997 to GO!

 

997 to go!

I had such a great weekend. MEN'S BREAKFAST on Saturday was a blessing. I look so forward to those times together. I had the privilege of officiating at my first MARRIAGE VOW RENEWAL. I loved it and love their renewed commitment to each other. Then Sunday Morning I got to hear some wonderful WORSHIP MUSIC, PREACH God's word and topped it off with three BAPTISMS. Then I got to briefly attend the PRAYER GATHERING in downtown New Castle. It was such a wonderful day. South Memorial is on our way. I have randomly set a GOAL OF BAPTIZING 1000 PEOPLE! Three down --- 997 to go!

I am in constant amazement at how God has blessed Stephanie and I throughout our lives and I would rank the season we are in at the TOP of those seasons. I often wonder how STEPHANIE and I were chosen for this CURRENT MISSION we are on. I know there is no way I deserve it and knowing that makes it infinitely more amazing. 

I am at Isaiah 25 today and these verses fit my feelings today:

"In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven's Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken!

In that day the people will proclaim, 'THIS IS OUR GOD! WE TRUSTED HIM AND HE SAVED US! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!' For the Lord's hand of blessing will rest on Jerusalem." (Isaiah 25:6-10a, NLT, emphasis added)

ALL of the great things that have happened in my life, all the blessings I have received have been fully through the grace of GOD, MY FATHER in HEAVEN. I feel like right now I am at that "wonderful feast." I feel like I have been invited to the best celebration ever and I am being blessed by the KING himself. 

But, as I was thinking about all of this. I realized the best is yet to come. Regardless what happens here while I walk this earth, there is more, there are GREATER BANQUETS in eternity. OH HOW I WISH YOU WOULD ALL GO WITH ME! I want so desperately for more to join us. 

GOD has placed a goal on my heart to BAPTIZE 1000 people here at SOUTH MEMORIAL. I don't want it for me or for the church, I want it for GOD'S KINGDOM and for the GREAT BANQUET TO COME! 

PRAISE GOD!

Are you ready to take that step of Faith? Don't wait. TIME IS SHORT!