Together ... visionary

Vision is vital - for nations, for churches; yes, even for individuals.  In many Bible stories, great works began when the Lord gave a new vision to a person.  Moses was handed a vision while he was tending some sheep on the backside of the desert and went back to Egypt to become Israel's deliverer.  David was anointed by Samuel and left the family farm to become a leader of the nation. Simon was fishing for his village when Jesus told him He would make him a 'fisher of men,' and he left the life he knew to become Peter, the rock, who led the Believers in the first decades of Christianity!

Last week, some of the key members of our local congregation gathered to present reports at the Annual Meeting. The unity was encouraging!  Whether a kid- focused effort, a 'whole church' effort,  a teen ministry, or maintenance; which is often perceived as being a less 'spiritual' work,  what we heard about was the work of dozens of people which brought benefits to hundreds of people!  These servants of Jesus willingly invested hundreds of hours, and thousands of dollars, so that their lives would make a Kingdom difference in the world.  

 A shared vision, given by the Spirit, united our little church and is making her strong.   We celebrated a center downtown (The Vault) that welcomes teens in the afternoon hours. We noted a week-long Summer Bible School (Kingdom Rock) that served 235 kids! We heard of our Christian preschool and elementary school (Good Shepherd Christian Academy) where more than 200 kids are provided a “Christ-centered and excellent education.”  And, there is weekly worship in a sanctuary that is inviting, ongoing discipleship work in small groups and youth groups.  Dozens of families from our community receive groceries each week from our pantry.

Faith Discovery Church is not a large church by any stretch of the imagination!  There isn't much chance that Christianity Today will be writing us up in a feature article any time soon.  But, she is a church with a great heart for God and His work in the world.  The amazing thing is just how much a few people who are Spirit-gifted, passionate about changing lives, and unified in mission and purpose are accomplishing under the Lordship of Jesus.

·         Do you know the joy of being part of the ‘mighty army’ commissioned by Christ to tell the world that God’s reign is here? 

·         Are you contributing to the work of the Body of Christ, not just financially, but in time and effort and cooperation?

·         Are you weaving a network of connections with people of like mind and heart?

·         Are you aware of what others are doing, rejoicing in their successes, supporting them in their disappointments?

That's how we change the world.   The Church is not a place for competition.  It's not a place to thump our chests and strut our stuff.  It's not about who's more important, or who has a bigger chunk of the annual budget.  It's about MINISTRY, making God look good and building up people at the same time.  Jesus said it succinctly:  “The commands are just two:  love God wholeheartedly and love others like you love yourself.”

If we do that, He takes care of the rest.

Here’ the word from The Word.  May it shape our commitment to one another in Christ’s Church, keeping us unified, filling all our vision.

Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ. (Ephesians 4:2-7, NLT)

The work of the Kingdom is far from finished. There are broken, lonely people who wait for us to extend a hand of mercy.  There are children waiting to be taught the Way to Life.  There are marriages waiting to be strengthened by the infusion of the love of Jesus.  There are men and women who are waiting to shown the way to know God's Presence, the joy of saying 'Yes,' to God's purposes. Are you part of the need or part of the solution? Join the Team.   Let's make a Kingdom Difference together! 

Make the following your prayer.

 ________________

Be Thou My Vision (Slane)

Be Thou my vision

O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me

Save that Thou art

Thou my best thought

By day or by night

Waking or sleeping

Thy presence my light

Riches I heed not

Nor man's empty praise

Thou mine inheritance

Now and always

Thou and Thou only

Be first in my heart

High King of heaven

My treasure Thou art

High King of heaven

When vict'ry is won

May I reach heaven's joys

O bright heaven's Sun

Heart of my own heart

Whatever befall

Still be my vision

O Ruler of all

Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne

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