Hi!  Let’s rock this chilly, winter day 🙂

In our From the Heart Series, Brother John Shepard is talking about God’s divine order.  When divine order is working, things come together, and they come together in a BIG way.  This unity resembles nothing man can replicate.

Remember the Queen of Sheba?

She found it hard to believe all the good she was hearing about King Solomon.  As his fame spread, she was so intrigued, she traveled to Israel to test his wisdom with some tough questions.  There wasn’t one thing he could not explain to her.

Her mind was blown with his wisdom, riches, and seeing the operation and happiness of his whole house.

Not only did everything she hear turn out to be true, but she also quickly realized all she had been told “wasn’t the half of it”.  All the accomplishments and everything God had given Solomon were off the hook.  The Queen was so astonished and overwhelmed, she fainted.

Brother John’s writings burst with insights from services and bring home matter-of-fact ways for us to put truths into our everyday lives—and live them successfully.

Share this with a friend who wants to spread the Gospel 🙂

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By Brother John Shepard

When being led by the Holy Ghost, the Ministry of God gives His instructions and the people of God show up with their sleeves rolled up and ready to work.  This is a prime example of God’s divine order in action.  For someone who has never been around it, seen it in operation, or even heard of such a thing, I can understand the possible skepticism you may have.  If it does seem hard to believe, don’t feel like you’re the only one to take that position.

Check out this account of a what a queen came to realize when she “went to see for herself”.

The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions.  And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.  And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.  And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her.  And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.  Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.  Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.  –I Kings 10:1-9

A Change of Plans

Last weekend Brother Nobles told us that there would be no regular mid-week services in the churches at Onslow, Jacksonville, or Kinston.  Instead, everyone should gather at the Church at Wilmington on Thursday evening, and come prayed up with high expectations.  So, everyone who could, showed up.

You could tell by the readiness of mind and loving atmosphere that they had followed the instructions.  The Lord showed up there through the word from His ministry and the saturation of His Spirit.  Anyone who left that service feeling disappointed or dissatisfied had some major blinders on and anyone who missed it, missed an unforgettable service.

Teamwork and Effort Go a Long Way

It may have just looked like a large gathering of people just doing what “church-people” do, but it was way more than that.  Something like that doesn’t just happen.  A lot of behind-the-scene things come together for this to be possible.

First — people have to truly love the Lord.

Second — a willing spirit and ready to work attitude has to be taught.  Thank God for sending us Elder LaFleur and Sister Jean many years ago to instill these traits in us.

Third — the church begins to operate together to set up chairs, move music and PA equipment, prepare sandwiches and refreshments, make sure everything is clean and presentable, welcome people as they come in, and assist in parking and various other preparations.

Finally — it’s all done in love and with a joy to be counted worthy to serve God and His people.

Only in the true Body of Christ is there no schism or something that would cause a hindrance to all this taking place without a hitch.  Thanks to Brother Suggs, Sister Lena, and the Church at Wilmington for hosting such a wonderful experience in the Lord!

Come.  See For Yourself.

If after reading this post you are still a little skeptical, perhaps you might consider “seeing for yourself”.  Like the queen of Sheba did, you’ll find out:  the people of God do exist, we are real, we are on the move, and we have a joy that’s unexplainable!!

Come and see!  We can hardly wait to meet you!

That our oxen may be strong to labour;
that there be no breaking in, nor going out;
that there be no complaining in our streets.
Happy is that people, that is in such a case:
yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.  –Psalm 144:14-15