Anybody have an extra looong week?  At least the weekend is off to a start, and that means heads up, our churches are bringing the word, so get ready for incredible services.

First, much appreciation to The Church at McDonough for being such gracious hosts of the past Minister’s Meeting.  More to come on that, so stay checked-in with us.

Recently, Brother Patrick got us to thinking about how well we really know God.  We’re still thinking about the nuggets he gave us . . . plus, we’re dropping some encouraging words into your heart this afternoon.

Each meeting and service is only a stepping stone and glimpse into the places we’re going as a church!  Together, what an amazing opportunity we have.

Share this with a friend who knows we’ve been called for something great❤️

God called us to do something significant, and He’s going to provide significant miraculous provision along the way.

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Aside from giving us every frame of reference we need to live this life, the Word shows us who God is.  Whatever you read, whatever is happening—watch Him work.  See what He loves, hates, and what He expects from us.

Look at Moses and the children in the wilderness.

God is known for His faithfulness.  If you read, one thing you know about God right off the bat:  He is loyal to His people, and He keeps His promises.

Brother Patrick recently asked us:

Is knowing greater than believing, or do you believe because you know?

He asked if we know God.

Like know know God.

To know God is to have a relationship with Him.  It’s one thing to know your spouse’s name, but another to really know him or her.

He gave us scriptures to understand how God works and ways we can improve as we walk this walk.  However you got here—if you’re on your way to finding God, on your journey back to God, a situation where you’re stuck in your Christian life, hitting a hard time in a valley, having financial or relational issues, or even on the mountain—we are all working through something . . .

Get in the Word.  Get to know God and Jesus.

Continuity — Older and Younger Generations

In 1 Samuel 3, Eli tells Samuel what to do.

Here’s what happened:

One night, while Samuel is sleeping, he hears a voice calling his name.  Getting out of bed, Samuel goes to see Eli saying, “Here I am, you called me?”

Eli, doing no such thing, sends him back to bed.  Later that night, Samuel hears his name again and returns to Eli.

Again . . . Eli sends him packing off back to bed.

Samuel dozes again and hears his name being called.  Eli, now invested, tells Samuel to answer back because it’s God calling his name.

. . . and Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.  Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.  -1 Samuel 3:8-9

Samuel follows what Eli tells him to do.

God relays the misery and judgement to Samuel that will come upon Eli’s house.  In the morning, Samuel hesitates to tell Eli the news (because seriously, who wants to be the messenger of — your whole family is going to die)?

After some prompting, Samuel spills the beans, but Eli simply says it is the Lord and let Him do what seems good.  Eli has nerves of steel (before steel was invented).  After this, Samuel is declared a true prophet of God, and the story really gets going.

Samuel knew what to say because someone older told him.  Be thankful for the older generation before us, and don’t get so big in yourself—that you aren’t thankful for them and can’t be taught.

Your Spiritual Journey:  What Memorials Do You Look Back On?

In Joshua 4, the Israelites select one man from each tribe to choose a stone from the middle of the Jordan River to build a memorial.  When their children asks what it means, they will tell them how God parted the waters of Jordan and allowed the Israelites to cross over into the Promised Land.

A Personal Landmark

Brother Nobles shared one of his personal landmarks with us.  Years ago, traveling back from a service in Potter’s Hill with Sister Jean LaFleur, Rick, Lisa, and Brad, the spirit was so strong in the car that Sister Jean had to pull off the road into Brother and Sister Kinsey’s yard.  As other church members passed by, they saw everyone in the yard and began to turn around to ensure everything was okay.  People pulled into the driveway.  As they opened their car doors, some would later say the spirit overwhelmed them.  What Brother Nobles was feeling in the car was now raining down in the Kinsey yard and power fell on those who needed to touch heaven.  What a night.  When Sister Jean got home, Elder was waiting, worried.  When he saw the spirit still in the car, he rejoiced.

Remind Me, Dear Lord

Landmarks in your life serve as a reminder of the power of God and what He has done for you and for us as His people.

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?  Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.  -Joshua 4:21-22

Remember Trenton?  God took us there and moved so powerfully throughout that night.  It was one for the books and a memorial for our church.  We need these memorials collectively and personally.  Memorialize these landmarks–to strengthen us on our travels and to pass down to the next generation.

Teach Your Children

Between Joshua and Judges, someone dropped the ball.  Someone stopped preaching and teaching.  Memorials were lost.  Messages from the older generation had not reached the next generation—which meant plenty of trouble in Judges.  You’d be hard-pressed to find a book in the Bible with more sorrow, heartache, betrayal, deception, war, destruction, and violence.

There is something to be said for keeping the teachings going, passing them down to the next generation, and not letting them get lost.

There is something to be said for revisiting the landmarks in our lives of where God brought us from and how He delivered us and preserving these memorials for the next generation.

There is something to be said for appreciating all the people who came before us who stayed the course with integrity, honesty, and character.

There is something to be said for people like Elder and Sister Jean who stay with a church for all these years where God called them to work—for building, building, and building.  They never failed to give credit to those before them and Elder planted that spirit of honor in our assembly.

Don’t Be Alone on This Journey

Join the family of people who have made the same decision as you.  Being in a community is important because we find encouragement and support on this journey.  God created us to need each other.

Never Underestimate the Need for Wisdom at Your Crossroads

God positions you for the place He wants you.  You don’t know how you got there, where you’re going, or how you ended up at a crossroads to open a door you didn’t think you should open and close a door you were trying to open.

It all means He’s working.  Don’t shut him down.  He has the power to help you.

Don’t miss the services this weekend.

Walk in.  God will show up.