We have all faced tragedy in our lives including us as pastors. I believe in a God of miracles, I believe in healing, and I believe in the authority and power of the Word and yet I have felt the loss of my Father, my brother-in-law, and my 15 year old niece. We must come to realize that our circumstances do not change God’s Word, His character, or love for us. It helps when we know that we are not citizens of this World but we are citizens of Heaven and this is not our final resting place. It’s amazing how the Word can bring healing to every part of our bodies, even our emotions. Jesus Himself faced great disappointment and hurt when his cousin John was brutally murdered. The very reason John was executed was because of his love for Jesus, can you imagine?
Jesus did not give up on or turn away from the supernatural, miracle-working power of God because of a significant disappointment. His compassion not only led Him to heal the sick, but then He also fed five thousand people — another miracle (Matt 14:15-21)
As we study the Word it is easy to focus on the great miracles that were performed but there are also passages that help us to realize that there are circumstances we can’t always explain or will not fully know but that it does not change God’s Word.
We must have faith bigger than life. our faith cannot be superficial or circumstantial. Our faith must be bigger than today, and bigger than tomorrow. Our faith must be greater than any circumstance we ever dealt with. Faith is more about Heaven than it is about earth. Our faith takes us beyond this planet.
The enemy would love nothing more than for us to question God’s Word and not be able to receive the healing we need to move forward. If we could only grasp how temporary our time is here on Earth in comparison to eternity! I’m reminded of our guest speaker, Pastor Billy Joe Watts’ recent message on being driven by eternity. If we don’t want to be swallowed up in the fruit of this World that is filled with bitterness and disappointment than we must keep our eyes focused on the only source we can trust — the truth of God’s Word! “Our hope and our faith must transcend whatever happens or does not happen during our life here on earth.” (p. 318)
“And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world”
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle fo God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himslef will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” - Revelation 21: 3-4
Tony Cooke wraps up this book with a great reminder that God did not give us a mandate of going into the world and performing miracles but the mandate we have been given is to, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15) and to “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19-20) Remember, the greatest miracles we will ever witness is that of salvation. All of Heaven rejoices the moment someone makes the decision to accept Jesus as their savior. How incredible!
I am so excited for the season that we are in! As the World continues in turmoil we are running to His Word with full force and we are preparing for a great harvest of souls because we have the answer! At last week’s Tuesday night prayer with one voice we all shouted, “We will not retreat, we will not abandon our posts!” You were made for such a time as this — to be do-ers of the Word and to see the signs that shall follow as you continue to believe!
Get ready! As my dad used to say, “We ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”
Love you,
Pastor Lisa
Ps - Thank you for everyone who has followed along with me for this book. I’m excited to announce our next book by Jimmy Evans — “The Tipping Point” pick up your copy in the bookstore this weekend and get ready to continue to grow!