My Church

I know...I am doing a terrible job at keeping my blog updated! Sorry about that.
Anyway, today Perry Noble had something in his blog that was amazing. It was a quote he read from Brian Houston. I wanted to put it in my blog too...

“The church that I see is a church of influence. A church so large in size that the city and nation cannot ignore it.
A church growing so quickly that buildings struggle to contain the increase.
I see a church whose heartfelt praise and worship touches heaven and changes earth. Worship which influences the praises of people throughout the earth exalting Christ with powerful songs of faith and hope.
I see a church whose alters are constantly filled with repentant sinners responding to Christ’s call to salvation.
Yes, the church that I see is so dependent on the Holy Spirit that nothing will stop it not stand against it.
A church whose people are unified, praying and full of God’s Spirit.
The church that I see has a message so clear that lives are being changed forever and potential is fulfilled though the power of His Word. A message beamed to the peoples of the earth through their television screens.
I see a church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into a loving and friendly circle of hope, where answers are found and acceptance is given.
I see a people so kingdom-minded that they will count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see revival sweep this land.
The church that I see is a church to committed to raising, training and empowering a leadership generation to reap the end-time harvest that all its ministries are consumed with this goal.
I see a church whose head is Jesus, whose help is the Holy Spirit and whose focus is the Great Commission.
Yes, the church that I see could well be our church.”
Wow! This could be our church... let's make it happen!

Surviving A Crisis

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

3 Levels of growth God desires to take us to:

1. Mature
James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature...
Mature is to be fit for the purpose and the assignment that God has for us in our life.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

“God is too good to be unkind. He is to wise to be confused. If I cannot trace His hand I can always trust His heart.” — Charles Spurgeon

When crisis comes into our lives and we’re mature in Christ, the crisis doesn’t throw us into a panic and we don’t bail on God.

Maturity = unwavering consistency.

2. Complete
James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete...

Crisis will do something to your character — it will always introduce you to yourself.

Crisis reveals your integrity (who you are in the dark)

Completeness comes through perseverance — not only the ability to bear things, but also the ability to turn them into greatness or glory.

Completeness comes through contentment:

Philippians 4:11, 12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

3. Not Lacking Anything
James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

When we learn to face crisis correctly, we experience survival frequently.

God is our invisible support.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

When we have nothing to lean on or cling to, we’re in good shape because we have nothing to reach for except God.

Battles produce maturity — maturity brings completeness — completeness is lacking nothing.

We need to allow our faith to carry us through times of crisis.