ANTICIPATING WHAT GOD IS ABOUT TO DO!

 

 Day #2 of my FAVORITE SCRIPTURES.

Stephanie and I are so thrilled to be a part of South Memorial Drive Church of God. I have said it before, but we genuinely feel God is working within this fellowship of believers. Can I let you in on a little secret? We have sincerely, been in prayer for this church since the end of JANUARY. We have heard the desires and the hearts of the people.  South Memorial has been united in your quest to see the Kingdom grow and our fellowship to grow. Since coming here in April, I open every single day throughout the week by entering the sanctuary and praying for this congregation. I lift up those mentioned in prayer requests. I lift up Julia, Eric, Bruce, Alice, and now Klayton. I lift up the board, the volunteers, and those who call South Memorial home. One of my greatest and most fervent prayers is that we would be used to EXPAND the KINGDOM, not just expand the attendance. 

AND prayers are being answered. 

Israel was on the verge of entering into the Promised Land. Moses was nearing the end of his life on earth. GREAT THINGS were about to happen. All through the book of Deuteronomy I get the feel of anticipation that something GREAT is about to happen. One of my favorite passages is this:

"Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity  and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord  your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, NLT)

Can you feel it? Can you feel God working in YOUR LIFE? 

After almost six months of spirited, focused prayer, I see GOD actively answering those prayers. As I was talking to people yesterday. The answers to those prayers are leading to NEW CHALLENGES. FOR South Memorial that means finding workers for KIDS ministry. It means we need to fill some CHURCH BOARD positions. It means we are looking for volunteers to play instruments, sing, and do tech stuff on SUNDAY morning. I PRAISE GOD for those CHALLENGES because ALL THOSE NEEDS come from a THRIVING CHURCH. 

God didn't bring Israel to the edge of the PROMISED LAND to abandon them. AND he did not bring Stephanie and me to SMDCOG to abandon us either. SO, we choose to ANTICIPATE his powerful hand continuing to SUPPLY our needs so that we can further his kingdom. We can't wait to see who he prompts to join us in ministry. We can't wait to see LIVES CHANGED for his GLORY.

Here is the rest of this passage:

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live. You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NLT)

Lord, WE are firmly committed to you. We want ONLY your will to be done. AND we look forward to all your wonderful plans here at South Memorial. WE KNOW you are the key to our success and our definition of success is to help people know you and love you. WE PRAISE you for all you have done and all you are about to do! THANK YOU LORD! AMEN