A few months ago, I blogged about the journey our church was on to find a church home. In the words of our pastor yesterday......."God ALWAYS shows up. It may not be early, yet NEVER is is late, but rather, it is on time, in HIS time, right when we need HIM the most." Well, God has shown up. We now officially have a building!!!!
However, we NEED a home. In order to make the building a home, certain things have to happen. Permits need to be obtained, parking needs to be found, and the church body needs to cough up some dough to make the transition on the inside of the building from an industrial shell, into a church home.
Again, I am reminded of the Israelites crossing into Canaan. They were promised the land. They knew it was theirs. However, there were kings who wanted to fight for what was at the moment THEIR kingdom, and fight they did. Joshua had to lead the people in victory, but victory had it's price, and had a lot of hard work in the mix. It took courage, faith, sweat, sacrifice, and a belief that God was indeed on their side, and that the Israelites would be victorious.
I am left with the encouragement for Joshua: "Be strong and courageous." These words are echoed four different times, in Joshua 1. No matter what the challenge was that God was preparing them for, HIS words at the end were: "Be strong and courageous". This is what our church needs to do now. We need to prepare for the battles ahead, and
"Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
2 comments:
I am still in shock that we are finally at the bridge to our new home. I still remember meeting at VCC. Your post and all of its biblical insight makes me thankful that I have you as an amazingly intelligent and biblically sound friend.
So very very glad that we got to see each other this weekend. It feels like we've come home.
I LOVE this passage. I LOVE IT!! It follows me around weekly.
LMM
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