Praise! and consideration

We had a vibrant time at our YAM fellowship last night. It is AMAZING how far we have come in the last year. AMAZING. To look around and see your brothers and sisters in Christ grow in their heart for Him, to be looking to serve other people, and respecting each other and living in increased holiness is just an incredible blessing. About a year to a year and a half ago, we had a significant transition of people. Many had moved or were moving out to new places, and a whole lot of people were coming in. We had a completely green feel to us at that time. Now the stamp of Christ on our individual lives has become so evident, and we are truly growing up into Him. We are now ready to start fighting for the hearts of each other and see captives set free, to minister in the power of the Spirit and see His Kingdom advanced. We have something now, not just enthusiasm but something truly belonging to us - formed character, sincere faith, and gratitude for God's work in us. It brings me an amazing sense of satisfaction to be apart of this effort of God. God is reaching to this world so powerfully, and we are honored to be His instrument in that ingathering.

I have never seen such a desire to rid ourselves of religious do-ing and truly honor God with our obedience as I have recently. I have seen people take initiative for their lives rather than following the crowd. I have seen people make choices that go in the face of ought-tos and should's. I have seen deep caring for people and a hunger to advance into deep fellowship. I have witnessed the transformation from hardened know-it-all to empathetic learner. Wonder is upon us, and that is sweet indeed. All, truly all, thanks to the great God and Father of us all and His beloved, reigning son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer by His own costly-given blood.

Now, I've learned, is not the time to seek out those blessings for ourselves - the blessings of excitement, the thrill of success, and the headiness of vibrant fellowship. It is the time to be absorbed with God personally, to expect great loss as Satan and our flesh intend to subvert God's manifested work, to draw from deep waters rather than excitedly sipping the seemingly endless sweet colas of spiritual highs that do soon fail to provide that same excitement. A time to do nothing, as it were. To rest rather than try to advance. To yield rather than try to conquor. In other words to put our eyes upon God and take up no responsibility on ourselves that we have righly yielded to God. This is where the dying happens. Amen. May the life of Christ be manifested in us, blessed Father. Give us now our daily bread. We trust in You.