“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
It was a beautiful day in Anniston, AL. The sky was slightly overcast but not depressing. I was thinking about the wonderful people at the Praise & Worship Center. We’d enjoyed a marvelous worship service. The Holy Spirit had visited and the people were excited and refreshed. The air was electrified with expectancy. What was God going to do next?
I also began thinking about the vision God has given me. I thought about leadership, administration, and organization. We are re-structuring for growth. We are moving from a family-chapel atmosphere and structure to a world-harvest atmosphere and structure. To get there from here will require a continued reliance on God’s direction. Becoming a church that consistently impacts our community, establishes “new missions,” supports other church ministries, and sends “missionaries” to other countries begins with small steps, one-at-a-time, as the Lord leads. We are not yet a world-harvest-combine-for-God, but we are moving towards that goal.
We could become overwhelmed by the enormity of the vision God has given to us. We often wonder what the Apostles must have thought as Jesus outlined his vision for world evangelism to them and commissioned them to achieve it. But our faith is not in our ability to make things happen. Rather, our faith is in the One who defeated death, hell, and the grave. Our faith is in the one who gave us the vision. It is his vision! Our duty is not to stumble over all the possible obstacles. Ours is to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. As we do that, we commit the obstacles, the doubt, the finances, the numbers, to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond anything we can think or imagine. We are confident that he will send laborers into the field. We are confident that he will make the grace of all sufficiency increase on our behalf. To him be the glory!
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. We are humbled by your calling. Glory and praises unto you O Lord. Empower us with faith and inspiration to achieve your goals. Enable us to be courageous and faithful. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his love for humanity and live for his glory,