and honey, but he was mindful that there were tremendous obstacles in front of him. Before he could even go into the new land, there was the deep and swift flowing waters of the Jordan river. Perhaps he could see that just beyond the Jordon River, was the massive and impenetrable walls of mighty Jericho.  He personally knew from experience that the land was inhabited by a tribe of giants. He needed a WORD FROM GOD to inspire and motivate God's chosen people to see beyond the imminent obstacles they faced, and to go forth courageously, by the power of God and take back what had originally been theirs, and possess the promises of God. God told Joshua to Be Strong, to Be VERY Courageous, Be Faithful to the WORD of GOD, and know that I will be with you wherever you go!

     In like manner, we find ourselves having come this far, walking by faith, and not by sight, through the unchartered wilderness of 2021. Continuing to move forward by faith, we must now continue to go forward and face new achievements, new experiences, new obstacles, new and difficult situations, new challenges, and uncertainties. Like Joshua we need a WORD FROM THE LORD.  We do not know what we may have to face in this new year, but there is one thing of which we are absolutely sure. We are assured that we do  not walk alone, and that the same faith we have in our unchangeable God that has brought us this far will continue to be with us and carry us. There are two words and one phrase that the Lord has given to us to give to you, that will serve as a powerful encouragement and guiding light on your path, regardless of whatever unpredictable situations, challenges, or barriers you may face.

     Remember this theme for 2022. Be STEADFAST, Be UNMOVEABLE, Be ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN CHRIST!    

When this passage is read in our English vernacular, it would seem to appear that the words Steadfast, and Unmoveable both mean the same thing. However when the Greek language is studied these two words have a different meaning. The Apostle Paul used these words in his final exhortation to the church in Corinth in the closing of his renown treatise on the resurrection, of Jesus and the resurrection of the believer. There were those in Corinth who denied the resurrection of the dead, and the Apostle wanted to encourage the believers there to be unwavering in their faith. So he said:

       Be steadfast: from the Greek the connotation is that of being perseverant. It means to be firm in the faith. To remain established. To not be turned aside from what you believe. An allusion is made to a wrestling match in the sense of a winner STANDS HIS GROUND! The Spirit is saying, no matter what you hear, what you see others doing, regardless of where you see others going, YOU STAND YOUR GROUND! Remember what Paul told the saints in Galatia. He said Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. And in Galatians 1:8-9, That if any man or even an angel preach unto you any other gospel than that which you believe, let him be anathema maranatha, which means cursed!  

     In the Greek the word unmoveable means do not yield to temptation by others to move you from that in which you stand. I like the analogy from the song I SHALL NOT, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED, LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY THE WATERS, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED. Psalms 1:1 says,  the unmoveable, shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in his season; his leaf shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. To be unmoveable your roots must run deep. A tree planted by  rivers of water, has a tap root. That tap root is always seeking a source of water. The unmoveable believer has a tap root! His tap root is connected to the fountain that never runs dry. Ephesians 3:17, tells us that  because Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, we are rooted and grounded in love.

     The phrase ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN CHRIST means to be exceedingly active and energetic, in doing the work of the Lord. It implies be fully engaged in obedience to the word, the way, and the will of Christ. Give no space to the devil. But render full obedience to the work of the Lord. Understand that only what you do for Christ will last, that�????�???�??�?¢??s all that will be counted. Paul said in Galatians 6:9. �????�???�??�?¢??And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..

We are to be good soldiers in the Lord's army. We are to be Steadfast under fire, and unmoveable from our posts, and enthusiastic in battle. We understand that the battles of 2022 are not ours but God's. We yet have to survive in the midst of this pandemic. We yet have all kinds of restrictions to deal with. We yet have serious concerns about our children and their schools, we yet have travel concerns, concerns with shortages of foods. What we must face in 2022 is uncertain, but through it all the Lord Says tell my people to be STEADFAST, UNMOVEABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN CHRIST!

*Bishop Tindal is recognized as one of the most humble, kind and visionary men of our time.  Gifted with a strong prophetic/apostolic call and has ministered throughout the United States and abroad.  A former medical student who ranked top of his class -obeyed the call of the ultimate physician to deliver divine healing within the church and forsook his medical career for the cross of Christ. Bishop Tindal continually seeks God and petitions in prayer for the body of Christ in general and the affiliates of the UFCCM in particular.  His prayer and desire is to make available resource aids and true fellowship for Christian churches and ministries everywhere.

Bishop Tindal is the founder of First Church of Faith, Power & Deliverance (Baltimore, Maryland).  He is happily and joyously married to the lovely Mother Bishop: Bishop Dr. Shirley A. Tindal who is also Secretary General of the UFCCM and Prelate of the UFCCM-Headquarters Jurisdiction..