We're in the Middle of Something Miraculous!
Over the course of the nearly 9 years that Sarah and I have been pastoring, we've come to recognize that there are seasons in the life of a church. There are stretching seasons, sacrificial seasons, sowing and reaping seasons, harvest seasons, etc.
Next Level Church, we are currently on the front end of a Season of the Miraculous! I believe we will look back in the years to come and see these next few weeks as nothing short of miraculous!
Secondly, though we must be aware that we're in a Spiritual Battle. We can't be naive to think that Satan is at all happy with what God is doing. In the last few years, satan has had some big victories in Southwest Florida. There has been a lot of pain in people's hearts. Divorce rates have skyrocketed. And a lot of churches have closed in our area.
So as we walk through these weeks of transition into our 1st Permanent Facility, we have to know that it's not going to come without a fight. Get ready for battle, Next Level Church. Satan loves to attack in weak areas, unguarded areas, or unsuspecting areas.
But here's the good news: We have nothing to fear! The Bible makes it clear that the God who is IN us is greater than the enemy we fight against! Study Ephesians 6. Put on the whole armor of God and stand your ground because something miraculous is taking place!
Finally, I want to encourage you to Don't Miss It! When Jesus was in the Garden praying on the night before He was crucified, the disciples fell asleep. History was literally changing right before their eyes and they missed it!
Don't let that happen to you! What God wants to do is so big, so amazing and so miraculous in the lives of so many! Don't be asleep!
Next Level Church, this is a season to invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, relatives, waitresses, anybody! God is going to touch so many lives during this season, don't miss it!
Get ready, the miraculous is already beginning to happen!!!
Pastor Matt
3 comments:
Paul and I were just saying that whenever we consider NLC we remember Nehemiah! The Bible says that he built with a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. Surely, God is with us!
Sometimes those we invite say no or "maybe" and then don't make it a priority. I think it is especially important to be persistent with your friends, loved ones, and even some of those random people in our lives.
For me, being an invitation requires several attempts of reaching out to others - after 6 or 7 times they sometimes say, "OK, OK, I'll go!" Persistence does go a long way, however, as we all know, patience is equally needed! The right times to invite others present themselves fairly obviously...
NOW is the time to BE the difference! NOW is the time to step out of our comfort zones and show our people a little love and acceptance. NOW is the time to inspire, encourage, and support those around you - not just the ones you are closest to - but for everyone the holy spirit places in front of you - at just the RIGHT TIME!
When I read your message, I realized that my fear was about "successfully" inviting people. How could I invite people I don't really know? They might say no (or worse – look at me funny!) Then I realized that my pre-judging who to invite could deny God the opportunity to touch people when they need it. You never know what might open the door to a new relationship with God, and by inviting as many people as I can, that might provide the opportunity for God to touch them and work His miracles. So I've stopped judging and just started inviting! Thanks!
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