Never Before

The Book of Acts opens with a most interesting story. It picks up right where the Book of Luke ended. It reads:

Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

After the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the disciples asked Jesus "Will you restore the Kingdom to Israel now?"

I find it no less than astounding how limited the vision of the people was. All they could visualize were the glory days they had heard of that had existed in the past. To restore means to return to a former condition or state of being. They had forgotten that not all of the days of the Kingdom of Israel were good days. They could not fathom the fact that Jesus had a better thing planned for them.

It is like that right now here at Gracepoint. God is not intending to restore what was in the past. He has much better things planned than simply a full sanctuary and a great choir. Instead God has a better thing planned for us. He desires to open our hearts to understand His Kingdom and for us to enter into and occupy His promises.

As the pastor I feel the same way Joshua did when he was ready to lead Israel out of the wilderness that Moses had tolerated.

Josh 3:3-5 says:

3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

Gracepoint stands at an open door of opportunity. Some may choose not to enter in. Some may never leave the favorite dwelling place they have found along the wilderness journey. However Monica and I are are moving forward, we and all who are willing to go where we have not passed before.

Never before have we been this close. Come and advance with us at Gracepoint. Tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among us.

Regardless of . . .

There are times things go your way and times they do not go your way. I have often found myself in situations and/or positions situated somewhere between great joy and profound disappointment. We have had a lot of both here lately. It is amazing that the same things that can make you happy can so easily turn and make you sad as well. The same people that can bless you can also hurt you. Such is life, and that includes life in the Church.

Anyone can serve God with gladness during the good times . . . but everyone must remember that it is also essential to serve God during the hard times. He may be a God that can make us feel really good, but He is not a feel good God. Whether we are up or down . . . abounding or abased . . . we must bring faithfulness, praise, and determination to Him.

Regardless of our situations or circumstances we must be faithful to the Lord. Consistancy is a key to long term success as a Christian. Those who build a life of faithful continuance in well doing reap rewards that never come to those who are inconsistant.

In the church I praise God for those wonderful people who are there with their smiles on whenever times are good. They are very appreciated. Then there are those precious and endearing few who are there with a positive attitude and a can do spirit even when it seems like nothing is going right and people have let everyone down. These are the people who are priceless.

So my challenge to you as you read this blog is to be faithful no matter what life throws at you. Be one who can be counted on through thick or thin. At the first sign of and through every adversity let your motto include the words . . . "this too shall pass!"

Regardless of what the day may bring our God is always the same yesterday, today, and forever. Regardless of your situation He is a friend that sticks closer to you than a brother. Regardless of how you feel He will never leave you nor forsake you.

We must always remember that God weaves all things to work together for good to those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning.

You can . . . you will make it . . . regardless!

Sunday

On Sunday the 28th of June I made a mad dash for the Rockford, Illinois area to preach for Pastor Wendell Maynard and his fine congregation. Monica and I left soon after our service here at Gracepoint and we arrived there soon after the worship service had begun.

The Lord did not disappoint. Many miracles and healings happened.

There was a Jehovah's Witness who visited the service. He was a deaf mute. During the service he enquired about repentance after I mentioned it when preaching. Then he enquired about the Holy Ghost which I had mentioned. Eventually he repented and received the Holy Ghost. Although he had no voice . . . the two sign interpreters and others heard him speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gave utterance!

The wife of the youth leader had injured her shoulder in a fall about six months ago. She had limited mobility and pain and was avoiding surgery to correct it. She was healed! She had total mobility with no pain.

Other things happened which I cannot recall at the moment because it is way past bedtime, but there were multiple live testimonies of things that happened that night.

Then today I received via an email the following additional praise reports. A young lady of 24 who had been raped and transmitted a std told Pastor Maynard that she was healed. Another lady who had been suffering with severe depression for several months testified complete healing. A man who had bi-polar disorder testified of complete healing. All of this since Sunday evening. Pastor Maynard believes there are more to come and even greater.blessings.

I just have to brag on Jesus. He is getting the job done!