TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD

Blessings to all who belong to our Lord around the world:
Isn't it amazing that you belong to a family that stretches around the world and who speak nearly every language know to mankind? The family of believers are from every continent in the world. How blessed are we to be called God's very own. By our simple faith in Jesus Christ we become a part of God's Kingdom, yes, even God's family. A Kingdom that encompasses the universe and dimensions, seen and unseen. In the last few years, so many have been impacted by Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Church." That book has truly blessed many. This past Sunday, however, I preached a message entitled "The Presence Driven Church." It was about people who are driven, hungry for God's presence. Without that burning desire for Him, one's purpose, and even the church's purpose cannot fully be realized. He desires our intimacy with Him. When we seek after Him, all else will be added. King David said, "one thing that I desire of the Lord and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life..." (Psalm 27:4a). The one most important desire he had was to dwell in the presence of God. Is that your primary desire? If it is, what if God says OK, I'll honor your request and then the next thing He does is take you into the wilderness? No common support system, no job, none of the usual comforts and an uncertain future (Hosea chapter 2:14). But what better place to really know God than when there is no one else you can depend on? If you read further in the Hosea account, you begin to see that great blessings follow the wilderness. I shared a few examples from scripture of those who had such wilderness seasons and how God did such great things in, through and for them afterwards. Strangely, according to research, half or more "born again believers" have been so influenced by culture or political correctness that they miss the voice of God inviting them into the wilderness where He can minister to them alone. Don't dismiss an opportunity for greater intimacy with God because He may call you into a wilderness season. Like David, let the one thing you desire of the Lord be a hunger for His Divine presence in your life.

Pray for TMI-ATL. The needs are many, but resources are few. We know God will provide, but He usually provides through others. Pray for TMFBC in Virginia; all is going well, but likewise much is needed to prepare for the next level of ministry God has in store there. Pray for our nation and its leaders. What a mess! Maybe somebody in D.C. will hear God speaking. May our Lord keep each of you in His love, care and provision, and may we honor Him by being one in Him. Peace.