A great sense of obligation
How are you today? I trust this writing finds you blessed and happy! SOMETHING IS HAPPENING AT CITY WORSHIP CENTRE! There is an excitement in the air—there is a feeling of faith, family and a fresh change of the seasons and we know that God is moving on our behalf.
The Bible has much to say about seasons and times. Daniel 2:20-23 from the Message Bible says—
“Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. ? He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history. ?He raises up kings and also brings them down, he provides both intelligence and discernment, He opens up the depths, tells secrets, sees in the dark—light spills out of him! God of all my ancestors, all thanks! all praise! You made me wise and strong”.
The past “SEASONS” (over 8 years) for CWC have been wonderful, hard, exciting, faith-building, magnificent, and sometimes challenging. But the future….well, the future is bright and as many of you have reminded me numerous times, THIS IS the year of new beginnings!
In making preparations to move our ministry out to the new property, we find ourselves filled with excitement and a sense of gratitude for what God has done in our humble beginnings. Countless lives have been changed, many miracles have been wrought, babies have been born, wedding vows spoken, meals have been shared, and times in the powerful presence of God have changed us all from glory to glory. We remember our first classes at the schools, our first baptisms in the church, our first graduation ceremonies, and nights of worship where the heavens seemed opened to join in our song! WOW! What glory we’ve shared and it’s so amazing that the hard times of beginning a new ministry are but a fading memory.
As we look forward to November 1, our first official service @ 13550 Hwy 290 W, we thank God for past victories but our eyes are looking forward to the “fields that are white unto harvest”. Having room to grow and spread out, we have greater opportunities to reach out into our “Jerusalem” in a greater way than ever before. Yes, we have a global mandate for missions and evangelism, but we have a strong urgency to reach out locally to our neighbors, friends, businesses and communities with the good news of the gospel.
I love the prayer Paul prays in Romans 1:10-16—
10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.
11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.
12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles.
14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.
15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
Friends, we know (more than ever) that God has called us to “make disciples” and “equip the saints”. Whether through the schools, the church, or the traveling ministry, we are not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God at work! What a privilege it is to serve the Lord by serving His people. There is no greater honor and no higher calling!
As we pray this week, let us remember like Paul, we have a strong sense of obligation to share the love of God and the life of God with a lost and dying world and as we enter into this new season, may the words of a great song, written by Ps Ryan Cruse, be the cry of our hearts—
Take me with arms wide open
Use me as spread your love to all
This is my heart’s cry, my heart’s cry
Guide me with every step walk beside me
As I show your love to the world
That every boy and girl would know you,
My heart’s cry!
This week we are praying specifically about the new season and about the new property.
1. Pray that God’s will and purpose is established in us and through us
2. Pray that God’s supernatural power would draw people to Himself
3. Pray that God’s presence would be welcome in our new home
4. Pray that God’s abundant provision be available to us to bless others
5. Pray that God’s love for his people would be very real as people come on the property
6. Pray for wisdom as we discern the new seasons of God
7. Pray for a harvest of souls in this new season
8. Pray for servant’s hearts as we seek to train and disciple those God sends us
9. Pray for your pastors and leaders
10. Pray for a spirit of unity that would command the blessing.
Church, we love you all and thank God for sending you our way! Have a great week and remember our Recharge service this Wed @ 6:30, the workday this Saturday from 10:00-4:00 and our services on Sunday @ 8:30 and 11:00.
Be blessed,
Ps Joe and Becky and the team