My heart is filled to overflowing after listening to the reports of how God has led us these past four years – miracle after miracle! Almost 2500 new members of the family, financial blessings beyond belief, lives transformed, disciples trained, young people educated for service, problems solved, challenges met, needs supplied, buildings built, and the list goes on and on – Praise God from whom all blessings flow! There is just one nagging concern in the back of my mind and in the corner of my heart.
We are still not home! Jesus hasn’t come yet! The pain continues! Seemingly sin and wickedness still prevails! I want to cross the finish line and put that all behind me forever! How about you?
But of this I am absolutely sure. We ARE in the final lap of the race, we have rounded the corner and the finish line is in sight. We must push through the wall, catch our second wind, and finish the race with greater strength and energy than ever before. WE CAN DO IT!
Jesus began the work with just twelve totally committed disciples – we have more than that. Our success won’t necessarily be measured in numbers but it will require the total commitment of active disciples who are focusing their time and talent and energy on just one priority – reaching our conference for Jesus Christ.
We have the race plan in place and it involves Relationship, Growth, Resources, Leadership, and Accountability. But none of that will matter unless we catch the predicted second wind of the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit and only the Holy Spirit that will renew us and revive us and re-energize us, and empower us, and gift us, and unite us. It is Holy Spirit power that will push us across the finish line with a spiritual energy burst that will finish the work. It will finish the work yet needing to be done in our personal lives and it will finish the work corporately. I long for it, I pray for it, I want to experience it, I can feel the breeze in my face even now.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow disciples of Jesus Christ, please don’t grow weary of well doing; don’t even think of quitting, we are almost there. Together we are going to cross that finish line and God has thousands of sheep outside the fold living right around us in our communities and neighborhoods who are just waiting for us to invite them to join the winning team that is on the brink of victory. We need you – every one of you – to give that invitation effectively and persuasively in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This gospel of the kingdom IS going to be preached by you and me – all of us together – preached to every kindred, tongue and people, living right here in Upper Columbia Conference in the Inland Northwest and then the end of the race will come. So go from this place and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and lo Jesus is with us always.
Our message is the everlasting gospel. Love God, give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come, and worship him who created us. He is calling you; He is calling all of the saints in Upper Columbia to be patient, to keep the commandments of God and to keep the faith of Jesus without wavering. We are going to make it. Hallelujah! We are going to catch the second wind of Holy Spirit power starting today, and we are going to finish this race. Don’t ever doubt it, have faith, He is able. May God help us take hold of the work earnestly and perseveringly. We have the opportunity to redeem the time. God will help us for it is only through the merits of Christ that we will be victors at last. And when we cross that finish line we will know that heaven was cheap enough. And then, I’m going to sit down at the feet of Jesus and catch my breath and rest in the radiance of His love. That’s where I’m going! Are you coming along?
