6/21/09
Good Morning, Living Hope!
While driving here and there through the day, I'll sometimes listen to the Bible on a CD. Within the past few days, I was out doing errands. I stopped the car and was processing challenging news by phone. I had turned the radio off, to process the call. After the call, I was dealing with a heavy heart. I whispered something like, "Dear Jesus, speak to my heart.", I then proceeded to turned the radio "power" knob on, and pressed the CD button - not knowing, at that moment, what was in the CD player. A Bible CD, or perhaps one of Emily's songs, or maybe something else, I didn't know. What I did know, was I needed to hear from the Lord. The words of Jesus, from Matthew 11:12, at that exact passage began to come through the system, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forecefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it." I felt a strong presence of the Lord inside the car, inside my heart. God's WORD gives life! The "portion" of grace and strength to "get through" was provided for this heart. It was a gentle, but firm reminder...this Kingdom advancing activity is not for the passive. We need to actively "press in" to the things of the Lord in order to see HIS victory and purposes realized.
A young leader from GenHope sent me a message this week via a facebook message =) I marvel at the workings of the Lord in these young people "set" to serve the Lord, when so many things are pulling at them. Not merely to serve Him, but to posture themselves in a way to "hear from the Lord", developing, and "ear to hear" His voice. I'm grateful for people of the cross who "press in" to Him in times of trouble, or challenge, and strive to keep a heart of joy in the midst of it!
This is what was sent, Haggai 2:1-9, again, a powerful "Word" -- a portion of grace and strength to help provide the "pressing in" stamina for my heart.
1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2 "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 5 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'
6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 8 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 9 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty." Hag. 2:1-9
I encourage you to stay close to His Word, in times of struggle, and in times of joy! We EACH go through various things in our walk with Christ, it's all part of the process of His molding and making, His fashioning and tending. He promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13).
Thank you for "pressing in" with Pastor John and me, as we continue to spread the Good News, the LIVING HOPE found in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Phil reminded pastors and leaders at a recent meeting, our name is LIVING HOPE. We are people of HOPE. 1 Pet. 1:3,4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you."
HOPE to see you soon! =) You are a delight to the FATHER, and a blessing to our hearts! Thank you for your love for Jesus, AND your commitment to LOVE one another in HIS name!
In Christ, Pastors John and Lori
I encourage you to stay close to His Word, in times of struggle, and in times of joy! We EACH go through various things in our walk with Christ, it's all part of the process of His molding and making, His fashioning and tending. He promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13).
Thank you for "pressing in" with Pastor John and me, as we continue to spread the Good News, the LIVING HOPE found in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Phil reminded pastors and leaders at a recent meeting, our name is LIVING HOPE. We are people of HOPE. 1 Pet. 1:3,4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you."
HOPE to see you soon! =) You are a delight to the FATHER, and a blessing to our hearts! Thank you for your love for Jesus, AND your commitment to LOVE one another in HIS name!
In Christ, Pastors John and Lori
posted by Pastor Lori @ 8:57 AM
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