No Gloomy Days Around Here

January first, I awoke on the first day of the new year feeling happy, thinking of where Lana and I are, the friends we have, and what we are privileged to be doing.

We are involved in the greatest work on earth - the gospel work of testifying about Jesus, and the kingdom work of equipping lives by discipleship. We do this by teaching the word of God, by modelling the ways of God, and by imparting the Spirit of God through prayer and the wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit.

God is including more and more people in this great work. As a body of believers, we are becoming like a team. We are being sent to exalt Christ, edify one another, display God's truth, model his love, and work to transform our city. 

Thinking about what I’m seeing, I recently prayed, “Father, whatever You’re doing among us, however we describe what it is, we entreat You, please keep doing it!”

In this present era preceding Christ’s return, we are seeing a measure of the kingdom of God being manifested among us. People are discarding religion but are hungry for God. 

As we honor the Lord’s presence, as we obey his word, good things happen. Among us, the report is that prayer works. Miracles happen. God is glorified. His name is praised. Children are coming to know the Lord. Families are being healed. Marriages are being repaired. Souls are getting saved. Believers are prospering. The body is being knit together. The saints are being equipped. The Holy Spirit is speaking to us. Joy – the atmosphere of heaven – has become the air we breathe. Let’s not mess it up.

It is no wonder on weekdays that I spontaneously break out into heavenly worship, singing the song of the Lord in the Spirit while walking through our empty auditorium, but I’m not alone. He is with me. He rejoices over us with His songs! 

There is nothing else like this on earth. You can spend the rest of your life catching this vision and doing this work, simply loving God and loving each other, and then go home to glory feeling fulfilled, knowing that you have served the Lord while doing the most important work that's happening on planet earth, being part of God’s family, serving your own family, and welcoming lost sheep and lost souls into our fellowship. If you want to experience this, come and see. Come and taste God’s goodness.

It is easy to be grateful when you remember what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us and also realize who we are becoming because of Him. By his choice, God is delighted to include us. That’s worth getting happy about! “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 NKJV