Greetings to you in the name Of Jesus Christ! Happy September 1st – to you! I like the start of a new month and , in this case, a new season. Fall programming for the faith community is ready to go…a new Alpha course in one church, two ministry to women events , the “Back To Church” city campaign, a new worship centre has opened, the Jewish New Year with a new direction, new Bible studies, new preaching series, and renewed desires to change/grow/discover. Please note, and don’t be afraid …”new”…figures prominently and that is good. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to ‘renew’ your energy and health and focus and strength so that you can – fly, run, and walk (see Isaiah 40:28-31).
Yesterday I finished a two month devotional study of the book of Jonah through the daily readings from “Every Day With Jesus” and the last verse of Jonah was highlighted. “But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left ( that is – right from wrong ), and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” Jonah 4:11 NIV. As I thought about that verse, I sensed God saying…But your city and county has more than eighty-five thousand people who don’t know right from wrong, Should I not be concerned about that city and county…and should you not be concerned with me? I took that moment with me to our ‘Cry for the city’ prayer time and shared it with those in attendance and I believe it provoked a deeper ‘cry’ for our city and county.
This morning as I opened a new devotional God gave a beautiful and challenging word through the author. “What if our heavenly Father called a family meeting of all His children from around the world and said, “Before Me stands My vast army with the potential to change the world far more than we are already doing. But, dearly loved children, you must stand strong in the Truth of my Word and in the life and power of my Spirit through sunshine and storms, truly believing that I Am all that I say I Am and will do all that I’ve claimed I will do. Ask my Spirit to apply my promises to the people and circumstances around you. Pray diligently for that lost neighbour or colleague, that wandering child, that estranged brother or sister. Pray faithfully for my Church to stand strong in this hungry, hurting world so rife with evil. Then watch and wait for the dawn of my answers–for my Kingdom to come and my will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. It is I who will then whisper, “Amen” and, “Well done.” Beloved ones, I am coming soon.” Susan Lenzkes.
What will the new season mean to us? What will God ask of us? How will we respond? – Something to ponder!