EXPERIENCE STRENGTH AND HOPE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

"Your testimony was never meant to be private. You may be the only 'church' some people may see." ~ Pastor Mark Brooks (From Carrie F.’s Facebook Wall Yesterday) 

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. – Matthew 5:15 (NLT)

Some closing comments from Pastor Mark yesterday in the 9am service.  Mark has been exhorting our gathering in Xenia to embrace our identity as a “influential” church, one that is under the influence and direction of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5). And to be an influential gathering, an influential body of believers, we must be willing and open to sharing our “light”.

As he said, our testimony, our light may be someone’s only encounter with or context of the “church”.

As most of you know who read this with any regularity, I suffered with the disease of addiction for a fair time. 

And early in my recovery I spent a great deal of time within the walls of a variety of church basements and meeting spaces attending AA (Alcoholic’s Anonymous) meetings. 

Some of those meetings were called LEAD meetings.  At a LEAD meeting one who was in recovery, one who had some “time” living soberly would SHARE their story.  The GOAL was share experience, strength, and hope for those who had gathered that sobriety was achievable, livable, and sustainable!  For the newcomers, a LEAD was often the most poignant and powerful impetus for embracing a journey of HOPE.

In other words, an AA lead is “the testimony” and to put it in the context of the opening quote from Mark, it may be the “only AA” someone sees. I get that is a of a little stretch, but you see where I am coming from.

We have an important job as THE CHURCH, followers of Christ and that is SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH, and HOPE too! 

do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord...

2 Timothy 1:8(ESV 

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day

Psalm 71:15 (ESV)

Today my friends, is there an experience about what the LORD has done that needs sharing?

Is there a time when your strength waned and like He does, He did the heavy lifting for you?  Someone needs to hear that today!

What about offering a little hope?

Tomorrow I am going to pray for the addicted on the State Courthouse steps not because of ANYTHING I have done, but only because of WHAT the LORD had done for me; provided ENDLESS HOPE for what looked like a HOPELESS end!

So, the encouragement today is crystal clear!

Put away your baskets!

Let your light shine!

Share your story; your experience, strength and hope!

Remember:

“The unbelieving world should see our testimony lived out daily because it just may point them to the Savior.” ― Billy Graham, Billy Graham in Quotes

Have a BLESSED day!

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE